Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Drewyor.
Hi Bryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in Toledo, Ohio, in a home where both science and art were simply part of everyday life. My father is a psychologist who spent his career helping people understand the mind, while my mother is a musician who taught me that music has the power to connect people in ways words often cannot. Looking back, I realize those two influences shaped nearly everything I would become.
From an early age, I found myself fascinated by both human behavior and music. I wanted to understand why people think, feel, and behave the way they do, and at the same time I was captivated by music’s ability to calm us, inspire us, and bring complete strangers together. Those two passions have never been separate for me… they’ve always been different expressions of the same curiosity.
I attended Eastern Michigan University, where I initially studied music. After two years, I realized I wanted to understand the human mind just as deeply as I wanted to understand music, so I changed my major and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Along the way I studied psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminology, and human behavior. Although I graduated with a psychology degree, I never stopped learning. In many ways, I feel like I’ve been a full-time student ever since.
For more than twenty years, I’ve made my living as a traveling musician, performing throughout Michigan and Wisconsin under the name One Human Band. Every performance became more than entertainment. It became an opportunity to watch people laugh together, reconnect with loved ones, dance, sing, and sometimes even cry. Seeing those experiences unfold over thousands of performances only strengthened my desire to understand why music has such a profound effect on the human brain.
That curiosity led me into years of independent study in neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and behavioral science. I’ve spent countless hours reading scientific literature and learning from some of the world’s leading researchers, always asking the same question… how can we better understand the relationship between the brain, the nervous system, and our overall well-being?
Today, that lifelong journey has grown into several interconnected careers that all share the same purpose… helping people improve their lives.
As a life coach and health and wellness consultant, I help people better understand stress, emotional health, resilience, and the science behind lasting behavioral change. Together with my partner, Kira, we operate Iron Mountain Acupuncture & Wellness in Iron Mountain, Michigan. While she specializes in acupuncture and Eastern medicine, I focus on sound healing, mindfulness, breathwork, and nervous system education. We believe that true wellness comes from treating the whole person, combining ancient healing traditions with modern scientific understanding.
One of my greatest passions is sound healing. Using crystal singing bowls, Native American-style cedar flutes, metal singing bowls, guitar, piano, percussion, and other acoustic instruments, I create immersive sound experiences designed to encourage deep relaxation and mindfulness. The goal isn’t simply to make beautiful music. It’s to help people slow down, breathe deeply, and gently guide their nervous systems toward the parasympathetic state where the body naturally rests, restores, and heals.
My own wellness practice reflects those same principles. I regularly practice yoga, Qigong, breathwork, mindfulness meditation, and walking meditation. These aren’t just things I teach… they’re practices that help keep me grounded while balancing multiple careers and a busy life.
Living alcohol-free has also become an important part of my personal journey. Sobriety has allowed me to become more intentional, more present, and more connected to the people around me. It has reinforced my belief that health isn’t about perfection. It’s about making small, consistent choices that support our minds, bodies, and relationships.
Most recently, I began an exciting new chapter by becoming a licensed real estate professional with Great Lakes & Land Real Estate Company. At first glance, real estate might seem unrelated to psychology or music, but to me it fits naturally into everything I’ve spent my life doing. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions people ever make, and it’s rarely just about property. It’s about families, dreams, transitions, financial security, and building the next chapter of someone’s life. My background in psychology has given me a unique perspective on listening, communication, problem solving, and helping people navigate stressful decisions with confidence and compassion.
I’ve also developed a passion for land, conservation, and the unique natural resources of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Helping people find the right property isn’t simply a transaction for me. It’s an opportunity to connect people with places where they can build homes, businesses, memories, and legacies while appreciating the incredible landscapes that make this region so special.
Whether I’m performing music, leading a sound healing session, coaching someone through a difficult season of life, helping a client buy their first home, or continuing my own education in neuroscience, the purpose remains the same… helping people move toward healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives.
When I look back, I realize I’ve never really changed directions. Every chapter has simply been another way of exploring the same question that fascinated me as a child… What helps human beings thrive?
The psychologist’s son and the musician’s son never had to choose between science and art. Instead, I’ve spent my life bringing them together, using both to help people find greater health, connection, purpose, and peace.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many people who choose a creative path, my greatest challenges have often become my greatest teachers.
Making a living as a professional musician for more than twenty years has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There are no guaranteed paychecks, no predictable schedule, and no roadmap for success. Every performance has to be earned, every opportunity has to be created, and every year brings new challenges. There were many seasons when financial stability felt just out of reach, and living as a struggling artist often meant carrying a constant level of uncertainty that can keep you in a chronic state of stress.
Those experiences gave me a much deeper understanding of resilience and of the effects that prolonged stress can have on both the mind and body. They also strengthened my empathy for others who are facing their own challenges, whether financial, emotional, or physical.
My partner, Kira, has also faced significant health challenges after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and cervical dystonia. Walking beside someone you love through a chronic illness changes your perspective. It teaches patience, adaptability, gratitude, and the importance of finding moments of peace even during difficult seasons. Those experiences deepened both of our commitment to health, wellness, and helping others discover practical ways to improve their quality of life.
