Episode 29 - The Unbeatable Mind of Mark Divine

PRE: This episode is sponsored by InBody. Commander Mark Divine is the founder of SEALFit. He’s the author of Unbeatable Mind, The Way of the SEAL, 8 Weeks To SEALFIT and his new book, Kokoro Yoga. In this episode, Mark talks about using Yoga to develop a warrior’s mindset and improve athleticism. This isn’t the foo-foo stretchy-pants-and-fancy-mats yoga from a Lululemon poster: this is the battle-born practice of preparation. 0:00 – Commander Divine talks about his background and development: being trained as an accountant, and finding his way to war 7:00 – Mark finds CrossFit 7:40 – “Yoga is really a personal development system” 10:00 – Developing SealFIT, the “working out” program and the “working in” program 10:45 – Kokoro Camp is a test 11:40 – “Not everyone in the world is attracted to SEALFit-type training. My desire is to reach as many people as possible.” Mark talks about using his service to approach entrepreneurs and corporate types in a different path from athletes. 15:50 – The Flow State 20:20 – “Yoga means integration.” Mark talks about the functional movements of CrossFit and getting into the “flow state.” 21:55 – “Thinking Body, Dancing Mind” by Chungliang Al Huang 25:20 – Why getting “pumped up” for sports isn’t always best – practicing mental power vs triggering the “arousal state” 28:00 – How to introduce yoga to warriors and athletes in your gym 29:00 – “Mobility and durability are just a side effect of yoga.” 30:30 – Mark talks about his first “airline yoga” on a transport into Baghdad 33:30 – Stripping down yoga in a war zone 40:00 – What yoga REALLY is 44:40 – The importance of understanding WHY you’re doing anything 45:50 – The best ways for gyms to introduce yoga into their practice 49:00 – “Coach” vs “Senior Student” 50:50 – Mark’s dog has a dream about snatching 51:10 – Why you need mental development to help avoid injury 54:10 – How to win the battle before it starts 54:55 – The 80/20 rule of starting a yoga practice 57:00 – Keeping “the main thing” your main thing 1:00:00 – Mark lists his mentors 1:02:00 – “Feeding the courage wolf” and teaching the concept to kids 1:06:00 – Mark’s advice to CrossFit affiliates POST: TAKE THE GYM CHECKUP HERE.