Episode 51 with Jason Van Camp
Deliberate Discomfort
Featuring Jason Van Camp | Tales of Leadership Podcast Ep. 51
Jason Van Camp’s leadership journey is rooted in service, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of growth through adversity. From his early days growing up in a patriotic household to attending West Point and eventually becoming a Green Beret, Jason’s life has been defined by one consistent theme—seeking out hard things.
As he shared, his early mindset was centered on collecting stories—placing himself in uncomfortable environments to gain experiences he could carry forward. But over time, that perspective evolved. It wasn’t about the stories themselves—it was about the people he experienced them with. Life isn’t about the trophies you collect—it’s about the people you take the journey with.
That realization became a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. Leadership, to Jason, is not about personal achievement—it’s about inspiring others to become the best version of themselves. It’s about service, sacrifice, and creating an environment where teams can thrive together.
One of the most powerful insights Jason shared is the difference between success and significance. Success can be achieved alone, but significance is only achieved through others. In the military, this is built through shared hardship—through deployments, training, and crucible events that forge trust. But in the civilian world, that trust must be built intentionally.
Jason emphasizes that trust is not given—it is earned. And one of the biggest mistakes leaders make is blindly trusting based on position or rank rather than relationships. Trust is built through knowing people—not titles. Leaders must take the time to understand who their people are, what they’re capable of, and how they respond under pressure.
This principle extends into hiring and team building. Jason learned early in his entrepreneurial journey that filling roles quickly with the wrong people creates long-term problems. Instead, leaders must define their values, vision, and expectations first—then find individuals who align with them. Skills can be taught, but mindset, work ethic, and commitment cannot.
Another defining theme of the conversation is effort. Jason shared a lesson from his father that shaped his entire life: effort leads to recognition. From a young age, he learned to push himself beyond the minimum standard. That mindset carried through his military career and into business. If you consistently put in maximum effort, you will stand out—and opportunities will find you.
This ties directly into his concept of “deliberate discomfort.” Growth does not happen in comfort. Leaders must intentionally place themselves in challenging situations to build resilience, grit, and confidence. Whether it’s physical training, mental challenges, or stepping into unfamiliar environments, discomfort is the catalyst for transformation.
Jason’s book Deliberate Discomfort captures this philosophy through real-world experiences and actionable lessons. It’s not about suffering for the sake of suffering—it’s about choosing your hard. Because life will present challenges regardless. The question is whether you will proactively prepare for them or be forced to react when they arrive.
He also highlights the importance of taking a tactical pause—something often overlooked in both military and civilian leadership. Leaders must resist the urge to rush into action without clarity. Sometimes the most powerful move is to pause, assess, and then pursue with purpose.
After transitioning out of the military, Jason faced a challenge many veterans encounter—the loss of purpose. The structure, mission, and camaraderie that once defined his life were gone. It was through his nonprofit, Warrior Rising, that he rediscovered that sense of purpose by continuing to serve others.
That service became his new mission—helping veterans and their families find purpose through entrepreneurship. In doing so, he found that the same principles that made him successful in the military—discipline, resilience, and service—translated directly into business and leadership.
Jason’s work today through Mission Six Zero and Warrior Rising continues to impact thousands of lives, reinforcing the idea that leadership is not confined to one environment. It is a mindset that carries across every phase of life.
Final Thoughts
Leadership is forged through discomfort, not convenience. The leaders who make the greatest impact are those who choose the hard path—who put in the effort, build trust intentionally, and prioritize people over personal gain. Success may be achieved alone, but significance is always achieved with a team. If you want to grow as a leader, stop waiting for the perfect plan and start taking action. Because momentum, not perfection, is what drives results.
After Action Review (AAR)
Are you intentionally choosing discomfort to grow, or are you waiting for life to force it upon you?
How are you building trust within your team—through relationships or relying on titles and authority?
What action can you take today, even without a perfect plan, to start building momentum in your leadership journey?
Tales of Leadership Mission: To develop Purposeful Accountable Leaders by arming you with the tools
required to lead with purpose, integrity, and accountability.
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