Navigating Uncertainty: Insights from SEALs and Wellness

bengreenfieldfitness.com/nick

No trip to San Diego would be complete without interviewing at least one Navy SEAL, which is exactly what I got up to on a recent trip to San Diego.

Nick Norris (@nick_norris1981) is a graduate of both the United States Naval Academy and Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) Class 247. Upon completion of SEAL training in 2004, Nick assumed progressively higher positions of leadership within Naval Special Warfare. His deployed roles included combat advisor to Iraqi and Afghan military units, Cross Functional Team Leader, and Ground Force Commander during combat operation in both Iraq and Afghanistan.   Nick was most recently assigned to Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command — SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) as Officer in Charge prior to transitioning off Active Duty. Originally from Chicago, Nick received his Bachelor in Science from the United States Naval Academy in 2003 and his Masters of Science in Real Estate from The University of San Diego in 2013. He is the Executive Director of the C4 Foundation, which provides support and resources through science-based programs to active duty Navy SEALs and their families and is a Board Member of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions, a non profit focused on ending the veteran suicide epidemic via resources, research, and advocacy related to psychedelic assisted therapy.   Nick is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Protekt Products, a wellness company that is committed to positively impacting customer health via both personal care products and nutritional supplements. Both Protekt and the C4 Foundation value the power of time spent in the outdoors and the positive impact it has on overall well-being. During this discussion, you'll discover: -Nick's history with the Navy SEALs...7:15

• Nick's interview with Tim Ferriss
• Graduated SEAL training in 2004
• Served in Iraq in the mid 2000's alongside multi services
• BGF podcasts with Mark Divine
  • Potent Breathwork Tactics From A Navy SEAL Commander, Staring Down Your Wolf, Operating Calmly Under Stress & More With Mark Divine.
  • Secrets Of The Navy Seals: How To Train, Eat & Think Like The World’s Toughest Fighters With Mark Divine.
• Mark Divine's Kokoro program (Ben says this is one of the more difficult things he's done)

-Developing a mindset to overcome uncertainty and the unknown...11:00

• COMT gene (shared by serial killers)
• Means you clear dopamine slower than others
• Driven by Dr. Doug Brackmann
• Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes (& Maybe You), With Dr. Doug Brackmann.
• What separates SEALs from the rest of their peers; it's also a barrier to civilian life when they leave the service
• High stress environment in SEAL training enables those not genetically endowed to operate under extreme stress

-The most important quality of a SEAL leader in Nick's view...14:37

• Nick was part of a drill carrying a very heavy object
• People were falling out, quitting left and right
• This led to Nick being extremely frustrated, nearly losing control of his emotions
• He realized that being in control of his emotions was the most important quality of being an officer in the SEALs
• Dr. Andrew Huberman of Stanford U.
  • The Man Who Is Curing Blindness And Alzheimers, Growing New Brain Cells & Elegantly Fabricating Some Of The Most Powerful Nootropics Known To Humankind, With Dr. Andrew Huberman.
• Sometimes the best thing you can do is something to make you feel like you're making forward progress
• Lattice climbing group in the UK

-Ibogaine used as treatment for PTSD...21:45

• Oura Ring
• Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions org Nick mentions
• Blake Mycoskie and Pat Dossett of Madefor
• Studying Ibogaine as a treatment for PTSD/micro TBI
• Chris Bell documentary on Ibogaine
• Typical dose is around 800 mg; smaller than when used for opioid addiction
• Risk of cardiac arrhythmia, EKG is needed prior to treatment
• Ibogaine microdose for energy prior to workout

-How Nick has treated neural inflammation and PTSD...27:15

• Nick struggled with shame associated with PTSD (was reluctant to open up on Ferriss' podcast)
• SEALs are great at "compartmentalizing"; great for their job, not so much in civilian life
• Felt "flat" after leaving the SEALs
• Initially approached it from an endocrine standpoint
• Docs labeled it as a clinical depression
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Eventually led to Ibogaine on the recommendation (and social proof) of fellow SEALs
• Approach Ibogaine with much caution
• Hot/cold contrast therapy
• Morozko Forge (use code BENFORGE to save $150)

-Dealing with unhealthy habits Nick took from the military to civilian life...43:30

• Compartmentalization
• Fear of judgment; you're either "in" or "out" as a SEAL
• Overcoming "messiah" complex
• Relate love for our children with the love God has for us
• Unconditional love from a greater power

-Nick's approach to sleep in and out of the military...49:50

• Sleep was messed up for most of his military career (REM sleep was non-existent)
• Psychedelic assisted therapy
• Multi-modal approach
• Meditation to prepare for experience of ibogaine
  • Sam Harris' Waking Up app
  • Developed his own meditation practice (mindfulness and breathwork)
  • Intuition
• Driven by Doug Brackmann
• Staying vigilant and operating between green and yellow is a good thing

-Nick's fitness regimen post-military...56:00

• Bouldering keeps him outdoors
• Ambulating under load (walking for extended period of time with weight)

-Why drinking water is not the best way to hydrate...1:00:30

• Protekt Products
• "Keep it simple" is the mantra for the brand
• Book on hydration - Quench by Dana Cohen (drinking water is inefficient for hydrating)
• Consume foods that are naturally plenteous in water (not dehydrated variants)
• What's in the water and water content of the food you eat is the most important factor
• Exercise and a good meal in the afternoon and evening often contradict conventional wisdom

-Why Nick feels like he's living on borrowed time...1:09:00

• Nearly drowned while cliff jumping on the Big Island of Hawai'i
• Belief in eternal life as a panacea to FOMO
• Heaven by Randy Alcorn

-Life advice Nick shares with his children...1:14:00 -And much more! Resources from this episode:

- Nick Norris:

• Protekt Products
• C4 Foundation
• Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions
• Nick's Interview with Tim Ferriss

- Podcasts and articles:

• Potent Breathwork Tactics From a Navy SEAL Commander, Staring Down Your Wolf, Operating Calmly Under Stress & More With Mark Divine.
• Secrets of the Navy Seals: How to Train, Eat & Think Like the World’s Toughest Fighters With Mark Divine.
• Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes (& Maybe You), With Dr. Doug Brackmann.
• The Man Who is Curing Blindness and Alzheimers, Growing New Brain Cells & Elegantly Fabricating Some of The Most Powerful Nootropics Known to Humankind, With Dr. Andrew Huberman.
• Why You Can’t Afford Not to Meditate (& One Simple Mindfulness Exercise You Can Do Today)
• The Ultimate Breathwork Ninja Guide: How to Banish Stress & Kiss High Cortisol Goodbye

- Books:

• Driven by Dr. Doug Brackmann
• Quench by Dana Cohen
• Heaven by Randy Alcorn

- Other resources:

• Oura Ring
• Morozko Forge (use code BENFORGE to save $150)
• Mark Divine's Kokoro Program
• Waking Up App
• Dr. Andrew Huberman of Stanford University
• Chris Bell Documentary on Ibogaine
• Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Intuition Meditation
• COMT Gene
• Lattice Climbing
• Bouldering

Episode sponsors:

-Kion: My personal playground for new supplement formulations, Kion blends ancestral wisdom with modern science. Ben Greenfield Fitness listeners, save 20% off your first order with code BGF20.

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-Thrive Market: Organic brands you love, for less. Your favorite organic food and products. Fast and free shipping to your doorstep. Receive a gift card worth up to $20 when you begin a new membership.

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