Ashburn Mental Performance Services

YOU, BETTER. Clarity, confidence, and execution under pressure.

Blunt and directed. Action oriented. For leaders who are done thinking about change and ready to make it happen.

Let's Talk

WHY THIS ISN'T TYPICAL COACHING

Where Are You?

THE STAGES OF CHANGE

Most people sit in contemplation for years. I work with people in preparation and action.

Pre-Contemplation

"I don't have a problem"

Contemplation

"Maybe someday..."

Preparation

"I'm ready to figure this out"

Action

"Let's move — now"

Maintenance

"Sustaining the gains"

If you're still wondering whether you need to change, we're not a fit yet. I work with action-takers. People who are past contemplation and ready to move.

THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF

The Problem

YOU KNOW YOU'RE CAPABLE OF MORE.

You were a great individual contributor. You've risen in the ranks. By most measures, you're successful. But something's off.

You know you're not operating at your highest level. You can feel the gap between where you are and where you should be.

Who I Work With

SMART. DISSATISFIED. READY.

People who value bigger purpose. Who want to serve their community, their organization, their people — but need to get out of their own way first.

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Leading mission-driven organizations through complexity

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Navigating high-stakes decisions with incomplete information

C-SUITE EXECUTIVES

Translating vision into action at scale

CONSULTANTS & ADVISORS

Sharpening your edge to better serve clients

BUSY PROFESSIONALS

Teetering on the edge of burnout and ready to change that

Dr. Ashburn speaking at NYPD

Background

NOT YOUR TYPICAL COACH.

Military

21 years U.S. Navy. Submarines. NSA. Combat zone deployments including to Afghanistan.

Law Enforcement

Director of Psychological Evaluation Services, NYPD. Briefed two Police Commissioners.

Corporate

Director of Assessment Services, Korn Ferry. Executive talent evaluation for Fortune 500.

Clinical

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology. Licensed in New York State. 20+ years in the field.

Portrait of Dr. John R. Ashburn Jr., Ph.D., ACC — Mental Performance Coach and Clinical Psychologist

From tactical deployments on submarines to strategic tours at the National Security Agency. From briefing four-star generals to consulting with NYPD executive leadership. From running clinics in combat zones to evaluating C-suite candidates at one of the world's top executive search firms. My career has been defined by one thing: helping leaders make high-stakes decisions under pressure.

I've held a Top Secret/SCI clearance. I've briefed an Attorney General. I've developed mental health sustainability programs for undercover officers in high-stakes environments. Now I bring that same caliber of insight to leaders who are ready to operate at their highest level.

Certified in EQ-i 2.0 and FIRO-B assessment instruments — tools I use selectively to accelerate insight, not as a substitute for real conversation.

Learn More on LinkedIn →

What Changes

WE OPERATIONALIZE OUTCOMES UP FRONT.

No vague promises. We define what success looks like before we start — then we go get it.

CLARITY

Cut through the noise. Know what matters. Make decisions with conviction.

VELOCITY

Compressed timeline from thought to action. Faster results, less spinning.

CAREER OUTCOMES

Better roles. More impact. Advancement that matches your capability.

RELATIONSHIPS

Better connections — professional and personal. Leadership presence that lands.

How We Work

LET'S DECIDE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE.

Every engagement starts with a conversation. We'll talk, see if there's mutual fit, and go from there. It needs to be a "hell yes" on both sides.

We'll drive your progress, fueled by your vision and our collaboration. No cookie-cutter programs, no workbook checklists. Bespoke and unique, one of one — just like you.

01

DEFINE OUTCOMES

What changes, how we'll measure it

02

REMOVE FRICTION

Beliefs, habits, decision bottlenecks

03

SUSTAIN PERFORMANCE

Systems, not motivation

Available virtually worldwide. In-person by arrangement.

Discounted rates for military, veterans, first responders, and nonprofit leaders.

Ready?

LET'S FIND OUT IF WE'RE A FIT.

This is a conversation — not a pitch. Let's see if working together makes sense for both of us.

Prefer email? Write directly to contact@ashburnperformance.com.

Frequently Asked

QUESTIONS.

The ones serious people ask before they pick up the phone — and the ones newcomers to coaching ask too.

About Dr. Ashburn

Who is Dr. John R. Ashburn Jr.?
Dr. John R. Ashburn Jr., Ph.D., ACC, is a mental performance coach and licensed clinical psychologist based in New York. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation, and 20+ years of experience across clinical practice, the U.S. Navy, the NYPD (Director of Psychological Evaluation Services), and Korn Ferry (Director of Assessment Services).
What makes Dr. Ashburn's approach different?
Blunt, directed, action-oriented. His coaching draws on Ph.D.-level clinical training, ICF-credentialed methodology, and decades of experience helping people perform under pressure — from submarine crews to Fortune 500 executives. Unlike generalist coaches, he works from clinical insight rather than templates.
What assessments does Dr. Ashburn use?
Certified in the EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Intelligence Inventory) and FIRO-B (Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation — Behavior). Both tools provide structured insight into emotional intelligence, leadership style, and the interpersonal patterns that shape performance.
Who does Dr. Ashburn work with?
Senior leaders, executives, and busy professionals worldwide. His background spans 21 years in the U.S. Navy (submarines, NSA, combat deployments), service as Director of Psychological Evaluation Services at the NYPD, and Director of Assessment Services at Korn Ferry. He works with clients focused on mindset, performance, and quality of life — especially those making high-stakes decisions under pressure.

About Coaching

What's the difference between coaching and therapy?
Therapy treats mental health conditions and past trauma; coaching accelerates performance and clarity going forward. Both are legitimate — different tools for different jobs. Dr. Ashburn holds both credentials: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an ICF-credentialed coach certification. Therapy examines the past to resolve dysfunction. Coaching assumes you're already resourceful and uses the present and future to define outcomes. If you're dealing with active depression, PTSD, or psychological disorder, therapy is the right answer. If you're clear on your challenges but stuck on execution, coaching is typically faster.
What is the ICF and why does it matter?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) sets standards for coaching ethics, training, and credentialing. The ACC credential Dr. Ashburn holds requires 60 hours of accredited training, 100 hours of coaching experience, 10 hours of mentor coaching under an experienced ICF coach, and a passing exam. Anyone can call themselves a coach — there is no legal barrier. An ICF-credentialed coach has been trained, supervised, and held to a code of ethics. It's not a guarantee of fit, but no credential means no accountability.
How do I know if a coach is a good fit for me?
Three signals. First, does the coach have specific experience with your type of challenge — not generic life coaching, but real track record in your domain (senior leadership, high-stakes decisions, performance under pressure). Second, can you operationalize the problem and desired outcome together before you start? A good-fit coach will push back on vague goals and define ROI upfront. Third, after an initial conversation, do you actually want to keep talking to them? Chemistry matters. If all three are yes, you've likely found a fit.
How much does coaching cost?
Pricing varies widely across the coaching industry based on credentials, experience, and engagement scope. Dr. Ashburn offers premium-credential coaching at moderate rates — Ph.D. clinical psychology, 20+ years across Navy, NYPD, and Korn Ferry — priced to be accessible rather than prohibitive given his background. Rate and scope get defined together up front, so ROI is clear before any engagement begins. Military, veterans, first responders, and nonprofit leaders receive additional discounts.