Recovery and Resiliency

Today was my final meeting for Mission 22 in the 12 Month Veteran Recovery and Resiliency Program. It was a long road and I wanted to document my take aways.

Mindset is EVERYTHING!!!!

I went into the program full of all the HOOAH that you could imagine. I was going to finish first, finish fast and have more F'n success then anyone who has ever entered the program!!!!

Well they have it mapped out and provide a TON of information and learning so that it takes time. The program builds on what you learn in each phase to help you prepare. They provide you with access to an online learning portal where we covered topics like Nutrition, Fitness, Slowing down, Mindset and Meditation as well as some others.

Each of the 4 phases I received a care package with items like a Garmin Fenix 6, Access to NuCalm, supplements and books that we would need to read and be prepared to report back on.

There is so much material and supplies that I would not have been able to justify purchasing to try out on my own.

They also sponsor 12 months of a Gym / Group Fitness Membership for the Veteran to help them get around the hurdle of the expense that some gyms / fitness centers charge.

Lastly I was provided access to a wellness coach, who I met with every week for 15-30 minutes to discuss things about the program, ask question give feedback and get suggestions from. He helped me figure out that I have a Gluten sensitivity!!

FAST IS NOT ALWAYS MORE PRODUCTIVE

Before I started this program I did everything on Audiobook and listened at 2x - 3x the speed which also included a lot of videos that I would watch. I sped through all of the online learning and many of the books that they provided for the program because I was able to get through them super fast.

How much did I retain? A fair amount but because I was so focused on getting through it, I didn't spend much time implementing the areas that I was learning about.

I started working out but didn't put in the effort that I should have in the beginning. I didn't want to risk my son's health as he was only a few month post open heart surgery by joining a group program. To be completely honest........I would have quit the workouts if I had joined in the beginning. I was not in the right mindset then. I wasn't prioritizing my health and fitness then and easily allowed other things to take over my "scheduled" workouts.

At just over 6 months into the program I told my wellness coach that I felt like I wasn't making enough progress. At that point I was down about 8-10 pounds from where I started and he asked me if I had any idea why I wasn't seeing the successes that I wanted.

Well I wasn't really pushing myself past the point of pain. I also didn't really know what I needed to do or how I should be planing my day.

At the 7 month mark I told him I was going back through the trainings and that I wanted to start slowing things down and taking notes along with outlining takeaways and action items from the things that I was learning.

Slowing down was the best thing I could have ever done in this program and now in my life.

I'm not focused on forcing more work / busy into my day and more focused on the things that matter like my family, fitness and health. I listen to books at 1.5 speed now and read the eBook (some physical) versions while I listen. I try to have at least 1 thing that I implement from every book I read (well not from Harry Potter since "Wingardium Leviosa" isn't working yet for me).

This has been key for me. Learn and implement then review and improve. I have read Atomic Habits now 3 times and each time I try to acknowledge the last takeaway, and focus on a few one that will add to my 1% better and set a habit stack that will encourage me to implement and maintain the new habit.

PRIORITIZATION

At 10 months I had been 3 months in with really pushing myself on workouts, with Shadow Boxing, Cycling and running classes on Peloton Interactive . These classes kept me wanting to come back each day. Then our kids signed up to go to a Kids CrossFit Class and I decided that I would give the grownup class as shot since I still had 2 months remaining in my sponsorship.

CrossFit has been one of the best decisions that I made the the Box that Trista Long owns and operates is a true community of encouragement and teamwork. I've never entered a gym and felt so welcomed by the staff and members as I did and continue to feel weekly at this Gym.

I know that I'm getting a workout in 7 days a week now and instead of trying to force it to land in the same time & place everyday I now review my schedule and put my workouts where they will fit in my day.

Also they are non-negotiable so that removes my ability to push it off to the next day.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

This program has been the best opportunity I could have asked for. If you are a veteran and want to learn more about it please reach out to me and I'll be happy to Chat or get on a call to discuss it with you. Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement and support to get the snowball rolling down the hill.

Chase