How Did I Survive Hell Week –Twice?

This is a question that I get often.

Good Question.

Honestly…I wanted to quit a few times.

But I did not have the balls to ring that bell.

I was not an athlete. I grew up with asthma and did not play sports. Everything was stacked against me.

At 19 years old I was a loser going nowhere…slowly “quitting” at life itself.

But.. there is a BIG difference between wanting to quit and actually standing up and walking to ring the bell at BUD/S.

TIP #1 BE A TEAM PLAYER

This goes with out saying but some guys just don’t get it until it is too late.

Help your swim buddy first and he will take care of you. You both are stronger together than you are both apart.

When you put your eyes on your teammate and help them – your job becomes easier in that you are not worrying about yourself.

TIP #2 ONE STEP AT A TIME

Without this one you will not go very far at all. I tried to deny this one but it caught up to me.

One Step at a Time -Don’t think about getting to Friday afternoon when it is only Monday morning. Think about getting to your next meal. Or better yet; think about finishing the evolution you are in right now.

TIP #3: WHY

This should be number one and it remains to help me throughout my entire life.

Honestly.. the only way I made it as I had a “WHY“.  My why burned inside my gut like a raging forest fire.. out of control… unstoppable.

How did I find my “why”? By sitting down and asking myself what drives me. I thought about it till late in the night. I wrote it down on a piece of paper and carried it with me.

During BUD/S training – when my whole body shook uncontrollably and borderline hyperthermia from the cold water of the Pacific Ocean – my WHY kept me in the game.

My why warmed up my soul and allowed me to endure anything.

Don Shipley explained that Hell Week is just a stepping stone to get you ready for the next level.

What is your stepping stone? What are you pursuing now to get you ready for the next level?

TIP #5: BELIEVE

Most guys ignore this tip even though it is in every Navy SEAL book ever written.

Believe in yourself and deep down believe that you can make it. Use the mental edge to help you get the job done. Take deep breathes when you get really cold and want to quit. Repeat your affirmations when you get down and want to stop.

TIP #6 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

I used this tip in my last endurance off road bike race just as I learned it BUDS the hard way.

Take Care of Yourself When it is time to change socks and put more vaseline in your crotch then take the time to get it done. Don’t think that you can muscle your way through. If you get your feet tore up then you will be reduced to a hobble. If your crotch gets too shredded you will shuffle like an old man and not make the cut. Take time to wash your crotch and get care when you need it.

TIP #7 LET GO

A very important one to learn although most will think it is not worthy.

Let Go Once you understand that they (the instructors) are not going to kill you then you can relax more and just roll with the punches. You have to laugh in a good way about the circumstances and find a way to win. Complaining never solves anything. You learn quick to find the positive in the situation and build around that. This is a game of endurance and who can stand tall the longest. If you get knocked down you get back up again.

TIP #8 BACK TO BASICS

I failed out of BUDS the first time (failed a math test in second phase) as I was not quite ready for prime time.

I needed more time to get ready. I had trained all the wrong ways lifting weights in a bodybuilding gym.

I was a C minus student in math in high school even though I scored high on the ASVAB Test.

I had to go back to the basics of training my mind and body differently. Instead of lifting weights I went back to old school bodyweight workouts. I picked up a stack of math books and studied problems at night. I had to left go of my old self and old habits and grow into a different person. One that was better equipped to finish the task ahead.

SGPT Homework:
Write down your current goal. Find the one thing you know that you need and are avoiding… Your stepping stone. Get over your FEAR.

The obstacle is the path. Meaning you must be able to go through any obstacle and endure as that is the true path.  Go out now and sign up or engage in that one thing. By doing this one thing you will move closer to accomplishing your goal.

About the Author:

Chasing big goals?

Whether it’s a Spartan Race, GORUCK event, Tough Mudder, or SEALFIT 20X Challenge, Coach Brad McLeod—former Navy SEAL—is here to help.

Get personalized coaching through SGPT and crush your next mission.

Let’s get after it!.

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