Meet John Porter | Author, Motivational Speaker, Life & Relationship Coach, Host, Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
That’s a great question. It’s funny because I was telling someone the other day that I’ve been a creative or “creator” ever since I took my first Creative Writing and Arts class in the 7th grade almost 35 years ago. So, I was a creator before creating became “Cool, Popular and Profitable” so I’m an O.G. Creator in these streets. lol But seriously, God put me in a place where I had to tap back into my creative side and it’s been a journey and a blessing. God literally stepped in and interrupted ALL of MY Plans, and started to give me HIS Plans. My plans were to retire, continue mentoring young men open an event center for live music and comedy shows, get married, travel, BUT, lo and behold God had other plans.

I caught Covid for the first time in August 2021 and was in the hospital while I was In the hospital God told me that I was going to write a book, but never in a million years would I think it would be on dating and relationships. As fate would have it, I caught Covid again in May 2022, and by September 2022, God sat me all the way down (because of Long Covid) and I was unable to work however, during this time I was able to tap into one of my many gifts and out of those gifts five books were written. Three which are available NOW on Amazon, “The Twelve P’s of Dating” (For Grown Folks), “The Twelve P’s of Dating for Young Adults” (For High School Junior and Seniors and College Students. and “Mending The Broke Soul” The Guide to Healing from a Broken Heart. I’ve also launched my Life Coaching and Relationship Coaching Business, (Empower U Coaching Group) and also under that umbrella starting Motivational & Empowerment Speaking and currently accepting speaking engagements, So if you’re looking for someone to Empower, Motivate, Transform and Energize your class, group, company or organization and reach new levels of success? LOOK NO FURTHER!! My presentations are more than just speeches, My presentations captivate, educate, and help the audiences tap into their full potential!! I know I know Shameless Plug 🤦🏾‍♂️ but I also have some other things I’m working on like rebranding my Podcast, “The JP Experience” so stayed tuned because I can’t wait to share what’s going on because it’s going to be BIG!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
(Professionally) I’m Currently waiting on my Retirement Date, A 22 year Law Enforcement Officer (Retirement loading ) I was responsible for building bridges between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the citizens in Macon, Bibb County. I was a Field Training Officer, Gang Investigator, and ended my career in Juvenile Court. During my tenure, I organized and facilitated several details and community projects.

(Creative & Arts) I’m currently the author of 5 books, (“The Twelve P’s of Dating”, “The Twelve P’s of Dating for Young Adults”, Mending the Broken Soul, Healing for the Broken Heart” (Just Release February 22, 2024) “Conquering The Cave, Finding Your Inner David” (Scheduled Release Late 2024) “The Twelve P’s of a Relationship” (Scheduled Release Early 2025) I’m also a Professional Motivational Speaker that’s a subject matter expert on a wide array of topics ranging from Law Enforcement, Overcoming Obstacles, and Success 101, Conflict Resolution, and Dating and Relationships. I’m also a Certified and Qualified Life and Relationship Coach, with “Empower U Coaching Group” which specializes in One on One Coaching, Group Coaching, Singles Coaching, Couples Coaching and Relationship Coping Coaching, and Business Relationship Coaching. I’ll also be re-launching My Podcast “The JP Experience” Summer 2024. What sets me apart from everyone else is that I move and operate with and in PURPOSE, I’m not chasing the bag, I’m chasing PURPOSE and as a result, God takes care of me! I also think me being my true, real, honest, and authentic self also separates me from everyone else. There’s no ulterior motives, no negative intentions, I’m not doing it for likes, everything I do I get my marching orders from God and make sure that I’m being obedient to what he’s calling me to do instead of the things that I really want to do!

Were there any challenges and obstacles?? Heavens YES!!! Way too many to name but for the sake of time I’ll just say that I’ve had my share of challenges and uphill battles, BUT, they didn’t have me!!! From my teenage years all the way up until THIS YEAR!! . BUT, by the Grace of God I overcame and survived every obstacle thrown my way, and it has made me stronger, wiser, and better and more importantly I learned the lesson and tapped into my full Potential and my Purpose!! I’ve spent time in the Palace, thrown in the “PIT”, send to “Prison”, survived the “The Wilderness” and found myself in “The Cave” trying to get back to the Palace, but the unique part about that is after every one of those experiences it allowed me to tap into my gifts, it helped me to grow, and it equipped me for my purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh that’s easy!!!!! I’m a foodie, and I absolutely love live music, and I’m big on VIBES and Experiences!!!! Some of my favorite food spots

Brunch: Breakfast At Barney’s, or Gritz Brunch Bar, Another Broken Egg Cafe

Lunch or Dinner Little Alley Steakhouse, Fellini’s Pizza, Slutty Vegan, Zesto’s (don’t judge me) Benihana and Pappadeaux are my go to when my out of town crew comes down.

