Building the Elite Podcast

Stress makes us age faster, but not always. Some people remain healthy and capable throughout remarkably long lifespans, even when they undergo incredibly difficult circumstances. The difference in ho...

31 Touko 20229min

Those with a more internalized locus of control - who believe that they determine their path in life through their own decisions - are less susceptible to learned helplessness and are much more likely...

23 Touko 20225min

Some sled dogs will put just enough pressure into the harness to appear to be working while they’re actually taking a break. “Honest dogs” throw their full weight into the straps no matter how tired t...

17 Touko 20225min

On this call, we’re speaking with Chris Merritt, a human performance coach at a tier-one special operations unit. Chris has developed a set of principles that guide his training process: modular, mo...

9 Touko 20221h 1min

Contrast feeds appreciation. We value warmth a lot more when we've just come in from the cold. Food tastes better when we're hungry. We're better able to enjoy the company of friends and family when...

2 Touko 202210min

A common mental feature in successful SOF candidates is that it's not just about them. When they reflect on their reasons for being there and suffering for the sake of a long-term goal, their thoughts...

25 Huhti 20226min

A recent study on BUD/S students looked at the roles of mindsets around stress, willpower, and failure. The primary focus of the study was "stress mindset." This is whether you view stress as either e...

19 Huhti 202211min

Edith Eger, an Auschwitz survivor turned author and trauma therapist, has a saying: "Trying is lying. You're either doing it or you're not." "If you say, 'I'm trying," she writes, "you don't actually ...

11 Huhti 20226min