Muskego Author Writes About Re-Prioritizing His Life After Cancer

Ten years after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, Michael Hallmann of Muskego says that life event was his opportunity to shift priorities. Inspired to share his perspective on money – and its influence over Americans’ lives – he wrote “Navigating Life’s Lost and Found,” a book that highlights his experiences on Wall Street and his renewed focus on family and faith.

“I’ve worked for Wall Street firms for 30 years,” said Hallmann, who survived his cancer and is now a self-employed municipal bonds negotiator. “We’ve been taught to get a good education, get a good job, buy a nice house, and that’s the American dream…but when I was diagnosed with cancer I realized it doesn’t matter how much money I have if I am dead.”

Hallmann said the finance industry, especially investment banking on Wall Street, tends to push professionals to focus too much of their lives on money.

 “It was taken to a whole new level, and I’ve seen over time that it’s not a coincidence to me that we are now in a position that we’re in foreclosures and bankruptcies. It’s because we’ve placed our priorities in the wrong areas,” he said.

Instead of materialism and wealth, Hallmann says people should focus on faith and family.  That rang true for him when he learned he had kidney cancer and had been spending the majority of his time working, away from his family.

“I realized all the money in the world isn’t going to replace the time I have with my family,” he said.

Surgeons removed Hallmann’s cancerous tumor just before it would have spread, and Hallmann believes it was a miracle.

“Over time I kept saying this is God’s hand grabbing me and saying, ‘Wake up Mike,'” he said. “That’s what brought me to reprioritize. Life is not about the money, the house, the portfolio. Life is about relationships and faith.”

These days, Hallmann makes family time paramount. He said he doesn’t take phone calls when he’s with his family, and their activities come first.

He had a book signing event last week at San Loria Coffee Store in Muskego and is coordinating more signing dates with other area stores, including Northwestern Publishing House, VCY Bookstore and ProBucolis Bookstore, all in Milwaukee.  His book, published by Xulon Press, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian book web sites.

Hallman has been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Muskego for 24 years and lives with his wife Sherri, and their children Tyler, 17, Erica, 15, and Emma, 13. He said spiritual faith is the driving theme of the book.

“God has called us and has told us we can have all those things that we consider the American dream, but we need to make sure God is first,” he said.