Entertainment: I tell all of my out of town family and friend that they need to attend “The Original Sundress and Seersucker Event” because it’s a WHOLE ENTIRE VIBE!!!!! You have to experience it at least once I promise you’ll be back!!! But, I’d take them to all of the concerts, food festivals, Jazz festivals, anything pertaining to good food and music. We Would also make a stop at my 2 Favorite Spots St. James Live and City Winery, and for some real fun we would also go to Top Golf, and Your3Spot

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh wow!! It’s way too many to name and I hope and pray that I don’t leave anyone out, so when y’all read this article and I miss your name it’s not intentional, charge it to my head and not my heart, So here we go, Before I even start to mention the people I have to give ALL GLORY, HONOR, And PRAISE to God!!! NONE of this is possible WITHOUT HIM!! HE has kept me in the midst of the my many storms and HE continues to bless me in spite of me!!! So I had to GIVE THANKS TO HIM!! Next I have to honor and give thanks to my Mom and Dad, John C & Turley Porter, again because there is no “me” without “them.” Even though they aren’t here physically, their spirit still resonates with me daily. They taught me so many life lessons, loved me unconditionally, provided me with EVERYTHING that I ever NEEDED and even gave me a few things that I wanted, EVEN, through all of my foolishness down thru the years. They were also the standard and example of what marriage and real love looks like! I was truly blessed beyond measure when God chose them to be my parents! Up next is my one and only daughter Tyra, she’s grown now and living her best life. No Longer “My Brat” or “My Broke Bestie” BUT, a Beautiful, Bold, Hard Working, Respectable Queen, that still “tap dances on my last nerves” and thinks that she’s My Mom, but I’m so thankful for her because we have literally held each down and she’s definitely “My Why” and the reason I do what I do!!! Little that she knows she’s also part of my retirement plan because I have to get a return on my investment… So keep grinding kiddo, Love You to the moon and back!!!!!

Special shout out to my Massively HUGE family, trust me It’s a LOT of us!!! Matter of Fact My Grandmother & Grandfather (Zollie and Arrie Jones) had 14 children biologically and raised another 6 or 7 in the home at the same time, and just imagine those 14 children having 10-12 kids and so on and so on so as a result we have The Jones, Jacksons, Hollingsheds, Davis, Scott, Williams’, Respress , Bentley, Colbert’s, Dewberry, Evans, and Sandifer , and I still feel as if I left some family off… BUT, MAJOR shout to my Family for always supporting and believing in me!!!

Major Shout Out out to my Two Big Brothers, Dr. Vernard “Julio” Hodges and Dr. Dominique Johnson. Thank you for being there during the good, the bad, and the ugly, BUT, more importantly, thank you for “always” being there when I needed you all the most. Thanks for being an example of what a true Brotherhood looks like. Thank you for inspiring Da Bruhz to “Bet On Themselves” and go after your wildest dreams and giving us the blueprint to succeed in real life and fraternity. I’m forever grateful!

Y’all know I had to give a MAJOR SHOUT OWT to my fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. (The “Mighty US” Upsilon Sigma Chapter and The Lambda Phi Chapter for molding and shaping me to live my creed and exemplify what manhood and brotherhood is all about, BUT, more importantly thank you Ques for ALWAYS SUPPORTING, SHOWING UP, and SHOWING OWT!! Long Live The Que’s!!!!!!

Up Next are the Devastating Divas of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated!! Thank y’all so much for believing in me and believing in my dreams! I know I can give y’all a hard time every now and again BUT, Y’all have ALWAYS been there and supported me and afford me opportunities to grow and help me build my brand while having my back!!!

And to the rest of the Divine Nine. Thank You y’all so much for supporting and believing in me as well! Especially the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. Y’all have genuinely supported me and had my back as well and I truly appreciate the overwhelming support that’s has been given to me!!

Up Next…. The ABSOLUTE BEST HBCU in the Nation, THEE ONE & ONLY Fort Valley State University!!!! Thank you challenging me, Thank You for changing me, Thank You for embracing me, and Thank You for LOVING ME!!! FVSU prepared me for the REAL WORLD (life after college) Thank you to the ALL the professors that believed in me, Dr. Dixon, Dr.Abe, Dr. Homer, Dr. Walker, Dr Holloway, Dr. Chatman, Dr. Jenkins (here’s where I’m a get in trouble because I know I’m forgetting someone) but, they helped develop and mold me to be the person AND the leader that I am TODAY! #FVSU #Wildcats #GoWildcats #FVSUisMyHBCU

Website: https://empowerucoaching.org/

Instagram: @jp_grimaceque, @empowerucoachinggroup,@the12psofdatingthebook

Facebook: John Porter, Empower U Coaching Group, The Twelve P’s of Dating The Book

Image Credits
The images of the students and myself with the microphone is from me being the keynote speaker for my Alma Mater Fort Valley State University Success 101 Workshop, And the Picture with me speaking in the cafeteria in front of the people was me Speaking to the Dougherty County Public School System. Topic: Winning In 2024, Remembering Your Why Workshop Photo cred Stephani J