

#14 Harry Moffitt, Director of MCTI_Australia & New Zealand Takes the Mic
Nov 2, 2020
Coleman Ruiz, co-founder and director at the Mission Critical Team Institute, discusses the complexities of transitioning from military life to civilian roles. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and preparation for this ongoing journey. The conversation dives into the evolving selection processes for mission-critical teams, integrating character alongside traditional metrics. Ruiz also shares insights on personal training habits, the benefits of diverse literature for growth, and the power of community support in shaping resilient teams.
01:08:45
Transition Is a Long Journey
- Transition from military service is a long, ongoing process lasting many years, not a quick event.
- Coleman Ruiz felt panic after leaving service, realizing no one would call him back.
Persistence After Failed Test
- Coleman Ruiz failed the drown proofing test in SEAL training three times but was given repeated chances by a senior instructor.
- That encouragement inspired him to push through and gave lifelong appreciation for supportive leadership.
Selection Needs Constant Evolution
- Selection processes for special ops must evolve to match changing operational demands.
- Maintaining a minimum standard is crucial, but new challenges require reevaluating criteria routinely.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Navigating Life After Service
04:48 • 19min
Adapting Selection for Mission Critical Teams
24:06 • 21min
Reflections on Favorite Podcast Episodes
45:28 • 2min
The Power of Personal Training Habits
47:26 • 9min
Nurturing Curiosity Through Literature
56:01 • 11min
Exploring Cognitive Constructs and Future Conversations
01:06:33 • 2min
Anti-Fragility
Anti-Fragility
Nassim Taleb

The untethered soul
Michael A. Singer
In 'The Untethered Soul', Michael A. Singer explores the nature of the self and how to achieve spiritual growth by recognizing and releasing the inner blockages that prevent us from experiencing true happiness. The book emphasizes the importance of accepting reality as it is, rather than trying to control or resist it. Singer provides practical advice on how to manage negative thoughts, cultivate a positive mindset, and live in harmony with the natural flow of life.

The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk
In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field[1][2][5].

The Undoing Project
Michael Lewis
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis chronicles the intellectual and personal relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists whose research fundamentally changed our understanding of human decision-making. Their studies, conducted from the late 1960s to the 1980s, exposed systematic errors in human judgment under uncertainty and laid the foundation for behavioral economics. The book delves into their extraordinary lives, including their careers in the Israeli military, and how their personal differences and eventual estrangement affected their work. Lewis's narrative makes complex psychological concepts accessible through engaging storytelling, highlighting the profound impact of Kahneman and Tversky's work on various fields, including economics, medicine, and government regulation[3][4][5].

Descartes' error
Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain
Antonio R. Damasio MD PhD
Antonio Damasio
In this book, Damasio argues that emotions are essential to rational thinking and normal social behavior. He challenges René Descartes' mind-body dualism by presenting case studies, particularly the famous case of Phineas Gage, to demonstrate how brain damage can affect decision-making and personality. Damasio introduces the 'somatic marker hypothesis,' which posits that emotions guide behavior and decision-making, and that rationality requires emotional input. The book is divided into three parts, exploring case studies, explanations for the effects of brain injuries, and testing the somatic marker hypothesis[2][4][5].

Other Minds
The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
Peter Godfrey-Smith
In this book, Peter Godfrey-Smith delves into the evolution of intelligence and consciousness, particularly in cephalopods such as octopuses and cuttlefish. He argues that these creatures represent an independent experiment in the evolution of large brains and complex behavior, distinct from the evolutionary paths of vertebrates. Godfrey-Smith draws on his own scuba-diving experiences and the latest scientific research to explore how these animals' unique neural structures, including decentralized brain-like systems in their arms, enable their remarkable intelligence and adaptability. The book also reflects on the broader implications for understanding human consciousness and the nature of subjective experience[1][2][5].

Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.

The rites of passage
Arnold van Gennep
In 'The Rites of Passage', Arnold van Gennep systematically analyzes ceremonies marking an individual's transition from one social status to another. He identifies a common three-part structure: separation, liminality, and incorporation. This work has profoundly influenced anthropology, sociology, and religious studies by providing a framework for understanding ritual and transition across cultures.

The hero with a thousand faces
Joseph Campbell
In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.

