At SEALgrinderPT we always like learning from people who have lived the mindset of discipline, toughness, and service. In this interview we talk with Lance Cummings, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who built his career around perseverance, teamwork, and pushing beyond limits. Lance shares insights from his time in Naval Special Warfare and how those lessons continue to shape the way he approaches training, leadership, and life today.
What stands out about Lance is his commitment to staying strong for the long haul. Long after his active-duty service, he continues to prioritize fitness, mental resilience, and helping others grow. In this conversation, Lance talks about the mindset required to succeed in SEAL training, the importance of consistent work over time, and why building both physical and mental toughness is key for anyone who wants to perform at a high level in life.
SGPT: Tell us about yourself?
Lance Cummings: I’m a simple guy. Dad to two great twins, Chiropractor, Coach, Athlete, Hunter, Husband to wonderful wife. One brother in Georgia.
SGPT: What influenced you to want to join the SEAL Teams?
LC: The call to action, working with like minded individuals, military discipline and great toys!
SGPT: What BUDS class did you go through? What was the hardest part for you?
LC: Class 124, start to finish. I had some tendinitis in first phase that gave me a scare, but no other medical issues thank goodness.
I wasn’t the best runner, but got better with time. Every day was hard, but you could feel yourself getting better as you progressed.
SGPT: Were you an athlete growing up? How did you train before going to BUDS?
LC: No particularly, I rode horses a lot, swam, water skiied and played football in HS. It was when I decided to go SEALS that I kicked it into higher gear
SGPT: If you were to give a young tadpole advice on going to BUDS – what would it be?
LC: Know why you want to go and surround yourself with positive influence. Be hungry, but humble.
SGPT: What SEAL Team(s) did you serve on? What was the funniest thing that ever happened to your guys?
LC: Plank owner at Navy SEAL Team 3, Instructor at BUDS, SEAL Team 4, Reserve SEAL TEAM 4, Rota Spain, Unit 4 in Puerto Rico, Group 1, SEAL TEAM 5, Warcom, SEAL Team 7, ST 17. Retired 2011 Chief Warrant Officer.
Too much funny shit to tell! Way too many characters in the Teams to not have fun, but some of it you have to live down, if you even remember it. We rented a hot air balloon to skydive from, then bungee jump from with home made bungee cord, then held a team mate down on the ground while the balloon took off, when the cord was stretched tight, we let him go. Then we took turns doing that.
SGPT: Tell us more about your Sparta event coming up in Greece.
LC: 250 miles, 27k elevation change, 8 days of trekking the 300 route to finish at the Gates of Thermopylae, where history was made. Sounds fun, right? Plus raising money for Navy SEAL Foundation. Check out that info for the Sparta trek here.
SGPT: You also have an SOFPREP Academy coming up in early summer? Tell us more about that training course.
LC: JUNE 17-24 @ Olympic Training Center San Diego. Run/swim clinics, shooting, strength training, nutrition, mental toughness, boat work and more in a world class facility. Check out more info on that training course here.
SGPT: What book are you reading now?
LC: Just finished “Gates of Fire” by Pressfield and started First Fast Fearless by Ed Hiner on leadership. Great books!
SGPT: Thanks so much for the interview Lance, we really appreciate it.
LC: Thanks Brad. Keep up the great work with the mountain biking, hope to join you on a long one real soon.
About the Author:
Are you looking to achieve big goals? Do you have a big event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?
Wanting to complete a Spartan race, GORUCK, Tough Mudder or climb a big mountain?
Get individual coaching from former Navy SEAL Coach Brad McLeod. Check out SGPT coaching here:
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