Tactical Fitness Report with Stew Smith Podcast

Check out the options we have at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com if you are looking for a cycle to focus on running progression, calisthenics improvement, and strength maintenance - this is it:  https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/spring-training-options

Or if you need to focus on specifics of a fitness test or selection, we have options for you as well here - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/collections/ebooks-special-operations-fitness-training-related

Time to get moving..

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. - Article - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/how-being-coachable-will-lead-to-your-true-potential

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.

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.

I am just curious - what is it that you do to challenge yourself everyday? Wake up early to train? Get hot / Get cold / Get uncomfortable? Diet / Fast? Set goals? Do tough endurance events? 

Remember there is a fine line between mental toughness and stupidity - what do you think that line is? For me it is pushing into injury - now you cannot train anymore.  But in life or death situations there is doing whatever to get out alive. So that line is moveable depending on the situation...

See article on the intro topic: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/your-path-to-spec-ops-any-success-starts-and-ends-with-you

Are you preparing for the rigorous demands of military special operations or law enforcement SWAT training? If so, you are likely aware that success in this field combines thorough and intense physical preparation and mental resilience. While the journey to getting TO and THROUGH selection is crucial, the day-to-day grind is where your true character will emerge. Discomfort, early mornings, hot and cold environments, and well thought out training plans that embrace all the elements of fitness will get you to where you want to go.  It takes time to prepare to ace the fitness test to get accepted into the training, then become durable enough to handle all that is selection immediately after Basic Training / Boot camp. It is up to YOU to get through the long days and nights of selection. Embracing this challenging routine day after day is essential for achieving your ultimate goal and for thriving in high-pressure environments.

As a coach, I realized long ago that I can help people prepare to get TO and THROUGH spec ops training, but I cannot help people actually get THROUGH it. Managing the daily grind, discomfort, inevitable failure (at something), long days/nights, aches, pains, illness, and near constant negative feedback from instructors is ALL ON YOU. How do you handle these things?

Reflecting on my experience as a student with the same goal as you and as a tactical fitness coach, the preparation phase is a defining part of your journey. You will build up to use advanced physical training to enhance your strength, endurance, and muscle stamina. However, it's vital to remember that the real test lies in how you face each daily challenge. This journey is not just about enhancing your physical capabilities but also about building mental fortitude.

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.

We are starting off with an answer to this question then taking yours.  What is better when doing PT Pyramids to improve cals / cardio:  More rest to get more volume or active rest and do the best you can until failure?  Check out https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more programs and articles on topics of tactical fitness and more.

Both actually - consider it an adjustment in intensity to produce more volume or more conditioning.  Both are needed - work both.

In a physical activity study that collected data from over 300,000 participants for decades, those who started adding physical activity/exercise to their lives later in life (after 40-50 years) reaped the same benefits as those who never stopped working out from their teens to their 60s. So, it is never too late to start, whether you took a few decades from exercise after your early 20s or are entirely new to physical activity at 40-50 years old. 

Science Says You’re Not Too Late: Start Your Fitness Journey Now The thought of starting an exercise routine might feel overwhelming as there are so many options, and none may sound fun to you - yet. If you’ve considered a renewed path to improved fitness, rest assured that the benefits are well worth the effort. Physical activity is not just a way to shed a few extra pounds or fit into a favorite pair of jeans. It's about enhancing your quality of life as you age so you can continue doing things you enjoy (or must do). You must keep your leg muscles strong if you want to be mobile. Get out of that chair and start walking. 

Research shows regular exercise can dramatically boost mood, strengthen muscles and bones, and improve heart health. If you have ever been on a fitness program, you did not need a research study to tell you this. But, the beauty of beginning (or restarting) this fitness journey after 40 is that regardless of your past physical plan or lack thereof, the health benefits and improved morality rates apply. However, if you were an athlete in your younger life and have been sedentary since your early 20s, the 20-40 years of inactivity placed you in the same category as those who never did physical activity. The key is to get moving again (or start) in your 40s if you want to walk, live longer, and prolong the effects of heart disease, cancers, or other chronic illnesses beyond 60-70 years of age. 

The ultimate goal is to enter the next decade healthier than this one. Create a realistic exercise schedule that accommodates your lifestyle. Start small and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts. Listen to your body and find something that you enjoy, as that makes consistency happen. Consistency is key. 

Unleash your full health and wellness potential and join a new fitness program! Whether you’re interested in weightlifting, yoga, or simply taking walks, there’s something for everyone. Check out the articles at the Military.com fitness section for inspiring insights and strategies to enhance your health and wellness. 

How many have noticed this week that cold is relative. What was cold in December about 35 degrees now feels like a heat wave after a few weeks of 10-15 degrees.  Just an observation on the ability of the human body to acclimate and "get tougher".

Check out more articles on the topics of mental toughness and tactical fitness at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com

This LIVE QA intro is about the Top Ten Ways (I think) that you can build mental toughness.  Check it out - ask questions after the intro. Check out https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information found in article, books, ebook, coaching, and membership pages. 

Setting high standards is a commendable goal, but you are not going to win everything. You will have good days and bad days. Perfectionism can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome. Instead of striving for unattainable ideals, aim for excellence. This means accepting that mistakes (and failing) are part of the process. Setting high, ever-progressing, and achievable standards creates a more sustainable path that allows for growth. Break your goals into smaller, actionable steps, and celebrate every achievement. This practice reinforces a sense of accomplishment and combats self-doubt. It is not uncommon to see highly talented people attempt challenging programs like SEAL training and medical school and attend demanding learning institutions and not be able to handle the inevitable failures and setbacks BECAUSE they have never experienced failure before nor had to work hard to excel at anything. 

Some of my favorite quotes on failing:

We Are Human and Make Mistakes - Be Kind To Yourself and Don't Dwell on It

When facing tough times, forgiveness is key. It’s easy to be critical of yourself when things don’t go as planned, but self-compassion is an antidote to failure. Understand that everyone makes mistakes; it’s part of being human. Recognizing what you can learn from your experiences is a way to reframe past failures so you do not dwell and waste one thought on the negative. Acknowledge your disappointment, and permit yourself to move forward - now smarter to continue the process. Personally, reading Edison's quote on failing does it for me.  Finding ways that do not work is a success - not a failure. This keeps your self-confidence high, and you see the fuel to keep on going again.

The very definition of mental toughness (in my opinion) is:
Finding the fuel when the tank is empty. 

See more articles at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com

While it is a little more complicated than the title may imply, fueling with the right food (not caffeine), sleeping better, and exercising are the three activities that will give you the energy to exercise and be more productive throughout the day.  The next time you say you don’t have the energy to exercise, try these helpful physical and mental tips to get something done: 

Do It, Especially When You Do Not Feel Like It—You will rarely wake up first thing in the morning and be 100% ready to do anything. If you rely on your motivation to get up and do something, STOP. None of us are motivated to do things consistently all the time. There may be 1-2 days per week that you are excited to exercise in the morning. On other days, you must push yourself and ignore the inner voice saying to stay in bed. To do things consistently, we must build habits through discipline, even when we do not feel like it. This is a needed practice to combine your mindset and physical action to make this a habit. But the good news is each time you do this, you will realize that you feel better than if you stay in bed, and you get a little tougher along the way. With this practice, you will build mental toughness and discipline one scoop at a time, making this process easier. 

Instead of Caffeine – Eat a Piece of Fruit – If you want real fuel, eat real food. Bananas, apples, oranges, or grapes are all GO-TO snacks that help to FUEL you. Caffeine elevates your heart rate and blocks the “feeling” of being tired. While caffeine can help with alertness, it does not provide energy (unless sugar is in your caffeine). You can add protein and fat to your pre-workout meal for more calories, but finding what works best for your digestive system and activity performance may require some experimentation. Do you need those “pre-workout” drinks loaded with caffeine? No – just add water and some real food.  I recently gave up caffeine and replaced my energy needs with fruit. 

Sleep Better—Want to Sleep Better? Exercise! This is a cruel natural process regarding being energized to exercise. You may need to sleep better. However, sleeping better may also require exercise or some physical activity. Though a good night’s sleep relies on more than just exercise, being physically tired or working off the stresses of the day will help you sleep better.  Read the related article on caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol – the three horsemen to interrupting your sleep. And how to create a restful place to fall asleep with the Restorative Sleep article. 

Another way to mentally and physically get you over the hump is to give the warmup of your workout 10 minutes.  While fuel and sleep are your primary resources to produce energy to exercise,  
Here are some basic exercises to get you moving when you don't feel like it. These do not need to be a complete workout but a small segment of your time during work breaks. 

Break Through with Your Warmup – Try your scheduled warmup that you would do for your workout. Maybe it is 10 minutes of cardio and some stretching, or a quick jog/walk mixed with calisthenics and stretches like I prefer, depending on the muscle groups worked that day. For instance, the leg day warmup is the squat half pyramid, and it takes about 5-7 minutes to complete. Start with 1 squat, jog/walk 50-100m, then do 2 squats, jog/walk 50-100m, keep going up the pyramid until you feel warmed up, and stop at level 10.  You can do the same thing with pushups, dips, or pullups on upper body days.  This has often been just enough to get you through the rest of the workout. 

Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols the coaching of gut checks. Defining gut checks and understanding how to incorporate them into your training so that they are actually useful activities is a challenge. 

Check out more programming at Stew Smith Fitness - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com and
with Jeff Nichols at https://www.performancefirstus.com