"You Never Think About Quitting
When You Think About Winning"
~ Stew Smith
I came up with this quote during a recent Tactical Fitness Report I did with Jeff Nichols when discussing the right mindset for going into selection. So, this is really a good description of my personal journey to and through Navy SEAL training.
- I learned prior to training that having a competitive mindset going into this special ops selection was THE WAY. Training to compete turned each day into a race that was exciting, not a moment of dread prior to every physically taxing event. Reframing events this way adds the ability to crush something versus having it crush you.
It is true - when you "think about winning, you will never think about quitting." The two mindsets are diametrically opposed to each other. Going through a program when there is a 75-80% attrition rate, competing to become one of the students constantly in the top 10-20% will keep you in good stead with those remaining classmate who graduate.
Here's how this applies to special ops selection or other long term challenges:
- When you are faced with a challenging process, event, project, or in most of my reader's world - a spec ops selection, you can change your mentality and focus by competing to win something. You will change your mindset completely even if you don't actually win. That mindset will put you well in the top 20% which is where you need to be in just about anything in life - especially selection programs.
Here is what you need to do:
- Crush the PT Test to get TO the training - DO NOT strive for the minimum standards.
- Start preparing to get THROUGH the training while maintaining above average PT scores
- Be a better recruit - Only once you have built yourself up to this level do you need to talk to a recruiter. Starting this recruitment process too early could seriously affect the outcome of your ultimate goals - become a special operator.
- Keep doing your research and focus on the specific challenges in your future (longer runs, rucks, swims, pool skills, strength for logs, boats, load bearing).
- Be confident in your abilities but not over-confident and know the answer when you ask the question, "why am I doing this?" Something will test your WHY you want to be there.
- Be focused on competing to win or be in the 10% of the class in as many events as possible. But you need to know what the top 10% are doing - so Assess Yourself.
If you really want to know how to take this to the next level, be one of the first to check out these Special Ops Programs available at StewSmithFitness.com. This makes it easy for you to become mentally and physically prepared to graduate spec ops training without having to even thinking about quitting.
Who Is The Coach, Trainer, Author Stew Smith?
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I'm the former Navy SEAL that special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com |
What Programs Are Right For YOU?
It depends on your scores compared to other successful students. See the Assessment Tool to Make it To and Through Selection and se where you stack up with all the elements of fitness - not just a PST score. 
It depends: The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness is a classic and focuses on high rep calisthenics and running and swimming base. You will build up your running over 12-18 weeks to 20 miles but very fast paced focus on both the 1.5 mile run for the PST and the 4 mile timed run for weekly run test at BUDS. If you are an athlete with a strong power / strength background in lifting and not running or swimming, Navy SEAL Fitness is ideal for you. IF you need some place to start Navy SEAL Fitness is ideal for you as well because a calisthenics base / running / swimming progression is a good place to build a foundation. Though you will likely need to spend some time in the Navy SEAL Weight Training Book OR if Navy SEAL FItness is too challenging, go with Navy SEAL SWCC, EOD, Diver, PST Phase 1 Workout. Phase 1 is a good starting point if Navy SEAL Fitness program is too tough.
Navy SEAL Weight Training - This is part two (winter lifting phase) of my SEAL Prep program. If you have done the Navy SEAL Fitness (12 weeks to BUDS) program a few times and need a break, this is the next program that integrates lifting with the Navy SEAL Prep training. This is ideal for people who have come from an endurance athlete background. Athletes like swimmers and runners will also require some strength training as you will be exposed to challenges under logs and boats during the first phase and many miles of rucking 50+ lbs of backpacks and gear in 2nd and 3rd phases of BUDS. Do not skip lifting in your year of training prep. However, if you are coming from a powerlifting / football background, supplementing a few lifts into your endurance / muscle stamina focus plan is something you may enjoy especially if training for a year or more during your prep phase.
Navy SEAL / SWCC, EOD, Diver Program Series - Phase 1 is what I call a beginner guide, but it is still challenging. It is geared toward those who are scoring minimally or failing their Navy PST test - 500yd swim, pushups, situps, pullups, 1.5 mile run. It is easier than The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness and a good prep course before attempting it.
Phase 2 and 3 of the Navy SEAL / SWCC, EOD, Diver program is about the same level of intensity as Navy SEAL Fitness and is also a good follow-up plan after Phase 1.
Phase 4 ot the Navy SEAL Key to Mental Toughness is by far my toughest workout ever created. It resembles a day of BUDS, complete with "wet and sandy", runs after eating, high rep punishment push-ups, 4 mile timed runs, 2 mile swims with fins, log PT simulation, and even a HellWeek Simulator with 3 workouts a day.
Tactical Fitness Series - Tactical Fitness, Tactical Strength, and Tactical Mobility is an ALL-encompassing program that focuses on lifting, calisthenics, run, ruck, swim, speed, agility, and flexibility / mobility. Many people focusing on USMC (OCS, RECON, MarSOC) Army Ranger / SF, Air Force Special Warfare, SWAT / Federal Law Enforcement, and Navy Special Warfare have done very well focusing on the Tactical Fitness Series and developing themselves into an all-round Tactical Athlete.
The Warrior Workout Series - If you are solid with making your own workouts, but need some ideas. This three part series has 300 workouts (100 / book) to pick from focusing on all the elements of fitness and training programs. Each book is organized with periodization cycles in mind along with calisthenics only, weights / calisthenics mix, cardio options and more. Warrior Workout 1 - Warrior Workout 2 - Warrior Workout 3.
More Options:
Special Ops – Most of my programs tend to focus on getting TO and THROUGH a specific tactical training program. So you may see a mix of all the seasons in some of these books, but if you are training long term, you can take advantage of Seasonal Periodization and save yourself some of the over-use, long term pains that tend to follow many of the tactical preparations - especially on the spec ops level of training.
Start training today with workouts that focus on the specifics of getting to and through tactical profession training from firefighter, police, swat, military to special ops. We have programs to help you get TO and THROUGH training.
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