Divine Mark - The way of the SEAL : think like an elite warrior to lead and succeed

Praise for The Way of the SEAL and Mark Divine

The Way of the SEAL is a revelation. This book will transform you into a person for whom successin all areas of lifeis as natural as breathing. From small business owners to titans of finance, everyone can benefit from Mark Divines brilliant insights.

S USAN S OLOVIC, AWARD-WINNING ENTREPRENEUR, MEDIA PERSONALITY, AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF G IRLS G UIDE TO P OWER AND S UCCESS

Using his experiences as a martial artist, a United States Navy SEAL, businessman, and teacher/trainer, in The Way of the SEAL, Mark Divine delivers a set of tools and techniques that have been proven to develop a strong sense of purpose, a high level of mental toughness, and an ability to be more productive.

R OBIN B ROWN, C HIEF E XECUTIVE OF S CRIPPS G REEN H OSPITAL

The Way of the SEAL is The Book of Five Rings for the twenty-first century. Mark Divine is a true master.

D ON M ANN, FORMER U.S. N AVY SEAL AND AUTHOR OF N EW Y ORK T IMES BESTSELLER I NSIDE SEAL T EAM S IX

This is not just another business book; its a combination of practical steps and insights from a man who understands the true meaning of leadership and personal excellence.

C ARMINE D I S IBIO, GLOBAL MANAGING PARTNERCLIENT SERVICES AT EY

Going into the 2012 Olympic Games, we were four cyclists who had only recently started training together for this event.... Mark Divine provided unique advice that helped us become a more tightly coordinated team.

J ENNIE R EED, D OTSIE B AUSCH , S ARAH H AMMER, AND L AUREN T AMAYO, 2012 U.S. W OMENS C YCLING T EAM, S ILVER M EDALISTS

The Way of the SEAL is a clear, actionable blueprint for personal success that contains the tactics and strategies to help you achieve your goals and become the person you want to be.

H OWARD L OVE, FOUNDER OF L OVETO K NOW.COM , SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, AND VENTURE CAPITALIST

Whether you are a Fortune 500 CEO, an entrepreneur building your own empire, a student, or an athlete, what youll find in Commander Divines book The Way of the SEAL is the complete roadmap for creating the next highest version of yourself. Its a must read!

J OE S TUMPF , M ASTER R EAL E STATE C OACH AND FOUNDER OF B Y R EFERRAL O NLY

Mark is more than a Navy SEAL, he has the ability to teach all of us how to be one in everyday life.

J OE D E S ENA, FOUNDER OF S PARTAN R ACE

Commander Mark Divine is a proven leader inside the elite U.S. Navy SEAL community and outside as a successful business owner and mentor to civilians. If youre ready to take a stand, and find purpose in your life, look no further than The Way of the SEAL.

B RANDON W EBB, FORMER U.S. N AVY SEAL AND AUTHOR OF THE N EW Y ORK T IMES BESTSELLER T HE R ED C IRCLE

A READERS DIGEST BOOK

Copyright 2013 Mark Divine and Allyson Edelhertz Machate

All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

Readers Digest is a registered trademark of The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Divine, Mark.

The way of the SEAL : think like an elite warrior to lead and succeed / by Mark

Divine; with Allyson Edelhertz Machate. -- 1st Edition.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-62145-109-9 (alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-62145-110-5 (epub)

1. Leadership. 2. Strategic planning. 3. United States. Navy. SEALs. I. Title.

HD57.7.D594 2014

650.1--dc23

2013035217

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Acknowledgements

This book has been quite a journey, but its just the first leg of a longer journey into an adventurous new world. Of course, I did not write this book aloneit represents ideas and insights I have gained over many years and from many mentors. My cowriter, Ally, prodded and poked me to make it better every step of the way, providing organization to my disparate thoughts and making this a much better book in the process. Thank you, Ally! My editor at Readers Digest Books, Andrea Au Levitt, provided invaluable input into the structure and tone of the book, while Kevin Moran, my trustworthy agent, kept working to find a home for WOS long after I had moved on to other projects. Andrea and Kevin, thank you!

Let me acknowledge my first true mentor, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, founder of Seido Karate. Kaicho and his incredible tribe of students and teachers provided a solid foundation upon which I built my own mental toughness, emotional control, and spiritual strength. Thank you, Kaicho and the Seido team!

My yoga teacher, Tim Miller, deserves special mention as well. Tim is a legend in the yoga community and, lucky for me, lives in my hometown of Encinitas, California. Tim is the first American yoga instructor certified by Pattabhi Jois, the founder of modern Ashtanga yoga. Tim and Kaicho taught me that the training is the way and to walk my talk. I am grateful to Anthony Robbins for inspiring me when I was a young SEAL through his book Awaken the Giant Within. I read it cover to cover a couple of times during deployments with the SEALs. The value development exercise I offer in this book was inspired by Tony. Also thanks to Unbeatable Mind student Bill Keefe, who works for Tony at his resort in Fiji, for such strong support.

I greatly appreciate Ken Wilber for his incredible contribution of integral theory to the world WOS is influenced by his work. Other teachers, mentors, and friends I would like to thank include Tom Brown, from the Tracker School; Shane Phelps, of Saito Ninjutsu (Shane inspired the five mountains philosophy); Greg Glassman, founder of CrossFit (Greg inspired my SEALFIT physical training); Robb Wolf, author of The Paleo Solution (Robb inspired my views on nutrition and fueling); Jerry Peterson, founder of SCARS (Jerry taught me self-confidence and inspired my training on that topic); and authors Seth Godin, Roy Williams, and Steven Pressfield, who have also inspired me through their works.

In the SEAL Teams, I was fortunate to work with some of the most focused, intelligent, and intense warriors in the world. They guided my development as a SEAL, especially when I screwed up. The list includes, but is not limited to, Admirals McRaven, Harward, Metz, and Bonelli; Captains McTighe, Paluso, Wilson, and OConnell; Commanders Zinke and Washabau; Master Chiefs Crampton, Laskey, Naschek, and Martin; as well as my other teammates at ST-3, SDVT-1, ST-17, NSWG-1, and SOCPAC.

Im super grateful to my SEALFIT and CrossFit teams of coaches, supporters, and staff, including Lance Cummings, Chriss Smith, Dan Cerrillo, Brad McLeod, Charlie Moser, Shane Hiatt, Sean Lake, Dan Miller, Dave Castro, Rory McKernan, Greg Amundson, Tony Blauer, Erik Larson, Derek Price, Jeff Grant, Michael Ostrolenk, Stu Smith, Tommy Hackenbruk, Lindsey Valenzuela, Valerie Voborol, Rich Vernetti, Cindy Chapman, Catherine Chapman, Melanie Sliwka, and many others, for their loyalty, skill, and humor.

Thanks to Susie and Lees Divine (my mom and dad), who have been there for me and taught me so many different lessons throughout my life. I am eternally grateful for my wife, Sandy, who has been an amazing friend and supporter through my entrepreneurial roller-coaster ride. Also my buddy and son, Devon, who keeps me laughing and honest. Thanks, Sandy and Devon!