When you go to bed tonight, remember that a group of young men will be staying up all night training in the cold waters off San Diego. They will continue this constant movement until Friday, around noon. Use their efforts to help you get up out of bed tomorrow and get to work - whatever that work is. Here is my hell week story (as well as the year prior to that week of preparation): After reviewing my article archives -- and, more specifically, my Navy SEAL-related articles -- I realized I have written about how to get to BUD/S and what workouts will help you make it through BUD/S, but I never wrote about Hell Week. I received an email this week asking about my Hell Week. It reads, "Stew, do you think SEAL training Hell Week is still as hard as when you were going through BUD/S?" Of course, any old frogman will tell you his Hell Week was the toughest ever, but I have to say that I have seen several Hell Weeks since I graduated from BUD/S in 1992 and they still suck. After talking to some recent BUD/S graduates, we shared Hell Week stories that were as similar today as they were 20 years ago. This article is going to try to explain to those who have not been through Hell Week what it is like and why it is one of the most successful tools in Navy SEAL training in determining a student's desire to serve. First, My last two years of preparation: My last two years at the Naval Academy were spent busting my butt preparing for SEAL training. My 1991 USNA classmates who wanted to go to BUD/S totaled about 50, yet there were only 20 slots. We trained together often during those years prior to graduation. After hearing stories from the USNA Class of 1989 and 1990 BUD/S students as they progressed through BUD/S, we got excited to challenge ourselves like our mentors did.

This was a fun one to write about. I learned a few things (left out many pioneers) But you may find it interesting: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/the-history-of-fitness-and-physical-fitness-education-in-america

Hi all, just joined and have been exploring the content here. I really respect the work ethic and standards in this group. I’m an early 40s guy focused on general fitness and longevity. I am not trying to make special ops, just trying to stay capable and healthy. I lost a significant amount of weight about five years ago and have kept most of it off. I have put about 20 pounds back on over the last year from not being as disciplined with my intake, but I am getting back on track with food. Where I would really appreciate input is on running. I have been running consistently for a couple of years now and it is honestly the only cardio I want to do. I love it, mainly for the mental health benefits and the daily ritual. If I could, I would run every day. Historically I have ramped up to 4 to 5 miles, 5 days a week. The pattern is usually the same. I build too quickly, something gets irritated like an ankle, runners knee, or stiff hip, and then I have to back off. Right now I am running 1 mile per day and holding steady while I monitor how my joints feel before progressing. I do not have any speed goals. I run slow and just want durability and something sustainable long term. My main goal is being able to run as frequently as possible, along with injury prevention. My questions: Is daily running realistic long term at this age if mileage stays modest? Is it smarter to stick with a continuous mile, or would a 30 minute run walk approach be better for joint longevity, even if total distance is similar? For those of you who prioritize durability over performance, what has worked for you? I run on a mix of treadmill and road. I do not lift currently. Appreciate any thoughts. Hope everyone has a great week.

Hey Stew! Do you have any recommendations on or can reference to a good source for making a military grade pull up bar? Diameter of bar Material for outdoor use Specs for sturdiness: size of beams, depth of submergence, etc Thanks!! Blaine