Known as Tattoo Tom, Mitchell is the man behind the nonprofit Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation, an organization he started after the death of his daughter Shayla to stage 4 Hodgkin’s disease. Stillbrave provides nonmedical support to children with cancer and their families. This month, on May 19, Stillbrave will host its fourth annual free Carnival of Kindness at The nZone in Chantilly with moon bounces, carnival food, games, prizes and more. Everyone is welcome.
What is the one piece of advice you wish you had heard when you were starting your nonprofit?
If you say you are going to dedicate your entire life to this, make sure you understand the implications of what that is going to look like. Not everyone is built for that. Entire is a very big word, especially in the context of your life. Thankfully, for me at least, it turns out that I was indeed one of those people who were built for it.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Winning the love, trust and friendship of children with cancer and their families.
When did you feel you had “made it”?
I still don’t feel as if I’ve made it. I’m not even sure what that means or might look like. Children are dying all around me from childhood cancer on a daily basis. Even those who do recover have suffered through unspeakably horrific treatments. I reckon, if the day should ever come when cancer becomes no more than a chronic illness and or is actually cured, then perhaps I will feel settled. Until then though, I will continue to charge Hell with half buckets of water in a gasoline suit on behalf of these breathtakingly beautiful children and their families.
How do you define success?
I would define success as being able to touch the lives of as many people as possible in positive, practical and profound ways. I would add, too, that if one can spend their days doing this and feel comfortable in their own skin at the same time then this life, by all accounts, should be considered a success. Contrary to popular belief, money and success are not synonymous.
What job or position have you previously had that helped you get to where you are today?
I truly believe that every job, position, encounter, relationship, quite frankly everything that I have ever been or has ever happened to me has prepared me for the life that I live today. To include the life and death of my daughter, Shayla.
What do you do after a disappointment?
Sometimes I scream or cuss or listen to music or run in the woods or meditate … sometimes I cry.
Give us an idea of your work/life balance philosophy.
Ha ha ha! What is this balance you speak of? My work is my life and my life is my work.
What is the one thing you do for yourself every day, or at least once a week?
I listen to music every day and I try to go to as many live musical performances as possible. Music is healing and sacred and powerful. Also, while I don’t personally identify as a Christian, I do enjoy speaking to and taking council with my best friend and confidante Pastor Mandy North on a daily basis.
What’s one thing you still want to do with your life?
I want to successfully complete the Bigfoot 200 mile ultra-marathon race in August 2018.
Any advice for those who are wanting to start a nonprofit?
As a rule, I don’t generally like to give advice. But I would caution and encourage the following: Don’t do this to make money, make money only so that you can do this. Be willing to have your heart broken often and learn to source your passion from that pain and not be crushed by the weight of it. Above all else: Show up. Just show up and wing it.
(May 2018)