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Joshua (Mr. Z)

@mr.zbinden

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Father, Husband, Teacher and sneaker enthusiast.
Always positivity!

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“I appreciate you.”
If you knew Josh, or Mr. Z, you know how much he appreciated everyone he came into contact with. This was one of the last pictures he took on his phone and it seemed fitting that this be his last post. He loved the Sneaker community and taking pictures and making posts brought him so much joy!

Josh passed away peacefully on August 4th. His cancer was too rare and aggressive and even though he fought hard, it wasn’t enough. He is in heaven playing with his dog Mandy, drinking all the Ethiopian coffee, geeking out over Lennon and Harrison, and playing basketball in all the rare Jordans he can get his feet into! by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

We wanted to do some family portraits before I started treatment. Lock in this moment of time.

Of course that means we had to have our sneaker game on point! And since we have a three year old she wouldn’t go anywhere without her Bubble Shooter (that kid loves bubbles). 🤦 🫧

And @rachzbinden has been our rock taking care of me and always taking care of kiddo. I love, respect and appreciate her so much. ❤️

I wanted these to be as authentic to us as possible. This is the Z family. I am a blessed man!

Thanks to @tinaginterphoto for the great pics!
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordandaily #kixify #jordan4 #snkrskickcheck #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #sneakerfamily #kicks0l0gy #inmyjs #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #amamaniere #jordandepot #stetson #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

First day of chemo/radiation is done. 👍

It’s quite a process, this first day took a long time. I had to take a bunch of cancer drugs, was hooked up to an IV infusion line for a while and spent quite a bit of time in the laser machine. ☢️

I was most worried about feeling sick. Throwing up is the worst thing in the world to me, and all these drugs have nausea side effects. But I also had an IV infusion for a nausea counter. The real side effect is I eventually crashed when I got home and slept for a few hours.

Docs all day that I will feel it more in three weeks and past. My schedule is for pretty intense chemo/radiation for six weeks…every day except weekends. 😮

So yeah, this was the start. The sickness will come and the fatigue is going to be an issue. But as with every step of this health journey I have bravely walked into what was next. Remember, walking into the storm gets you out the other side quicker. ✔️

Oh, and for Day one I wanted to wear some WC3’s. The goal is to fly past this all like Mike flying in the air from the Free Throw line. Nothing got in the way of the Champ and nothing is gonna stop me. Cancer is challenging me, ‘And I took that personally’.

Cancer sucks, but stubbornness and determination wins the big games. 💯
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordandaily #kixify #jordan3 #snkrskickcheck #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #sneakercon #kicks0l0gy #inmyjs #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #jordan3whitecement #jordandepot #cancersucks🎗 #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

I cant believe that it’s been a year already. I’ve missed you every day since you left us. You said to look for butterflies, so today we did. We love you so much! Love never dies. by @mr.zbinden

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2 months ago

Happy Birthday @mr.zbinden ! I know you wouldn’t want us to make a big fuss, but we are going to celebrate you and do some of your favorite things today. We miss you and love you so so so much! ❤️ by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

How about a quick update?

I haven’t had the energy to make a post about the new White Cement J4’s, but they are amazing. I’ve not really been able to wear sneakers much, kinda living in @nike Rejuvenate slides, but the WC4 is well done and a pair I want to wear a ton when my health returns!

This picture was from a beautiful Family Wedding we had in late May. Kiddo was the Ring Bearer so of course she had to walk in some Jordan’s 11’s. 😎

Chemo and Radiation are kicking my ass. I’m not gonna lie. Between feeling sick, being in pain and having to do test after test…..my body feels the effects of it all. Not that I ever want another surgery, but those are so much simpler. You get the procedure and then slowly work back to strength….with Chemo and Radiation you just keep deviating worse until it’s over and then try and get back to normal. Completely different scenarios and outcomes.

Thankfully my support system is robust, and bless Rachel for having to take on so many jobs at home to keep our family moving forward. None of this happens without her stepping up as heroically as she has. ❤️

So yeah, I’ll get back to normal sooner or later and by then I should have a few new sneakers to walk me out of the hospital and back into well being.

