Cart 0

Stew Smith Fitness News — leadership skills

Mental Toughness - Art or Science

Stew Smith gut check leadership skills mental toughness special ops stew smith

Mental Toughness - Art or Science

Mental Toughness has been a topic of discussion and debate for generations as we humans try to define our lives.  What makes some people tougher than others?  More successful? More motivated? Calm in stressful situations?  What are the common traits of ordinary people doing extraordinary things?  Can mental toughness be measured?  Scientifically tested? These are the questions I have been seeking answers to and the type of questions I get each day from young men and women preparing for challenging programs in the military, law enforcement, and fire-fighting professions. There are some scientific studies performed trying to measure how people...

Read more →


Making it TO and THROUGH Training

stew smith gut check leadership skills mental toughness military fitness motivation special ops stew smith team building

Many people confuse the training programs groups like active duty Special Ops perform to maintain their fitness levels for the demands of the profession with how they prepare for challenging schools like BUD/S, SFAS / SFQC, and PJ training to name a few. Here is a question to better describe a very common issue with candidate training program selection: Stew, I have been watching some Youtube videos showing active duty special ops guys working out like SEALs, Rangers, SF, and others.  They are huge and lifting very heavy weights so I have been lifting more and doing less cardio.  Is...

Read more →


Using Special Ops Selection Methods to Test Athletes

stew smith gut check leadership skills pullups special ops training stew smith team building team player weight training

A recent training opportunity with a high school baseball team allowed me to develop a challenge week with their coach.  Not only was the Challenge Test a team building gut check, but it had a system built in that helped calculate overall winners.  This system is the very same method we have used for decades to determine a total score in a physical screening test within the Special Ops community.  This allows for the selection board to determine who has the overall best score as well as the winners in individual events.  The screening test we use for Navy SEAL...

Read more →


Parent Seeking Information About SEAL Training for Son

stew smith combat swimmer stroke leadership skills mental toughness motivation navy seal pst special ops special ops training stew smith swimming tactical fitness team player weight training

Often, I receive emails from parents looking for information about Navy SEAL training for their usually pre-teen / early teenage sons.  Here is an email from a Dad of a 13 year old boy who has wanted to serve in the SEAL Teams since he was 8 years old:Stew, I have a son (13), who has always wanted to be a Navy SEAL.  I know he may change his mind later but what can I do now to encourage him and set him up for success in a program that many "wanna-be's" don't make it? Having a young member of...

Read more →