Warning: the topic of suicide is discussed during this episode of The ModGolf Podcast.
This is more than a story about golf; it's a story about how a single moment, a single community, a single purpose can pull someone back from the brink and empower them to save others.
Listen to this full episode with Jonathan to discover:
The Therapeutic Power of a Single Shot:
Jonathan explains how the intense, fleeting focus required to hit a golf ball can break the cycle of traumatic "thought traps" and provide a unique form of mental therapy.
Building a "Technical School" for Golf & Life:
Learn about Jonathan's vision to create a comprehensive pathway for veterans and first responders. Not just to play golf, but to build careers in the industry as players, caddies, clubhouse staff, and agronomy crews.
From Isolation to Community:
Hear how the Warrior Golf Academy is intentionally designed to combat the #1 killer—isolation—by creating a tight-knit, supportive community that replicates the camaraderie of military and first responder teams.
Episode Chapters:
(01:15) Introduction: The Transformative Power of Golf
(01:54) Jonathan's Story Begins: A Descent into Darkness
(07:24) The Turning Point: A Divine Intervention
(10:23) The Road to Recovery: Costa Rica and a Return to Golf
(13:50) The Birth of a Mission: Founding the Warrior Golf Academy
(17:55) Discipline on the Course vs. the Battlefield
(22:58) Filling the Gaps: A New Model for Veteran Support
(27:05) Stories of Transformation: The Ripple Effect of Hope
(31:45) Creating Community: Indoor Simulators and Local Events
(34:05) The Ripple Effect on Families and Communities
(37:12) The Future Vision: Scaling Hope and Building a "Golf Technical College"
(41:39) A Message to Those Struggling: "You Are Not Alone"
(43:22) How to Get Involved and Support the Mission
Quotable Moments from Jonathan:
On Purpose:
"What people are looking for in this life is belonging and purpose. If you don't have those, then you don't have that will to want to live."
On Golf as Therapy:
"It's really just that extreme focus for the few seconds it takes to hit the golf ball and then you don't have to think about anything. It helps me get out of my own way."
On His Mission:
"My vision for Warrior Golf Academy is to reach at least one person and save their life. If I could do that, then everything I've done is worth it."
Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then enjoy our video with Jonathan on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.
Jonathan Sessa's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/jonathan-sessa
Jonathan Sessa is a US Army veteran and the Founder & CEO of the Warrior Golf Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and rebuilding purpose for veterans and first responders. His journey is a profound testament to post-traumatic growth. After his military service, Jonathan faced a profound period of darkness, grappling with the physical pain of service-connected injuries, the grief of personal loss, and the isolation that led him to the brink of suicide. His path to healing began with a powerful personal intervention and a transformative period in Costa Rica, where he rediscovered golf not just as a game, but as a therapeutic tool for mental wellness and a catalyst for his new mission.
Driven by his own experience, Jonathan founded the Warrior Golf Academy to create the supportive community he found lacking. His vision extends far beyond teaching the golf swing. He is building a comprehensive "technical school" for the golf industry, providing veterans and first responders with the skills and connections to build careers as players, caddies, club managers, and agronomy staff. By focusing on belonging, purpose, and tangible career pathways, Jonathan's work directly combats the isolation that leads to the tragic statistic of "22 a day."
Today, Jonathan leads a growing movement from the Academy's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a certified PGA HOPE instructor and a passionate advocate for leveraging the game's unique disciplines—focus, patience, and incremental improvement—to rewire the mind and heal the spirit. His work ensures that those who have served their country have a welcoming community they can return to, proving that our deepest wounds can indeed become the source of our greatest purpose.
Connect and Support the Mission
You can learn more about Jonathan and the incredible work of the Warrior Golf Academy, including how to get involved, donate or access their resources at their website: https://warriorgolfacademy.com/
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We also encourage you to reach out to Heads Up Guys for mental health resources, tools and support.
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