Secret Weapon #1

CM SEAL Team blogger: Mike Ryan

Secret Weapon #1

“Cowards never got started and the weak died along the way.” Truer words were never spoken.

The first time I read this quote I was standing at parade-rest waiting to begin my first day of SEAL training. The words were carved into a wooden bench that stood just inside the doors of the Naval Special Warfare Center. At my feet, just in front of the bench, stood a perfect line of about 30 helmets - the last remnants of students who had reached their mental and physical limits and quit training. Predictably, my initial reaction was a mix of skepticism and sarcasm. “Yea” I thought, “that’s a little bit over-the-top.” About twenty minutes later I realized my worst nightmare had just begun.

Throughout training, and later as a SEAL operator and BUD/S's instructor, I came to appreciate the full meaning of the quote. “Cowards never got started…” for me those words came to symbolize the never-ending process of self-improvement. Ultimately, change requires courage. “…And the weak died along the way.” A not-so-subtle reminder that change also requires strength.

If you reading this blog and you’re an avid fan of the Perfect Pushup (like me) I have to assume two things; First, you’re not a coward or a quitter. Second, you’ve made the commitment to improve strength and performance. You’re one of us. You’re on the team. So I’ll let you in on Secret Weapon #1 – nutrition.

“Nutrition” you say, “that’s no big secret.” But it is. Nutrition is like a good right hook. You know it works – you just don’t use it as often as you should. The bottom line; adopting a militant approach to proper nutrition will yield surprising results. So let’s get to it.

What do you need? When do you need it? And how much do you need? All good questions. Tomorrow we will focus on protein.

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Biography:
Michael Ryan is the President and CEO of Intensity Nutrition LLC. Founded by former Navy SEALs, Intensity develops super-premium sports supplements for professional, semi-professional, tactical, and functional athletes. Intensity will launch early summer ’09 and welcomes any recommendations for product development. Mike and Alden met during “running remediation” at Basic Underwater SEAL (BUD/S) training. Special thanks to BMC Pardue for the introduction.