Spider Michaels’ life began in contradiction: the son of a multi‑millionaire who grew up with none of the privileges that title suggests. His father’s abandonment left the family in poverty, and Spider was raised by his mother, Heart, alongside his grandparents in Southwest Louisiana. Heart worked long hours as a grocery store cashier to keep the family afloat. Money was scarce, and Spider grew up wearing garage‑sale clothes — a fact he later joked about, saying a child never knows true fear until they show up to school with the Garage Sale price tag still attached. He has called himself “The Original 50 Cent.”

Summers were spent at the community pool in Frasch Park, a short walk from his grandparents’ home. It was there, in the deep end of that pool, that Spider’s life took its' first dramatic turn.

Unable to afford swimming lessons, he taught himself to swim. One day, trying to keep up with other kids crossing the deep end, he entered the water last, hoping to avoid attention. Midway across, another child grabbed his legs, pulling him under. Panic overtook him, and he began to drown.

His next memory was sitting beside the lifeguard stand, coughing water, staring up at the young woman who had saved his life — a tanned, blonde, beautiful lifeguard named Sheree’. The moment was profound. It planted a seed that would shape the rest of his life.

Spider kept swimming. He grew stronger, faster, more confident. A few years later, when Sheree’ offered a lifeguarding class at the same community pool, he signed up — and excelled. Sheree’ never forgot the boy she had once pulled from the deep end.

Spider graduated from Sulphur High School with a B average, despite missing so many days his senior year that the school threatened to withhold his diploma. Afterward, he enrolled at McNeese State University to study Business Administration — his father’s choice, not his. Spider hated it and dropped out after one semester, transferring to the University of Louisiana to pursue Health and Fitness instead.

At 18, Spider received a phone call that would redirect his life once again. Sheree’, now living in Houston and working as a Lifeguard Supervisor at Six Flags WaterWorld, recruited him to join the staff at the newly opened waterpark next to the iconic AstroWorld.

Spider thrived. By his second summer, he was promoted to Head Lifeguard, over one of the areas at WaterWorld. One short month later, he was promoted to the position of a Water Safety Supervisor — responsible for the entire lifeguard operation of the 10‑acre park, including the wave pool, deep‑water lagoon, and multiple water slide attractions. He chose the number 113 for his Lifeguard Supervisor radio number and uses it to this day in his signature.

During the fall and spring, he continued attending college, bouncing between McNeese, the University of Louisiana, and Houston Community College. He ultimately earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Fitness from McNeese in 1988 and made the Dean's List his Senior year with a 4.0 average. After graduating from McNeese, Spider enrolled in the University of Houston for Post-Baccalaureate studies in Sociology.

Spider Michaels has been called a Savant by those that know of him and his work. A Savant is a person who has an exceptional aptitude and intelligence in a field, such as music, calculation or mathematics. Spider prefers to refer to himself as an Idiot Savant, which is described as a Wave of Brilliance in yet an otherwise Sea of Ignorance.

He uses this terminology, Sea of Ignorance, because if you think you know it all, you close yourself off from learning new things and new possibilities. He utilizes this approach in everything that he does.

It was at WaterWorld that he earned the nickname “Spider,” after performing a Spider‑Man stunt at a lifeguard hotel party. His skill and intensity earned him a place on the park’s elite lifeguard competition team, S.T.O.R.M. — Strong Team of Rescue Men.

STORM became legendary.

Over ten years, they won 15 consecutive championships, including 10 straight Texas State titles and 5 Regional championships. Spider contributed to 13 of those victories. He also introduced the Skull and Crossbones emblem to the team, embracing their identity as modern‑day pirates with a “Take No Prisoners” attitude.

From drowning victim to multi‑time Lifeguard Champion — Spider had rewritten his own story.

In 1992, Spider left the waterpark world temporarily and moved to Los Angeles with a fellow Lifeguard Supervisor. There, he conceived Contraband Clothing Company, a pirate‑themed extreme‑lifestyle brand for people who lived boldly and outside the norms of society.

By the mid‑1990s, Spider was recruited into the world of motorsports, working as a Marketing Representative for major companies including Quaker State, Pennzoil, and Shell. He worked alongside some of the biggest names in NASCAR, IndyCar, and the NHRA — Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and many others.

He was at Daytona International Speedway the day Dale Earnhardt died in the 2001 Daytona 500 — a devastating moment for millions of race fans, including Spider, who deeply admired the man known as The Intimidator... The Man in Black.

Spider’s motorsports career earned him multiple championship rings:

• A Winston Cup NASCAR Championship ring with Jeff Gordon's team.
• A Daytona 500 ring with Jeff Gordon's team.
• A Brickyard 400 ring with Jeff Gordon's team.
• An IndyCar Championship ring with Sam Hornish Jr. and Panther Racing.

Very few people in history have earned championship rings in both NASCAR and IndyCar. Spider is one of them.

After decades of adventure, travel, competition, and high‑octane work, Spider shifted his focus back to Contraband, building the brand and sharing his vast archive of photos, videos, and stories from across America and Europe.

His hub website, The STORM Factory, showcases his photography, videography, travel blog, and books — all infused with the spirit of a man who has lived life at Full Throttle.

Spider Michaels has traveled far, met extraordinary people, and lived boldly — yet he never forgot the poor kid from Southwest Louisiana who wore garage‑sale clothes and taught himself to swim. He has lived, and continues to live, as a 21st Century Pirate.

The STORM Factory: "Capturing the fun in life and Taking No Prisoners." 

CONTRABAND: "Building an Empire one satisfied customer at a time." 

CONTRABAND Motto: "To offer great merchandise, entertaining content and cool vibes — all while living the life of a 21st Century Pirate."