How to train your mindset, manage setbacks, and stay disciplined for the long run...
Rain, snow, or shine, early morning workouts are one way to build toughness
Imagine approaching every challenge with the confidence and discipline to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow and you do feel like doing what you have to do - but you do it anyway! The Never Quit Mindset Action Plan was created to help you build that type of mindset, discipline, and mental toughness required for ambitious long-term goals. But you cannot just read about it, you have to put it into action.
If you're pursuing a demanding goal, whether it's Special Operations selection, medical school, a professional career, or a personal challenge, you already know that self-doubt can become your biggest obstacle. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who fall short is often the ability to stay committed when progress is difficult, setbacks occur, and the finish line still seems far away.
The tunnel can be long, dark, and lonely - keep moving!
This action plan provides practical lessons and exercises designed to help you develop the habits and mindset needed to stay committed when challenges arise. You'll learn how to understand the growth process required to build physical and mental toughness, overcome the fear of failure, and keep moving forward through obstacles that cause many people to quit.
Replace Self-Doubt with Confidence and Fear of Failure into Learning Experiences
- Step-by-Step Growth Process - Follow a proven growth framework that helps you build momentum and keep progressing through setbacks.
- Expert Tactics for Mental Toughness - Learn resilience-building strategies from a Navy SEAL coach who has prepared candidates for demanding goals.
- Comfort Zone Expansion - Develop the confidence to take on bigger challenges and grow beyond self-imposed limitations.
- Stress Coping Mechanisms - Turn stress, setbacks, and self-doubt into opportunities to assess, learn, adapt, and move forward.
- Mindset Mastery - Strengthen your mental discipline so you stay committed when the path becomes difficult. Learning to keep moving even when you don't feel like it is life-changing.
For decades, Stew Smith has helped thousands of people prepare for challenging goals that demand persistence, discipline, and mental toughness. Drawing from his experience as a Navy SEAL and Tactical Fitness Coach, this action plan shares the coaching principles that have helped candidates prepare for Special Operations programs and other demanding pursuits.
When the road is dark, unknowing, and all up hill, keep moving.
Your greatest opponents are rarely external. More often, they are stress, doubt, fear of failure, and the temptation to quit when progress becomes difficult. The Never Quit Mindset Action Plan provides practical tools to help you recognize these obstacles, manage them effectively, and continue moving toward your goals with confidence.
From Readers
"Love this! No fluff—just good, hard-nosed coaching. Thanks, my grandkids are going to read this one. Another classic!"
"The end of each chapter provides a quick reference to things I can do now, making this worth much more than your typical book. Thanks for this—I needed it."
Commit Today to Building a Stronger Mindset
The goals worth pursuing often require years of preparation, discipline, and perseverance. Developing the right mindset can help you stay focused through the inevitable challenges along the way.
Whether you're preparing for Special Operations programs, medical school, a demanding profession, or a major personal goal, this action plan can help strengthen the mental habits that support long-term success.
For just $19.95, you can order the Never Quit Mindset Book and begin building the resilience, confidence, and discipline needed to pursue your goals for the long haul.
And don't forget to check out the Never Quit Mindset Course for additional training and guidance.
Learn The Never Quit Mindset Method
The ability to maintain optimism and persistence even in the face of repeated challenges sets them apart. It is a mindset, a Never Quit Mindset.

OPTIONS: Book, eBook, Audio Book, and Video Training Course
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.
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 https://www.stewsmithfitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success for many special ops level selection programs in the military and police world.
Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
Core Mission
-
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).
-
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
-
The Ageless Athlete (Fitness Over 50): A 22-week program designed for beginners to advanced trainees looking to regain fitness, flexibility, and energy.
-
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)
-
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.
-
The Never Quit Mindset Book and Course: The "Never Quit Mindset" book and course is 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.
-
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
-
-
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.

-
NEW SKOOL.com Tactical Fitness Community
-
Educational Materials: Over 40 options for eBooks, videos, printed books, podcasts (200+), and online video courses.
-
Apps: Pushup Push, Pullup Push, FBI workout, and Navy SEAL exercise apps (iPhone/Android).
-
LIVE QA Sessions Each Week: Monday and Tuesday, 9 am EST on social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) and Skool.com Tactical Fitness community.
-
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).
-
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.

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.
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
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, helps with flexibility and mobility, but will also put you at a level of physical abilities where you are happy with your overall ability to just about anything. We have a systems 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 PT CLUB - Weekly Workouts created personally for you.
New Member's 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)
