The foundation for great living is love & compassion, which starts with yourself.
We all struggle. We all have limitations. We also all have the capacity to achieve greatness, fulfillment, and gratification in this life. My goal is to help people find these gifts for themselves, expand beyond their limitations, and elevate their consciousness. We exist to serve each other, and this is my way!
My journey has been more extreme than most. After spending a decade as a Navy SEAL, I transitioned into business. Despite earning an MBA from a top school, co-founding three very successful businesses, and starting a beautiful family, I felt empty, unworthy, and unable to enjoy life’s abundance. In 2017, I hit rock bottom.
In recognizing my situation, I devoted myself to understanding the human condition. In that process, I built a great deal of fundamental knowledge in self-improvement, neuroscience, human biology, human performance, psychology, and spirituality. Armed with that knowledge and thanks to the help of countless loved ones, I discovered another dimension and depth to life. I overcame chronic suicidal thoughts, PTSD, depression, self-hate, a mid-life crisis, and general emptiness, and now live each day with fulfillment, humility, and compassion.
We never “arrive”, but if we choose the right path, we can thrive and relish in the experience.
I am here to share my experience to teach others how to better themselves and reach a greater level of being. This transcendence is not a destination but a continual growth experience, like climbing a mountain with no summit. In that way, I see myself as a sherpa, helping others climb along with me.
Judson’s Bio
Judson Kauffman served in the US Navy as an Intelligence Analyst, a Search and Rescue Swimmer for a Marine Corps amphibious unit, and a Navy SEAL sniper, navigator, and team leader. On active duty, Judson executed over 200 missions, received multiple combat awards for valor, and earned three meritorious promotions.
After his honorable discharge from the military, he enrolled at Belmont University, earning his undergraduate degree in business and a regular spot on the dean’s list.
After finishing his degree, he married his wife, Renèe, before working for a Nashville-based consumer product start-up. After getting a taste for entrepreneurship, Judson launched a consulting firm, Exbellum, in 2012. Exbellum provided hands-on advisory and coaching services to help companies solve human capital challenges. Clients included Johnson & Johnson, Seagate, Pinterest, Scott’s, and others. He and his cofounder later sold this company in 2017.
That same year, Judson earned his MBA from the McCombs School at the University of Texas. During this program, he co-founded Desert Door Distillery, where he currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors. Desert Door has become one of the most successful spirits brands in Texas history and holds a special place in his heart. Desert Door has been named the #1 craft distillery in the nation twice, and their spirits have won multiple awards.
After getting the distillery off the ground with his co-founders, Judson started his third company, Terradepth, an ocean exploration and data-as-a-service company. Judson guided the company through two financing rounds and built an impressive team. His work with Terradepth earned Judson the Future Legend award from the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Judson shifted his focus to something he was most passionate about: serving others. He is now the CEO at EVRYMAN, a men’s holistic wellness company, and community.
Judson spends his time with his family, out in nature, hunting, fishing, writing, playing music, and enjoying life’s many wonders. He volunteers for and supports several non-profits, including The Honor Foundation, Wild Spirits Wild Places, St. Louise House, and The Whitliff Foundation.
Philosophy
In 2018, I was given a book on Stoicism, which became my introduction to purposeful thinking. While the Stoics are still a major influence on my ever-evolving personal philosophy, I have sifted through countless books and podcasts to discover other sources. Today, I rely heavily on the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus Christ, Lao Tzu, Aristotle, Vyasa, and many others. Their teachings share a shocking amount of belief and wisdom – this is universal wisdom. Beyond this, I take from modern thinkers, scientists, and performers.
Everything is connected in our universe; everything shares energy. Some call this the unified field, God, nature, or whatever – but I have experienced this dimension myself and strive daily to connect with it and deepen that experience. It is a never-ending process, but through right living (meditation, a healthy diet, great sleep, exercise, prayer, etc.), a stronger connection can be achieved. Finding this connection - heightening our consciousness - is the nature of my work with my clients (and indeed with myself). This is the key to fulfillment, and it starts with awareness of our internal reality, which leads to mastery of our internal world. Only then can we master our external world and do more than perform at high levels. This is “transcendent performance”, and will help us live an optimal human experience.