Finding your "why" for long-term, high-intensity goals like special operations training involves connecting with a deeply personal, service-oriented purpose beyond just earning a title. While titles are nice, they are not enough to sustain you through the long days and nights of challenges you will face. You may have a passion and desire you cannot yet verbalize. That is fine to be drawn to something for unknown reasons, but you need to dig deep to figure it out. Here are several ways to consider when you are trying to bring out your why: Key Strategies to Find Your "Why" (and Develop It) (See more - click here for full article)

When asked about breakfast, I realized I have changed my breakfast habits over each decade. I was wondering what your go-to breakfast is? Seems like most people I talk to do one of the following: 1) Skip breakfast, grab the coffee, and go. 2) Do oatmeal with fruit (add boiled egg or yogurt for protein) - my favorite since 40yrs old 3) Go with eggs (bacon or sausage) Where are you on this spectrum of choice? I asked the same question of @nickbarringer.phd.rdn who was helpful with data as well as adding depends on goals, age, health condition, weight management issue...etc. Maybe you have a different breakfast choice? What is yours? Read full article: https://www.military.com/military-fitness/oatmeal-vs-eggs-or-should-you-skip-breakfast

At BUD/S, running in the sand at the beach is one of the toughest things to get used to, especially if you are working on a running weakness. The student body of each BUD/S class comes from all over the United States, and most do not have the ability to train on the beach like some will. This requires additional running ability (not just average) and plenty of practice with other types of running that make it harder. The good news is that the 4-mile timed runs that are tested each week are on a hard-packed, low-tide beach. However, many of the class runs will be done directly on the soft sand, over dunes, and on very soft dirt roads, which they call the Demo-Pits road. Depending on what phase you are in, you may find rucking on this terrain ever more challenging. It pays to do both in your BUD/S prep running/rucking program. For more ideas check out: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/soft-sand-running-workouts-and-alternatives-when-no-beach-is-available

Unless you like to swim like a one-legged duck, mobility matters...(see pic) Mobility is often misunderstood or overlooked in tactical/athletic training, yet it plays a crucial role in both performance and injury prevention. While related, flexibility refers to the ability of muscles to stretch/lengthen, mobility goes further to encompass not only muscle length but also joint movement throughout the natural range of motion, strength, balance, and the nervous system. This definition of optimal mobility enables athletes to perform tactical and athletic movements more effectively, maintain proper form and alignment, and therefore reduce strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Common Debate Among Coaches: How to Best Add Mobility? SEE LINK: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/mobility-vs-flexibility-the-key-to-performance-and-injury-prevention

Identify as a BUD/S Student Who Never Quits - It is Not Even a Thought The Evolution of Success When Challenged with Hard Goals Recent studies on U.S. Navy SEAL training - Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) reveal that psychological, mental, and identity traits often serve as better indicators of success than physical strength alone. Research shows that candidates who cultivate a new identity as a successful BUD/S student quickly, maintain their humor, and practice a "never quit" mindset are less likely to give up, even in the face of pain, cold, or exhaustion of the day-to-day grind that is SEAL training, thereby significantly increasing their chances of completing the training. READ MORE... https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/identify-as-a-bud-s-student-who-never-quits-it-is-not-even-a-thought