John Shinholser: Person of the Week  

John Shinholser is a recovery warrior, he fights excellent battles, and wins (most of the time) He is the co-founder of McShin and has influenced many “recovery” laws and funding streams for recovery. With over 42 years clean and sober, John is a good husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many. His best work is in front of him.

LinkedIn John Shinholser

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. Alcohol, cannabis, acid and whatever you had. 8/10/82.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. A sense of belonging.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. Disease.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. They are anonymous.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. Mountaintop.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Gods will not mine.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Peace and serenity, daily.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. I hate fake news.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. McShin.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. Me.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. The Shinholser school of thought.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. Richmond, VA. Ashland, VA.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Ernest Hemingway, Leon Yuris, Sidney Sheldon, James Webb.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Libra.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. Good Orderly Direction.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. Basic Text, Alcoholics Anonymous.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Saving Private Ryan.

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

A. Stanley Kubrick.

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. How happy I’d be.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Save more money.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. A doctor’s perspective on opiate addiction. (I’m proofreading it)

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. Facebook.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. The Book of Mormon.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Elvis.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. The Rolling Stones.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Warrior.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Olongapo.

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

A. Ritz.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Golf.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. BBQ.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Don’t use no matter what.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Don’t use no matter what.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Yes, DUI.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. Underdogs winning.­­­­­

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. Delivering my father’s eulogy.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. Miniskirts.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. I found purpose.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. Pocketknife, current recovery medallion, nicotine pouches, handkerchief, attitude of self-assurance.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. To be helpless.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. Mancave.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. Getting squeezed out of a charity I founded.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. It’s classified.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. How the next president will “not do.”