Shireen Janti has been a force in the field of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency for over 36 years.  Her credentials include becoming a (CPC) Certified Professional Coach, (LAADC) Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a (CRPS) Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist.

Shireen brings over 40 years of experience working in the entertainment industry, working at AFTRA American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, Fox Film Corporation, Fox Sports Net, Capitol Records and most recently working at MusiCares for 21 years.

Shireen Joined the MusiCares team in 2004 which is the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, otherwise known as the GRAMMYS.  Shireen started in the role of an Addiction Recovery Specialist and moved up the ranks holding the title of Senior Director of Mental Health &Addiction Services addressing the needs of music professionals nationwide.

Shireen brings years of experience facilitating, managing, and overseeing 10 nationwide support groups with a focus on mental health, women, LGBTQ, Black Community, and addiction. She facilitated many services that MusiCares provided which included, addiction recovery/mental health assessment, client referral to appropriate facilities for treatment, negotiating rates and contracts for the charity which enabled MusiCares to pay for the client’s treatment needs. 

As a woman in recovery (36 years sober), Shireen holds a special place in helping women. She facilitates panels and workshops on varied topics that bring education, awareness, and healing. She is a speaker and community leader.  Her focus is self-empowerment and awareness, Self esteem and body image.

Shireen has received several awards for her service in the field of Mental Health and Addiction, such as the “Gratitude for Giving”-Sierra Tucson 2010,”Distinguished Service In the Field Of Recovery”-Promises Foundation Miriam’s House Polo in the Palisades 2016, the “Visionary Award” at the CCAPP California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Convention 2016 and the WAAT Woman’s Association of Addiction Treatment (Victoria Smart Award) in 2019

https://www.facebook.com/shireen.janti.526

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. I am in recovery myself. As of June 3, 1989 I have 36 years sober and so very grateful!

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Daily meditation, connection with recovery people and meetings. Most of all, always being of service in whatever capacity I can do.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I think all three apply, however, definitely an illness and disease.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have lived in Iran, Tucson, AZ, Del Mar in the San Diego area, but now have lived back in Los Angeles for over 40 years.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. OPEN.

Q. Describe how you came to your “rock bottom” point.

A. Rock bottom was hard as I thought. I “had hit” rock bottoms prior to getting sober, only to keep using as soon as I felt “better”!  After so many chances in living, not getting fired, getting bailed out of numerous situations, the time came when I did get fired and the same evening got brutally beaten and raped. I thought for sure I was going to die that night, but said to the sky above “a higher power it be” that if I lived through this horrible experience that night, I would do what it takes to get help in getting sober to turn and change my life around. I did live through that night and I kept my word to myself and God. I went to treatment, got sober, and have been sober ever since. That was 36+ years ago.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I would be grateful to retire anywhere where I am safe and grow old gracefully. That being said, I am always drawn to the water and would love to live by the ocean.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Inclusively. It all matters. Growth and success for me is all embracing and with balance. I have found that the more I truly grow emotionally and spiritually, then the doors of my entire life shifts and changes due to the willingness and trust of a higher power and the people in recovery who have shared their journey in how they grew and changed. That gave me courage and hope that I could grow to be successful too! My success would be listed as follows:

1. Get sober — stay sober.
2. Grow emotionally and spiritually through the steps and service.
3. Have integrity for myself, my family and others.
4. Take risks to walk through fear, may it be going to school, taking classes, personal and educational growth, step work with sponsor and others.      
5. Being responsible.
6. Walking through doors that open.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Evil and meanness in the world. Judgement without knowing the truth or reality of the person, situation or story.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Animals in need of help.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. God, My mother, my daughter, all of my sponsors, the women I sponsor and so many others,…

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. You matter, you are worthy of love, joy, peace and fulfillment. You are worthy of respect, being seen and valued. Everyone has a story, we can all grow, shift and change if we do the work to find/love ourselves. Much of life’s lessons do not come directly from where we think it should come from. Be open to the messages and people that come into your life.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. Myself with self reflection and inventory through my trust and faith in God. Looking at my life patterns and choices and seeing where I needed to grow to learn and have a different outcome in a positive way.

Q. What major event or realization shaped who you are?

A. 1. Getting sober.
2. working with others and giving back.
3. Going back to school.
4. Getting hired at the Grammys working for their charity called MusiCares.
5. Doing the steps, getting outside help to know my worth and do what it takes/took for life to be good/better.
6.Being okay with me as I am. Always a work in progress.

Q. What do you love most about living sober?

A. Most everything. The stories, the people, the support and camaraderie, giving back, giving hope, making a difference, being free from addiction that brought me to my knees.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. Not sure…. But it is an energy for me, the power of the ocean, the breeze in the air, the connections and ah-ha moments that happen with people and events in life.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Capricorn.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. Lol! FB at this moment :-).

Q. Who are your heroes in real life?

A. Myself, my daughter, my mother, my sponsor, my friends.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Thai, Mexican, American steak/burger/etc.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. God, and open mind and heart, to grow, Calmness, Love.

Q. What is the best and or worse piece of advice someone has given you?

A. What applies to them or is right for them. Not seeing that my needs and solutions might need to look and be different than theirs.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Open your heart, do the work, set aside your ideas and experiences for what you feel is correct. Be open to grow, shift, change and have a new awareness. Trust and walk through fear and doubt even when you don’t believe (do it anyway)!

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. Kindness…..

Q. What do you value most in a friendship?

A. Trust, risk, forgiveness, integrity, camaraderie, loyalty, growth together.

Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

A. Getting sober, being a mother and daughter, helping others, my career path.

Q. What is your favorite compliment to receive, and why?

A. When people see “ME” my heart, my soul, my knowledge, my faith. Because outward appearances are not real or reality. It’s only part of who we present to be or are. It’s the inside that matters the most to me. To be seen!

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Growing old and not having the means to survive and/or live until I die.

Q. Where do you go when you’re seeking solitude?

A. My beautiful backyard, the ocean. A place of calm and beauty.

Q. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

A. To know that I am enough and I don’t have to fill “the emptiness or hole” with things, stuff, or things/people that are not aligned for the betterment of my being.

Q. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

A. Waking up sober, starting the morning with my delicious cup of coffee with my beautiful dogs and or humans in my life. A great meeting of love, just a great day of gratitude. May it include the ocean, a massage and facial, connecting with others, making a difference. A beautiful rainy day or a sun filled warmth on my face.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. Not choosing wisely and listening/trusting my “internal voice” inside of me warning me not to do certain things and did it anyway.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Leaving my career at MusiCares/Grammys after 18 years and trusting that I would be ok. Choosing me to be happy over staying in situations that no longer served me.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Yes, shoplifting. Prior to getting sober.

Q. What is something you’ve learned about yourself in the last six months?

A. That I actually have grown, shifted and changed to finally love myself enough to make better choices in my life. To know my value…….

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. If I will ever find a romantic partner again that will truly be “my person.” Meeting people is not the problem, finding the person that is truly “right” for me is the question and not settling or compromising what my heart desires and needs.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My open heart to grow and see people and the world in new ways. Have compassion, love and healing.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. A common bond, connection of hearts, feelings, experiences and hope.

Q. When did you realize you were a grown-up?

A. I am not sure I have gotten there! Lol! Do we ever? I will always be open to growing and always embracing the girl inside of me also.

Q. How important are your pets to you?

A. They mean everything to me. They give me strength, love, purpose. Keep me strong and loved when I am not always feeling it from myself or others.

Q. What is your motto?

A. Always try and have an open heart to do the best thing for myself, family, animals  and others. Service.