Stew Smith Fitness News

Don't End Your Military and/or Spec Ops Journey Before It Even Begins (Yes - Train for the Test)  It is Black and White - If You Fail You Are Done There - I said it. Depending on your place in the journey as a military, police, or fire fighter candidate, you may need to train specifically for the test OR your career goals are done before it has even started. WHY?  First - you will never get accepted and earn a contract if you do not pass / ace the test - specifically the Navy PST for Navy Spec War jobs. ...

Don't Want a Desk Job Yet?Take Your Strengths and Apply Them to Something Tactical (Military, Special Ops, Police, SWAT, Fire & Rescue Services) Now, we all come into the tactical professions with a series of weaknesses as well.  These need to be developed as well because weaknesses are exposed immediately at boot camp, police / fire academies, and especially special ops selection programs. Regardless of the level of athletics you played, chances are you have some elements of fitness you have neglected / did not need during your competitive years.  Check out this diagram of all the athletic / physical...

What Is Optimal Performance? See related article - Longevity is the Mastery of Recovery It is simply you performing at your best. But it requires much more than just good training programming to be on the mark. The list that helps us all with longevity is the same as the one you need for optimal performance whether young or old.  The difference is the dependent upon the individual's needs, goals, and athletics or tactical profession of course, but also programming intensity. While it is true the younger athlete can do more on average than the older athlete, but both must still...

Goal Setting and Getting Ready for the Long Haul Taking a few minutes to do some blindless scrolling through social media can sometimes entertain you, horrify you, completely waste your time, but on a good day, inspire a thought you would also like to share.  Here is a quote from Russell Brunson who is in the business of helping people sell more products and services. "Some people sign up for the goal, but don't sign up for the discomfort and hard work that comes along with the goal. " - Russell Brunson I have always read more into the life...

Getting THROUGH the Selection / Training: What Really Matters? Obviously fitness is important as there are physical standards that apply to just getting accepted into the tactical professions.  However, the high attrition rate spec ops level programs like BUD/S, SWCC, EOD / Diver, Air Force Spec War, Army Special Forces / Ranger, Marine RECON / MarSOC, and other challenging programs throughout the tactical population, requires much more than just being above average fit.   So, What Really Matters if Fitness is More of a Baseline Necessity?  Did you know there are people who are the fastest at running, rucking, and swimming,...