Mental Toughness: Think Like a Navy SEAL / Spartan Warrior 

Hey gang! Just wanted to give you a heads up that there is an error at the start of this video - Hell Week is actually five days and five nights (and a bit) and is part of Basic Conditioning! My apologies!

I needed this. My mom coddled me all my life and my dad, well he wasn't around. Leaving me completely unprepared. And my mom still actively doesn't want me to do things that are uncomfortable. Now at 29, I feel like a weak old lady, and it sucks.

I think the best way to start mental toughness, at least from absolute zero, is to take a manual labor job when you are younger. I work here in the united states in the fields, or agricultural labor. Here you are expected to learn heavy/repetitive work in about 3 days for minimum wage. If you can't, you're fired.

A strong feature of mental toughness is the “just do it factor”. Workout when your motivated, neutral, and completely unmotivated. If your constantly looking for the super motivated factor, sooner rather later that roller coaster is going to come down. If you’re not excited by a workout, consider the habit of brushing your teeth. You don’t need to be super hyped up to do it, nor do you skip it if your feeling down, sad, blue. You just brush your teeth. That’s how your mental toughness increases. Working out really sucks, sometimes so, “embrace the suck” and workout anyway even if it is of a lower intensity, or seems far short of your goals. Just Do It✌️

You speak facts here. In my previous military career mental toughness and focus would always win the day over brute strength and dude bros. I always found it interesting that when we would begin a long grueling training mission you could never pick out the guys who would persevere, it was usually the ones that kept to themselves, had no bravado, and looked fairly 'normal' or unimpressive, for lack of a better word. The big loud guys always tanked out, made excuses, or gave up when shit got hard.

hell week isn’t 4 days at the end of the training. hell week is nearly 6 days long with 4 hours sleep total for the week (not each night). Also, hell week is 3 weeks into the 6 month long training at buds.

This calls for honest self-evaluation. Knowing what your limits are and testing them out is what this is all about.

My method of mental fortitude is imaging the toughest man I’ve ever known, Drill Sergeant Davis, a combat vet and a sniper, right there along side me cheering me on and asking me if I’m going to make it. To which I always reply in my mind: “Yes Drill Sergeant!”

“The ones that had gone through the toughest education will survive" Ancient Spartan Proverb

Ever since the book Cant Hurt Me by David Goggins came out, I've noticed more people talking about mental toughness.

Yesterday a friend and I went to an outdoor archery range. It was already pretty cold but as we arrived it started raining. At first my friend turned to me and said "should we bail?" and I almost said "Yes" but then I thought about this video and was like "nope, we're doing this!"

"I am trying to preserve my tiredness" so true.

The eating the whole elephant thing is so true. During some workouts, training and tryouts I been through I broke every thing into parts and when I'm smoked i worry about doing one step or rep at a time.

This video embodies pretty much everything I love about your channel. I think most other RU-vidrs would just yell out random slogans about enduring mentally, but you actually explain the science and how to apply it. I recently started swimming and it's improved my mental toughness a lot, it's improved almost all my life in fact. Having not swam for over a decade I was terrified I would be terrible or even drown. The last time I had been in a pool a stranger grabbed me and pushed me to the wall before belittling my mother for how bad my swimming was. She explained that I'm disabled and this made him even angrier. So as you can imagine, I had a lot of anxieties about returning to the water. But going towards fear and embracing it really does help. Swimming even on the bad days, the days when my disabilities try to tether me to the sofa, the days when I don't want to, has taught me how much I'm really capable of. All of this to say your videos are great and have really helped me. I think you're the smartest and most thoughtful RU-vidr covering fitness to date, and I wish you all the more success in the future.

I think maybe self-discipline is a quality a person must have in order to recognize and appreciate in others. A lot of folks who don't have it don't understand it, don't see the use for it, and sometimes they might see it as something pathological.

personally i think that as long as you are not feeling dizzy nauseous or feel your heart beating to fast or even feeling too thirsty your still good to go.

