Soldier writing in notebook

The Key To Long-Term Progress

ByDave

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a coach is temperance.

Temperance is moderation or self-restraint.

While your desire to do as much as possible is admirable, it will be your downfall.

And the reason why is this –

How many times have you crafted the perfect workout plan?

How motivated were you when crafting it?

How long did you stick to the plan, perfectly?

If you’re being honest, you’ve probably overcommitted at some point – and you created the plan in your most motivated state.

Remember – A plan created based on your most optimistic projections is destined to fail.

Here’s the solution –

Stop setting the training schedule for the athlete you want to become.

Set the training schedule for the athlete you are today.

I would much rather see you hit 100% of your 5 workouts per week than hit 60% of your 10 workouts per week

The mental damage of missing workouts and feeling like a failure is far worse than the benefit of doing an additional training session.

With consistency and effort, you will achieve far more than you would expect with a low-volume program. Start at level 1 and build up.

Related Articles:
Quitting Your Workouts is More Serious Than You Realize
Your Potential Is Much Greater Than You Could Ever Realize

I'm a coach with a passion for helping athletes dominate the toughest selection courses in the world. Over the years, I've trained well over 100 athletes for Special Operations selection courses, including SFAS, RASP, Air Force A&S, BORTAC, SWAT, and MARSOC A&S. My mission is to bridge the gap between traditional performance training and the unique demands of tactical and military athletes.

I got my start coaching hybrid athletes, blending strength, endurance, and hypertrophy training to achieve peak performance. As I worked with more tactical and military athletes, I realized there was a need for a specialized approach tailored to the grueling physical and mental challenges of SOF selections. This realization drove me to focus on prepping SOF candidates for success, combining cutting-edge research, proven training methodologies, and real-world experience.

Whether you're preparing for selection, seeking to level up your fitness, or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in these elite environments, I hope you'll find the information I share helpful.