Episode 29 - The Unbeatable Mind of Mark Divine

This episode is sponsored by InBody.

Commander Mark Divine is the founder of SEALFit. He’s the author of Unbeatable Mind, The Way of the SEAL, 8 Weeks To SEALFIT and his new book, Kokoro Yoga. In this episode, Mark talks about using Yoga to develop a warrior’s mindset and improve athleticism. This isn’t the foo-foo stretchy-pants-and-fancy-mats yoga from a Lululemon poster: this is the battle-born practice of preparation.



0:00 – Commander Divine talks about his background and development: being trained as an accountant, and finding his way to war

7:00 – Mark finds CrossFit

7:40 – “Yoga is really a personal development system”

10:00 – Developing SealFIT, the “working out” program and the “working in” program 

10:45 – Kokoro Camp is a test

11:40 – “Not everyone in the world is attracted to SEALFit-type training. My desire is to reach as many people as possible.” Mark talks about using his service to approach entrepreneurs and corporate types in a different path from athletes.

15:50 – The Flow State

20:20 – “Yoga means integration." Mark talks about the functional movements of CrossFit and getting into the “flow state.”

21:55 – “Thinking Body, Dancing Mind” by Chungliang Al Huang 25:20 – Why getting “pumped up” for sports isn’t always best – practicing mental power vs triggering the “arousal state”

28:00 – How to introduce yoga to warriors and athletes in your gym

29:00 – “Mobility and durability are just a side effect of yoga.”

30:30 – Mark talks about his first “airline yoga” on a transport into Baghdad

33:30 – Stripping down yoga in a war zone

40:00 – What yoga REALLY is

44:40 – The importance of understanding WHY you’re doing anything

45:50 – The best ways for gyms to introduce yoga into their practice

49:00 – “Coach” vs “Senior Student”

50:50 – Mark’s dog has a dream about snatching

51:10 – Why you need mental development to help avoid injury

54:10 – How to win the battle before it starts

54:55 – The 80/20 rule of starting a yoga practice

57:00 – Keeping “the main thing” your main thing

1:00:00 – Mark lists his mentors

1:02:00 – “Feeding the courage wolf” and teaching the concept to kids

1:06:00 – Mark’s advice to CrossFit affiliates