“You don’t rise to the occasion. You fall to your level of training.” – Navy SEAL Saying
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
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This week, I completed the Spartan Race.
What an environment.
What a challenge.
And what a great reward.
There were plenty of takeaways, but the one I want to focus on in this week’s edition is the idea of staying present. The morning of the event, my coach sent me a short but powerful message:
Stay present and calm your body, mind, and breath. Take moments to just slow your breathing and relax your body!! Most importantly, just enjoy the challenge and what your body is capable of doing! Have fun!
That message set the tone.
But there was another voice in my head too… the one from a book I’ve been reading: The Attributes by Rich Diviney, a former Navy SEAL and part of the team that took down Osama Bin Laden.
In the book, Diviney writes:
“When uncertainty, challenge, or stress strike, autonomic arousal starts its climb. As a result, we react instinctively in two ways: panic or procrastinate.”
So while my coach reminded me to stay present, this book reminded me that my brain would fight against it. Sound familiar?
So, how do we stay calm, present, and avoid the knee-jerk reactions of panic or procrastination?
Diviney suggests starting with two simple questions:
- What do I know?
- What can I control?
He explains that doubt emerges from many places, but most commonly from worry, overwhelm, and the urge to panic. During the race, I was able to stay focused during the long running stretches. And while I finished over 70% of the obstacles, I know there were moments, especially in the middle of the tougher challenges, where I didn’t fully calm my body or mind.
So now the question becomes: What can I do better next time?
One of my favorite concepts from Diviney’s book is something he calls “Move the Horizon.”
Here’s the idea: Instead of obsessing over how much longer or how far you still have to go, bring the goal closer.
For Navy SEAL trainees enduring cold-water surf torture, they’re not told how long the test will last. So instead of asking “When will this end?”, they say:
“Just get through the next 5 waves.”
Then 5 more.
Then 5 more.
Each wave becomes a small win. Each step moves them closer to the outcome, without spiraling into overwhelm. I used this mindset while training for the rope climb. Instead of thinking “Get to the top,” I celebrated the moment I locked in the J-hook. Then I stood. One win at a time.
And you know what? It helped me climb higher than I thought I could.
Being effective as a leader starts with leading yourself well. That’s why I encourage every leader to practice the discipline of staying present, especially when things get tough. Whether you’re facing a challenge at work, at home, or in your mindset, choosing to pause, ask the right questions, and move the horizon can create real momentum. It’s not about mastering everything overnight—it’s about mastering the moment you’re in. Lead yourself first, and you’ll be better equipped to lead others with clarity, purpose, and impact.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line, and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
“When uncertainty, challenge, or stress strike… we react instinctively in two ways: panic or procrastinate.” – Rich Diviney
What You Need to Do
Call to Action: Move the Horizon, whatever challenge you’re facing—physical, emotional, professional—don’t focus only on the big finish. That will come.
Instead:
- Ask yourself: What do I know? What can I control?
- Pick a small horizon.
- Celebrate that win.
- Then take the next one.
Presence is a discipline. But it’s also a gift you can give yourself—and those around you.
When it was all said and done, I felt amazing.
✅ 7.2 miles
✅ 18 obstacles completed
✅ 1,840 calories torched
I couldn’t have imagined doing this race before.
Now I want to do it again.
And next time, I want to be even more present… more focused… and better at moving my horizon, one wave at a time.
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy.” Each week, I’m excited to provide another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip, and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. If you enjoyed this edition of Champions Brew, I’d love it if you share it with someone in your circle who might benefit from it too, and ask them to subscribe!. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next time – Go and Grow, Champions!
P.S. Are you a podcast fan? Surely the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Interested in being a guest and sharing your story? Email me at [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
