Pathway to BUD/S – “I want to be a Navy SEAL” Part 3
NavySEALs.com’s 3rd installment from a SEALFIT intern working this summer at the headquarters of the worlds most intense fitness program and home of Kokoro, a 50+ hour crucible event that simulates Hell Week
In order to alter my current state of consciousness and reach an entirely new level of thinking, it is imperative to expose myself to the rigors of immense physical and emotional challenge. Experiences like the fifty-hour crucible I endured over the past weekend serve as platforms for mental growth that expand and flourish the perception of life over time. I could feel the physical pain being perceived by my body during the various evolutions instilling severe discomfort and guiding me to the limits of my own mind. Only when you come to this crossroad can you then decide to become stronger than you ever have been before. The challenges thrown upon me pushed the limits of a previously generated “comfort zone,” so the size of my growth would not be minimal and therefore the anabolic processes began to optimize themselves. Making the conscious decision to push beyond the confines being set by my analytical mind allowed for my physiological state to reach a previously untapped state of existence. The mind began to adapt to this new task, but unbelievably the human frame itself then decided to harness an unforeseen deeper power to push through the struggling environment even after hours of intense exercise.
Being exposed to harsh external elements while under sleep deprivation provided for the onset of profound new emotional feelings. Witnessing a sunrise from atop a mountain on one day, then from the beach on another, provided for a fitting and intense symbolism of the duality encompassed within life. Sometimes I can feel on a high where everything is going right, and other times I become swallowed up into states were everything around seems to be falling apart. However, I then began to notice that by keeping my head unbowed and continuing to keep moving on the path by being sensitive to every moment without judgment, all things can be endured. Along similar lines, the lens through which I perceive the world has already begun to change and things are becoming clearer as to what is truly important in this life. The absence of societal distractions allows for deep reflection in how life truly belongs to the individual, and the ability to pursue what stirs passion and fulfillment is of utmost importance. Many times I and others constrain ourselves and put limits on what we can and are able to achieve; however, during times like these, those self-imposed walls begin to crumble and a sense of fearlessness begins to set in.
Lastly, monumental tasks like this event are special in the way they spur a sense of teamwork that is unparalleled in other areas of life. Learning to operate as a collective unit, where every individual action reverberates within the whole team begins to instill a sense of immense unity. People began to carry one another through the proverbial fire, both physically and emotionally, molding a bond that would remain unformed had the heat not been as intense. Strangers whom once never knew a thing about one another had begun to uncover layers never before seen by close friends and family members. This vulnerability experienced by all the members helped to establish a comfort around one another and a sense of knowledge beyond verbal capacity. Overall, this crucible provided a powerfully deep awareness for every participant, not only about themselves but the vast world around us. The true nature of these ideals can never be formulated into words; the knowledge provided in this coursework is beyond such limitations. Only through actual experience can this information be expressed, thus altering the human psyche and life perspective in ways it has never been before.
How do you become a SEALFIT Intern?
SEALFIT interns go through a pretty rigorous selection process. Their applications are first screened by SEALFIT Certified coaches, then passed onto Director of Training, a retired SEAL with 30 years in the teams and a Master Training Specialist classification among other accomplishments to numerous to list. Finally, the application is passed onto Ret. CDR Mark Divine, the founder of SEALFIT and owner of NS.com.
For more information out the SEALFIT Program email them at: [email protected]
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