Will You Thrive Under Pressure? Master the Mindset of High-Performance Athletes and Recruits
Being coachable is a vital quality that can significantly impact your journey as a student-athlete, especially as you start the process as a military recruit and spec ops candidate. If you aspire to elevate your skills and enhance your performance to new levels, understanding what it means to be coachable can be the difference between getting to and through the goal in front of you.
It's essential to equip yourself with the right mindset, fitness standards, and resilience skills to serve as the foundation for success. Preparing for special operations training is more than physical fitness - it requires mental fortitude, coachability, and the ability to thrive and learn under pressure. Here’s how to prepare effectively.
First, let’s tackle the importance of coachability. Whether entering military recruitment or pursuing athletic excellence, being open to feedback is crucial. Coachability means actively listening to advice, learning from critique, and applying it to enhance your performance. Developing this skill helps you in training and fosters a growth mindset vital for success in high-stress environments. Embrace feedback as a tool for improvement rather than a judgment of your abilities.
Next, understand the fitness standards required for military recruits. Special operations training is demanding and requires a well-rounded fitness regimen. Focus on building strength, stamina, endurance, and mobility through a combination of cardiovascular workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Create a daily routine that tests your limits while allowing for recovery. Remember, it’s not just about meeting the minimum standards - strive to exceed them to boost your confidence. Exceeding the standard IS the standard.
Mental preparation is equally important. High-stress environments can be overwhelming, and being mentally and emotionally prepared can make a significant difference. Start by incorporating positive self-talk, meditation, or visualization techniques, into your daily routine. These practices can help you build resilience and remain calm and focused when challenges arise. Acknowledge that failures and setbacks are part of the journey and are essential learning experiences.
There is no positive or negative feedback - it is just feedback. Learn from it constantly. Handling negative feedback is a skill that can set you apart from your peers. Instead of viewing criticism as soul crushing, interpret it as an opportunity to learn and grow. This perspective will build your resilience and improve your performance over time. When you encounter challenges or self-doubt, remind yourself of your journey and accomplishments, allowing you to push through the discomfort.
Consider adopting a strategy of building a performance starting line rather than focusing on a linear timeline. This means understanding that your path may have twists and turns, and success isn’t always immediate. Every step you take toward your goal is progress, regardless of how small it may seem. Reach a certain fitness level, like crushing the PST, and ace the many physical events that will influence your future selection. Here is a physical assessment tool to compare yourself to others who succeeded before you.
Imposter syndrome is another common hurdle for recruits, especially those who are ill-prepared. Many aspiring athletes and military candidates feel unworthy or out of place. Combat these feelings by recognizing your achievements, focusing on your strengths, and surrounding yourself with supportive peers and mentors. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, and your journey is valid.
Finally, as you transition from athlete to tactical athlete preparing for special ops, create a focused training plan that aligns with the standards you want to achieve. Setting short-term and long-term goals will guide your training efforts and clarify your preparation. Understand that attrition rates in special operations training can be high, but dedication, resilience, and preparation will increase your chances of success. Besides, these attrition rates are high because too many people ARE NOT COACHABLE and think they are ready to serve in special ops even though they prepared for a few months.
Entering the world of special operations or competitive sports requires more than raw talent. It demands a commitment to coachability, resilience, and rigorous preparation to reach the next level. Embrace this journey with an open mind and heart, and you will set yourself on a path to meet and exceed the standards required for success.
Are you ready to elevate your journey into special operations or sport? Discover the power of coachability and resilience with our specialized training program. Embrace feedback, build mental fortitude, and develop a winning mindset to set you apart in high-pressure environments. Your future starts now! Visit StewSmithFitness.com and equip yourself with the tools and strategies not just to meet, but exceed the standards of whatever you are preparing for. Take the first step and unlock your true potential!
Recent Podcast on Recruits (and Athletes) Being Coachable
There is More to StewSmithFitness.com Than You May Know
Who is Stew Smith? Coach, Trainer, Author, Podcaster
I'm the former Navy SEAL that special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com
Quick Summary: Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
(NEW - Consulting Call) - Need personal help adjusting workouts? Worried if you are on the right track? Let Stew help.
- FREE Fitness (all topics) / Mindset Articles and Workouts - Latest info on training for any goal! (over 1000)
- eBooks, Books and eBooks in PRINT (over 40 options)
- Spec Ops Swim Critiques on social media - YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
- Live QA / CSS Critiques Mon / Tues 9am (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
- Podcasts (over 200)
- Stew Smith Fitness APPs - Triad version, Pushup Push APP, Pullup Push APP, FBI workout APP
- FREE Navy SEAL Exercises Apps - iPhone, Android
- Membership Site - Get access to 100s of week of training programs and unpublished workouts we are currently doing each week. Constantly updated weekly with new articles, videos, and workouts of the week.
- Tactical Fitness Course - 80 minutes to learn how to get both TO and THROUGH spec ops selection programs.
- Online Coaching - Get personalized programming designed for your goals, abilities, time per day, days per week, equipment/facilities...etc.
Dive deeper into the world of Tactical Athlete training and mental toughness by exploring Stew Smith Fitness Programming for the Tactical Athlete online store. Uncover the strategies and techniques used by elite forces to push past physical and mental barriers. Visit https://www.stewsmithfitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success for many special ops level selection programs in the military and police world.
Books and eBooks Available (All Levels of Fitness)
The Specific Military / Special Ops Physical Fitness Workouts
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT
Navy SWCC Workout
Army PFT Workout (Prep For Rucking, OPAT, ACFT)
Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout
Army Air Assault School Workout
Army Airborne Workout
Advanced Running Program - Special Ops Supplement Plan
USMC RECON / MarSOC Workout
USMC OCS / TBS Workout
USMC IST and PFT
The Combat Conditioning Workout
Air Force PJ / CCT Workout Battlefield Airman Prep Course
The UBRR Upper Body Round Robin Workout / Spec Ops version
The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer / Navy SAR Workout
The Service Academy Workout (West Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)
The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Boot Camp Workout
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The Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Workouts
The FBI Academy Workout | FBI Workout Vol 2
The DEA Workout
The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB
The PFT Bible: Pushups, Sit-ups, 1.5 Mile Run
The Fire Fighter Workout - Ace the CPAT
Calisthenics and Cardio
Online Coaching Options
Online PT CLUB - Premium Coaching -
Do you need a program that actually works for you? We can build it personally for you and your personal goals and help you fit it into your day with the equipment you have available. Let us be your training partner and coach.
Many people ask me what is the difference between the Premium Program and the Online PT CLUB Coaching. The people on either program receive personalized training from me - Stew Smith - to best fit your abilities, goals, time per day, days per week, facilities, and equipment. We communicate regularly about your progress and your feedback helps me create the next week plan for you. There is no template workout and see you later. These programs are created 1 week at a time with YOU and ME in communication to figure out how best to create the next week.
Tactical Fitness Course - Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Member's Only Content / Services Program!
If you want access to years worth of workouts, favorite workouts of the week, free fitness APP, closed Facebook Group, video / picture library of exercises, and more access to LIVE Q/A sessions check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, live Q and A lessons.
