What is the Navy SEAL 40 Percent Rule?

Just got an email question from one of our SGPT athletes.

“Coach, what is the 40 percent rule that I hear Navy SEALs talk about?”.

And how can I use it to perform at a higher level?

The 40% rule is often quoted from the legendary endurance athlete Navy SEAL David Goggins.

David went from overweight and not a chance of hell of even making it into the military —

to transforming his body to become one of the most respected endurance athletes on the planet.

David talks about this idea and how it can help you in your daily life.

It was referenced in the book Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet.

The SEAL who lived in Jesse’s house and trained him was David Goggins.

Jesse is a multi-millionaire and could have anyone come and help train him – but he wanted the very best.

David spoke of the rule where as your body will begin to break down and want to quit.

This is the point where you are only 40 percent done with your work and can continue on no matter how tired you are.

David explains that this rule is the reason that many athletes are able to finish a marathon (24 miles) even though their body hits a wall at around the 16 mile mark.

The body says I am done but the mind kicks in to override and finish out the drill.

For the record, David Goggins is known for his 5th place finish in the Badwater 135 mile race in Death Valley (some consider this one of the hardest running race on the planet) and for holding the World Record for pull-ups in 24-hours (4,025).

How can you take that and make it work in your own day to day life?

By realizing that you are capable of 60% more you and have the ability to achieve great things.

Got a project due at work and you feel tired?

You can kick your mind into overtime and finish the project on time and flawless.

What is one tip I can give you to achieve that?

MANTRA
When your body tells your mind it is tired you have respond with something. During Basic Underwater Demolitions SEAL (BUD/S training) when we ran to the chow hall – we would say together “looking good, feeling good, oughta be in Hollywood!”

Your body was very tired but we used the method of call and response to help us get to the chow hall.  We repeated this over and over until it was burned into our brains.

It is a proven that a negative idea cannot exist alongside a positive thought in your mind.

You can override that negative thought with a more powerful positive mantra.

What can you do next? Put positive things in your mind on a daily basis.

Write them in your training journal. Say them aloud when you are working out.

This is your call to action. Take action now!

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