With the Old Breed
At Peleliu and Okinawa
Eugene B. Sledge
With the Old Breed is a powerful and poignant memoir written by Eugene B. Sledge, detailing his experiences as a Marine during World War II. The book chronicles his time in the 1st Marine Division, specifically with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, during the brutal battles of Peleliu and Okinawa. Sledge's account is marked by its simplicity and searing honesty, capturing the intense violence, fear, and camaraderie that defined the lives of soldiers in the Pacific Theater. He describes the harsh training, the unimaginable carnage, and the psychological impact of constant fear and horror. The memoir also highlights the brotherhood among the Marines and the struggle to retain humanity amidst the chaos of war. It is praised for its unvarnished and realistic portrayal of combat, making it a classic in American military history[1][2][5].

Spark
The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
John J. Ratey
In 'Spark', John J. Ratey, M.D., explores the comprehensive connection between exercise and the brain, presenting research that proves exercise is a potent defense against conditions such as depression, ADD, addiction, aggression, menopause, and Alzheimer's. The book includes case studies, such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which significantly improved science test scores among 19,000 students. Ratey explains how exercise physically remodels the brain for peak performance, reducing stress, lifting mood, fighting memory loss, and sharpening intellect. The book covers various chapters on stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, hormonal changes, and aging, all highlighting the beneficial effects of exercise on mental and physical health.

The Immortality Key
The Secret History of the Religion with No Name
Brian C. Muraresku
In 'The Immortality Key', Brian Muraresku reconstructs the suppressed history of psychedelics in ancient Greek and early Christian rituals. Through a 12-year investigation, Muraresku connects the lost psychedelic sacrament of Greek religion to early Christianity, exposing the true origins of Western Civilization. He accesses hidden archives of the Louvre and the Vatican, and collaborates with archaeochemists to unveil the first scientific evidence of psychedelic drug use in classical antiquity. The book challenges traditional views of Christianity and Western history, suggesting that psychedelics were integral to the development of these cultures[1][2][4].

Flow
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow.' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.
The Bridge of Dong Ha
The Bridge of Dong Ha
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Colonel John Ripley
The Bridge of Dong Ha recounts the heroic actions of Colonel John Ripley during the Vietnam War. The book details his courageous efforts to defend the Dong Ha bridge against overwhelming enemy forces. Ripley's leadership and unwavering commitment to his men are highlighted throughout the narrative. The book showcases the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in the face of extreme adversity. It serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for courage and resilience in the midst of conflict.

Battle Cry
Waging and Winning the War Within
Jason Wilson
In 'Battle Cry: Waging and Winning the War Within,' Jason Wilson shares his personal journey of releasing unresolved trauma and learning to acknowledge and express his emotions in a healthy way. Supported by Biblical teachings, the book provides tools for men to break free from misconstrued masculinity, communicate effectively, and heal from past traumas. Wilson's approach emphasizes the importance of transparency, vulnerability, and spiritual strength in transforming one's life and relationships.
Enjoy my conversation with legend and teammate, Harry Moffitt, our MCTI Director, Australia & New Zealand, Psychologist, and Veteran of the Australian Army's most elite unit. Thanks, Harry!
- The Station Foundation https://thestationfoundation.org
- The COMMIT Foundation https://www.commitfoundation.org/
- Doug Zembiec https://vimeo.com/169599802
- Drown Proofing https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/navy-video-shows-seal-drown-proofing-exercises/2016/05/12/d4e1615c-1872-11e6-971a-dadf9ab18869_video.html
- Preston Cline - Mission Critical Teams: Towards the Creation of a University Assisted, Mission Critical Team Instructor Cadre Development Program - https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI10275988/
- Rhonda Patrick - https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/sauna
- Coleman’s reading list
- Books
- Battle Cry – Leon Uris
- With the Old Breed – Eugene Sledge
- The Bridge at Dong Ha – John Miller
- Immortality Key – Brian Muraresku
- The Untethered Soul – Michael Singer
- Flow – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Descartes Error– Antonio Damasio
- Other Minds – Peter Godfrey-Smith
- Spark – John Ratey
- The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
- The Hero With a Thousand Faces – Joseph Campbell
- The Rites of Passage – Arnold van Gennep
- Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
- Antifragile – Nassim Taleb
- The Undoing Project – Michael Lewis
- Lakota Native American music – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqSm9rRRe0
- The Externals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z9n1zOv3co