Brilliant video. To add to your last point about “do something uncomfortable”, Jim Wendler says he forces himself to do something uncomfortable once a day, and pushes his students to make a list of things to dos. “It can be a list of 4, and they don’t have to be hard. You can have ‘shower before 7am’ or whatever, just write down 4 things and do them, and work up to more difficult stuff”. I’ve incorporated this with simple stuff life “study 30 minutes a day”, “stretch calves”, and “do hand exercises” and can say it’s helping me so far. I also try to do something that makes me uncomfortable at least once a day, and that for right now I’d walk my dog for a mile (times are tough, but are getting better). Even though I may not walk a full mile, I’m still getting some steps in and so is my dog, and I’m slowly building the distance up.

Hell week is 5 1/2 days, it is not the end. It’s only your ticket to the beginning

I look forward to the days I do not feel like training, it gives me a chance to push and grow when I least want to.

Due to life circumstances I've had to endure unyielding physical labor at breakneck pace on no sleep a couple of times, the two tools that helped me the most are the Wim Hof method and yoga nidra Wim Hof to get me through the work yoga nidra to maximize my efficacy of rest to be able to keep going. One time ( long story short) I was forced to move off of my property ( which I had lived on for 10 years) with only three days notice, as a result I only got 1 hours sleep in three days and had to Sprint while packing things and moving heavy furniture and boxes from the four corners of my half acre property, Wim Hof breathing massive amounts of matcha tea and ginseng and yoga nidra were what made it possible to endure.

Haha you said David Goggins, I watch him alot. Hes the new standard

I got so used to many of these principals during my martial arts training that now I have an opposite response to the norm. When I'm working out and feel comfortable I get annoyed and stop to figure out how to make it harder or find a harder workout for the same muscle group. If it isn't uncomfortable it likely isn't doing anything for you!

I'm a cook in the restaurant industry. Is that enough mental training? Cold showers seem like a painfully good idea. Thanks for the research!

Just a clarification - 'Hell week' does not end BUDS training. It's actually the end of the first phase of the approximately 6 months of training. Naturally, there is lots of follow on training after BUDS.

Hey Adam. I just read Cant Hurt Me by David Goggins and realized. He is the closest thing mentally that we have to Batman. His extreme approach to being uncommon amongst uncommon men is insane, but it so closely resembles Bruce's mind. (well. david used guns so... thats that. But other than that? Pretty darn close)

Just short notes: • divide the many small goals instead of "eating a whole elephant; • 4-4-4-4 breathing practice; • meditation and other mind-clearing moment-focusing technics; • stoic mindset; • do what has to be done even if your body tells you to stop(you have to see the lies of the body)); • overcoming sircumstances work (such as studying in a noisy place, working out on a snow/deprivated etc.); • ¡¡¡ Do not injure yourself, don't be to fanatic !!!. *I did it for myself but will be glad if it's someone will find it useful*

Flow state is where challenge meets ability. So you are neither bored (too much ability/too little challenge) nor overwhelmed (too little ability/too much challenge).

The hardest part is just to start. Once your in there, doing it, and especially afterwards working out feels great!!

Hi Adam. Those of us born with ADHD have a unique set of mental challenges that are different from those with "normal" brains. If you have any insight on this matter, I hope to hear your take on ways to handle our unique challenges as well? (Might post this comment under multiple videos in order to better catch your attention! :P) A couple examples off the top of my head: The part of our brains responsible for executive function is underdeveloped, meaning that despite putting tons of mental effort into something, we might not be able to even start doing it (easier with medication, but still a struggle). Another example that relates to your "Meditation" video, the part of our brains responsible for daydreaming NEVER SHUTS OFF, so in a sense we are ALWAYS non-directively meditating, to the detriment of everything else (this is one of the causes for our problems with attention & focus). There are many more examples but I'll stop for now.

Survival. A life of do or die teaches these things. A bit here reminded me of some yogi who everyone followed and when he went to NYC they wanted to see how he handled the stress and the people. Where he was from he was peaceful, gentle, solid and seemed to have it "all together". The story goes he didn't last two days before he went off and cussed someone out and left. So, Yes, train and discipline under the most stressful and uncomfortable situation you can find.

