Jeff Nichols (http://www.performancefirstus.com) and Stew Smith (http://www.stewsmithfitness.com) discuss how today's climate with the change of season (Seasonal Periodization), gym closures, social distancing, and quarantining are great reasons to consider a deload - whether you need it or not - most likely you do if you follow our Spec Ops Training programs. But if you think about it, this is no different from having to deploy to the field, on ships, or subs, or FOBs. You have to deal with having limited equipment. Don't overthink it.

Focus on recovery, change weights to make them lighter, change lifting into calisthenics, progress logically with running each week, and flexibility and mobility for starters.

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Stew Smith (http://www.stewsmithfitness.com) and Adam LaReau (http://www.o2x.com) discuss the similarities and differences in tactical fitness phases (Candidate, Student, Operator) as well as operators in the police and fire services, National Guard / Reserves, and active duty.

To learn more about Adam's program O2X check out http://www.o2x.com.

To see previous recorded interview of Adam's To, Through, and After - see link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytzE3Qw9SLY. It is all about his journey from SEAL candidate as a midshipman at the USMMA, BUDS student, and operational tours as a Navy SEAL officer at some of the highest levels in special warfare. As well as the beginning journey of starting O2X with other special operators.

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

With gyms and pools closed and programs stopped, what are some ways to keep moving with programs if no home gym or limited equipment. Stew http://www.stewsmithfitness.com and Jeff http://www.performancefirstus.com discuss many options for people to build their own training facilities - even outdoors.

Podcast 87 - Build Your Own Home Gym -

https://youtu.be/V5zFTjICaIo

Gym Closed? https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/gym-closed-limited-equipment-time-for-calisthenics-cardio-workout

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Stew Smith CSCS (http://www.stewsmithfitness.com ) answers several questions online and starts out this presentation discussing how he fits mobility into training. Adding a mobility day can be life changing and performance enhancing to your training week - consider it.

See more info at http://www.stewsmithfitness.com

Here is a list of questions / answers from a young man in high school doing a project for class - along with a few very common follow up questions / comments to fully explain: http://www.stewsmithfitness.com

See article version: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/ten-questions-about-seal-training-job-and-life

What training does a career in the SEALs require?

See SEALSWCC.com for the preparation details about the journey to get TO BUD/S but also read this as many people can get TO BUD/S but only 25% make it THROUGH BUD/S.

See article format with working links - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

FIRST - Ace the PST - See article / videos for PST preparation guidelines.

SECOND - Go see a recruiter - But read this - are you really ready?

Crush the PST with your Mentor on Day 1

Extra reading during your prep journey - So You Wanna Be a Frogman

Final Note: This preparation process can take some time even if you were a three sport athlete in high school. Do not be in a rush to join - join when you are ready and make yourself a Better Recruit (see Be a Better Recruit Video) because this is what you have to endure.

Boot Camp, BUD/S Prep at Great Lakes IL - 15 total weeks

BUD/S Orientation at Coronado CA - 3 weeks

BUD/S Training - 21 weeks (1st Phase - Physical Conditioning + Hellweek, 2nd Phase- Diving, 3rd Phase - Land Warfare)

SQT - SEAL Qualification Training - 26 weeks - Coronado CA

2. What particular specialization of the SEALs were you in? What additional special training did it require?

I went to the SDV Team TWO after BUD/S graduation - then through six months of STT - SEAL Tactical Training with all the new guys on the East Coast Teams (aka today's SQT). Then Advanced Operator Training (AOT) at SDV to learn how to do the SDV / Mar Ops Mission off of submarines. We launched mini-subs and zodiac boats from sub surface with a host submarine as our primary insert method for SEAL missions. This required LOTS of dive time.

3. What natural abilities or interests are needed for a career in the SEALs?

Be an open minded team player willing to learn something new each day and listen to people with more experience or less experience with better ways and ideas to tackle problems. A natural discipline to work hard every day whether is training workouts or long days and night of mission preparation. The discipline and dedication to stay fit is instrumental in being able to do the job. .

4. Is there good job availability for those who choose the SEALs?

No - The SEAL community is small. More people try to be SEALs each year that make it. With a 25% graduation rate if 1000 people make it through the pre-selection process, only 250 will graduate. It is a tight community that has some of the toughest military training in front of the gates to the Teams. Are you prepared to be in the top 25% of your peers?