I appreciate and love you all!
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordandaily #kixify #jordan4 #snkrskickcheck #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #cancersucks🎗 #kicks0l0gy #inmyjs #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #sneakerfamily #jordandepot #stetson #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

Update:

We finished week two of chemo/radiation. ☢️ I’m not gonna lie, it takes a huge toll both physically and emotionally. I go in M-F and I’m starting to get the ‘build-up’ effect the doctors all mentioned. It’s only going to increase over time so I’ve been working hard to get as much done as I can before I can’t do much. The hard part really is knowing when to tell myself to slow down. I’ve never been much good at that relaxing part. 🫤

School has been a huge part of keeping myself motivated and driven. This week was Seniors last day and that was one of my big pushes. I went into the week with a handful of students who weren’t done but now that number is down to just a few. And I’m proud that I missed as little time as possible and kept up that high expectation for everyone…including myself.

My program should graduate out about 120 students, or around 1/4 of the school again. I take immense honor from this. Having something other than just my health to work on eases my mind so very much. And the pride I have in my students is a major factor in any healing my body gets. ❤️

Soon I will need to slow it all down, but in this moment….Im kicking cancers ass and getting work done. That’s as Z as it gets. Of course it all goes down in my @stetsonusa and my @jumpman23 😎.
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordan1 #kixify #unionjordan #complexkicks #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #jordansdaily #kicks0l0gy #solecollector #nicekicks #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #stetson #snkrskickcheck #itsastetson #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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a year ago

My everyday coffee mug is being held together with duct tape. I’ll need a new school bag next year because of how many times the coffee mug spilled on the way to school. ✔️

My Levi Jean jacket is distressed and coming apart in areas. I’m not getting a new one anytime soon, because each rip looks beautiful. ✔️

My straw Stetson is sweat soaked and eventually the weave will break open. I wouldn’t dream of a new one until it’s necessary. It’s cooler this way. ✔️

My body is basically patched together with medical tape and compression socks/bandages. I can’t really get a new one of these so just add more tape and bandages to hold it all together. ✔️

And my Jordan 5 Fire Reds are aged so well and vintaged yellow that Nike will eventually release a ‘reimagined’ pair that looks this beat up pair. ✔️

And I dig it all. I’ll repeat this message over and over….wear out the things you love. Dog them, bust em up and live life with no abandon in the gear you adore. What else is the point of having them? ✔️
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordandaily #kixify #itsastetson #complexkicks #inmyjs #jordansdaily #lazyjranchwear #kicks0l0gy #solecollector #nicekicks #jordan5 #lacedupshots #stetson #themondaymidsole #snkrskickcheck #jordan #jordandepot #igsneakercommunity #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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2 years ago

Just some updates:

Hopefully I’ll start Radiation treatment in the next two weeks. After surgery the cancer started coming back pretty quickly. It’s discouraging to go through so much pain and recovery only to have the same exact thing just come marching back in. Doctors have a plan and I have trust in God and those who are guided by Him. Special thanks to my niece, who is a great doctor who has helped guide me so much. And an extra dirty look towards insurance companies who deny my claims without even looking at the name of the referring hospital first. 🙄

Sneakers (and sneaker posts) have been a little more difficult lately. I am focusing my time on being a Father, Husband and Teacher. Those are my defining roles, sneaker guy is just a part of it. But I did find myself with a few free hours and it was Soul Refreshing to hit the trails and enjoy my kicks.

Also I’ve been trying to eat Keto for the last few weeks. So far I’ve noticed that I’m hungry all the time, I miss bread and I think I gained weight. One thing for sure, Coke Zero doesn’t hit the same as real Coca Cola. 😢

But, in the next couple months we will have a big Family Wedding to attend (kiddo is the Ring Bearer so she needs a good pair of J’s to wear!) and Graduation is right around the corner. So good things are coming up soon! Just hold strong!
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordandaily #kixify #itsastetson #complexkicks #inmyjs #jordansdaily #lazyjranchwear #kicks0l0gy #solecollector #nicekicks #jordan13flint #lacedupshots #stetson #themondaymidsole #snkrskickcheck #jordan #jordandepot #igsneakercommunity #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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2 years ago

March was a long month for me….kiddos birthday, doctors appointments and getting school stuff done….all while I’m still healing from surgery.

