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Psycological Warfare

Today, we were warriors. Warriors of the mind engaged in psychological combat. Would the mind prevail over the duress of the body? Or would it crumble, defeated by a five hour torture training inflicted by the Navy Seals. "I will not fail." Those are the last words of the Navy Seals Ethos. "I will not fail." For common men with an uncommon will to succeed, defeat is impossible. Was defeat an option for us today? We laughed in the face of defeat. They threw words. Smiles broke. They threw sand. Chests bellowed. They taunted. Laughter roared. They challenged. We ran. They challenged. We defied. They sought to break us. We proved ourselves. Unbreakable. With focused eyes and parted lips. We ran beside the crashing surf, crowned by the weight of a boat. Our misery tamed by the melody of stupid songs - Macho man, Eye of the Tiger, Big Butts. We sang in unison. We completed the task. The weight pounding upon our necks; the weight placed upon our back. A long, soft-sand run. Conquered. Teammates forged by adversity; self-inflicted adversity, struggle, and discomfort. Teammates forged to build, from the seemingly broken, to the invincible. Today was about toughness and togetherness. Surviving, enduring, and strengthening. Finding motivation to overcome. Today was powerful. Physically grueling, and emotionally moving. But more than anything, today is over. The accomplishment of today is over. There are no finish lines, said Chief Goggins. No end points. We completed a task. Complete the task, smile, and move forward. Inspired and confidently ask what's next?

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