Building Tribes: A Journey from Military to Entrepreneurship with Jason Skeesick
Building Tribes: A Journey from Military to Entrepreneurship with Jason Skeesick
Are you struggling to connect meaningfully with others and build a supportive community in an increasingly technology-dominated world? In a recent episode of the Organic Matrix podcast, I had the privilege of talking with someone who has traversed this challenging landscape and emerged with profound insights and practical solutions - Jason Skeesick.
Jason, a US Army veteran turned coach, entrepreneur, and owner of Spear and Clover, has navigated through diverse life experiences – from the disciplined realm of the military to the intense arena of sports, and into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Each journey teaches him an indispensable lesson about the power of community and the critical importance of setting aside one's ego to build it.
His journey is not just compelling, but incredibly relevant. In a world where our screens often overshadow face-to-face interactions, where the volume of information is deafening, yet genuine understanding can seem elusive, Jason has unlocked a different way of seeing things. He has found a way to use technology to foster relationships, not hinder them, and turn information overload into knowledge-rich exploration.
So, if you've ever wondered how to cultivate deeper connections, foster a community that resonates with your values, or navigate the digital world while maintaining a tangible human touch, then this is an episode you cannot afford to miss.
Jason has generously shared his wisdom, his personal experiences, and practical steps that you can start implementing today. To uncover these answers and delve into an engaging conversation about the importance of building your tribe in the modern world, bookmark this website now, and keep listening or reading our enlightening chat with Jason Skeesick. This could be the game-changer you've been looking for.
Emphasizing the Importance of Community
Throughout his diverse career, one truth stood out to Jason: the essential role of community, or as he refers to it, 'tribes.' From overcoming challenges in the military to thriving in the business world, the power of being part of a like-minded group of individuals is undeniable.
When Jason transitioned from the discipline of military life to the unpredictability of entrepreneurship, he saw how the values instilled in him as a soldier were equally critical in his new career. The military taught him to excel under any circumstance and collaborate effectively in diverse teams - skills he found invaluable in the entrepreneurial world.
As a CrossFit gym owner, Jason had the chance to witness firsthand the beauty of tribalism. The gym became more than a place for physical training - it was a melting pot of like-minded people fostering relationships and creating opportunities.
Viewing the World through Fresh Perspectives
Jason emphasizes the importance of setting aside one's ego to appreciate our shared human experience genuinely. He observes that different cultures might solve the same problems in different ways, an idea that doesn't indicate superiority but rather highlights cultural differences. Yet, beneath these variations, he insists, are universal elements - common threads that unite us all, regardless of our backgrounds.
Jason and I discussed how, historically, humans have often focused more on differences than similarities, leading to conflicts. Yet, we agreed that understanding unity before differences are key to building successful tribes.
A New Approach to Disagreements
Jason shared a significant personal insight: to avoid losing an argument, one should seek the truth rather than insist on being right. This shift in perspective has brought him closer to many people and enriched his understanding of different viewpoints. He also acknowledged the challenge of applying this approach in personal relationships, using an anecdote about dealing with stressful situations with his daughter as an example. The discussion further explored the importance of emotions and the role of articulation and proactive problem-solving rather than outsourcing solutions in managing conflicts.
Technology and Emotional Arousal
We also delved into the role of technology as a source of emotional arousal and its potential to build and improve interpersonal relationships. Jason drew a parallel between technology and elevators, remarking that both were meant to increase productivity but are often used out of laziness. He stressed that technology should inspire positive change rather than propagate anger or division.
Building a Tribe: Starting with a 'Long Walk'
For those interested in building their own 'tribe' or community, Jason's advice is to embark on a metaphorical or literal 'long walk' to contemplate personal interests and passions. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and seeking the feelings that certain activities or actions elicit in oneself.
Jason also discussed the responsibility that comes with leading a tribe, suggesting that not everyone might be prepared or willing to take up such a role. Freedom, he believes, is something that diminishes unless it's exercised, an idea he associates with Hunter S Thompson.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Toward the end of our conversation, Jason encouraged listeners to go on a journey of self-discovery, to embrace the walk of life rather than merely following societal expectations. He emphasized the importance of questioning and creating, rather than just consuming experiences.
We also touched upon his work with entrepreneurs, using powerful questions to help them scale their businesses, and his program "Dynasty Define," which assists businesses with passionate leaders, talented
teams, and strong playbooks transition from contenders to championship organizations.
Bridging the Gap Between Aspirations and Behavior
A particularly compelling part of our discussion focused on the importance of embodying the principles of the person you aspire to become to reach your goals. Jason quoted his mentor, Trevor Cashey, who had introduced him to the concept of "dissonance" - the gap between who you aspire to be and your current behavior. Jason believes that resolving this dissonance, either by adjusting your goals or changing your behavior, is the pathway to happiness and goal accomplishment.
Fun Facts & Closing Remarks
As our conversation wound down, we delved into a rapid-fire question round where Jason shared personal tidbits like his favorite age (26, when he lived and traveled in Germany) and that practicing jujitsu helps him unwind. We bonded over our mutual interest in combat sports, with me revealing my collegiate wrestling past, and Jason mentioning his 18-month-old daughter's thrice-a-week gym attendance.
Expressing interest in training together, Jason shared about his own trainer, Miguel Torres, a former champion in WEC and Strikeforce, and a veteran of the UFC.
As for his most-used phone apps, Instagram and his news app take the crown. We both agreed that it was refreshing to dive into deep topics, making our conversation immensely enjoyable and informative.
Reaching Out to Jason
I encourage everyone to check out Jason's program, Dynasty Define, and visit his website at www.spearingclover.com to learn more about his work. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale your business or someone interested in building your own tribe, Jason's insights could be invaluable.
It was a pleasure to have Jason on the Organic Matrix podcast, and I look forward to bringing more such enlightening conversations to our listeners. Until next time, remember - it's not just about following societal expectations, but about embarking on a journey of self-discovery and creating your own experiences. Stay curious, and keep questioning!
Samantha Aiko, Organic Matrix
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