Uncover the Power of Identifying Your 'Why' Before Training

How Do You Find Your Why? 

A Motto like "So That Others May Live" is a great WHY. Find strength in Mottos / Creeds

Finding your "why" for long-term, high-intensity goals like special operations training involves connecting with a deeply personal, service-oriented purpose beyond just earning a title. While titles are nice, they are not enough to sustain you through the long days and nights of challenges you will face. You may have a passion and desire you cannot yet verbalize. That is fine to be drawn to something for unknown reasons, but you need to dig deep to figure it out. Here are several ways to consider when you are trying to bring out your why:

 Key Strategies to Find Your "Why" (and Develop It)

Go Deeper than I want to be a ______: Our motivation and inspiration can often come easily and out of nowhere. But knowing that motivation and inspiration only get you started, a disciplined purpose is what keeps you focused when things get difficult. This "why" often centers on serving your country, joining a family of like-minded teammates, or living up to a legacy, rather than just personal glory and a title. One of the best places to start when asked, “Why do you want to do this?” is by saying, “I want to serve my country.” From here, let it grow and develop your WHY into a list of several important reasons that come from your heart.

This core reason (your why) will be your anchor during tough times. Maybe you want to serve your country at the highest level, protect those in need, or simply push yourself beyond your perceived limits. Whatever it is, articulate it clearly. Write it down and revisit it frequently. Your vision will fuel your determination, especially when things go wrong and life gets tough.

Dig into Past Performances: While you do not want to live in the past, you can leverage past accomplishments (and learning experiences) as strengths. Having a few victories throughout your life gives you confidence that you can achieve difficult and long-term goals. These can include joining a sports team, serving as a team captain, and graduating from school. completing a black belt, Eagle Scout, or other certifications. Once you experience the long-term training process to accomplish a goal, that ability gets stronger. You build confidence, mental toughness, determination, and the skills you need to keep growing.  Working through failures and treating them as learning experiences is an invaluable trait you gain that helps you with future challenges. 

Learn Your Values, Morals, and Virtues:  If you are unsure between the three and how they apply to you, start reading about the Stoics. In a nutshell, values are your personal beliefs on what really matters in life. Morals are your standards for right or wrong. Being loyal to others, respecting others' property, and being honest are good moral codes to start with. Virtues are a long list of important qualities, such as courage, honesty, integrity, and excellence, to name a few. The Stoics list four cardinal virtues: Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.

Recognize the Blessings You Have:  This quote will help you understand and be grateful: "What a privilege to be tired from the work you once begged the universe for." You may have wanted to do something for years, and it took you years to achieve it. Now you are doing it. Be grateful that you GET TO do it. Avoid feeling like you HAVE TO do anything. You GET TO do this! This also helps you reframe the intense daily grind of preparation before the selection, as well as the nonstop grind of the selection itself. This mindset will improve your mental stamina/toughness. 

I don't have to go train a bunch of dudes prepping for Spec Ops jobs, I get to!

Some Things Are Larger Than Yourself: This commitment to serving others, your community, and your country represents a transition from self-centered goals to becoming part of a legacy and a mission that transcends one's own lifespan. Honor, courage, commitment, selflessness, and duty are key virtues of service.  "Doing something larger than myself" refers to a profound sense of purpose where a service member subordinates their personal desires, safety, and ambitions to a higher cause, such as defending the nation, protecting others, or upholding the Constitution. This mindset fosters a commitment to values and missions that transcend individual interests, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and collective sacrifice. By embracing this perspective, service members find motivation and meaning in their actions, even when the days turn long and the nights turn cold.

Forge Your Path: Cultivating a Never Quit Mindset and Durable Body

As you pursue this significant goal, it's essential to instill in yourself not just the physical prowess to overcome the challenges ahead, but also a resilient mindset that embodies the spirit of consistency and determination. 

Remember that setbacks are not failures; they are opportunities for growth. And Failures are Learning Experiences (Chapter 5 - Never Quit Mindset). Embrace the principles of resilience and grit. Cultivate a never-quit mindset by visualizing success and reminding yourself of your “why.”  Your journey toward special operations does not just build physical strength; it transforms you into a warrior with an indomitable spirit. 

Fuel your aspirations with the right tools and support! As you take on these challenges of becoming a special operations candidate and graduate, it’s essential to stay disciplined and physically prepared. Check out StewSmithFitness.com - we offer tailored training resources and mentoring to help you thrive. Dive into the articles, books, online courses, and personal coaching that align with your ambitious goals. With the right guidance, your journey from candidate to operator can become a reality. Make today Day 1 - not one day. 

If you prefer a more personalized training plan, visit the online coaching tab at StewSmithFitness.com. Stew Smith can customize a program tailored to your schedule, current fitness level, available equipment, and mission goals, helping you reach your peak when it matters most.

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).

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.