Jon Macaskill

Retired Navy SEAL Leader | LinkedIn Top Voice | Podcaster | Mindfulness Coach | I Post About Leadership, Wellness, & Humans being Good Humans | Subscribe to my newsletter below to get my 21 Day Mindfulness Course 4 FREE!

Who am I?

I’m Jon Macaskill, a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned mindfulness teacher, leadership coach, and resilience practitioner. My journey has taken me from the battlefield to the boardroom… from leading elite teams under pressure to helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity and composure. I’m a Christian, and my faith is a steady compass guiding how I lead, serve, and show up.

At the heart of it all, I lead with clarity, courage, and compassion to help others unlock their potential. I use my voice, presence, and past...especially the hard parts...to empower people to live and lead with integrity, resilience, and heart.

What do I do?

I help leaders and teams grow by blending mental toughness with emotional intelligence. Through 1:1 coaching, workshops, and keynotes, I teach practical tools to build clarity, trust, and resilience. I’ve worked with Amazon, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and more—and across every high-performing team, one truth holds: you can’t lead others well if you don’t lead yourself first.

What makes my approach different?

I believe grit and compassion are two sides of the same coin. My leadership lens is forged through discipline and refined by deep work in presence, empathy, and connection. I help leaders navigate stress, communicate with impact, and build cultures that elevate performance and people while staying anchored in what matters.

I model what it means to be strong and compassionate… disciplined and self-aware… driven and deeply human. Every interaction is a chance to build trust, challenge the status quo, and make life better for my family, my teams, and everyone I encounter.

I also co-host Men Talking Mindfulness, a podcast about leading, living, and showing up fully… especially when it’s hard.

Let’s connect if you’re:
• A leader building a high-performing team
• Someone facing stress or decision fatigue
• Ready to lead with greater awareness and purpose

Message me to start the conversation—or follow along if you’re here to learn. Either way… welcome.

Director of Talent Optimization

As the Director of Talent Optimization at CECFG, I work closely with our executive team to enhance their performance both professionally and personally. My role is all about unlocking potential, fostering growth, and ensuring our leaders are equipped to handle the challenges of a dynamic and high-pressure environment.

What I Do:

	•	One-on-One Coaching: I regularly meet with our leaders to assess their current performance, explore any emotional or psychological barriers, and help them overcome challenges. My focus is on providing tailored strategies that help them excel.
	•	Goal Setting and Alignment: I collaborate with our executives to set clear, actionable goals that align with both their personal aspirations and our company’s objectives. Together, we break these goals into manageable steps to ensure consistent progress.
	•	Overcoming Obstacles: I help identify and address any resistance or self-doubt that might hinder performance. By developing personalized strategies, I support our leaders in overcoming these barriers, whether they stem from mindset, habits, or external factors.
	•	Building Confidence and Resilience: I work to empower our leaders by reinforcing their strengths and past successes. I also introduce techniques like mindfulness and visualization to help them stay focused, calm under pressure, and resilient in the face of challenges.
	•	Accountability and Follow-Up: I establish a routine of regular check-ins to track progress, adjust strategies, and maintain momentum. I encourage our leaders to take ownership of their growth, ensuring they remain the driving force behind their success.

My Goal:

My mission is to foster a culture of trust, growth, and high performance within CECFG. By optimizing our talent, I aim to contribute to both individual and organizational success.


Stop living in the “pursuit of happiness.” 

Happiness is fragile.
It rises and falls with circumstances.
It shows up when things go your way… and disappears the moment they don’t.

Peace on the other hand… that’s worth searching for… 

Peace when the noise doesn’t stop.
Peace when the pressure is on.
Peace when life refuses to cooperate.

That distinction matters.

Happiness is an outcome.
Peace is a capacity.

Shi Heng Yi is a Shaolin master and head teacher of Shaolin Temple Europe. His work is about discipline, stillness, and self-mastery …  training the mind the same way you’d train the body.

The core idea is simple:

If your sense of well-being depends on things going right, you’ll always be at risk.
If it comes from structure, awareness, and restraint… it holds when everything shakes.

