What Separates High Performers from Everyone Else?

It’s not talent. It’s not motivation.

It’s grit.

Grit allows you to keep pushing when your body, mind, and everything in you is screaming to stop. It’s the difference between men who rise to the challenge and those who break under pressure.

In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth defines grit as the combination of passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term goals. It’s what keeps you in the fight when most people walk away.

In my experience, grit is the most critical factor that separates the strong from the weak.

🔥 I dive deep into this in my latest episode of The Highly Effective Man Podcast. Listen here 👉 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qk3vjtfrYKCNtwOk42EKy?si=Q8iQSzh1SYWxIVYMkZeZQQ

The Moment I Almost Snapped – A Lesson in True Grit

Let me take you back to one of the most challenging moments of my life.

Hell Week.

I was deep into Navy SEAL training, completely exhausted after days of sleep deprivation and brutal physical punishment. We had been carrying boats on our heads for miles. Our bodies were wrecked.

Then, our instructor had us start circling a damn parking lot. Over and over.

We were 400 meters from chow—just 400 meters from sitting down, removing the boats from our heads, and eating.

And he knew it.

So, he made us keep moving—not because it was necessary, but because he wanted to see who would break.

At that moment, I felt myself snapping.

I had a paddle, and I seriously thought about charging the instructor. I was at my limit.

But here’s what I realized:

🚨 This wasn’t about physical pain. It was a mental test.

How do you respond when everything in you says quit, but you’re so close?

That’s the moment that separates the high performers from the quitters.

🔥 I break this entire story down in my latest podcast episode. Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qk3vjtfrYKCNtwOk42EKy?si=Q8iQSzh1SYWxIVYMkZeZQQ

Grit Isn’t Just for the Military – It’s for Life

You don’t need to be in SEAL training to experience this.

This moment happens in every man’s life.

• You’re pushing through a brutal workout, and your mind tells you to stop.
• You’re building a business, and you keep hitting obstacles.
• You’re facing personal struggles—family, career, health—and want to check out.

Grit is the ability to keep moving forward when every reason to quit stares you in the face.

And one of the most inspiring examples I’ve seen?

John.

John is part of The Highly Effective Man Community. He’s currently battling cancer. He has one more round of chemo. Some days are good. Some days are hell.

But every single day?

He shows up.

He doesn’t make excuses. He keeps pushing forward.

That’s real strength. That’s grit.

I share John’s full story in this week’s podcast. If you need proof that resilience isn’t about circumstances but mindset, listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qk3vjtfrYKCNtwOk42EKy?si=Q8iQSzh1SYWxIVYMkZeZQQ

How to Train Grit Like a Navy SEAL

Grit isn’t something you either have or don’t have.

It’s a muscle—just like any muscle, you can train it.

Here’s how:

1. The "One More" Rule

Every workout, every challenge, every moment you want to quit—do one more.

✅ One more rep.
✅ One more minute.
✅ One more round.

In my podcast, I break down why this works and how to apply it to workouts and life. Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qk3vjtfrYKCNtwOk42EKy?si=Q8iQSzh1SYWxIVYMkZeZQQ

2. Resilience Journaling – Track Your Grit

Every day, write down:

• Where you pushed through discomfort.
• What you wanted to quit—but didn’t.
• How you handled stress differently than before.

Tracking your wins rewires your brain. The more you document grit, the more you develop it.

I share my journaling practice and how to use it in my latest episode. Listen now 👉 [Insert Link]

3. The Cold Exposure Challenge

Want to train your ability to stay calm under stress?

💥 End every shower with 2 minutes of cold water.

Why? If you can stay composed in discomfort, you will train yourself to handle stress, pain, and pressure in the real world.

🔥 I explain precisely how cold exposure builds mental toughness in my podcast. Listen here 👉 [Insert Link]

The Grit Test – Are You Ready?

If you want to test your grit today, pick one:

🔥 5-Minute Plank Hold – See how long you can hold before your mind gives up.
🔥 100 Burpees for Time – Set a clock. Get it done.

📩 DM me "GRIT" on Instagram (thehighlyeffectiveman) and tell me how you did.

Final Thoughts – Stop Quitting on Yourself

If you’re tired of stopping when things get hard… if you’re ready to finally build elite mental and physical strength… this is your moment.

In April, I’m opening just 5 spots for 1-on-1 high-performance coaching.

If you want to train grit, discipline, and energy at the highest level, DM me “COACH” for details.

Most men wish they were tougher. You can train it.

This entire episode will push you to rethink what you’re capable of. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qk3vjtfrYKCNtwOk42EKy?si=Q8iQSzh1SYWxIVYMkZeZQQ

This is how highly effective men are built.

👉 Are you in?