A conversation on grind culture, growth, and gettinggrounded with Retired Navy SEAL Commander, Mindfulness Teacher, and Leadership Coach Jon Macaskill.

In this Above Center® conversation, retired Navy SEALCommander Jon Macaskill brings a powerful blend of grit and grace to the conversation on leadership. Drawing from his experience in elite military service and now as a leadership coach and mindfulness teacher, Jon sharespractical tools for navigating pressure with clarity, composure, and compassion.

From combat missions to boardrooms, Jon teaches that trueleadership starts within. Grounded in faith and forged through adversity, his approach combines mental toughness with emotional intelligence.

Key Takeaways from Jon’s Leadership Philosophy

1. Mental Toughness Starts Early

Jon credits his high school track coach for instilling gritand resilience long before SEAL training. That foundation—built on discipline, consistency, and accountability—shaped how he approached stress and setbacks throughout his life.

2. Know Your Why (Big and Small)

Staying “above center” requires a clear purpose. Jonbelieves leaders need both a broader mission and day-to-day motivation. Whether pushing through cold water in SEAL training or leading a team through chaos, it’s your “why” that keeps you focused.

3. Sleep Is the First Strategy

Jon doesn’t believe in reducing stress—he believes in managing it. And it starts with sleep. As a father of three and former SEAL, he’s seen firsthand how rest impacts patience, clarity, and emotional regulation. Rest isn’t weakness—it’s readiness.

4. Busy ≠ Productive

Grind culture isn’t a badge of honor. Jon challenges leadersto unplug, slow down, and prioritize presence over productivity.  

5.  Presence Is More Powerful Than Perfection

Jon believes leadership is about showing up fully. You don’t need perfect conditions. You need presence, resourcefulness, and the courage to start.

 6.  Start Small With Mindfulness

Jon teaches that meditation doesn’t require silence,incense, or long hours. Start with two minutes. Sit still. Be with your thoughts.

7.  Lead with Awareness and Action

From pulling teeth in Nepal to managing morning chaos with his kids, Jon shows that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about how you show up in the hard moments.

Favorite Quote

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” –Theodore Roosevelt

This quote grounds Jon through life’s transitions—combat,career change, even divorce, and reminds him that leadership is about movement,not perfection.

 Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turnedmindfulness teacher, leadership coach, and resilience practitioner. He blends elite military experience with deep emotional intelligence to help leaders manage stress, sharpen clarity, and lead with heart. Through keynotes,workshops, and 1:1 coaching, Jon works with top-performing teams at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and PepsiCo. He’s also the co-host of Men Talking Mindfulness, a podcast on showing up fully—especially when it’s hard. His mission?To help leaders integrate grit and compassion in service of something greater.

ABOVE CENTER® is brought to you by REVEL®, an ExecutiveSearch and Coaching firm that helps people and companies grow through the power of great leadership.

Our ABOVE CENTER® approach is about staying grounded, clear, and resilient, especially when the stakes are high. In this podcast, we feature leaders in corporate America who share how they navigate the pressures of leadership while living ABOVE CENTER®.

We uncover the mindsets, strategies, and personal philosophies that drive high-performing executives to lead themselves and their teams to success. From hiring and retaining top talent to thriving in the first 90 days of a new role, these conversations go beyond leadership—they’re about building a career and a life with purpose, impact, and joy in the journey.

Theme: Mental Toughness, Presence, and Purpose-DrivenLeadership