Peace isn’t passive.
It doesn’t come from escaping stress.
It comes from being strong enough inside that stress no longer owns you.

So maybe the question isn’t:
“How do I become happier?”

Maybe it’s:
“What would it take for me to be at peace?”

That’s a different kind of freedom.

Husband and Dad First 🔹 Retired Navy SEAL Commander 🔹 Men Talking Mindfulness Podcast Cohost 🔹 Keynote Speaker 🔹 Entrepreneur

Before reacting to someone’s behavior, ask yourself this.

What do I not know yet?

That’s it.

Most conflict comes from incomplete information not bad people.  

An email feels short. A response feels dismissive. A tone feels off.

Maybe it is. Or maybe they just got bad news. Maybe they’re carrying something heavy. Maybe they’re distracted, not disrespectful. Maybe they’re struggling and hiding it.

Here’s the practice for tomorrow.

When you feel the urge to assume intent, pause and replace the story with curiosity.

Not excuses. Curiosity.

This one question will save conversations. It will soften reactions. It will prevent unnecessary conflict. It will make you a better leader, partner, and parent.

If this helped, share it.

My journey has been a wild ride and things haven’t gone quite as planned (do they ever?) but they definitely appear to be working out for the best!  

I have been privileged to work alongside some of the most remarkable people on the planet, experiencing sights and moments that many can only fantasize about or read about in books. I've been honored to serve my nation faithfully and uphold the liberties of my fellow Americans. 

My passion lies in paving the way for others to achieve their fullest potential and lead satisfying lives. I find joy in understanding the aspirations of people, inspiring them to be agents of change for themselves and those around them.

My goal is to undertake meaningful work true to my core values, allowing me to express these values and contribute positively to society. I've become known for my team contributions, often finding myself entrusted with leadership roles.

Storytelling is a cherished pursuit of mine; I enjoy sharing personal anecdotes, the emotions they stir, and the lessons they convey. Engaging in deep conversations about personal and professional goals with team members is another aspect I relish, always encouraging them to chase their dreams.

Understanding the challenges that teams and organizations encounter is crucial. I strive to gain comprehensive insight into these issues, enabling me to help devise effective solutions.

Always looking towards the horizon, I envision what the future might hold and the path we must take to reach it. I seize every chance to mentor others, imparting wisdom gleaned from my experiences and accomplishments. In essence, you can count on me to be reliable, committed, and diligent in delivering quality results.

So, what do I do?

I teach mindfulness, vulnerability, resilience, compassion, grit, and leadership through our Men Talking Mindfulness podcast, keynote speeches, workshops, personal coaching, and a partnership with MovementRX. I’ve taught and spoken to audiences at PepsiCo, Microsoft, FedEx, Samsung, PenFed, Texas de Brazil, Darden Business School, Palo Alto Networks, the Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute, UNC Charlotte, and others.

Now, how may I serve you?

***
Is that my baby in the background banner?  Yes, it’s my now 6 year old little girl.  I thought the image was symbolic of the rebirth service members go through when they transition out of the military and have to reinvent themselves. 

MBTI: ISTJ

Top 5 Values: Honesty, Gratitude, Love of Learning, Hope, Leadership 

Gallup Strengths: Input | Significance | Futuristic | Relator | Responsibility

taplio

Jon Macaskill's Linkedin Analytics

Jon Macaskill

Performance ScoreJon Macaskill's LinkedIn Performance

Jon Macaskill's Best Posts (last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

.css-6ytdur{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39, 43, 72, 1) 0%, rgba(33, 47, 183, 1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Jon Macaskill's Linkedin Analytics

Jon Macaskill

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jon Macaskill's LinkedIn Performance

Jon Macaskill's Best Posts .css-1emoo84{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:400;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);}(last 30 days)

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Jon Macaskill's Linkedin Analytics

Performance ScoreJon Macaskill's LinkedIn Performance

Jon Macaskill's Best Posts (last 30 days)