#292 ‒ Rucking: benefits, gear, FAQs, and the journey from Special Forces to founding GORUCK | Jason McCarthy

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Mar 4, 2024

Jason McCarthy, a former US Special Forces member and founder of GORUCK, shares his inspiring journey from military to entrepreneurship. He dives into the mental and physical benefits of rucking, highlighting how it can enhance overall fitness for everyone. McCarthy discusses crucial tips for beginners, the importance of proper footwear, and the sense of community built around rucking. He also reflects on his challenges transitioning to civilian life and the value of resilience and teamwork in overcoming those obstacles.

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ANECDOTE

9/11 Impact

Jason McCarthy worked at a call center on 9/11, an experience that significantly impacted him.
This event fueled his desire to serve his country, leading him to explore various paths like CIA, FBI before joining the military.

INSIGHT

Serving vs. Signing Up

Wanting to serve and actually signing up are different; McCarthy felt the urge to be on the front lines.
The application processes for agencies like the CIA and FBI are lengthy, not ideal when feeling a strong call to action.

ANECDOTE

Inspiration and Advice

Johnny Michael Spann's death in Afghanistan, the war's first casualty, was another inspiration for McCarthy.
An interviewer at the CIA advised McCarthy to join Special Forces first if he wanted to be on the front lines, clarifying the path.

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Jason McCarthy is a former US Special Forces member and the founder of GORUCK, a company specializing in rucking equipment. In this episode, Jason recounts his journey from military service to navigating the challenging transition back into civilian life and ultimately embracing the mission of introducing rucking to the masses. Delving into the significance of rucking in military training and its applicability to the wider population, he discusses the mental and physical benefits of rucking as a mode of training, provides practical tips for beginners, and answers frequently asked questions about packs, weights, footwear, and more.

We discuss:

Jason’s upbringing and what inspired him to join the military [3:15];
Jason’s path to becoming a Green Beret, his calling to serve, and staying true to oneself [10:30];
About the Green Berets: their role in the military, unique abilities, missions, and more [20:00];
The mental and physical challenges of special forces training and selection [25:00];
Rucking challenges as a Green Beret [37:00];
How Jason trained in his off-time and stayed mentally prepared [46:30];
Jason’s difficult decision to leave the army, and the challenges many veterans face returning to civilian life [51:30];
Jason’s struggles after leaving the army: loss of identity, feelings of shame, and the how he overcame a period of despair [57:15];
The origin of GORUCK [1:10:30];
The GORUCK Challenge [1:24:30];
The company's evolution from event organizer to manufacturing specialist, spurred by the growing interest in rucking as a form of training [1:35:30];
FAQs about rucking: packs, weight, rucksack vs. weighted vest, chest straps, and more [1:38:45];
Commemorating Normandy: GORUCK's plans for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings [1:51:30];
Footwear for rucking, and how GORUCK got into the footwear business [1:57:30];
How to avoid the most common injuries from rucking, and the benefits of rucking for VO2 max, strength, and sleep quality [2:05:00];
Advice for using rucking as a mode of training, and the advantages of rucking over other forms of training [2:12:45]; and
More.

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