What Do a Stoic, a Navy Seal, and a College or Pro Athlete Have in Common?

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

First off, Navy Seals are bat-shit crazy for the stuff they have to endure. Yet, many of the college and pro athletes that I know aren’t far behind. All three might know more about Stoic philosophy than they think. What’s the common thread?

That they all have the mindset to overcome adversity, which means, they will and must suffer to become what they most value.

A Stoic quote: “Whatever is best for a human being lies outside human control: it can neither be given nor taken away.”

From my 13-year professional basketball journey, I learned that you couldn’t take away my choice, or better, freedom, to decide about whatever happens to me in my life.

Jocko Willink, a Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, has a response to EVERYTHING:

He says, “Good.”

YOU LOSE — GOOD.

YOUR STARTUP SUCKS — GOOD.

YOUR MARRIAGE NEEDS WORK — GOOD.

YOU ARE OUT OF SHAPE — GOOD.