Jocko Willink is a man of many hats and accomplishments. He is a former US Navy SEAL who commanded one of the most decorated special operations units in the Iraq War.
He is the author of several best-selling books on leadership, discipline and personal development.
He is a popular podcast host, discussing a variety of topics related to war, history, fitness, and philosophy.
He co-founded a leadership consulting firm that helps businesses and organizations improve their performance and culture. He is also a jiu-jitsu instructor and co-owner of a lifestyle and fitness company.
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- Full Name: John Gretton Willink Jr.
- Nickname: Jocko
- Date of birth: September 8, 1971
- Age: 53 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Torrington, Connecticut, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Retired US Navy SEAL, author, podcast host, leadership consultant, jiu-jitsu instructor, fitness entrepreneur
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Parents: John Willink and Robin Willink
- Brothers and sisters: Two brothers and sisters
- Spouse: Helen Willink
- Children: Freya, Rana, Thorunn and Jocko Jr.
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Jocko Willink, born September 8, 1971 in Torrington, Connecticut, to John and Robin Willink, will turn 53 in 2024.
He grew up in a small town where he played football and hockey in high school. He was not a good student and often got into trouble for fighting and skipping school.
His grandfather, a World War II veteran, inspired him to join the military after graduating from high school. He enlisted in the Navy at age 19 and underwent rigorous training to become a Navy SEAL.
He served 20 years in the SEAL Teams, rising from an enlisted SEAL to a SEAL officer. While in the service, he earned a BA in English from the University of San Diego. He is 52 years old and lives in San Diego, California.
Personal life
Jocko Willink is married to Helen Willink, whom he met while stationed in Bahrain. They have four children: three daughters named Freya, Rana and Thorunn, and a son named Jocko Jr.
He is very close to his family and often shares photos and videos of them on his social media accounts.
He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and teaches classes at his gym Victory MMA and Fitness. He is also co-owner of Origin, an American-made supplement and apparel company.
Career
Jocko Willink had an illustrious career in the United States Navy SEALs, where he participated in several combat missions, including the Battle of Ramadi in Iraq, where he commanded the Bruiser Special Operations Unit of SEAL Team 3.
He was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
He also served as an instructor and training officer at the Naval Special Warfare Center, where he developed and implemented the SEAL leadership training program.
He retired from the Navy in 2010 and co-founded Echelon Front, a leadership consulting firm that provides training, coaching, and consulting services to businesses and organizations.
He also co-wrote several books, such as Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership, with fellow SEAL Leif Babin, based on their experiences and lessons learned in the military and business.
He also wrote books such as Discipline Equals Freedom, Leadership Strategy and Tactics, and a children’s book series called The Way of the Warrior Child.
He is the host of the Jocko Podcast, discussing leadership, war, history, fitness, and discipline. He has also appeared as a guest on other podcasts, such as The Tim Ferriss Show, The Joe Rogan Experience, and The Tony Robbins Podcast.
Prize
Jocko Willink has received several awards and honors for his contributions and achievements, such as:
- Silver Star
- Bronze Star for Courage
- National Defense Merit Medal
- Medal of Excellence
- Joint Forces Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor
- General Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Presidential Unit Citation
- New York Times bestseller
- iTunes Top Podcasts
Social media
- Instagram: @jockowillink
- Twitter: @jockowillink
Book
Jocko Willink has written and co-written the following books:
- Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALs Lead and Win (2015) with Leif Babin
- Way of the Warrior Child: From Wretch to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way (2017)
- Discipline Means Freedom: A Field Manual (2017)
- Kid 2: Marc’s Mission (2018)
- The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win (2018) with Leif Babin
- Leadership Strategy and Tactics: A Field Manual (2020)
- Way of the Warrior Kid 3: Where There’s a Will… (2020)
- The Last Round (2021)
- Mikey and the Dragons (2021)
Net worth
Jocko Willink has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
He earns income from books, podcasts, consulting, fitness company, and speaking engagements.
