This is the story of my Mobility Day creation. It was purely out of necessity as my hips were so tight that running had gotten to a point of pure pain. It all started because I was sitting too long at work during the day and not stretching - even after working out.

My lesson is for all types of people, though. Whether you are young or old, in shape or not, sitting for too long can well make you really good at sitting. Standing, walking, running and other movements will continue to become more painful each year you ignore it. Here is how I mixed in mobility and flexibility training into my week, along with adding a standing desk option that changed everything for me 10 years ago when I thought I was no longer going to run.

As an avid exerciser and now over 50, I faced a daunting challenge almost 10 years ago. I was in the midst of a running cycle, but the pain in my hips was unbearable. I thought this would be my last year running, as the agony of each step seemed to echo through my entire body.

I could still do squats, bike, and swim, but running had become a test of endurance (and pain tolerance) that I was failing. I felt like my hips were bleeding with each stride, and the high-mileage run cycle I was doing was looming over me like an insurmountable obstacle.
When the time came, I opted to get on a stationary bike for a day instead of running with my training group. I told them to go on without me and hoped to find solace in the familiar rhythm, but I was immediately bored.

I got off the bike and started to stretch, just to ease some of the tension that had built up. And something remarkable happened. The stretching felt great, and I found myself back on the bike, without the usual discomfort. This pattern of biking and stretching became my focus for the next hour, and it was a revelation.

The Mobility Day was created! 5 minutes of cardio + 5 minutes of stretching/foam rolling/massaging for 45-60 minutes is now my mid-week go-to workout.
I walked out of the gym that day feeling literally in NO PAIN. For the first time in months, I was free from the persistent pain that had plagued me. I called it "Mobility Day" and started sharing it with my friend Jim, who was equally amazed by the results. Then, I added it to my latest training and weekly personalized coaching programs. Some weeks since then, I will do an entire week of mobility days just as a training reset in between cycles, but each day now has a short version as a daily cooldown of the above Mobility Day.
Even for the Young - Mobility Will Help You with Treading and Swimming!
We continued incorporating this routine into our weekly training, and the impact was undeniable. Young and older guys found relief and improvement in other activities like obstacle courses, treading water, swimming tighter streamlines, and ankle pain when SCUBA diving/swimming with fins. Fewer injuries and increased performance became the norm, and I felt like I had stumbled upon something life-changing personally. I often tell people who start my online coaching program, "If you learn nothing but how to do this Mobility day from me, it will be worth your time and money just with this added to your life."
After a month of embracing "Mobility Day," as few times a week, I ran again without pain, and my flexibility and joint mobility from head to toe had improved to what they had been in my teens and 20s. The most important thing for me was not being able to run again but being pain-free for everything from walking, sitting, standing, and load-bearing activities.
As word spread, others began to experience the same transformation, and the possibilities of change became a reality for all of us. The triumph of the human spirit resonated among us, and we found ourselves inspired by the endless potential for growth and transformation. This Mobility Day is so important for me that I share it freely with as many people as possible. However, if you are looking for programming that includes Mobility Day, all of my latest military, police, and special ops training programs incorporate it just like the Tactical Fitness 40+ series.

This program offers a step-by-step instruction with such titles as:
Part 1) Rebuilding the Foundation (12 weeks) Beginner
Part 2) Taking It to the Next Level (12 weeks) Intermediate
Part 3) Ready to Compete (12 weeks) High Intermediate / Advanced
Part 4) Tactical Fitness for the Athlete over 40 (16 weeks) Advanced
This 4-part series totals 52 weeks of training and can change your life in less than a year so you can rebuild yourself and be proud of your progress and abilities without risk of reinjuring yourself as you will learn about some life changing workouts. IN FACT check this out for FREE:

See Mobility Day - This is life-changing, and I am offering it to you for FREE even if you don't buy a thing. Just adding this 1-2 times a week will help you rebuild and move with less pain. See Don't Skip Mobility Day because learning only this ONE thing from this series will change your life!
You will learn much more than that! Some new rules depend on the extent of previous injuries, but you can see huge results IF you follow these new RULES for Fitness Over 40 (and 50+).
In as little as the first week, this program starts out easy with habit-forming workout challenges and progresses logically each week until you are who you used to be. The answer is here. Check out this user's comments:

This book series creates a path to create good fitness and health habits, lose weight, and get into top shape to become an asset (not a liability) in certain situations when needed.
I promise that just because you’re an OG does not mean you can’t perform at a certain level that can save your own life and that of others around you. You can still train hard – you just have to train smarter."
Your Mission Starts Now
Let today be the day you refuse to quit. Let today be the day you adopt a mindset that transforms setbacks into comebacks. Join the Never Quit Mindset revolution and discover your limitless potential.
Act now—seize your $100 savings and begin the transformation that will last a lifetime.

Buy Now!
Never Quit Mindset Book, eBook, Audio Book, and
Online Video / Audio Course
Transform Your Goals, Overcome Challenges, and
Build Unbreakable Resilience
Discover The Never Quit Mindset by Stew Smith—a transformative personal development resource designed for motivated individuals seeking to break through barriers and achieve lasting success. Whether you're striving for excellence in your career, health, or personal life, this guide provides the tools to develop the discipline needed to conquer obstacles and fulfill your potential.
There is More To StewSmithFitness.com than You May Know
Dive deeper into the world of Tactical Athlete training and mental toughness by exploring Stew Smith Fitness Programming for the Tactical Athlete online store. Uncover the strategies and techniques used by elite forces to push past physical and mental barriers. Visit StewSmithFitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success in many special ops-level selection programs in the military and police world.

Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
Who is Stew Smith? Coach, Trainer, Author, Podcaster
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
Core Mission
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Tactical Fitness Training For the Candidate / Recruit: Specializing in preparing individuals for military, special ops, law enforcement, and firefighter selection programs (getting you "TO and THROUGH" training).
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Functional Training for Both Active Duty / Recruits: Utilizing a seasonal tactical fitness periodization system that balances longer workouts of running/rucking, swimming, and calisthenics during the Spring/Summer when days are longer. Then, the focus shifts in the Fall/Winter to lifting (Cals/cardio maintenance) when the days are shorter/colder. This process has 25 years of proven success building tactical athletes who improve in all areas of fitness: strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, muscle stamina, mobility, flexibility, and grip.

- Becoming an Asset for All Types: Even non-tactical athletes want to be of use in situations that require some level of fitness to get through the day. Be an asset, not a liability, in potentially dangerous situations, whether natural or man-made. Fitness can be a common denominator in successfully enduring life-or-death scenarios.
Specific Programs & Courses
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The Ageless Athlete (Fitness Over 50): A 22-week program designed for beginners to advanced trainees looking to regain fitness, flexibility, and energy.
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Tactical Fitness Over 40: After training people for over 25 years now, many who started with me in the early 2000s are now in their 40s and beyond. Learning how to shift training to remain an asset while also offering longevity, flexibility, and mobility is central to this 52-week program. (4-part series)
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Tactical Fitness Course: An 80-minute course on preparing for Spec Ops selection, getting TO and THROUGH the toughest military special ops’ programs using this two-phase system.

Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization - A 25 Year proven system to become a tactical athlete. What is Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization?
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The Never Quit Mindset Book and Course: The "Never Quit Mindset" book and course are a deep dive into building constructive habits that incrementally improve discipline, build mental toughness, and foster a Never Quit Mindset in anything you want to do.
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Specialized Workout Plans: Specific, tailored programs for Navy SEAL (Phases 1-4), SWCC, Army (SF/Ranger/Airborne), USMC MarSOC / (RECON), Air Force (PJ/CCT), Coast Guard, Law Enforcement (FBI/DEA/FLETC), Fire Fighter, and general fitness too for beginners and advanced athletes alike.

Resources and Content
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Extensive Content Library: Over 1,000 free articles, 200+ podcasts, and social media content (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) featuring Spec Ops swim critiques and LIVE QA sessions.
- FREE Local Training for those preparing to serve! Check out HeroesofTomorrow.org for our location and schedule.

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NEW SKOOL.com Tactical Fitness Community
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Educational Materials: Over 40 options for eBooks, videos, printed books, podcasts (200+), and online video courses.
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Apps: Pushup Push, Pullup Push, FBI workout, and Navy SEAL exercise apps (iPhone/Android).
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LIVE QA Sessions Each Week: Monday and Tuesday, 9 am EST on social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) and Skool.com Tactical Fitness community.
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Online Coaching: Personalized programming based on specific goals, equipment, and your time availability.
- Membership Site: Access to hundreds of weeks of training, unpublished workouts, and exclusive content, weekly newsletter sent to subscribers with the week's latest articles, videos, and workouts (beginner/intermediate, and advanced special ops prep workouts).
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Extensive Content Library: Over 1,000 free articles, 200+ podcasts, and social media content (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) featuring Spec Ops swim critiques and LIVE QA sessions.
Discover the Secret to Unlocking Your Best Health After 50 (latest program developed)
As you cross the wonderful milestone of 50, you might find that your body doesn’t quite bounce back the way it used to. You’re not alone in this—many men and women in your age group are searching for ways to revive their fitness levels without feeling overwhelmed. That’s where longtime coach and fitness writer Stew Smith’s newest book, "The Ageless Athlete: Fitness Over 50," comes into play. This book may just be the spark you need to ignite your fitness journey.
Truth is, there are people over 60 and 70 doing this workout. Even the advanced section. It works and will help you progress from beginner to intermediate to advanced.

Remember, as you age, your training needs to adapt.
Have you been thinking about getting back in shape but don’t know where to start?
Imagine waking up each day with more energy, flexibility, and the drive to embrace life head-on. Stew Smith, a seasoned fitness expert with 56 years of experience, has crafted a program specifically for guys like you—men who may feel overwhelmed by fitness options or unsure what’s suitable for their age. With his 22-week plan tailored to beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners, you will find exactly what you need to suit your current fitness level.
New Tactical Fitness Training Course!
Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Training is What We Do:
Need Programming for Fitness Tests and Beyond? We are all about getting you TO and THROUGH your future training program. See how that works.
New Tactical Fitness Training Course!
Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Where to Find More Information About Optimal Performance Training Programs
When you start training again, consider the seasonal tactical fitness model. I call it A WAY to train and obviously not the only way to train. But it offers the opportunity to never neglect your weaknesses, improves flexibility and mobility, and puts you at a level of physical ability where you are happy with your overall ability to do just about anything. We have a system where the seasons dictate our training. When it is nicer outside, we tend to run and do more calisthenics. When it is colder and not so nice, we lift more, run less, and still maintain our outdoor activities with shorter runs and rucks. Check it out: Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization System.
Online Coaching Options
Online Coaching is Available with Stew Smith Fitness - Weekly Workouts created personally for you.
New Members' Only Content / Services Program!
If you want access to years' worth of workouts, many of the top eBOOKs, favorite workouts of the week, a free fitness APP, a closed Facebook Group, a video/picture library of exercises, and more access to LIVE Q/A sessions, check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, live Q and A lessons.
Consider this! - A Membership Program and Gain Access to Exclusive Content
(click for Fitness Club Dashboard - members only)

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