The forgotten 'fitness' formula

The forgotten 'fitness' formula

Many of the 'life lessons' that I've learned, I learned in Marine Corp Boot Camp.   One of the most valuable lessons that always stuck in my mind came from the beloved (ha, ha)  Drill Instructors. They would yell at us, " you guys are dumb as a sack of rocks, so you need to be that much more fit and strong to make up for it". 

In hindsight, I believe the message behind that statement really boils down to, 'We can't control how smart you are, but we can insure you'll be physically and mentally ready to fight, body mind and soul'.   (At least, I tell myself that's what they meant!)

Which brings me to my topic.  Fitness!  This is a broad term and can mean many things to many people.  As in mentally, psychologically or physically.  It's the physical aspect I want to focus on, but that arguably contributes and frames our mental and psychological fitness as well.

Clearly there are certain professions  where being physically in-shape is very advantageous to success.  Certainly those in professional sports understand this.   But also think about the military as an good example.  Have you ever see an over-weight, active duty Navy Seal?  How about a fat Amy Ranger or obese Marine Infantryman 0311?  I doubt you have.

Some I admit are in better shape than others, but very likely those folks are in pretty darn good shape.  In other professions, fitness is also very important, though perhaps not as pervasive in the work culture. Think about law enforcement. The old stereo-type of the 'doughnut-eating' cop does not mesh with the real-world expectations of that field! Think about the security industry. Physical fitness does go hand-in- glove with the notion of successful, proficient operators in those fields as well!

Why? Because physical fitness implies a degree of mental fitness as well. Plain and simple!

Now, every top level performer will tell you, its not just physical top level performance they are trying to achieve.  High level mental performance that is the true factor for success.  But it begins with the physical side of things.

Discipline, focus, follow-through, consistency; these are all traits that one has to embody in order to remain physically fit! And each of these represent aspects of mental fitness as well. In security, military or law enforcement professions, this mental fitness is as important as the physical. How your body responds to stress, your judgement, your ability to make quick and good decisions...these are all related to the mental discipline you are developing when you focus on your physical fitness.

I am well aware that for the majority of you reading this article,  it's not realistic  (for most of us)  to maintain a super fit 'American Ninja Warrior' body throughout our entire lives.  But we can for the most part maintain a level of fitness that will enhance our personal lives, and assist us at operating at a higher level in our professional careers.   Oh, and maybe live awhile longer in the process.  

I work in one of those security fields where it is very advantageous to be physically fit (or at least to look like it anyway).  Those in the Executive Protection field understand that it does not give a Client a high level of  confidence, if their protection specialists look out of shape. You've got to look the part to get the job!  Being fit is just a baseline expectation in that field. Period.

Ironically, staying fit in most security jobs can actually be a challenge, as most of the actual tasks involve being sedentary, similar to Law Enforcement or other higher threat jobs.  Examples: sitting in vehicles for long periods of time, spending hours on the computer researching routes and resources, standing for 15 to 17 hours, no food or drink for extended periods of times, traveling on 22-hour flights and waiting in airports, lobbies, hallways, etc.  A lot of waiting around! 

Given all the waiting and sitting, you maybe thinking, well, then you don't really need to be in good shape, do you?

Think about this. How do you think a 190 lb man in good ,strong physical shape compares to a 250 lb over-weight man  (equal in knowledge) when performing the same mundane tasks listed above?   Yes, both individuals can perform the sedentary aspects of their job. However, which one recovers more quickly from jet lag? Which one is able to shift into action more quickly when the time comes? Which do you think will be the best performing (mentally and physically)  if and when things do really get crazy?  Who likely exudes the most confidence and endurance after that 22 hour flight to Africa for a job?  And the one big question we all tend to forget,  if "You" were paying for protection services or any services,  who would trust and have the most confidence in? 

Now, none of this article is to beat up or berate on anyone that is out of shape or over-weight.  To the contrary, this is ONLY to bring to light the "Performance Benefits" of fitness to our careers and everyday life.  Trust me, I know it's tough.

If you haven’t discovered Matt Thornton yet, you should check out his blog on this topic.

As an MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner , he has some great stories about the ‘weekend’ warriors that show up in his classes, ready to learn how to assassinate someone with their bare hands, while their bellies are so big they can’t even tie their shoes! He calls out their motives, and challenges them to start with the basics (re. get your body into decent condition before you even think about becoming Rambo for the weekend). Meaning, why are you showing up at a street-fighting workshop when you clearly don’t care enough about your health to even run around the block one time, let alone learn the self-defense skills to defend yourself in battle?

As Matt says, “Men are often attracted to images of what they think being capable of violence looks like, for a whole lot of reasons that don’t have anything to do with actual, real world threats.”

When we focus on the ‘easy’ aspects of protecting ourselves (what gun we carry, what weapons we have stashed away in our homes), we are missing the point. We are more likely to die of any number of natural causes, than to every find ourselves on the receiving end of some act of violence. If indeed protecting ourselves from violence is a priority, why then would you not treat your own body as an extension of your ‘weapon system’, and keep it in ready form?

We’ve got a culture of people who spend more time picking out their next gun or purchasing ammo, than they do trying to get their beer belly under control. For those in this category, their commitment to self-preservation does not extend past something they can purchase (i.e.a weapon); as their bodies would not get them too far in an actual self defense or high-threat security situation.

Don't allow cardiac arrest from bad life style habits to be your biggest threat while you are instead focused on training to combat someone stabbing or shooting you or your loved ones. 

The stats show your own health is likely to be your biggest risk factor! And we are all in the risk mitigation business!

The reality is that your body is in part an aspect of your overall credentials and impact. If you don’t ‘look the part’, why would a client consider allowing you to protect them? If you don’t value and prioritize your own health, and look like you could spring into action on a dime, what would a principal trust you with their health and safety?

Matt touches on this and other aspects of the personal and professional case for staying in top physical condition. Here are the 5 reasons he mentions, and I couldn’t agree more:

  1. Because when you run out of physical energy in combat, you are as good as dead.
  2. Because operating under those conditions helps mimic the way your body will feel when it is actively engaged in the fight, and the adrenal glands are raging.
  3. Because doing so tests your mind, your “heart”, as well as your body. 
  4. Because it allows a warrior to travel longer, faster, and farther than an unconditioned human can.
  5. And because once they arrive, that soldier will be able to fight longer, faster, and harder than an enemy that isn’t in the same kind of shape.

For his full blog, you can check it out here:

http://mattthornton.org/fighting-and-not-or-fitness/

Don't underestimate the power of being in good physical condition, both for your career and your life. I know it should go without saying, but the reality I see in our industry tells me I need to say it, and keep saying it. 

Don't forget about the MOST import tools you have, your 'Body and Mind'; its difficult for one to operate efficiently without the other. 

 

 

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