Meet Your Coach
Hi, I’m Jon, your partner on this exciting journey to self-discovery and success.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and started my military career as a military working dog handler. After completing my first tour of duty, I felt called to attend selection for the Marine Special Operations Command and became a Marine Raider in 2010. In my time as a Critical Skills Operator, I had the opportunity to train and deploy with some of the greatest humans that I have had the pleasure of knowing, however toward the end of my career I began to experience a very ominous shift in who I was as a person which led me into a pit of despair for many years.
Connect with me:
I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and started my military career as a military working dog handler. After completing my first tour of duty, I felt called to attend selection and assessment for the Marine Special Operations Command and became a Marine Raider in 2010. In my time as a Critical Skills Operator, I had the opportunity to train and deploy with some of the greatest humans that I have had the pleasure of knowing; however toward the end of my career, I began to experience a very ominous shift in who I was as a person which led me into a pit of despair for many years.
PIT OF DESPAIR
After many back-to-back deployments and bearing witness to substantial human loss, I found myself alone and closed off to the world. I was unable to sleep, I pushed the people who loved me out, and I was left with a head full of anger, regret, static, and thoughts of ending the misery that I had built around myself. In 2015, I was involved in a near-fatal parachute training accident and sustained a shattered pelvis, fractured hip, and broken orbital. Due to the severity of the injury, the Marine Corps decided to part ways with me, and I was medically retired in 2016. I left service still recovering in a wheelchair and had developed an alarming substance abuse addiction to alcohol and pain medication.
LIFE AFTER
Over the years and with the help of others, I managed to get back on my feet, become pain-free, and active again. As I continued to navigate life after the military, I became a paramedic and worked 911 for the city of Houston, Texas. I had managed to put in enough work to pull myself out of crisis, and in 2020, I was free of all medication and substances, however, misery still followed. At the sixth month mark of sobriety, the honeymoon had ended, and I again found myself sober but still experiencing crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
PLANT MEDICINE
Along my healing journey, I had heard about the benefits of plant medicine to help heal treatment-resistant combat veterans with CPTSD and TBI. At this point in my recovery, I was able to accomplish the basic functions in life, but I was unable to experience happiness, joy, and genuine human connection. After much thought, consideration, and lack of options I accepted a healing grant and traveled to Mexico for plant medicine. In that five-day retreat, I went through a full spiritual awakening and was able to confront and process the dark areas of my mind. At the end of the treatment, I noticed that the world was the same, but I was very different. For the first time in over a decade, my mind was quiet; I had empathy for myself and could finally feel again. I credit plant medicine for allowing me to become myself again and not just grind through life hoping that things will get better.
THE HERE AND NOW
Since that magical moment, plant medicine and its benefits have absolutely captivated my mind and have led me to become a coach with a passion for helping other struggling souls with substance abuse, grief, lifestyle, and preparation for psychedelic experiences.
Coaching Style
Personalized 1-on-1 coaching
My coaching style supports individuals through plant medicine ceremonies, trauma, lifestyle changes, grief, and substance abuse recovery. With rigorous military training and personal adversity, I bring deep understanding and empathy to my sessions. My firsthand experience with injury, addiction, and emotional despair allows me to connect deeply with clients and provide practical, compassionate guidance. Through my recovery journey with plant medicine and vast amounts of formal training, I have gained insights into healing from conditions like CPTSD and TBI. My holistic approach empowers clients to overcome obstacles, rediscover joy, and achieve emotional well-being.
Heart Centered Communication
My heart-centered communication approach to healing emphasizes the power of empathy, compassion, and genuine connection in the healing process. By creating a safe, nurturing environment, this method encourages open and honest dialogue, allowing individuals to express their emotions and experiences without fear of judgment. Through active listening and heartfelt interaction, we facilitate the release of emotional burdens and promote the healing of deep-seated wounds. This approach not only helps in rebuilding trust and fostering self-acceptance but also strengthens the individual’s ability to connect with others on a meaningful level. I employ heart-centered communication to support your journey toward healing, helping you to rediscover your inner strength and embrace a life of emotional freedom and resilience.
Client Empowerment
My coaching approach empowers clients to discover their innate ability to heal themselves, with my role being one of open, honest, and curious support. Leveraging my background in the military and as a first responder, I offer a deep understanding of the challenges associated with trauma, grief, and substance abuse. My firsthand experiences as a 911 paramedic have shown me the depths of human suffering and how we can fall into a pattern of avoidance and isolation while we suffer in silence. In my work, the client is always in the driver’s seat, and my role is to help facilitate the reconnection of mind and body, enabling clients to unlock their path to healing.
