Today, I had a civilian friend, one who’d never served, inform me that he was taking part in a 12 hour SEALFIT haze fest in a matter of weeks. He’s nervous and completely unsure of himself. He stated that he has recently ensured that his new boots were broken in and has gotten other tips from friends that included getting Anti-Monkey Butt Powder. He’d surmised that physically this test would be the hardest he’d ever endured and so he’d tried to prepare for that. What he wanted to know from me, however, was whether or not I had any tips on how to handle the stressors mentally. My friend gets it.
Sheepdog Strong is primarily focused on preparing the body for the physical rigors of combat. But the mental game is equally, if not more important. In our world, the two are closely intertwined.
I’m the bullheaded type. My dad always asks me why I wouldn’t do something to make things easier on myself. I’d rather just put my head down and push through…tough it out…suck it up. It always makes things more miserable than they need to be. But somehow I find some satisfaction in the idea that I didn’t need the special, non-chaffing underwear to make it…but others did. I find pride in the scars that I have, that probably never needed to happen. On some deep psychological level, it may be because I’ve learned that life stinks and if I am to make it through, I must get comfortable with the uncomfortable, always pushing those boundaries.
Throughout my military service, I’ve been subjected to some pretty tough training and endured some difficult, real-world operations. I’ve constantly been forced to step outside of my comfort zone, and yet endured. So facing a 12 hour SEALFIT haze fest is laughable to me. Horrifying for my corporate executive friend.
While I don’t have the statistics in front of me, I am reminded of the completion rates for the Navy SEAL’s Hell Week. Friends who are instructors in this course have told me that the drop rate throughout training is around 80%. However, for those who came back, the success rate is in the high 90%. Why? Because they already know what’s coming and they’ve mentally accepted it. Their fitness level hasn’t changed, it’s just that they now know what will be thrown at them. When I attended the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, we took a vow of silence regarding the training therein. The reason was because they viewed navigation through the ‘fear of the unknown’ as the most valuable critique of a potential Infantry Officer. If they already knew exactly how the course was run and what struggles they’d have to endure, unqualified candidates would sneak through.
For the most part, as a follower of Sheepdog Strong, I feel that I’m preaching to the choir here. But be reminded to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Get uncomfortable physically and learn to relish in it. Get uncomfortable mentally and thrive in it. If you’re struggling on that long run, go a little further than before. Hated it? Do it again the next day. And again the day after. Your workout calls for 10 reps? Go for 12…or maybe 14. Hate your 1stSgt? Ask to sit down at his table during lunch. And then when that day comes when your friend signs you up for some half marathon, and after you berate him for it because you hate running, you can stand next to your shaking friend at the starting line with a smug, confident look on your face. Easy day.
-Tony / Founder at Sheepdog Strong
Sheepdog Strong 