John Launius follows the path of many disciplines. He is an accomplished business executive, educator, fragrance expert, martial artist, and healer, whose work bridges the worlds of media, mindfulness, and human transformation.

As President and CEO of Shihan Wellness, John guides individuals and organizations toward balance, clarity, and purpose through his signature modalities The Incense Journey™ and Fragrance Hypnosis™, both rooted in neuroscience, the Japanese Way of Incense (Kōdō), and modern hypnotherapy. Trained for more than a decade under a Japanese Kōmoto, he brings ancient fragrance wisdom into contemporary settings to support emotional regulation, peak performance, and deep self-awareness.

In parallel, John serves as Director of Community Outreach for the Special Operations Charity Network (SOCN), leading the Find Your Tribe Initiative, which provides mental health and wellness support for veterans and first responders through experiences that restore connection, calm, and resilience. His work with SOCN, The Kaufman Fund, and the Grunt Style Foundation reflects his lifelong commitment to service and healing for those who serve others.

John is also Director of Strategic Operations at Lifetime Media, a national production company based in St. Louis. There, he merges creative vision with strategic leadership, supporting high-profile media and corporate storytelling projects that inspire audiences nationwide.

As an Adjunct Professor at Webster University, he teaches Media Business & Entrepreneurship, equipping the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs with the mindset, structure, and strategy to build meaningful enterprises in today’s media landscape.

An author, speaker, and master storyteller, John wrote The Life and Times of Missouri’s Charles Parsons: Between Art and War and is currently developing Love and Letters in World War II, a narrative nonfiction based on the correspondence of his grandparents, a timeless exploration of love, resilience, and humanity.

John’s unique background spans government, education, technology, media, and healing arts. His teachings emphasize the refinement of perception, mastery of mind, and harmony with the way life is. Whether in a studio, classroom, or an incense ceremony, his presence invites transformation.