Deliberate Discomfort
Deliberate Discomfort follows the journey of Jason Van Camp, a new Green Beret commander taking over a team of combat-hardened Special Forces veterans. This true story tells firsthand the intense, traumatic battles these warriors fought and won sharing lessons learned from their incredible backgrounds. A cadre of scientists further break down each experience, translating them into digestible and relatable action items, allowing the reader to apply these lessons forged under fire to their own lives.
Deliberate Discomfort is the ultimate book on leadership and self-improvement, depicting how these warriors found a way to win under incredible odds with never-quit attitudes. The authors don’t just tell you how to thrive under pressure; they show you how, i heart-racing, first-person narratives.
Read Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry’s true account of grabbing an enemy grenade in Afghanistan, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers but losing his hand in the process. Hear what fellow Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg was thinking as he tackled a suicide bomber. Feel what Marine Joey Jones felt as he was flying through the air, weightless, after stepping on the IED that would take both his legs. And most importantly, experience what Jason learned about leadership and embracing discomfort from adversity.
Congrats on your new book Deliberate Discomfort. Tell me a little bit about it?
Thank you. Twelve highly decorated Special Operations Forces operators take you through the intense, traumatic battles they fought and won, sharing the lessons learned from those incredible challenges. A cadre of scientists and myself break down those experiences, translating them into digestible and relatable action items, showing the average person how they can apply them to their own lives. Read Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry’s firsthand account of how he grabbed an enemy grenade in Afghanistan and threw it, saving the life of a fellow soldier but losing his own hand in the process. Learn from fellow Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg what he was thinking as he tackled a suicide bomber. Feel what Marine Joey Jones felt as he was flying through the air, weightless, after stepping on the IED that would take both his legs. Perhaps most importantly, listen to them explain how they overcame those challenges and used them as fuel to better themselves and the world around them. They can teach you to do the same.
What experience caused you to see a need for this book?
My company, Mission Six Zero, works with a lot of corporate and professional sports clients. Our curriculum is powerful; I am very proud of what we have created. I wanted to write a book so we could share our lessons learned and beliefs with our clients and military brothers and sisters.
Is there a short story from your book you would like to share?
I would love to share ALL of the stories! Chapter One focuses on my experiences meeting my company commander for the first time and how he explains to me the process and importance of TRUST. I think this chapter is invaluable for leaders of any organization at any level.
What is the biggest takeaway that you hope a reader will take from Deliberate Discomfort?
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Discomfort is not negative, it’s a profoundly positive state of being. By voluntarily, deliberately choosing discomfort, you will grow, improve, and strengthen yourself. It isn’t just the way, it’s the ONLY way.
What lessons can a Junior Officer take from your book?
I am so excited for junior officers to read this book because I’ve incorporated powerful leadership lessons from the most impactful leaders I’ve met in my military career in every chapter. I wrote this book with the thought, “what do I wish someone would have told me when I was a junior officer?” in mind.
Tell me a little bit about Mission Six Zero.
Mission Six Zero is a leadership development company that I started in 2012 with Nate Boyer and Matt Chaney. We help organizations dramatically improve their sales performance, reduce cost, and win by providing a new way of solving organizational problems. We focus on the TOTAL WARRIOR (Whole Person Concept) and empower our clients to learn how to overcome fear by getting comfortable being uncomfortable in six specific domains; mental, physical, spiritual, social, emotional, and professional.
How did this get started?
Life isn’t about trophies, it’s about people, and the relationships that you have with those people. I am very proud to have served with some of the best leaders in the country. I thought, “if there was a way that we could bring people together in a room and soak up everything that these military leaders truly are, we could do amazing things in our country.” Mission Six Zero was born out of this idea.
What are you reading now?
My book. Over and over again. I look for mistakes and ways to improve version 2.0.
What does a good leader look like to you?
Someone who cares. Cares about their people. Cares about improving themselves. Cares about being successful at whatever they do.
Who are the leaders that you look up to?
Every single person on the Mission Six Zero team. I love my team and want them to know that.
What books are you reading, and any that you recommend, have any influenced your thinking on leadership?
I have read a lot of John C. Maxwell leadership books – short, sweet, powerful. I also recommend Message to Garcia, and books from the Arbringer Institute.
What books had the most impact on you and your development?
Catch me if you Can, Catch 22, Catcher in the Rye. On the Road with Jack Kerouac, Mas Search for Meaning, the Art of War.
What is next for you?
Making Deliberate Discomfort a best seller!
Deliberate Discomfort comes out February 18, 2020
Jason Van Camp is a decorated Green Beret who attended and played football at West Point before earning
his US Army Ranger tab and Special Forces tab. He served as a Detachment Commander with 10th Special Forces Group before deploying to war zones in the Middle East and Africa, receiving three Bronze Stars, one with a “V device” for Valor.