5. Would you rate the opportunities for advancement as poor, fair, good, or excellent?

I would say good to excellent. Advancement is available for those who rise to the top in their year group, team, within their specialty, however it is competitive. You are competing with other SEALs throughout the Teams to advance in rank.

6. Could you list a particular advantage of being a SEAL? A particular disadvantage?

You do a fun, challenging, and rewarding job in the SEAL Teams no matter what your role. YOu are serving your country with an elite team of like minded warriors, however, you have to do this job far from home. Being away from home is a tough challenge as you age with spouse and family to raise. However, this is not unlike any other military unit in our Department of Defense. It is tough on military families the most.

7. Do you have any special advice for someone interested in the SEALs (such as things to study)?

Be good student - not some average Joe who fails classes. You need to be smart, able to think and communicate under duress. You need basic English(continued)

Stew Smith interviews former Navy SEAL Jason Higgins (http://www.easydayhemp.com) about his journey from pre-teen SEAL wanna-be to and through his BUD/S process, Life in the Teams, and his post military career as an entrepreneur in the hemp / CBD business. Check out @EasyDayHemp on instagram for more information about all the uses for CBD.

https://www.easydayhemp.com

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Stew Smith CSCS http://www.stewsmithfitness.com and Pat Bonis discuss fixing weaknesses for the tactical athlete. You may come into the Spec Ops prep training with some incredible athletic history that makes you great at something (swim, run, lift, PT, etc) but there is typically an equal and opposite weakness that corresponds with that strength. See how to fix that and get GOOD at everything - not great at a few things and horrible at others. Weaknesses will be exposed in the first few days of any spec ops selection program.

Related articles discussed in the podcast

20 Year Tactical Athlete Periodization Cycle - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

Transitions to different cycles - https://www.military.com/military-fit...

Assess Your Weakness with this tool - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

Are you this Spec Ops Candidate? https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Are You Ready for Spec Ops? Listen here - Stew Smith http://www.stewsmithfitness.com and Jeff Nichols http://www.performancefirstus.com discuss some objective grading criteria each use to assess a candidates progress along the journey and training timeline as they prepare for any spec ops selection program.

Article on the topic with charts referenced in the video:

https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/physical-assessment-tools-for-to-and-through-selection

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Stew Smith (https://www.stewsmithfitness.com) answers 12 questions on Mental Toughness. Here are twelve excellent questions on the topic of mental toughness that a young man in high school sent me. My answers are in the video as well as in writing at the article:

https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

1. How would you define mental toughness?

Finding the fuel when the tank is empty. Also getting comfortable being uncomfortable:

https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blog...

https://www.military.com/special-oper...

2. Do you believe that sports help to cultivate mental toughness? In what ways?

Yes 100%,

https://www.military.com/military-fit...

3. Consider your childhood. Would you describe yourself as an active child? What sports or hobbies did you do?

4. What sport do you think requires the most mental toughness?

5. When you were in high school, what kind of mental strategies did you employ to handle adverse situations?

6. Was it easier to focus on physical or mental challenges when you were in high school?

7. What was an experience that you had that encouraged you to become a SEAL?

8. What personality traits do you have that you think made you fit to be a SEAL?

9. To what extent do you think people that are in good physical shape, but have never been an athlete or part of a team can complete BUD/S?

10. When you were going through BUD/S, do you think being a former athlete helped you to persevere?

11. What mental strategies did you employ to persevere through the most challenging training or assignments? How did you adopt these strategies?

12. What did BUD/S teach you about your mental resilience and your ability to work under extreme pressure?

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.

Stew Smith http://www.stewsmithfitness.com and Jeff Nichols http://www.performancefirstus.com discuss the state of the recruit world. Starting with YOU the recruit and moving through the pipeline through the recruiter into DEP and the mentor to test you and prep you for Boot camp / Basic, and beyond, we discuss the process and the timeline to consider depending upon your current state of readiness.

In the end, it comes down to YOU to be a better recruit.

Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops related training. See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about military, law enforcement, special ops, fire fighting training programs.