I'm such a self-conscious person that I myself put myself through hell everyday with constant worries and insecurities. I know it's not any people's fault but still I'm self conscious. Many times I thought about going to see a doctor, but I don't want to talk to parents about that. So I decided to solve all of this by myself. More than 1 year passed and now I'm a lot better, all because of the gym and just kinda throwing myself into the environment that gives me a lot of insecurities, a lot of self-conscious thoughts, a lot of worries, and trying to be myself (like just do what i want to do, plan to do or like to do) despite all those thoughts. A lot of RU-vid videos like this one taught me that. That sometimes we just have to turn on beast mode and just take everything we need, do everything we need to do despite everything else, no yielding, no compromise, despite how people think, how much of a jackass, asshole or how weird we seem to them. In real life, and in the gym, no matter what, we shouldn't let anyone or anything take away our gains, and our gains should be the only thing that we focus on. Your life is yours, and just fuckin do what you want with it! Help or please others if you feel like it, and if not, why the fuck do you need to help them, or please them ? In the end, no matter what we do, whether for other's sake or for our sake, ultimately they are all for our own peace of mind and our satisfaction. Many people help others but they never demand anything back, because they know that they do these good deeds for themselves. Anyway, the GYM and REAL LIFE really changed my life, I just want to go out more, and workout more, to never stop progressing.

The horse stance and centennial sets build crazy mental toughness.

I'll hire strippers to dance around me while I code. Thanks Adam

the ability to calm one self in a stressful situation is more important than what you can achieve in ideal conditions

That scene where he's doing push-ups on the bell bars. Omg the strength and balance that is required. One slip up and the weights fall and you break your jaw on one of them.

Hardiness ... interesting to ponder in the wake of the 2021 summer Olympics

Try the one punch man challenge 1. 100 pushups,100 situps,100 squats,10 km run everyday. 2. Eat 3 meals a day 3. Do 1 and 2 for three years straight without any heating and air conditioning.

You're my favorite youtuber!!! Greetings from San Diego, California

Condition 6 degrees outside real feel 14 below. Fell 25 feet alone in the woods. 100 yards from truck, injuries shattered hip shattered pelvis broke right shoulder broke 10 ribs left rib cage bruised lungs bruised femer severe hypothermia. I then did the inch worm over the next several hours to my truck over down tree, then somehow manage to get in it. I literally though of it as one inch at a time. There was no way to look at it any other way I would've never made it. I also did controlled breathing too, I knew I have too. Damn bro everything you describe I did that day, your spot on. Condition yourself so you are hard to kill. That was 43 months ago I've been training like an animal every since, you'd almost never know I was injured unless you saw me try to run. I will run a 45 minute 5 k this summer. Spent 7 days in trauma unit 14 days rehab hospital 3 months wheelchair 3 months walker and couple months with a cane. I am 55 wouldn't change a thing, I could go on forever what I can say is this man know what he speaks its the truth. 90 percent of my surviving that day was mentally because I always punished myself since I was 18. Example in 1990 I ran the Chicago marathon in boots and utes brutal run but I finished in a 343. Doing this miserable stuff is key so when you hit the nightmare Chanelle your active. My crawl prepared me for the rehab that was beyond misery, I tell people I didn't sleep for 2 years due too massive pain. MENTALLY TOUGH YOU CAN DO ANYTHING

"Doing something really uncomfortable" dude getting up is worse than crawling naked on gravel

Excellent information!

Enjoying your material. No growth in comfort

found in my reccomended, i think really needed this

Great advice dude! Loving your content.

Wow Good job Young man ...You just hit the nail on the head

Awesome video! Good presentation on a true warrior perspective.

Thank you for the advice. This is something I will bring into 2022 & definitely put into action.

Just subscribed to your channel, looking forward to watching more of your videos .

This Guy is a Legend 💛

Another great post, thanks. Started cold showers before work about a month ago, now progressing to outdoor cold showers...

You one of the greatest persons ive ever seen!

Thank you for sharing this information!!

Love your channel brother!!

Man your channel is so lit dude seriously this is one of the best channel on RU-vid. I’m glad I subscribed to this man keep the filthy comming man 💪🏾

This video is the need of the hour Today all the people are soo comfortable because of the technology So become uncomfortable daily by doing tough stuffs and you will become tough both physically and mentally

I LOVE your cH!! Especially the two pt. Bruce Lee training videos I watched. Thank you!!😊

The best fitness Chanel

This is awesome!

Follow you from Egypt

THAT is one of the best videos I have ever seen on YT. Only recently found this channel and I'm lapping up the detail.

