MICHAEL L. TAYLOR ENTREPRENEURSPEAKERFORMER MILITARY SPECIAL OPS

Michael Taylor, founder of Vitamin 1 and a former Green Beret, embodies the spirit of resilience, leadership, and innovation. With a background in elite military service, Taylor’s journey from the special forces to entrepreneurship has been driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping others live healthier lives.

Vitamin 1

ABOUT

Michael l Taylor

Michael Taylor is a former U.S. Special Forces Green Beret and international security expert, internationally known for orchestrating what is said to be the greatest escape in history of Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Nissan and Renault, from Japan in December 2019. Taylor has a long career in elite military service, including experience in counterterrorism, covert operations, and high-risk extractions, which honed his skills in tactical planning and unconventional problem-solving.

After leaving the military, Taylor transitioned into private security, specializing in risk management and international security consulting. He was hired by Ghosn’s associates to execute the complex plan that involved smuggling the high-profile executive out of Japan, where he was awaiting trial on charges of alleged corporate misconduct. The operation saw Ghosn concealed inside a musical instrument case and flown from Japan to Lebanon, a country without an extradition treaty with Japan.

Taylor’s role in the Ghosn escape made international headlines and eventually, at the request of the Japanese government, led to his arrest by U.S. authorities in May 2020. After a legal battle, Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, were extradited to Japan, where they were forced to plead guilty and sentenced to prison where he was tortured.

Despite the legal consequences, Taylor is seen as a daring and resourceful figure, embodying the bold, risk-taking spirit of his Green Beret background.
In 2023, Apple TV debuted a series titled, Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn to solid reviews by Rotten Tomatoes and ImDb.

A new film is currently underway about Taylor’s life and his experience rescuing Ghosn.

Mike Taylor in “Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

MICHAEL TAYLOR

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Podcasts

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PRESS CONFERENCE: Michael Taylor, Former U.S. Green Beret

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SPEAKING TOPICS

LEADERSHIP

As a former Special Forces Green Beret, Taylor has worked with and trained guerrilla forces and foreign militaries, equipping them to stand independently. He helped them manage their troops and command structure, from individual soldiers to senior commanders. Taylor seamlessly transitioned these skills into managing businesses, coaching, teaching, and navigating everyday life, applying the same principles of leadership, strategy, and discipline.

ADVERSITY

Taylor was in a Japanese Prison for 20 months; 17 months of that time in solitary confinement.

Having spent 17 months in one of Japan’s harshest prisons, notorious for
its severe conditions and allegations of torture, Taylor survived by mentally segmenting his time. He focused on each day that turned into night and every night that gave way to daylight. He marked time by the meals provided, however minimal. For 6.5 months, he endured without a shower, braving the frigid winter without heat, suffering from daily frostbite. These extreme conditions not only tested his body but also strengthened his mind, instilling in him a level of grit and mental resilience like never before.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Taylor is an accomplished entrepreneur and the founder of Vitamin 1, a company specializing in delicious-sugar free healthy hydration drinks enhanced with vitamins and electrolytes. Drawing on his background as a former Special Forces Green Beret, Taylor infused his business with the same values that defined his military career: discipline, resilience, and leadership. Taylor’s vision, combined with his commitment to wellness and performance, has driven Vitamin 1 to become a competitive player in the health beverage market.

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