And it was Air Max Month. Don’t think that I forgot. 🧐

In between all these different life moments, and in between a couple new pairs of sneakers, I tried to wear my favorite Air Max’s as much as possible.

And while I think the Big Red and Big Blue AM1’s will always be my favorites, I really did wear my Neon 95’s the most during March. They stayed in constant rotation….the colorway is as classic as it gets and really, when they are broken in…the 95 is a comfy pair.

And it’d be cool to get the new Big Bubble Neon version, but I’m also really cool just wearing my 2020 pair. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t worn them more!

Happy Air Max’s Month! Now it’s back to my usual Jordan rotation. 😎
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #airmax95 #kixify #airmaxcity #snkrskickcheck #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #sneakercon #kicks0l0gy #airmaxneon #sneakerholics #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #stetson #stetsonhats #streetstyle #stetsonopenroad #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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2 years ago

A student came up to me in the hall one day and says “Z, I thought you were a sneaker guy. How come you don’t wear Asics?”

I told him, “I got all kinds of sneakers. I just prefer my J’s most of the time. But I’ll wear some Asics next time I see you”

So I dug through the collection and pulled out these gems. Only 1000 ever made, a great collaboration with @asics and @pensoleacademy with perhaps the best materials I’ve ever had on a sneaker….these are a treat. I thought my guy would appreciate them.

But instead he said “No, that’s not the right ones! I mean the ones with the silver and mesh.” 🙄

I knew exactly what he meant. He was talking about the 1130’s, the ones that are super popular and everyone wears. Those sneakers are today’s version of the checkered Vans, or the newer version of the white AF1. Man, I remember when the popular shoe was the Roshe Run…and do you remember that period of all red sneakers! Trends can be crazy sometimes.

But you know what, I’m cool with it. If someone comes up to me feeling good about their sneakers I’m down for it. Whether it’s a collectors piece or a GR, I’m just down for another sneakerhead showing their game. That’s kinda the point of it all.

And it was kinda a good reminder that not everyone is down in such a deep rabbit hole as I am. Being limited doesn’t necessarily make it better. I appreciate my sneaker guy.

And tomorrow I’m gonna wear some crazy pair that is a grail. Kids gotta learn to respect my game! 😎
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #asics #kixify #pensole #asicssneakers #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #sneakercon #kicks0l0gy #igsneakerhead #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #stetson #sneakerfiles #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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2 years ago

I didn’t grow up wearing Chicago 1’s. No one really did back then. We all knew how important they were but it didn’t become a part of my sneaker stories until much later.

And I’ve told the story, but the closest I got was the Jordan 1 Mid Chicagos. And I loved them, but a student loved them more. He talked nonstop about how bad he wanted a pair so I gifted my pair to him. I knew another pair of Chicagos would come my way.

And they did! I got a pair of L&F Chicagos 1’s before their drop and immediately put them to work. I got a pair for my then infant daughter. We rocked them together and it’s one of my favorite sneaker pics. Those L&F’s were on my feet while my wife and I were invited to the Chicago premiere of ‘Air’. It was a date night and memory I’ll always cherish. ❤️

I also had those Chicagos on feet when I told everyone about my health journey and this next big step in life. Yeah, the Chicago 1 has become a defining sneaker in my life stories. Truly I have lived life in them.

I also love @unionlosangeles design work. I’ve shown many pairs and my Noir Union 4’s are a true gem that I’ve also had amazing moments in. Having @unionlosangeles and Chicago 1’s combined is literally the making of a grail sneaker for me. It’s perfect. Like the sneaker universe knew what I needed. And now it’s time to have more adventures and more moments in this sneaker from my home, from my heart. ❤️ 🖤
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#teachersneakers #chicagosneakerhead #thekickscommittee #strausslane #nationofsoles #thesolefirm #jordan1 #kixify #unionjordan #complexkicks #sneakershouts #sneakeraddict #jordansdaily #kicks0l0gy #solecollector #nicekicks #stetsonopenroad #lacedupshots #buckeyecitysole #themondaymidsole #legionofsoles #stetson #snkrskickcheck #itsastetson #timodasneakshow #thesneakerarmy #laceddifferently #topshotsoftheweek #thesolechallenge taken in Chicago metropolitan area by @mr.zbinden

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2 years ago