Royal Marine Mindset: Becoming the 0.1% - Gareth Timmins

The Progress Theory

Hello and welcome to The Progress Theory where we discuss how to implement scientific principles to optimise human performance. On today’s episode, we have Former Marine Commando and published author, Gareth Timmins.

I saw Gareth’s new book, ‘Becoming the 0.1%’ on the Amazon pre-order list and I instantly knew I had to have him on the Progress Theory. To make it through all the training to prepare you to fight in the harshest environments in the world, you need the highest level of discipline, resilience and determination. In this episode, Gareth describes how keeping a diary during his military training and career has enabled him to reflect and pass on the greatest lessons he learned during this time. These lessons aren’t just for the military; these are skills you can apply to your everyday life to help you reach your full potential.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 3:19 - An introduction to Gareth Timmins and becoming the 0.1%
• 6:50 - Relationship with the MOD
• 9:36 - Pushing out of your comfort zone to develop an elite mindset
• 14:05 - The biggest lessons from becoming a royal marine commando
• 16:50 - Reframing what stress is
• 22:36 - Military Mindset for the general population
• 27:10 - Developing self-awareness and mindset through the chapters of the book
• 42:23 - How you can buy the book ‘Becoming the 0.1%
• 42:43 - Gareth's 3 favourite lessons from the book
• 46:20 - Gareth’s choice of guest for the Progress Theory

Final Thoughts

Thank you to Gareth for coming onto The Progress Theory and talking about his experience in the Royal Marine Commandos and his new book, Becoming the 0.1%. He really only scratched the surface of the stories he shares in his book and I can’t wait to read it. We recorded this podcast just before its release so my copy is on its way.

I just wanted to provide some final thoughts on key areas which really stood out to me.

Firstly, the concept of ‘out of comfort zone’ must be completely different to Gareth when compared to the general population. The extremes the royal marines go to fully prepare their soldiers is insane. 12 hours sleep in 2 weeks, seriously sounds so uncomfortable. But he reflects on these experiences with a type of fondness. He realised that being pushed so far outside anyone's comfort zone made him truly see who he is as a person. I think that’s fascinating and makes me wonder what I need to do to push myself that far outside my comfort zone.

Secondly, I like how Gareth’s opinion has changed on mindset. At first, he thought being fearless was having no emotion. Now, to him fearless means taking on any challenge despite any fear or anxiety you might be experiencing. You can’t eliminate emotional responses to adverse situations, but you can change your perception of how they affect you and how you will persevere through it.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this episode and it allowed you to reflect on your own mindset. Please, everyone, go and buy the book now, you won’t regret it. If you enjoyed the show It would be awesome if you could leave us a review and share this episode on your insta story. Feed that algorithm to help the show grow. We’ll see you in the next one.

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