Tactical Fitness Report With Stew Smith Podcast

Thomas Edison's "Never Quit" story is a legendary example of perseverance and turning failure into success. Throughout his career, Edison faced numerous challenges, particularly in his pursuit of inventing the practical incandescent light bulb. He famously conducted thousands of experiments, each failure bringing him closer to his goal. When asked about his repeated failures, Edison is quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” For Edison, negative results were just as valuable as positive ones, because they guided him toward the solution.Imagine facing each day with unshakable confidence that quitting is no longer a consideration. This is the Never Quit Mindset Action Plan!  Let’s cut to it—you're tired of the cycle of self-doubt undermining your progress. The solution? A mindset transformation rooted in mental and physical resilience. This action plan isn’t just a pamphlet—it's your gateway to living a life where quitting ceases to be an option. Our Never Quit Mindse

Time to finish strong with the last month of summer. Can you progress into higher mileage, higher reps, faster times (run, ruck, swim)? That is our plan for the last month of summer - THEN once we peak, we will do a week of mobility days. It is going to be awesome!Summer peak - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/summer-training-plans-by-stew-smith-stfp-system Mobility day - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/dont-skip-moblity-daySee more at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com

This is our first Never Quit Mindset Show, where we explore some of the incredible stories of people who embody the "never quit mindset" to such an extent that we feel compelled to share and learn from them.  After the quick story, you can jump on to share more comments about the person or ask a related/unrelated question if you prefer.Cliff Young was a 61 year old potato farmer who set the endurance running world on fire in the early 1980s with his style of slow and steady and pure grit.  I wanted this to be open to LIVE discussion vs. a taped video show, as it adds some interesting dialogue.  My plan is to do one of these types of shows once a week - primarily on the weekend, but they may also get bumped to a weekday depending on my schedule. For more info about the Never Quit Mindset, Check out https://www.stewsmithfitness.com for the book, ebook, and 5 hour video course. The audiobook can be found on Amazon. So let's get this done!

I realized I half answered this question about faster 4 mile timed runs yesterday. When I stated you need to run more 4 miles timed runs to get better at running 4 mile timed runs - that is true. BUT I left out the other runs of the week you should also do:Hill runs, sprints, should be a training day.Goal pace 400m 800m and  mile repeats should be a training dayBeach running (if available) should be a training day.- Add a 4 mile timed run to a mobility day and work on your 4 mile running strategies (pace, fuel, hydration, etc)We were already doing these workouts and he asked if he should just do more. I said no - just add a 4 mile timed run each week and watch it come down each week. And it works.  For more ideas on training see:https://www.stewsmithfitness.com

The old saying is that if you want to get big, you must eat big and lift big. The science behind this agrees, but it is more complicated than simply eating more. It does matter what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, and how you exercise. It is not as simple as just getting on the SEE-food diet.Recent research shows that even with a calorie surplus and resistance training, mainly gaining lean muscle mass is no easy feat.  See more at https://www.stewsmithfitness.comThe Science of Weight GainBe Patient: A recent study on weight gain for athletes and military personnel found that a 1-pound weight gain per week is a reasonable and optimal goal. To gain weight healthily, aim for a target gain of ½–1 lb. per week. Any faster, and you’re likely packing on fat rather than muscle. This process requires an additional 1,750 to 3,500 surplus calories at the end of the week or 250-500 extra calories a day.You need good, healthy meals with extra portions of protein, carbs, and fat, plus snacks, to gain this kind of

So I decided to start a new podcast and make it a LIVE QA session on top of discussing The Never Quit Mindset. With guests and without focused on those important moments in our lives when we decided to get tougher and not quit. Standby for more information, but I wanted to get a quick discussion on another potential change that is occuring within Air Force Special Warfare. For more info on AFSW training check out:  https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/products/ebook-mil-air-force-pararescue-special-tactics-cct-past-workoutAir Force IFT Clinic: https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/air-force-past-test-clinic-crush-the-past-by-creating-a-strategy-for-success

Stew Smith and Nick Barringer PhD (nutrition) discuss eating to gain weight for the "hard gainer". We define the term plus discuss training and eating options that best put on lean muscle mass.  We also share a post from his instragram page: https://www.instagram.com/nickbarringer.phd.rdn/I highly recommend following Nick if you want to get smarter with training, nutrition, recovery, and even cool tactical fitness science.From his page: Want to Gain Muscle, Not Fat? The Science Says...Intentional weight gain isn’t about “dirty bulking” — it’s a strategic process that few truly master. Recent research shows that even with a calorie surplus and resistance training (RET), gaining mostly lean body mass (LBM) is no easy feat. ⚖️