You’re a legend

This channel is incredibly under rated. Your research is second to none

7:34 That insight into your motivations and driving factors when you are in a tired state really resonated with me. Thank you for providing me with a springboard for my own introspection.

Deserves a lot of subs, quality of these videos are just amazing you can see the intelligence and work put into the videos

You're my new favourite channel

Awesome vid 👍

Very good points,Sir

Really got very interesting towards the end, will definitely be trying to incorporate some of the things you talk about in my life

you're great bro

i love how your channel incorporates a bit oh history, biology, chemistry, philosophy, and so much more.

Love your methodology.....it’s very true and can be done. No weak man shall prosper.

this kind of thing is absolute GOLD! We could all benefit from a bit more mental toughness!

Im 50 now, but during my 40s, ive built strength in a crowded commercial gym, after work. Often id be yawning between sets. Its just my reality. Im glad i did that. I am mentally much tougher than i was in my young years. Which is an achievement, as im on the autism spectrum. Life has thrown some stuff my way. Im doing ok. Im learning a new role at work. I need to be resilient and cope. I am.

Great video

Good video. On mental toughness, I’ve certainly found doing press-ups on a freezing morning in the shallows of a fast-flowing river as something that works.

You should talk about Alexander zaas. He is definitely one of the strongest men of all time.

Just wanted to mention that you're one of the most (if not the most) genuine, body and mental building channels I've seen on RU-vid and I've been following many channels in this domain for almost a decade now. Thank you

that state of mind is usually called flow or the zone, I called it performance mode before I learned about it, its for most people only accessed as a side effect of endorphins, but meditation and all that can help to access it without endorphins, the more you get it from endorphins the easier it is to get it from adrenaline and then maybe at command, I got it while singing on stage once.

wishing you a happy new year bro. my best wishes to continue your valuable effort and progress of your all endeavor.

Awesome. This is something that I find myself asking about when I'm watching SAS: who dare wins & them mentioning it all the time. Hearing you put it in simple, easy to understand terms makes it (much) easier to approach and answers the 'whys/hows' that the program brings up. Shout out to another Ron White subscriber too!! I'm getting your book in the new year. Excellent video.

Thank you sir This mindset translates to other facets in life. Not just training but doing chores whenever you feel lazy. Mindset of whether you like it or not, just get it done and put your best effort into it.

Thanks bro I can use this for new year resolutions 🥳

I love your work. This is all gold, and applicable to so much of "life", in general. I started working out regularly (after 10+ years) at 39, a bit over a year ago so needed a *lot* of advice re: safely (re)building functional strength safely, establishing a solid core-leg "base", etc. Super grateful to have found your channel a while back. Just a fan letter for the algorithm. P.s. SUPER glad you explore Cognitive Expansion/Augmentation, as well as ways to expand Physical limitations. You're a genius, a goddamn madlad!

bro love your videos...

Thank you! I really appreciate the things you share with us! One thing I have been doing lately is to volunteer for heavy hard work. For free! Just because I exult in the strength of my body and am always on the lookout for opportunities to increase it.

Very good. It’s always good not to limit yourself by what the back of your mind doesn’t want to do. That’s where mind over matter comes into play. Excellent video

Good video!

Ah yes, CBT. What a wonderful thing that helps our mental fortitude.

Philosophy with physiology. You know what you are talking about. Its beautiful to watch these videos.

I really enjoyed this video 👍👌

Very interesting, thanks.

Very nice, thank you!

yes! its like THE meta skill!

AWSOME VID!

Great work bud- 4x4x4 is extremely useful.

You are a true Motivator of MENTAL TOUGHNESS you are a true SOLDIER WARRIOR and a true MAN-AT-ARMS

I just bought your book "Functional Training".....greetings from the U.S.

If you want to take a look at some other significant military units and the way they train I would highly recommend checking out the RASP selection program for the 75th Ranger Regiment. Of course if you are a citizen of the U.K. then you can't forget about the SAS and SBS. Great videos. Glad I found your channel.

A thing I do is walking to do my groceries instead of driving and carrying it all back home. Can get pretty rough when I have to fill up on cat food and drinks but it's a good workout.

How too train like a WARRIOR from ancient Kush. Now that would be an excellent video.