Wait - It's All Preparation and Mindset?
Always Has Been
Your preparation matters - so does your mindset. In fact, you cannot get through challenging selection programs without both. Preparation takes time and patience and there is a four step process to prepare for your journey. Mindset or mental toughness is part born in you and part developed through hard work, trials, dealing with failure, and consistent effort and work ethic.
How big is your WHY?
You can be the most prepared tactical athlete out there crushing physical standards like a boss, but when pain / injury sets in and it is cold, dark, wet, and sandy, some of the strongest and best runners failed to finish due to mindset, grit, and not enough "want to". On the flip side, some of the toughest mindsets ever who would never quit - failed to meet the physical standards, or lacked the durability needed and broke during training. Unfortunately, the healing process was so long that they had to be dropped from training. Mental toughness can get you through pain, but it is difficult to meet any physical standards with a real injury - does not matter how tough you are. Durability Matters.
So YES - it is ALL about preparation and mindset - always has been.
As Navy SEAL Will Chesney (ST6 dog handler of Cairo) simply stated in my To, Through, and After podcast, "you have to be willing to die to become a member of a SEAL Team" - that means pushing yourself beyond your perceived maximum effort when needed. That is a tough mindset and is a lot easier said than done, but that is the level of commitment that is required to get through these type of selection programs. It also requires a level of preparation so you have build a body that is durable and has a high level of work capacity.
Notice the Venn Diagram on the many things you need to develop prior to getting to ANY selection program:
This does not happen over night. In fact, it takes a lifetime of physical activity from sports, manual labor, personal workouts, and reducing weaknesses. See where you stack up by doing the first step of preparation - ASSESSMENT.
After assessing your strengths and weaknesses and seeing how you stack up against successful spec ops selection students, set your goals and get to work. You need time to prepare properly - don't be in a rush - as turning a weakness into a strength may require learning technique, gaining or losing weight, getting stronger, or getting faster and more capable in multiple modes of cardio - run - swim (with / without fins) - rucking. We call this the Spec Ops Triathlon that requires both strength and endurance. Not having a plan to get good at all the above is NOT preparing and your selection will expose these under-developed weaknesses in the first week of training. Put in the time. Plain and simple.
Mindset, Mental Toughness, Never Quit Attitude, Grit...
Mindset, Mental Toughness, Never Quit Attitude, Grit or whatever you want to call it can be developed, but it requires a strong WHY. Your motivation to want to succeed at a goal has to evolve into discipline over time by creating good habits and dropping bad habits. You can only do this by outworking everyone in the room. Do you want a good reason to train hard? Check this out:
If this does not motivate you to push yourself harder, you may want to consider another profession outside the tactical world. Your fitness level may one day be the difference between life for death for you, your buddy, or someone you are trying to save. Take the preparation THAT seriously. When you do that, you may see that the physical challenges you put yourself through will be the very thing to create a tougher mindset for you. The two go hand in hand, but your WHY is going to determine to what level you can take both your body's physical preparation and your mental capabilities.
More articles on Preparing, Mental Toughness / Mindset
Advice to Early Teens Preparing to Serve
For All You Spec Ops Candidates Out There – Read
The Moment of Truth – Just You and Your Will
Tactical Fitness – What You Don’t Know Can Crush You
Don't Set a Timeline to Join - Set a Performance Starting Line
Twelve Questions About Mental Toughness
Ask Stew: If You Could Give Advice to Younger Self
Quitting or Not Quitting - The Choice is Yours
My advice for anyone who asks this question is this:
ASSESS YOURSELF,
SET GOALS OF PERFORMANCE,
GET ON A PROGRAM, and
DO YOUR RESEARCH - THEN join the military when you have successfully crushed the PT test and started on your journey to get THROUGH the training.
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
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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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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 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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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.
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