BIO
About John
The son of an Air Force pilot and a computer engineer, John grew up in Southern California; skating, longboarding, running track, and becoming an Eagle Scout. After high school he got his first taste of military life at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. The following year he entered the Air Force Academy, where he earned his glider pilot and parachute wings, served as a SERE survival instructor, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Following graduation in 1996, John began pilot training in Del Rio, Texas, then transitioned to helicopter training at Fort Rucker and Kirtland AFB. After qualifying in the HH-60G Pave Hawk, his first assignment was to the 56th Rescue Squadron in Keflavik, Iceland. His subsequent assignment to the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB saw him deploy to Afghanistan, where he participated in Operation Anaconda and the battle of Roberts Ridge. The following years saw John deploy eight times to Iraq, Pakistan, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, ultimately taking command of the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Kandahar. A veteran of more than 200 combat missions, John’s actions are documented in the books Not a Good Day to Die, None Braver, Zero Six Bravo, and Dead Men Risen. His decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor, twelve Air Medals, two Aerial Achievement Medals, and the 2009 Cheney Award.
As his career progressed, John realized that although the Air Force had trained him to master his aircraft, it had not trained him to master his mind and the natural human stress response. Thus, his earliest combat sorties were marked by intense fear, confusion, and chaos. Searching for solutions, John discovered that Sport Psychology held the key; scientifically proven methods for managing fear and anxiety, sharpening focus, and converting threats into opportunities. He then adapted those principles into a practical mental paradigm he calls the Three Rings Mindset. Combat proven, the Three Rings Mindset now helps military units, first responders, and corporate leaders perform at their peak, even under crippling pressure. Through dynamic, story-driven seminars, John teaches audiences how to stay clear-headed and make rational decisions when everything is on the line—whether in the cockpit, on the beat, or in the boardroom. Give your team an edge when it matters most. Book a custom seminar today.
