SEAL Mindset

Commander (Retired) John Macaskill

This episode covers a lot of ground. On the heels of last week's episode, where we had to edit out our discussion of women in special operations, that's exactly where our conversation this week starts.

We originally connected with our guest because of his LinkedIn post about a woman in her senior year at the Naval Academy who has been selected to attend BUD/S, but we quickly move on to focus on how mindfulness fits into human performance.

Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned consultant and mindfulness and meditation teacher. He was born in South Africa but grew up in Ruston, Louisiana.

After graduating high school, he served briefly as an enlisted sailor in the US Navy before receiving an appointment to the US Naval Academy and graduating from there with a BS in mathematics 4 years later. He also has a Master’s degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

During his 24-year Navy career, Jon served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama.

After retiring, he served briefly as the Deputy Executive Director for the veteran nonprofit, Veteran’s PATH. He now runs a podcast called Men Talking Mindfulness; does keynote speaking engagements on developing leadership, grit, and resilience; and owns his own consulting company, Frogman Mindfulness. In all three roles, he desires to improve cultures and individuals through mindfulness, meditation, vulnerability, and compassion.

Jon’s wife, Beka, also served in the Navy and is now a civilian Orthopedic Physician Assistant. Together, they are the proud parents of three children, and after an adventurous 6 months as a family in an RV, they have settled on a small farm in Colorado Springs.