Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL Lieutenant and an NSCA CSCS who graduated from the US Naval Academy and Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, also known as BUD/S. For over 25 years, he has been writing workout books that prepare people to ace fitness tests and selection programs. People from all fitness levels use his military preparation products for help with everything from losing weight and getting ready for basic training to preparing for special operations. Stew founded StewSmithFitness.com and Heroes of Tomorrow Fitness – an online fitness resource for people seeking to join the Military, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting professions. He and his team train over 5,000 young men and women who wish to serve their country and communities locally for free each year.In this episode, we discuss his career, his approach to coaching everything from the specifics of the CSS to big-picture SOF prep training, and what he's learned about successful SOF candidates in his 25+ years of coaching. Timestamps:00:00:22 Intro00:01:12 Background00:03:50 What Have You Learned Since You Started00:06:31 Approach to Coaching CSS00:08:49 Technique Preference00:13:23 Working on Range of Motion00:16:25 Alternating Breaststroke Kick00:17:50 What Are You Currently Doing00:19:03 How Far do People Travel to Train With You00:20:05 How Does Your Coaching Change From Person to Person00:24:20 Helping People Prepare For The PST00:29:12 Most Common Beginner-Level Issues00:34:34 Balance of Treading Training00:37:01 Biggest Differences in Prep Strategies00:41:12 Reasons Attrition is High00:43:29 Have They Been Doing the Work00:45:21 Main Variables in Prep for Individual Characteristics00:48:09 Advice for Talking to Recruiters00:51:48 Scruff Duty00:54:10 Best and Worst Advice You’ve Ever Received00:58:21 Learn More About You00:59:24 Outro

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