I am not a Navy Seal and I will never be a Navy Seal.

Navy Seals are the best of the best and are on a totally different level.  Their mental toughness, physical prowess, and leadership is truly awe inspiring.

Even though I’ll never be a Seal, the qualities they possess really inspires me.  And if you’re willing to dig digger into their training and their mindset, it could be something that will change how you carry yourself through each and every day.

The Challenge

For the last six months I have been training for a challenge.  This challenge has never been done before, and myself and a small group of friends, will be the pilot group.  The challenge is run by Sealfit.  Sealfit is a company created by Commander Mark Divine, a decorated Navy Seal who has taken his experiences and training and created something that is really special.  Sealfit’s integrated training system focuses on the five mountains; physical training, mental toughness and control, emotional development and control, intuition (as a decision tool), and your warrior spirit.  Sealfit runs various camps, academy’s, and challenges throughout the year and has agreed to create a challenge for our group, that if successful, will be something they open up and offer to others.  For those willing to take on and complete a Sealfit challenge, it can be a life-changing moment.

Doubt, Fear, and Hesitation

When I learned that I have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I wasn’t too thrilled.  I’m not going to lie.  In fact, I was pretty scared.  I am definitely not a runner and my idea of conditioning was anything over 5 reps in the gym.  Also, I haven’t been tested in a while.  And at this level, probably never.  It is a pretty daunting task to show up and be ready for something so powerful and so great.

I talk all the time about conquering your fears, taking action and not hesitating on the site, so how could I say ‘no’?  A strong man leads and inspires with his actions and steps up to every challenge.

So I said “I’m in.”

And for the last 6 months I’ve been ‘all in.’

The Ruck and Boots

After I committed, I started running and hitting a ton of bodyweight exercises.  My workouts became much more about endurance and conditioning, rather than just strength.  After the first couple weeks, I knew I was going to have to do this the hard way, because it wasn’t coming easy.  Every workout and every run was tough.  My endurance and work capacity came slow and steady.  Then came the ruck and boots.  The running that I was doing with my cushy Brooks running shoes was replaced with running in boots and a #30lb ruck.  It started getting real, really fast.

If I wasn’t connected to ‘why‘ I was doing it, I would have quit a long time ago.  Divine states that even the greatest athletes or those who possess amazing physical attributes will quit when “they are faced with great adversity because they don’t have a deep enough connection to their ‘why’.  They might be physically capable, but when things get ‘extreme’ their why isn’t strong enough.”

My ‘why’ is to be a great example for my children, to ‘show up’ for the other guys who are doing the challenge with me, to prove to myself that I can conquer my fear and put in the work that is required, and finally, to feel that amazing feeling when I get through it.  Because I will get through it.  Not by personally excelling at the challenge, but being the man who focuses on every member of the team and making sure they make it through. 

The Way to Win

Divine explains a scenario that defines how a team wins.  If you have 20 guys on a team, and you focus on every guy on the team besides yourself, and everyone on the team is focusing on everyone else, then you always have 19 guys looking out for you and making sure you keep going.  Divine also states it is impossible “for an individual to get through these challenges….alone.”  It has to be a team effort and everyone has to look out for the others on his team.

The Time is Now

So where are we at now?  We are two weeks out from the challenge and I am making the final mental and physical preparations.  I know it is going to be tough and I know, no matter what happens, I will make it through.  I have a vision and a clear connection to my ‘why.’  I am going to show up for every member on the team and face my fear and the challenge head on.

“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson

I can’t wait to learn what this challenge is going to teach me.

Rage against the dying of the light,

Smitty

In the following video, I talk about where my mind is at and how I’m not letting daily obstacles like missing a meal or too little sleep, keep me from what I have to do.  Please watch the video below and let me know how you’re going to show up for those who are counting on you.