In this episode of the Performance Initiative Podcast, Thom Shea, a former Navy SEAL and author, discusses the power of internal dialogue and the importance of making and keeping promises. He shares insights from his experience in combat and SEAL training, including the concept of unwinnable chaos and the origins of Hell Week . Thom also explains how fear can be overcome and how to work through the four primary excuses that hold people back. He emphasizes the need to face and conquer fears in order to achieve success in business and life. He shares insights from his experience in the SEAL Teams and emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in problem-solving. Thom also highlights the power of letting go of emotional responses and the relationship between personal growth and business success. He concludes by discussing his selection process for mentorship. (00:00) Introduction (00:51) Guest Introduction: Tom Shea (01:56) Thom Shea's Navy SEAL Experience (03:07) Understanding Internal Dialogue (04:01) The Chaos of Combat (05:49) The SEAL Training and Selection Process (06:19) The Origin of Hell Week (08:01) The Importance of Keeping Promises (22:08) The Four Excuses That Kill Success (33:35) The Three-Week Challenge (37:27) Facing Fear: The Repelling Exercise (37:41) The Five Fears All Humans Have (39:47) Overcoming Fear Through Engagement (42:54) Overcoming Physical Limitations and Fears (43:35) The Danger of Everyday Life (43:56) Conquering Fears and Balancing Risks (44:52) The Importance of Risk Mitigation (46:23) The Power of Problem Solving (47:07) The Art of Learning and Adapting (48:39) The Power of Identifying Problems (49:43) The Role of Training and Selection in Elite Teams (52:10) The Five Pyramids of Life (56:33) The Role of Spirituality in Combat (01:10:36) Understanding the Six Archetypes of Human Beings (01:18:42) The Importance of Hydration and Physical Fitness (01:20:21) The Power of Habitual Change (01:20:37) The Debate on Ketosis as a Lifestyle (01:21:08) The Impact of Sugar on Health (01:23:20) The Importance of Physical Activity (01:25:01) The Transition from Active Duty to Retirement (01:30:24) The Role of Relationships in Success (01:37:01) The Emotional Journey of Leadership (01:40:01) The Impact of Emotions on Performance (01:48:16) The Challenge of Scaling Personal Mentorship (01:52:24) Closing Remarks and Contact Information Thom Shea's Website: https://www.thomshea.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheawarriorwisdom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frogmanout/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thom.shea.9/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomsheaseal Thom's Books: Unbreakable: A Navy SEAL's Way of Life - https://a.co/d/c48lgR2 Three Simple Things: Leading During Chaos - https://a.co/d/7v6747t Online Leadership Sessions with Thom Shea - https://www.unbreakablelessons.com/ The Performance Initiative Podcast Social & Website: Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@performanceinitiative