By Steve Hammons
The success of the New York Times best-selling book “8 Weeks
to SEALFIT” may be a sign of something changing in our society, in our minds
and consciousness, in our bodies, and possibly at deeper spiritual levels.
The full title is “8 Weeks to SEALFIT: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Unconventional
Training for Physical and Mental Toughness” and was written by retired SEAL Commander Mark
Divine. The book seems to be attracting a lot of interest.
It looks at robust and eclectic physical and mental
training methods, and how they are being implemented in the innovative SEALFIT
education and training programs based in the San Diego area. The concepts are
applicable to average people as well as those who are more advanced in their physical fitness, Divine says.
The media seem to be paying attention. The book and the SEALFIT
programs have been featured in many news and feature articles, TV shows and
other media platforms.
Through the book, online instruction and support, YouTube
videos as well as various on-site programs, the concepts of SEALFIT can be
accessed by anyone, anytime, anyplace.
EXPERIENCING THE SEAL WAY
It’s not just about physical fitness. There are many elements to the SEALFIT approach that include:
EXPERIENCING THE SEAL WAY
It’s not just about physical fitness. There are many elements to the SEALFIT approach that include:
- Physical conditioning using common and unique methods
- Intelligent nutrition
- Cultivating mental toughness, what Divine calls “the
unbeatable mind”
- “Kokoro” or “heart spirit”
- Ancient Yoga-related approaches to perception and awareness
- Martial arts concepts
- Modern insight about human consciousness
Divine says he also focuses on concepts fundamental to the
SEALs: Discipline,
drive, determination, self-mastery, honor, integrity, courage and leadership.
According to the SEALFIT website, “Our Mission at SEALFIT is
to develop mental toughness and promote spiritual growth in our clients – changing
their lives and the lives of those they touch in the process.”
The SEALFIT concept was originally proposed to prepare
candidates for the tremendously challenging Navy Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL
(BUD/S) screening programs. When Divine realized that many civilians also
wanted to experience this kind of training, he moved forward to create a
program that can be geared toward people with beginning and intermediate
physical fitness as well as those already in good shape or top-notch physical
condition.
At the SEALFIT indoor-outdoor facility near the beach in Encinitas
in north San Diego County, those who have signed-up for the in-person training academies
stay at a converted vacation condo. There are also inns and restaurants nearby.
Both at the San Diego-area training facility and through online
methods, SEALFIT coaches guide participants through the SEALFIT ideas and
practices. There is a strong focus on robust physical conditioning that is
linked to the person’s inner self and personal growth.
MINDSET AND VALUES
There is also a mindset that Divine puts forth that is
reflected in the description of SEALFIT values:
- Loyalty – to our family and our team
- Service – to others before self
- Honor and integrity – in public as well as in private
- Leadership and followership – we must be good at both to be
effective at anything
- Responsibility – we take it for both our actions and those
of our teammates
- Discipline – the only easy day was yesterday
- Innovation – adapt, improvise and overcome
SEALFIT staff members are made up of active and retired
SEALs and highly-trained civilians, according to SEALFIT.com.
Certified SEALFIT mentors are individuals who have gone
through a screening and training program to represent SEALFIT to the public.
According to the SEALFIT website, “The SEALFIT Mentor team is our
forward-deployed force responsible for activating and promoting SEALFIT in the
field. Each Mentor is trained and certified by SEALFIT to offer and coach
select SEALFIT integrated training events.”
“In the process, thousands of graduates of SEALFIT events
and others inspired by the ethos and training have adopted what we call the ‘SEALFIT
lifestyle.’ These individuals carry the fire and knowledge into their families,
teams and communities, making everyone better and stronger as a result,” according to SEALFIT.com.
Readers of “8 Weeks to SEALFIT”
and those able to participate in the SEALFIT programs can achieve many benefits. These include being in the here-and-now (part of "mindfulness" and "situational awareness"), using ancient and
state-of-the-art mental and physical training methods, and exploration of new ways of
thinking, feeling and perceiving.
For more information, visit SEALFIT.com and SEALFIT Media on YouTube.