Somatic Approach
The somatic approach to healing trauma recognizes that the body and mind are deeply interconnected and that trauma is not only a psychological experience but also a physical one. This method focuses on body-centered practices to help individuals process and release traumatic stress. By paying attention to bodily sensations and movements, the somatic approach allows for the release of stored trauma, facilitating a deeper level of healing. During our sessions, I use techniques such as mindfulness, breathwork, and gentle movement to help reconnect with the body’s innate wisdom and restore a sense of safety and equilibrium. This holistic approach empowers the client to heal from within, fostering resilience and promoting long-term well-being. I will help guide you through this transformative process, helping you to reclaim your body, mind, and spirit.
Offerings
Plant Medicine: Transformational Coaching for Pre and Post Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
This style of coaching supports the client before and after psychedelic-assisted therapy. I provide guidance to prepare you for the experience, develop intentions, and ensure you approach the experience with the best possible mindset, understanding, and openness. Post-therapy, we help integrate insights gained, fostering lasting positive changes in your life. My goal is to facilitate a holistic healing journey through the powerful benefits of plant medicine.
Substance Abuse: The Journey Back to the True Self
Transform your perspective on change, learning to see it as an opportunity. Equip yourself with techniques to adapt to life’s transitions with grace and confidence. Embrace the process of rediscovery and healing as you navigate the path away from substance abuse. This journey is not just about breaking free from addiction but about reclaiming your authentic self. By adopting a positive outlook on change, you can harness the power of each new experience to strengthen your resolve and rebuild a life grounded in resilience and self-empowerment. Remember, every step forward is a step towards your true self.
Trauma: The Body Keeps the Score
Trauma leaves an indelible mark on both the mind and the body. I believe that healing from trauma involves recognizing and addressing the profound ways it manifests physically. The body holds onto these painful memories, often resulting in chronic stress, pain, and emotional instability. My approach to trauma coaching is holistic, focusing on the integration of mind and body to facilitate comprehensive healing. We will develop tools and techniques unique to the client to release stored trauma, foster resilience, and help you regain control and peace.
My Recovery: A Journey from the Depths of Darkness to the Path of Light
In this podcast, I sit down with a former U.S. Marine Special Operations Command teammate and discuss my fall into chaos and recovery with plant medicine. This podcast showcases that we are all subject to challenging times and that some cannot pull themselves out without help from others. Our failures and struggles are powerful-teaching moments that will help us transform and get back on the path to our true selves.
What folks are saying about Jon
Heart-Centered Coaching
“Jon’s vast knowledge about plant medicine and heart-centered coaching style far exceeded my expectations. Jon is very relatable due to his background in the military and as a first responder. I found myself very comforatble and open working with Jon”
-Former Client
U.S. Special Operation
Veteran
Compassion
“Jon is very easy to talk to, curious, and compassionate. I came to Jon with a long history of substance abuse and trauma from childhood. His mindset and coaching style allowed me to open up and explore those dark places of my past and see things for what they are“
-Former Client
Flight Attendent
Relatable
“After retiring from a 25-year law enforcement career, I became resentful, angry, and lost. I had spent many years in traditional therapy but found that I could not relate, and the therapist did not understand what I was going through. Jon’s military and paramedic background helped me to feel heard and understood.“
-Former Client
Law Enforcment
LINE OF DEPARTURE
Line Of Departure
Coming Soon!
In military terms, the “line of departure” marks the point at which a service member transitions from safety and security and sets out into the dangers of the unknown with a mission and a purpose. This concept parallels the healing journey through plant medicine therapy, where individuals actively move from uncertainty and comfort to engage in their recovery process. Line of Departure is committed to embodying this transition by providing high-quality merchandise with a mission: to support the healing journeys of military personnel and first responders. All profits and proceeds from our swag sales are donated to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that offer healing grants for plant medicine treatments. These grants help combat veterans and first responders who suffer from treatment-resistant conditions like CPTSD and TBI, offering them a chance to reclaim their lives. By purchasing our products, you contribute directly to these transformative programs, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have given so much. Join me in supporting this vital cause and helping heroes find the healing they deserve.
Ready to transform your life?
Book a discovery call today!