Meet John Winstanley

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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.

Today, we’d like to introduce you to John Winstanley . John was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Domonique Cooper.

Hi John , we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
My life’s mission is to be “A Warrior for peoples Hearts” My life’s advice would be “To be happy, find something wrong with the world, and go do something about it.”

My bio:

John is what you would call an “interesting character.” Born in England, raised in West Germany, educated in the United States, a graduate of Purdue University, a retired professional engineer, a former vice president of a construction company, a former atheist, a former addict, a husband and father, an avid runner, bonsai farmer, an information junkie, and a Star Wars fan. For reasons he reveals in his speeches and blogs, John became determined to shine a light on what we see, do, and feel online. That is the mission of FortSafety, a nonprofit he founded in 2017, and Digital Addiction Coach, a business service he started in 2023. In his presentations, John uses his unique blend of humor, passion, and storytelling to empower and equip his audiences with practical advice and digital life skills.

John Winstanley’s life changed forever on a sunny day in October 2010…that was the day his 9-year-old son was exposed to pornography on a school bus. He was incensed that he was powerless to protect his child from another child’s device…and frustrated that nobody was doing anything about internet-based threats facing children. As John traversed deeper down the digital rabbit hole, it became apparent that a new era of online dangers was grossly outmatching the time and effort parents and educators could dedicate to keeping their children safe. The ever-evolving digital threat profile was nearly impossible for most parents to keep up with, leading some parents to give up.

Due to his past life experiences and engineering background, John knew that this was a problem he could solve. So, in 2013, FortSafety was born: a nonprofit organization of parents and teachers helping other parents and teachers protect all kids from online threats, digital dangers, and unhealthy cyber behaviors.

Based on numerous private conversations with FortSafety audience members and workshop attendees, it became evident to John that there was a tsunami level of mental health issues and broken relationships caused by unhealthy digital content habits. So in 2023, John started stepping away from the day-to-day operations of FortSafety to become The Digital Addiction Coach, a proven, evidence-based, confidential, and (so far) 100 percent effective digital addiction service.

We’ve heard great things about your organization. For our readers who might not be as familiar, can you please tell them about the organization?
Tagline: Power Off | Life On My why: My WHY was forged by my life purpose: I am a warrior for people’s hearts. When it comes to our marriages, there is no “tomorrow.” When it comes to our relationships, there is no “tomorrow.” When it comes to our children, there is no “tomorrow.” When it comes to our happiness, our health, and our legacy, there is no “tomorrow.” Marriages, relationships, and children suffering from digital addictions or harmful online habits need help NOW… ● 70 percent of men and 40 percent of women use pornography frequently, with 11 percent of men (18 million) and 3 percent of women ( 5 million) reporting being addicted. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7044607/ ● Since the arrival of the iPhone and social media in 2007, suicide rates have doubled. ● One survey of divorce lawyers showed that 57% of divorces in the US, involve digital infidelity. ● On average a child spends 44 hours a week on their screen. Teenage mental health issues and harmful habits are being recorded at rates never before seen. …and I am uniquely qualified to help them because of my gifts, talents, life experiences, and extensive academic training and teaching knowledge. What Is Your Niche? 1. Men Struggling with Pornography Addiction: Characteristics: knowing the issue is bad, seeking support, relationship restorations (saving marriage, career, etc.), discrete help, new life where digital access is healthy, someone to talk to, full of shame, dealing with the stigma of getting help with this issue. Age 18-65. (will add women, gambling, and gaming to this niche in the future) 2. Tech-Overwhelmed Parents: Characteristics: Most millennial moms are ages 27-43 (some Genz), over-scheduled, 53% work full time, hidden guilt about giving tech to kids, what kids to succeed, seeking tech solutions and confirmation that kid will be ok. 3. Individuals in post-digital addiction recovery Characteristics: looking for long-term accountability, shoring up sober living skills, and community (I’m not alone in this). Age 18-65. Here is DigitalAddictionCoach unique selling position that makes us an absolute UNICORN in the addiction recovery space: we are proven, guaranteed, and confidential (no need to attend meetings in public), we lock your technology down within the first couple of sessions so the client can focus on recovery, and (so far) 100 percent effective. Here is The DigitalAddictionCoach.com (DAC) Angle: The Digital Addiction Coaching services are rooted in my passion for restoring relationships and strengthening families – a warrior for people’s hearts. I created the DAC family of services based on my 11 years (over 1000 hours) of providing internet safety training and addiction recovery services to students, parents, and educators, and 20 years of digital addiction sobriety. I can not stand by any longer and witness individuals, couples, and families struggling with digital addiction, such as pornography, gaming, gambling, or social media and not get help due to the stigmas and availability that accompany these issues. Our recovery services are also based on proven science-backed methodologies and research, evidence-informed, and real-world data proven (successful client testimonies). DAC is confidential, supportive, non-judgemental, and has faith and non-faith-based curriculums. DAC is like a 911 call you can make to save your marriage, relationships, children, and future legacy. A perfect referral for DigitalAddictionCoach would be: Therapists and Mental Health Professionals: Characteristic: Clinicians referring clients dealing with digital addiction for specialized coaching are very busy, overwhelmed, and don’t want to deal with this issue that wasn’t taught in school. Pediatricians/Nurse Practitioners/: Characteristic: Medical professionals referring children dealing with an unhealthy digital device habit for specialized coaching are very busy, overwhelmed, and don’t want to deal with this issue that wasn’t taught in school. They are looking to differentiate themselves by providing this service. Looking for resources to send to patients. Christian Community Leaders / Small Group Leaders Characteristic: Looking for faith-based one-on-one coaching resources for their congregation.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Domonique Cooper and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Domonique.
I first met Domonique at a Rotary Club presentation I was giving about FortSafety, and right away, I knew this was someone I wanted on my team! She asked all the right questions regarding the effects of social media and gaming on our children’s mental health. She also identified some key community connections that would benefit FortSafety. Following that meeting, I made it my mission to make sure Domonique joined my board—and she did!

I was blown away by her passion for what she does. She’s not just about titles or roles—Domonique truly cares about making a difference in the community where she resides and beyond.

One of the best things about working with her has been how she connects people. She introduced me to many organizations and individuals that have helped us expand our mission. For example, she facilitated connections with schools and local nonprofits, which opened the door for us to really dive into outreach efforts aimed at kids and families. Domonique has a way of knowing exactly who needs to be in the room, and she makes those introductions with ease.

What I admire most about her, though, is her dedication to education and the community. She’s not just sitting in board meetings—she’s actively working with schools, educators, and parents to promote internet safety. I’ve seen her roll up her sleeves and get involved in ways that go far beyond her formal responsibilities. Domonique brings in fresh ideas and practical solutions that have helped schools navigate the complexities of keeping kids safe online. Still, she’s also all about a bigger picture—she focuses on mental and emotional well-being too. (did I mention she writes books too?)

Beyond what we do together, Domonique is a huge force in the community. She’s out there organizing events, mentoring others, and making sure families have the tools they need to manage their kids’ digital lives. She doesn’t just talk about change—she makes it happen. I’ve seen her work firsthand, and it’s clear that she’s making a real impact, especially when it comes to empowering families and schools.

In short, working with Domonique has been an incredible experience. She’s a connector, a leader, and an all-around advocate for education and safety. I feel lucky to collaborate with someone who’s so passionate and committed. She’s helped us grow, build new relationships, and strengthen the work we’re doing in ways that will have a lasting impact on the community.