Johnny's Story

In his early 20's, Johnny's work in construction kept him running in circles of friends who used drugs and alcohol to escape life's challenges. Later, when owning a successful jet-ski rental business, he found himself surrounded 24/7 with crowds who just lived to party. Everything Johnny did, he did well, and this included partying. While he dabbled in a variety of drugs throughout his history, various troubles, including near-fatal overdoses, kept Johnny from severe drug addiction. Alcohol was Johnny's true nemesis and kept a firm grip on him until just two years ago.

Johnny found himself in aptly named Discovery Bay, California. His mother owned a house there that needed a remodel in order to sell. Johnny was just the guy for the job so he readily moved up there. His charming personality quickly won him many friends in the area, and he was always ready for jet-skiing on the Delta and partying with those who enjoy the leisurely lifestyle there. When the remodel was completed, he decided to stay on and had the great idea to start his own business, Inline Concepts. He quickly built up a large and wealthy clientele and was deeply enmeshed in the party scene. He had gunmetal gray, factory lowered extended cab 2003 Chevy Silverado and they were both well-known around town. He eventually got a super-fast Ninja for midnight joy-rides. His life, like his motorcycle riding, was careening along at break-neck speeds.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Johnny was literally partying 24 hours a day. The disease of alcohol addiction had clearly set in and he couldn't even start his day without a flask of tequila. While he managed to keep up appearances, drive and run a successful business while drinking constantly, it was his body that finally called it quits. After passing out and nearly dying on his mother's floor, he spent some time in rehab...unfortunately not enough. After his first stint in rehab he stayed sober for 28 days, but depression sent him back to the bottle. Johnny learned how to 'take care' of his body through his bouts of alcohol poisoning and he was right back into it, harder than ever. In the end, Johnny was drinking more than 2 cases of beer per day, along with his morning tequila.

Finally, Johnny hit rock bottom. He realized if he didn't get himself cleaned up, he was going to die. The first thing he wanted to do was get rid of his Silverado. It was like a rolling bar and a huge part of his partying lifestyle and persona. He knew after rehab he wouldn't want to see it. He went to his good friend and business associate who owned the local truck dealership. He broke down and told his whole story. His friend was in utter disbelief. No one knew how much Johnny had been drinking, as is common with the disease of alcoholism. Johnny realized he had this disease and he knew that erasing the lifestyle that supported it and getting into rehab was his only cure.

Johnny traded in the Silverado at a loss for a silver birch, Z71 fully loaded 2004 Chevy Avalanche. This was to be his vehicle on the road to recovery. Johnny and his Avalanche checked into rehab in Santa Rosa, CA. Johnny spent fourteen days in detox alone; an unheard of length of time. He took it very seriously and gave it his all, reading, listening and learning everything the center had to offer. Every week he was allowed to go out and start up his Avalanche, sitting in it and dreaming of the day he could set out and start his life over again. Recovery was the hardest thing Johnny ever went through, but he worked at it, having to re-learn how to do everything. After so many years of living under the influence of alcohol, living sober was a completely new experience - feeding himself, walking, talking and even driving all had to be re-learned as if for the first time.

In May 2004 when Johnny walked out of rehab, the Avalanche, complete with the On-Star navigation system, was waiting faithfully to take him to his new life. His first stop was at a bar. He drank soda and hung out watching how all the drunken people behaved. He had absolutely no desire to go back to that lifestyle. He closed down Inline Concepts and erased all of his contacts from Discovery Bay, except for his good friends Joe and John. He drove up to the mountains to spend some quiet time with his sister, nieces and nephews. Long walks in the woods helped reflect on the past and how to spend his future. Many people stressed that Johnny should be attending AA meetings, but he just didn't feel that was right for him. Ever determined to do things right and do things his way, Johnny threw himself back into the hard work of construction that he knew so well.

Johnny moved to Stockton and met up with an old acquaintance, Robert Reinoldson, who was to become his best friend and business partner. With Robert's friendship and support, Johnny's life really started turning around. Johnny, Robert and the Avalanche ended up in Scotts Valley to do construction work on Robert's mother's cabin. His work was so impressive that he landed more work with a nice ATV Quad bonus. Robert and Johnny were out tearing it up in the dirt on the quads and later, dirt bikes. Johnny couldn't believe how much fun he was having with his new life and being clean and sober.

The Avalanche has never let Johnny down, it's been right there with him since he decided to take his life back. He was so inspired by his new-found enthusiasm for life, grateful to his family, friends and trusty Avalanche, he wanted to share his experience and spread a positive influence in the community and the world. Project Clean and Sober was born with the dream to build the biggest, baddest, street legal theme show-truck that commemorated Johnny's transformation. Johnny didn't listen to those who laughed or told him it couldn't be done. He found people who were inspired by his story and willing to help make Project Clean and Sober a reality. Check out _Truck Specs_ to see all the work done by Johnny and Robert and visit our _Vendors_ and _Sponsors_ pages to see all the help they received. Johnny's Avalanche was transformed, just as Johnny had been, into an invincible machine that you can't help but admire.

Everyone wants to check out this cool truck and learn about Project Clean and Sober. Johnny and the Avalanche continue to wow everyone they meet. It's easy to get caught up in the fun and positive message that Johnny and his amazing monster truck are spreading around.