There were certainly times when it felt like we were simply trying to survive. Building careers centered around music, wellness, and service while navigating financial hardship wasn’t easy. Like many entrepreneurs and artists, we experienced setbacks, self-doubt, and moments where the future felt uncertain. But every obstacle reinforced an important lesson… meaningful work often takes time, persistence, and faith.
Over the past few years, we’ve begun to feel that everything we’ve worked toward is finally coming together. Our music, our wellness practice, our commitment to lifelong learning, and now my work in real estate have created a life that feels grounded in purpose. Instead of living in a constant state of survival, we’ve found greater stability and balance, allowing us to focus less on simply getting by and more on serving our community.
Today, one of the most meaningful parts of my work is helping others move from surviving to thriving. Whether it’s through music, sound healing, coaching, wellness education, or helping someone find a place to call home, I hope people leave feeling a little more hopeful, a little more connected, and a little more confident in their own ability to overcome life’s challenges.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that adversity doesn’t have to define us. It can become the foundation for compassion, resilience, and a deeper commitment to helping others find their own path forward.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Iron Mountain Acupuncture & Wellness was created with a simple vision… to provide a space where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover practical tools for improving their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
My partner, Dr. Kira Drewyor, is an acupuncturist who combines traditional Eastern medicine with a compassionate, individualized approach to care. Her goal is to help patients address the root causes of imbalance while supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
My role focuses on the mind-body connection through sound healing, wellness consulting, mindfulness, breathwork, and education. During sound healing sessions, I use crystal singing bowls, Native American-style cedar flutes, metal singing bowls, guitar, piano, percussion, and other acoustic instruments to create immersive experiences that encourage relaxation and presence. While every person’s experience is unique, the intention is to help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and support the body’s transition into the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and restore” state.
Together, we believe that wellness is about much more than treating symptoms. It’s about giving people practical tools they can use in everyday life to manage stress, improve resilience, and cultivate healthier habits. Whether someone comes to us for acupuncture, sound healing, wellness coaching, or simply to learn more about how the nervous system works, our goal is always to meet people where they are and support their individual journey.
We’re also proud to be part of The Real Heal 906, a collaborative wellness center in Iron Mountain that brings together a variety of health and wellness professionals under one roof. Rather than focusing on just one approach, The Real Heal 906 embraces a holistic model of care by offering a wide range of services that complement one another.
Visitors can explore offerings that include physical therapy, halotherapy in a therapeutic salt room, red light therapy, infrared sauna sessions, massage and bodywork, acupuncture, sound healing, movement practices, and other wellness services provided by experienced practitioners. The idea is to create a welcoming environment where people can discover the combination of therapies that best supports their individual health goals.
One of the things that makes The Real Heal 906 special is the spirit of collaboration. Instead of working independently, the practitioners recognize that health is multifaceted. By sharing knowledge and working together, we’re able to provide a more comprehensive approach to wellness that supports the whole person… body, mind, and spirit.
Our hope is that everyone who walks through our doors leaves feeling a little calmer, a little healthier, and a little more empowered to take an active role in their own well-being.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of the things I love most about living in the Iron Mountain area is that it offers an incredible quality of life. It’s a community where you can build meaningful relationships, spend time outdoors year-round, and genuinely feel connected to the people around you.
As someone who loves nature, this area feels like home. Whether it’s hiking, walking the trails, skiing in the winter, fly fishing, kayaking, snowshoeing, or simply spending time outside with my dog, Bruce, there’s always an opportunity to get outdoors. I think being surrounded by nature has a profound effect on our mental and physical health, and living here makes it easy to stay active and connected to the natural world.
One of my favorite things about the area is the river. Years ago, I worked as a whitewater rafting guide, so I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the Menominee River and the incredible Whitewater Gorge. It’s one of the features that gives this community its unique character. Having that river flowing through our area creates an adventurous spirit that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.
I also love that we have multiple ski hills within a short drive. Few communities our size have access to so many outdoor opportunities in every season. Whether it’s the colors of autumn, fresh powder in the winter, spring waterfalls, or summer evenings on the trails, there’s always something beautiful to experience.
Photography has become another way I connect with the area. I’m constantly inspired by the forests, rivers, wildlife, historic buildings, and changing seasons. Living here reminds me to slow down and notice the beauty that’s often right outside our front door.
Professionally, I’ve also come to appreciate this community through my work. Whether I’m helping someone through sound healing, my One Human Band, working with clients in real estate, or meeting people through our wellness center, I’ve found that people here genuinely care about one another. There’s a strong sense of community that makes relationships feel authentic.
Like any town, it’s easy to get distracted by negativity if you spend too much time on social media. But my experience in the real world has been very different. The people I’ve met have been welcoming, generous, and incredibly supportive. When you get out into the community, attend local events, volunteer, or simply strike up conversations with your neighbors, you quickly realize how much kindness exists here.
What I appreciate most is the balance. I can spend the morning walking the trails with Bruce, help someone find their dream home in the afternoon, lead a sound healing session in the evening, and still have time to enjoy the peace and beauty that surrounds us. That’s a lifestyle that’s becoming harder to find, and it’s one of the reasons I’m proud to call Iron Mountain home.
To me, this isn’t just a great place to live… it’s a place where people can truly thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/ironmountainacupuncturewellnes/home
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ECwC4LerC/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/192fCTeWg8/
