From September of 1990 to 2010 Willink was a Navy SEAL Platoon Commander and Seal Task Unit Commander leading hundreds of operations in combat. He earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from world champion Dean Lister, competed at the national level in Submission Grappling, and has trained dozens of professional fighters. He has also coached and cornered fighters in numerous King of the Cage, Pride, and UFC events.
Jocko started training BJJ in 1995 under the Fabio Santos. He then started training 2-3x a day.
He now owns Victory MMA together with Dean Lister. He is a black in BJJ under Dean Lister.
But he credits all his success in life, training and especially brazilian jiu-jitsu to one thing – Discipline.
Willink addresses what extreme discipline means for those involved in creative pursuits specifically:
“I would venture to guess that the biggest reason creative types don’t produce isn’t because they don’t have vision…or talent…in most cases, it’s a lack of discipline.”
This is the biggest determinant of his success, adding:
“The more you practice,” he says, “the better you get, the more freedom you have to create.” Discipline in any area of your life will increase your skills, productivity, and, he reveals, will “set you free.”
Trust an expert U.S. Navy SEAL, and remember that your lack of motivation truly does not matter. “You do it anyways,” Willink says. “You grit down.”
