early years

Weighing in at 250 pounds Professor Spira—Micheal Goecke—was a varsity offensive lineman for his high school American football team.

“…A normal meal could consist of two chili cheese footlong hotdogs, five root beers, popcorn, and a cheeseburger at our neighborhood Root Beer Stand.”

Spira's excessive eating was not only accepted, it gave him social status.Despite this, Spira craved to have control over his weight.This desire would find fulfillment through his passion for music.After finishing high school, Spira continued his academic journey at the prestigious:University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of MusicIn the realm of academics, Spira thrived.Socially, he embraced the experiences of college life, both legal and otherwise.Unfortunately, his health took a downward turn.He continued to consume the same extreme meals he once ate as an active varsity athlete, but now, there was a crucial difference:He no longer engaged in regular exercise.

“I practiced my trombone for 8-12 hours a day. I ate huge meals and then practiced for hours, only taking breaks to smoke and eat candy bars or Doritos.”

At 19 years old Spira weighed 300 pounds, had diagnosed sleep apnea, and lived a life plagued with chronic ailments.

“I had chronic migraine headaches, arthritis, bad allergies, frequent nose bleeds, painful hemorrhoids, and yearly bouts of bronchitis.”

Spira was determined to regain control over both his weight and his health.He knew about various diet trends and tried a few, but they left him unimpressed and unsuccessful.Spira began to exercise regularly and experimented with different health and diet supplements.Eventually, feeling discouraged, he reverted to his habit of daily overeating, believing that his fate was sealed, and he would meet his end when the time came

“During my freshman year, I made it a point to plug into the local jazz scene to supplement my school activities.I knew that I would really learn how to play on the professional jazz bandstand, and I sought out as many opportunities as I could.”

the mentor

Spira frequented a bar named “Sonny’s” which served as a gathering spot for the older black community.

'' The older men would show off their brand new 1967 leisure suits, while the older women would get wasted and try to offer me drinks saying, 'you so fine baby!' ''

He didn't visit for drinks; he came to make music!Every Sunday, jazz jam sessions took place and Spira would hop in with his trombone.It was at this very bar that he would begin a friendship with his future mentor:“Brother Air"Spira had spotted Air performing at various jazz venues in Cincinnati.One Sunday at Sonny's, Spira struck up a conversation with this intriguing jazz drummer about health and diet…

“Air dismissed the principles of Western dietetic theory and asserted that the only true road to health was through Professor Arnold Ehret’s Mucusless Diet Healing System.Brother Air said that he was over 40 years old and had practiced the diet for more than 20 years. This was shocking, as he did not look anywhere near 40 years old.”

One evening Spira, his saxophonist friend Ryan, and Brother Air found themselves in a Northern Kentucky restaurant playing a jazz set.During intermission Spira and Ryan took advantage of the free buffet.They sat across from Brother Air and started digging into their chicken wings.The information Brother Air would share, went on to change Spira’s life forever:

“I was sitting there just eating it across from him, I saw his face transform…Like he couldn’t hold it anymore—he had to tell me about what he knows”

“As we sat and ate, Air began to speak very clearly about the Mucusless Diet Healing System.As the conversation progressed, Daktehu and I ate slower and eventually quit.As I looked at my plate with new eyes, Brother Air talked about his experience eating nothing but fruit for an entire year and sustaining 100 day fasts.”

This conversation marked the start of Michael Goecke's transformation into Professor Spira.Spira would later earn a PhD in ethnomusicology and become the youngest professor on campus at the age of 23.He would revitalize his body, mind, and spirit through the Mucusless Diet Healing System, which he has faithfully practiced for over 20 years.

''This caused something to click in my brain...It made so much sense.''

In 2007, he launched his YouTube channel.On this channel, he educates thousands about the Mucusless Diet Healing System and the concept of living a "Mucus-Free Lifestyle," leading by example.Professor Spira would begin creating annotated, revised, and edited versions of Ehret's work starting in 2014.He would establish Mucus Free Life LLC with the goal of:

“…educating the world about the Mucusless Diet Healing System, the natural healing methods of Prof. Arnold Ehret, and the benefits of a mucus-free lifestyle.”

Professor Spira serves as a living testament as to what can be achieved when someone wholeheartedly embraces Ehret's teachings, not as a short-term solution, but as a way of life!Check out Spira’s work down below: