My SEALFIT Basic Training experience…
The bright California sun beat down on us from above as the SEALFit Coach shouted “20 more burpees”. That’s OK, I thought, “each day, every day, getting stronger and better”.
In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned that I was attending a workshop. More specifically I attended a SEALFit Basic Training Certification two-day event in Encinitas, California. In a word, “amazing”! It was a combination of classroom instruction and practical. The practical was a series of rigorous training or exercises done in teams. SEALFit is a business that was founded and is operated by a former Commander of the U.S. Navy SEALs. They have numerous events, trainings, and the like. I thought this would be good introduction into SEALFit.
My purpose for attending Basic Training was threefold: step outside my comfort zone and push myself; get further education to maintain my personal trainer certification; and bring back insights and techniques to share with the GreenNote Fitness community.
I am very excited to share with you what I’ve learned. In this newsletter I will share with you today three of my takeaways:
Teamwork
Breathing
Training
Teamwork - we were divided up into teams or “boat crews” roughly seven people in each group (I was the only female in my group; of the nearly 50 people who attended the Training, five were women). We quickly learned each other’s names (important if you don’t want to do additional burpees). Teamwork was probably one of the most important aspects of the whole event. You are stronger together than apart. If you start to suffer, direct your attention to your teammate and encourage them to keep going. You never leave a teammate struggling to finish a task (the SEALs call "evolution") by themselves; you go join them and finish with them even if that means repeating what you have just been doing for the last hour. We had a large volume of training to do; I credit this aspect as making it very do-able to accomplish.
Breathing - in the classroom, and later applied outside on the “grinder” (courtyard comprised of cement where we did our training), we learned how to breath and the importance of breathing which has both a physiological and psychological effect; it is how you manage your nervous system. One form of breathing we did was Box Breathing. You can do various rhythms with this, the one we learned was a 4x4x4x4. You take a deep breath in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale four seconds, and hold for four seconds. You continue in this manner for five minutes. It made me feel calm, energized, and cleared my mind.
Training - all of this work; the teachings, drills, skills, techniques is training. It is training the body, mind, and spirit. It is all connected. We weren’t doing all of these drills to have a nice beach body; it is training so that you can be better connected to yourself so you know your purpose and train each and every day towards that purpose. Good stuff, huh?
Conferences, workshops, webinars, etc. are all good but where we see real growth is to put that knowledge into practice. I am committed to using the tools I’ve learned into my day, every day. Here is what I’m doing with regards to the three takeaways I’ve listed above:
Teamwork - together we are stronger. I am committed to building this community so that we may all grow and be supportive of one another. Once per month I will be organizing a “meet-up” for anyone who wants to join. The first one will take place this Sunday, August 30th, 8:30 AM at Walnut Creek main entrance off of 96th Street. It will be a very informal fun get together and those that want to walk, jog, or run around the lake can do so. I highly encourage you all to join. Everyone is welcome. It’s a fun way to bring everyone together in a positive and supportive environment because together we are stronger. If you don’t live in the area or can’t make it, continue to read these newsletters and check out the GreenNote Fitness Facebook page where we still can be connected and supportive.
Breathing - I’ve incorporated the Box Breathing into my morning and evening rituals. I’ve noticed that doing this before bed has really gotten me to sleep quickly and soundly and in the morning helps me focus on the tasks at hand.
Training - this simply means putting knowledge into practice. It is a process and it is continuous. In addition to adding to my morning and evening rituals, I’m putting together a weekly, monthly, quarterly plan with one big thing I want to accomplish in the next 12 months.
There you have it; a condensed version of my two-day SEALFit Basic Training. I would like for you to think about what I’ve shared and look inward if there is something that you can begin applying today. Could you step outside your comfort zone? How could you work better as a team at home, at work, or in your community? Could you incorporate Box Breathing in your day?
I know I can because, “each day, ever day, I’m getting stronger and better”.
To your journey,
Lisa Schaffer
GreenNote Fitness
