We recently connected with Joe McNeil and have shared our conversation below.

Joe, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

It’s okay not to check all the boxes; it is okay to fail and make mistakes. It is also okay to embark on a less conventional path, diverging from the mainstream. Often, I observe high school graduates enrolling in college simply because everyone else is doing it, without a clear sense of their life’s direction. Four years later, they find themselves burdened with $200k in debt and no closer to pursuing their true passions. Many of this country’s greatest successes, such as Steve Jobs, have emerged from taking the road less traveled and embracing so-called “unconventional” paths. Instead of merely teaching our youth to conform and follow societal expectations, perhaps we should guide them in discovering their unique dreams, passions, and talents. There is nothing wrong with college or higher education; my son, for instance, is nearing the completion of his Mechanical Engineering degree, as it aligns with his passion and brings him a sense of fulfillment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Throughout my entire life, I have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit. It all began in 2003 when I started teaching golf in my own backyard in Indiana. Word quickly spread, and individuals from my church sought my assistance, knowing of my skills as a proficient golfer. Eventually, in 2015, I made the move from Indiana to Texas, establishing Joe McNeil Golf in the vibrant city of San Antonio. Over the years, I have operated from various locations within the city, collaborating with esteemed instructors like Joe Caruso and Bryan Gathright, constantly learning and growing.

Since the beginning of 2022, I have embarked on an ambitious project: transforming the 20 acres of land we purchased in Castroville, Texas into a grand Public Driving Range and Golf Academy. We anticipate opening its doors in December of 2023. My devotion to the game of golf and my desire to help people of all ages improve their skills fuel this venture. My students encompass a diverse range, including talented high school players, college athletes, PGA professionals, and even those who have never held a golf club before.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2015, I faced the heart-wrenching experience of being disowned by my family, except for my brother Andrew and his wife Andrea. This happened as a result of my departure from their church and my disagreements with their cult-like control over its members, as well as their peculiar interpretations of the Bible. This ordeal was exceptionally painful because not only was I partnered in a business with my father, but my parents also served as pastors of the church. When we made the difficult decision to leave, we lost every single friend and relationship we had nurtured within that community. They were all instructed to sever communication with us. The last words my father uttered to me were far from kind; he implied that God’s judgment would fall upon my family, suggesting that we would be cursed and essentially destroyed for opposing them and their church. The sheer magnitude of rejection, hurt, and worthlessness I felt from hearing this from my own father is truly indescribable. It was a struggle I would not have been able to overcome without the grace of God.

Consequently, I had to relinquish my 50% ownership stake in a business I had been a part of for the past decade. Although I had been teaching golf and pursuing a professional playing career on the side, I made the brave decision to redirect my entire focus. I fully dedicated myself to the game of golf and took the bold step of uprooting my family, relocating them 1100 miles away to the warm and welcoming city of San Antonio. It was there that I established my new venture at the esteemed Joe Caruso Golf Academy.

On an ironic side note, Psalm 19:9-10 states that the “judgments of the Lord are more precious than gold.” This does not align with the notions of doom and destruction my father conveyed. In fact, I can confidently say that I am experiencing and living under the benevolent “judgments of the Lord.”

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As a passionate student of business and leadership practices, I am constantly striving to enhance my own growth and development. My aim is to expand my knowledge and abilities so that I can offer more and support others in reaching their full potential. In 2021, I obtained certification with the esteemed John Maxwell team. John Maxwell is widely recognized as the foremost expert on leadership worldwide, and I have been an avid reader of his books for many years. Among my favorite titles are “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth,” “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” and non-Maxwell titles “Good to Great,” and “Made in America: The Sam Walton Story.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joemcneilgolf.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcneilgolf/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mcneil-74a27836/