Don't get beat down by the heat and humidity whether you work or work out outside this summer. Prepare your bag for hydration, electrolytes, cooling, and change of clothes options. If you do this right, you may find yourself tougher, more resilient to the extreme temps (over time) and still improve performance. It all comes down to body heat - Half of your fatigue is due to body heat.  Cool down = second wind.  See more training ideas at https://www.stewsmithfitness.com

Retired Army Lt. Col. Nick Barringer, PhD, helps us break down some of the recent science behind training, testing, nutrition, and what makes a good spec ops candidate.  Check out his Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickbarringer.phd.rdnWe also did the following podcasts topics in the past:TFR 212 - Talking Nutrition Optimal Performance / Longevityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVKBMEaBh2ITFR 219 - Talking Nutrition for Spec Ops Selection - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfewfhZ6Zs4TFR 226 - Talking Nutrition for Joint Healthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl9kxHpQuPwThanks for joining us again! 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.

Spec Ops Swimming Tests: Learning the CSS to get TO and THROUGH Spec Ops Selection - https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/css-help-series-quick-fix-to-crushing-the-swimThe RULES: First, the 500yd Navy Physical Screening Test (PST) allows for the elementary side stroke, the breaststroke, or the modified side stroke nick-named the Combat Swimmer Stroke. The general theme is that these strokes must be "underwater recovery strokes." However, beyond the PST (getting accepted into training) will require the addition of swimming and SCUBA diving with fins mostly in open water. 99% of your swimming will be done in fins once you are accepted into the training. So, if you choose to use breaststroke as your PST stroke, you will also need to learn the side stroke with fins to succeed beyond Day 1 of training/selection and get THROUGH the training. The Combat Side Stroke is about conserving energy and maintaining a low profile in the water. Avoid too many kicks, popping up to breathe, and not gliding long enough to

If you have never heard of EMDR - listen up:Dan walks us through his career and calling to serve and many of the things he has learned in the last 40 years of serving his community and now his fellow officers. EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy designed to assist individuals in processing and coping with traumatic memories and other distressing experiences. It entails activating memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, which aids the brain in processing and desensitizing those memories. Our Tactical Fitness Report Guest Dan WIllis - 30 year retired Police Capt / SWAT Commander and now for the last 10 years has been teaching people in the tactical professions about recovering from stress/trauma.  His new book is called:Bulletproof Spirit, is required reading at the FBI National Academy and has won two national awards: Bulletproof Spirit, Revised Edition: The First Responder’s Essential Resource for

Here is a top ten list of “What Makes Your Workout the Best”:1 - The one you do consistently.  The number one rule for exercise and physical activity is to make it more than a workout of the day, but something that fits into your schedule and becomes your lifestyle. 2—The one designed for your goals. Doing workouts that do not address your specific goals is generally unhelpful if you hope to see the results you want. Goals vary from aesthetics, health, and wellness to optimal performance for competition or sport.  What are you looking to accomplish with your fitness routine? If you have goals, you will focus more on assessing yourself and seeing improvements. 3 - The one that works on both your strengths and weaknesses. Whether you have muscular imbalances or specific activities are more challenging than others, designing a plan to help you maintain strengths and improve your weaknesses will help you be more well-rounded. For the military professional, the fewer weaknesses you have, the more you will develop

Stew Smith and Mark Christiani discuss the transition from military service into coaching and how the Army has evolved in it's creation of training programs for active duty and reserve soldiers with the H2F program.If you are interested in becoming a coach with military units, check this out. If you are a soldier and looking for answers on how to train, the Army has a group of highly trained coaches to help you. Some references to consider:H2F Program - https://h2f.army.mil/O2X - Contract for hiring trainers -  https://www.o2x.com/Who is Stew Smith CSCS? Coach, Trainer, Writer, Podcaster: I'm the former Navy SEAL that tactical 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(NEW - Consulting Call) - Need personal help adjusting workouts? Worried if you are on the right track? Let Stew help. FREE Fitness (all topics)

Join Stew Smith, Alex Gendzier, and former Navy SEAL Officer Rob Sarver on the type of preparation needed to transition from the military into civilian life optimally.  See more at https://www.heroes-journey.netThe new book,  Warrior to Civilian - The Field Manual to the Hero's Journey Amazon - https://amzn.to/4l1QI4v  is a 5-year research project by Alex, Rob, and dozens of veteran experts on the process of making a smooth transition out of the military and into the rest of your life. Much like how I recommend you to prepare for the challenges of military life, you need a similar focus on the next chapter of your life as you transition from a career (or a single enlistment) in military service.Check out other videos of combat swimmer stroke, workouts, and other spec ops-related training.  See http://www.stewsmithfitness.com for more information about the military, law enforcement, special ops, and fire fighting training programs.

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-optionsOr 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-relatedTime 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-potentialIt'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, s

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-youAre 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

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 wa