Chadd Wright is a retired Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and the creator of the Three of Seven Project. His journey to becoming a SEAL was marked by unwavering determination and discipline. Even after being initially turned away due to a pericardial cyst on his heart, he remained focused on his dream. Wright's story is one of overcoming adversity and pushing the limits of human potential. This article explores the diet and workout philosophies that have fueled his success.
Overcoming Adversity: The Foundation of a Warrior
Wright's path to the Navy SEALs was far from easy. After graduating high school, he felt a calling to step outside his comfort zone and aspire to something greater. This led him to pursue a SEAL contract, which required passing a Physical Screening Test (PST). Despite lacking prior fitness training, Wright persistently trained, learning to swim and improving his running until he finally passed the PST after four months.
However, his journey faced a significant setback during boot camp when a pericardial cyst was discovered on his heart. This condition led to his disqualification due to concerns about the pressure changes during combat diving. Undeterred, Wright sought out a surgeon who was willing to perform the risky surgery to remove the cyst. After a successful operation, he returned to the Navy and ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL.
This experience instilled in Wright a profound understanding of the power of adversity. He believes that facing challenges and pushing through them is essential for personal growth and developing mental and spiritual tools. As he puts it, "adversity crushed the doubt," and "persistence and consistency allowed me to build these skills."
The 3 of 7 Project: Body, Soul, and Spirit
After retiring from the Navy SEALs, Wright co-founded the 3 of 7 Project with his brother Blake. This project focuses on helping people become the best versions of themselves by developing their body, soul, and spirit. The "3" represents these three aspects of a person, while "7" symbolizes completion.
Read also: Effective Weight Loss Strategies
The 3 of 7 Project offers various training missions, including wilderness excursions, kayaking missions, and high-altitude expeditions. These missions aim to develop leadership skills, teamwork, communication, and resilience. Wright emphasizes the importance of patience, presence, and deliberate action in achieving success.
The Warrior Mindset: Breaking Down Barriers
One of the key lessons Wright learned in SEAL training is the importance of breaking down challenges into smaller, manageable pieces. He observed that many candidates quit because they become overwhelmed by the big picture and focus on the potential difficulties ahead. Instead, Wright advocates for focusing on the present moment and conquering what is right in front of you.
During the rigorous SEAL training, Wright focused on making it to breakfast, then lunch, and then through the day. This approach allowed him to stay present and avoid being overwhelmed by the overall challenge. He applies this principle to all aspects of life, including business and relationships.
Wright also emphasizes the importance of mental fortitude and managing one's thoughts. He believes that the battle is in the soul, and it is essential to train the mind to focus on the positive. To cultivate a positive mindset, Wright starts each day with prayer, reading, and a mantra.
Functional Fitness: Training Like a Warrior
Wright's approach to fitness is rooted in functionality. He believes that exercise should make you a well-rounded person and improve your skills. As a warrior, he focuses on exercises that enhance his physical capabilities and prepare him for challenging situations.
Read also: Inspiring Women's Health Advocate
While specific details of Chadd Wright's daily workout plan are not outlined, there is a clear approach to fitness that can be gleaned from his interviews and experiences. His training philosophy incorporates strength, endurance, and mental fortitude, mirroring the demands of a Navy SEAL and an ultra-endurance athlete.
Core Principles of Chadd Wright's Fitness Philosophy:
- Functional Fitness: Exercises should translate to real-world skills and improve overall physical capabilities.
- Endurance Training: Focus on building stamina and resilience through activities like running, rucking (walking with a weighted pack), and swimming.
- Strength Training: Incorporate exercises that build strength and power, essential for physical challenges and maintaining overall fitness.
- Mental Toughness: Train the mind to overcome adversity and push through physical and mental barriers.
- Balanced Approach: Integrate training for the body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and spirit.
Potential Components of His Diet and Workout Plan:
While a precise diet and workout plan is not available, we can infer potential components based on his background and training:
- Rucking: A staple in military training, rucking involves walking or hiking with a weighted pack. It builds endurance, strengthens the legs and core, and improves cardiovascular fitness.
- Running: Essential for both SEAL training and ultra-endurance events, running builds cardiovascular fitness and mental toughness. Training likely includes a mix of easy miles, speed workouts, and long runs.
- Swimming: A critical skill for Navy SEALs, swimming builds upper body strength, cardiovascular fitness, and breath control.
- Calisthenics: Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and lunges build strength, endurance, and functional fitness.
- Weightlifting: Incorporating weightlifting to build strength and power.
- Nutrition: Fueling the body with proper nutrition is essential for performance and recovery. This includes consuming a balanced diet with adequate protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial for endurance events and maintaining overall health.
- Mental Preparation: Mental toughness is just as important as physical fitness. This includes practicing mindfulness, setting goals, and developing a positive mindset.
Lessons from Ultra-Running
Wright's experience as an ultra-runner has further shaped his understanding of adversity and resilience. He views ultra-running as an opportunity to inflict adversity upon himself and bring his flesh into subjection. By pushing his physical limits, he strengthens his mental and spiritual resolve.
Practical Tips for Incorporating Wright's Principles:
- Set challenging goals: Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and strive for something that seems difficult or impossible.
- Break down challenges: Divide large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Focus on the present: Concentrate on the task at hand and avoid being overwhelmed by the big picture.
- Cultivate a positive mindset: Train your mind to focus on the positive and overcome negative thoughts.
- Embrace adversity: View challenges as opportunities for growth and development.
- Prioritize functional fitness: Choose exercises that improve your overall physical capabilities and prepare you for real-world challenges.
- Nourish your body, soul, and spirit: Take care of your physical health through proper nutrition and exercise, nurture your mind through learning and reflection, and connect with your spiritual side through prayer, meditation, or other practices.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet