Sneakerhead spotlight: John aka @teachnsneaks
Question 1: What’s in your current sneaker rotation?
John: Right now safari dunks, Civilist dunks, ow 5 muslins, ow volt af1, off noir Unions, J1 origin stories, ow 5 sails, and black rayguns.
Question 2: What's the last pair you UNDS'd?
John: Off white volt Air Force 1s. One of my grails.
Question 3: What is your fave sneaker you currently own?
John: A pair of 3lab5 infrared 5s. They got me back into sneakers when the kids at school couldn't believe I had them. It was my Retro 4 military blues, but I sent them to a mission in Jamaica.
Question 4: What is your must-have grail?
John: 2021 Carmines. The first J's I ever had.
Question 5: What got you started in the sneaker game?
John: I got in the first time to have an avenue to reach students in my youth ministry. The second time I saw 70% of the school wearing J's and knew I could use the same strategy. I gave 5 pairs away last year and talked to countless students about making good decisions.
Question 6: What's something that most people don't know about you?
John: I was accepted to college in 5th grade, but I also have a rare immune disorder called CVID.
Question 7 (optional): What do you do for a living?
John: I teach autistic students and students with special needs. I left a 70k a year position to take a 17k a year position that turned into a teaching job.
Question 8: where can people follow you on social media? YT, Snapchat, IG etc
John: Im on IG, but not super active @teachers_in_sneakers, I hope to get a youtube channel going this week called Sneaker Heroes or some variant of that not in use. I have an outreach I want to do, where I go in schools, share my story, and get some kicks out to kids in need. I plan on doing an event locally and will be meeting with my pastor this week to get it going through our church. I have spoken to several guys about getting involved on Twitter and would love anyone interested to contact me.
I have a background of 20 years doing public speaking and want to help others who might be interested. My story is pretty crazy. I was verbally and physically abused as a child. I turned to alcohol at 17 and had a bleeding ulcer by 22. Those times were rough, but I know I went through that and even my current struggles with illness, to be able to encourage others in the same situation. I share about my struggles with depression and anxiety all the time also. I know there are so many people hiding those issues behind a smile. I always offer to listen and be an ear if they need to talk.