John Paulk

Behavioral Health and Recovery Support Professional with over 11 years of sustained sobriety and extensive experience providing recovery-oriented mentorship, emotional support, structured guidance, wellness-focused leadership, and participant-centered support to individuals navigating substance use disorders, Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), trauma, emotional instability, and life transition barriers.

Traditional Heath

Worker (THW), Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) and Certified Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) with strong skills in person-centered support, emotional regulation, de-escalation, trauma-informed care and communication, recovery advocacy, motivational interviewing support, and community integration support. Experienced in supporting individuals impacted by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD, OCD, co-occurring disorders, and long-term behavioral health challenges. Draws from lived experience as both a long-term participant in recovery communities and a recipient of mental health services, bringing authentic peer understanding, empathy, recovery-oriented support, and strengths-based encouragement to individuals pursuing greater stability, independence, wellness, and self-directed recovery.

Known for maintaining calm, grounded leadership in high-pressure environments while building trust-based relationships rooted in dignity, emotional safety, compassion, accountability, and genuine human connection.

Executive Chef / Creative Director / Owner - Mezzaluna Catering & Events

(2003 - 2025)

Founded and operated a recovery-focused, high-end catering company recognized for mentorship, second-chance employment opportunities, and supportive leadership for individuals navigating recovery, mental health challenges, and barriers to stability.

• Hired, mentored, and provided professional development for individuals in recovery, experiencing mental illness, or navigating vulnerable life situations and barriers to employment.
• Created a culture of inclusion, accountability, emotional support, and personal growth rooted in dignity, structure, and encouragement.
• Maintained safety, emotional regulation, structure, and calm leadership in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Recognized as a "Kitchen of Second Chances" for creating supportive opportunities focused on rebuilding confidence, workplace stability, and self-worth.
• Built long-standing professional relationships through trust, compassion, consistency, and genuine human connection.
• Provided structured mentorship, accountability support, resource guidance, and individualized encouragement to individuals navigating recovery, emotional instability, workplace barriers, and major life transitions.
• Coordinated supportive workplace structure, communication, scheduling, and team continuity while helping individuals maintain accountability, stability, and personal growth goals.
• Maintained professional communication, scheduling coordination, organizational tracking, confidentiality, and detailed operational documentation across multiple concurrent responsibilities.

AOS Degree - Culinary Arts - Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts