Jonathan Thomas McDermott begins each day not with a frantic scroll through emails or a dash to the coffee pot, but with silence. At the heart of his morning routine lies a practice that has reshaped how he approaches business, leadership, and well-being: Transcendental Meditation (TM). For Jonathan Thomas McDermott, TM is not simply a stress relief technique. It’s a foundational practice that anchors his productivity, mental clarity, and emotional resilience throughout the day. As a thought leader in cannabis and entertainment entrepreneurship, McDermott credits much of his creativity and equilibrium to this timeless discipline.
The modern world often glorifies hustle culture—burning candles at both ends, squeezing value from every second, and defining success by how little you sleep. Jonathan Thomas McDermott, however, has discovered that sustainable performance comes not from constant action, but from intentional stillness. TM has become the powerful bookend of his daily rhythm, and through his own experience, he advocates for its life-changing potential.
Why Jonathan Thomas McDermott Embraced Transcendental Meditation
Long before founding a forward-thinking cannabis retail experience in Illinois, Jonathan Thomas McDermott had explored several wellness paths. It wasn’t until he revisited TM that he felt a profound shift. TM is not new—it’s a meditation technique developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1950s—but its relevance is more potent than ever.
For McDermott, TM offered something unique. Unlike guided meditations, which he found dependent on apps or devices, or mindfulness practices that demanded ongoing effort, TM allowed for total mental freedom. “There’s a clarity that emerges from within,” says Jonathan Thomas McDermott, “not from concentrating, but from letting go.”
The technique involves silently repeating a mantra for twenty minutes twice a day. The practice enables the mind to settle into a state of restful alertness—a state McDermott describes as “profoundly energizing and deeply quiet at the same time.” This dual nature is what, in his view, gives TM its transformative power.
The Morning Anchor: TM as a Launchpad for Jonathan Thomas McDermott’s Day
Before any business call, brainstorming session, or team huddle, Jonathan Thomas McDermott sits in silence. Those twenty minutes in the early morning are sacred. In this space, before absorbing the demands of leadership, he reconnects with a sense of inner order.
Jonathan Thomas McDermott observes that this morning session doesn’t just set a calm tone—it builds mental agility. “You’re clearer. Your brain isn’t chasing ten things at once. You make sharper decisions. You’re less reactive.” His experience echoes what many studies now confirm: TM reduces cortisol, lowers blood pressure, and improves cognitive function.
McDermott integrates TM into a larger philosophy of peak performance. He believes that innovation—especially in a space as dynamic and tightly regulated as cannabis retail—requires the ability to zoom out, stay centered, and move intentionally. TM, for him, is the lever that enables that mindset daily.
Jonathan Thomas McDermott on TM and Emotional Resilience in Leadership
Business leadership, particularly in fast-moving or emerging industries, requires a strong emotional core. Jonathan Thomas McDermott explains that TM offers more than clarity—it cultivates resilience. During moments of high pressure, setbacks, or regulatory challenges, TM serves as an internal reset button.
“Stress is inevitable,” McDermott notes. “But how you respond to it is a skill, and TM builds that skill over time.” Through regular practice, he’s found he’s less triggered by adversity. Instead of spiraling into anxiety, he finds a pause—a moment of neutrality—that allows him to act with precision rather than panic.
That space between stimulus and response, often spoken about in mindfulness circles, is where Jonathan Thomas McDermott operates best. He credits TM for sharpening that space, giving him the capacity to listen more effectively, empathize with others, and stay adaptable in negotiations or public presentations.
Evening Reflection: Jonathan Thomas McDermott Uses TM to Reset and Recalibrate
Just as the day begins with stillness, Jonathan Thomas McDermott ends it the same way. His evening TM session is less about performance and more about closure. “It’s how I let the day go,” he says. “You get the chance to reset, clear emotional residue, and prevent decision fatigue from carrying over into the next morning.”
This second meditation helps recalibrate his nervous system. McDermott likens it to “cleaning the whiteboard before tomorrow’s strategy session.” It ensures that the noise from one meeting, client exchange, or deadline doesn’t build into chronic tension. Over time, he’s noticed better sleep, greater emotional balance, and more intuitive creativity during his evening hours.
Even outside of work, this practice enhances his personal life. Jonathan Thomas McDermott reports that TM improves his relationships by helping him remain present and less reactionary—whether at home, at community events, or at the Missouri consumption lounge hosted by his dispensary.
Jonathan Thomas McDermott on TM and Creativity in Cannabis Innovation
Cannabis and creativity have long been linked, but Jonathan Thomas McDermott sees a deeper connection between TM and innovation. “You can’t create from chaos,” he says. “TM gives your mind the quiet it needs to connect the dots no one else sees.”
Within the cannabis space, where products, branding, and regulations are constantly evolving, McDermott believes that original thinking is key. TM clears mental clutter, allowing novel ideas to emerge. It also deepens intuition—critical for identifying market opportunities or pivoting when policy changes.
His work at Stash Dispensaries reflects this synthesis. From hosting community movie nights to envisioning immersive lounge experiences, Jonathan Thomas McDermott draws creative inspiration from the inner stillness TM helps him maintain.
Educating the Community: Jonathan Thomas McDermott as an Advocate for TM and Wellness
McDermott doesn’t just keep his TM practice private—he encourages his team and peers to explore it as well. At Stash Dispensaries, the culture reflects his belief in holistic well-being. Events are designed not just for commerce, but for connection and consciousness.
Workshops and wellness activations often highlight the importance of mental health and stress resilience. In internal meetings, McDermott sometimes invites moments of silence or reflection, creating a professional environment where emotional intelligence is valued as much as technical skill.
“Cannabis is about more than products. It’s about expanding perspective,” Jonathan Thomas McDermott often says. For him, TM and cannabis are not mutually exclusive. They are complementary tools for exploring inner dimensions, reducing stress, and elevating the human experience.
Closing Thoughts on TM as a Daily Discipline
Jonathan Thomas McDermott has not only rediscovered Transcendental Meditation—he has rebuilt his day around it. From his first morning mantra to his evening clarity, TM acts as a personal anchor, a cognitive enhancer, and a stress regulator.
He shares his experience to demystify the practice, proving that even the busiest entrepreneurs can make time for twenty minutes of silence—and that those minutes may very well be the most powerful part of the day. TM is not an escape from business for Jonathan Thomas McDermott. It is what allows him to show up fully, lead authentically, and create fearlessly in a rapidly evolving industry.
By grounding his mornings and evenings in meditation, Jonathan Thomas McDermott continues to show how ancient practices can guide modern progress, one quiet breath at a time.
