Living With a SEAL by Jesse Itzler

#16: Getting Things Done and Always Striving for More. Observations From “Living With a SEAL” by Jesse Itzler (Part 2)

In his book Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training With the Toughest Man on the Planet entrepreneur Jesse Itzler recounts 31 days he spent living and training with David Goggins (here’s the first part of my notes from David’s book Can’t Hurt Me). While for most readers David Goggins is of most interest in…

Living With a SEAL by Jesse Itzler

#15: Developing Mental and Physical Toughness. Observations From “Living With a SEAL” by Jesse Itzler (Part 1)

Before becoming an icon of mental toughness and personal transformation, David Goggins kept to himself. Very few people knew about his accomplishments, his crazy workout routine, and unbelievable stories of mental resilience. Jesse Itzler, a multimillionaire entrepreneur, saw David for the first time during David’s first 100-mile run in San Diego (the one where Goggins…

Breathe by Rickson Gracie

#14: Becoming an Iconic Champion. Lessons From Rickson Gracie’s Autobiography “Breathe”

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is one of the most popular martial arts of modern times. It was developed in the 1920s by Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio Gracie. In 1958, Hélio Gracie fathered Rickson. Rickson went on to become the greatest BJJ practitioner of all time and an icon of this discipline….

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson

#13: The Joys of Discomfort. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 4)

Most people consider discomfort something bad. Few would consider it something useful. Very few would consider it something that can bring joy. If you’re reading this article, you’re in that crazy minority. And if you aren’t yet convinced that discomfort can bring fulfillment, today’s issue will convince you why. In the last part of my…

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson

#12: How to Pursue Personal Excellence Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 3)

For Stoics, a life well-lived was a life spent cultivating the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Their virtues are just as applicable in modern times, if not more. Wise, courageous, fair, and equanimous—what man wouldn’t want to be known for these qualities today? Donald Robertson’s How to Think Like a Roman Emperor:…

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson

#11: How to Cultivate Self-Awareness Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 2)

In the second part of my notes from How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald Robertson we’ll talk about self-awareness. What does self-awareness have to do with discomfort? Much more than you think. If you aren’t aware of your thoughts, you don’t control your actions. You won’t…

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson

#10: How to Deal With Strong Emotions Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 1)

I rarely read books that I cover with highlights on almost every page. How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald Robertson is such a book. It’s not only thought-provoking but also recounts in a captivating way Marcus Aurelius’s life and how he practiced Stoic philosophy. You may…

10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena

#9: Leading Through Discomfort. Spartan Lessons From “10 Rules for Resilience” by Joe De Sena and Lara Pence (Part 2)

In the first part of my notes from Joe De Sena’s book 10 Rules for Resilience: Mental Toughness for Families we covered general thoughts on embracing discomfort. In the second and final part of my notes we’ll talk about how we can use discomfort to lead ourselves as well as people around us. We’ll talk…

10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena

#8: Discomfort Is Like Oxygen. Spartan Lessons From “10 Rules for Resilience” by Joe De Sena and Lara Pence (Part 1)

Joe De Sena is obsessed with discomfort like few people on the planet. He’s the founder of Spartan Races, a series of obstacle races ranging from a few miles for beginners to grueling marathon distances for elite athletes. He’s known for doing hundreds of burpees every day and pushing people to their absolute limits in…

The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley

#7: Stoic-Inspired Lessons for Mental Fortitude. Lessons on Resilience From Ross Edgley’s “The Art of Resilience” (Part 3)

Ross Edgley needed more than raw strength to complete his epic swim around Great Britain. He needed something that would help him handle the inevitable pain, doubts, and adverse conditions. Something that would kick in when his body would be screaming in surrender. That thing was mental fortitude. To practice it, he relied on the…