Earning Wisdom Through Action and Adversity
Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here.
What’s the real cost of wisdom? It’s not found in a textbook or a motivational quote. On this week’s The Gold Mine podcast, Chance and I were joined by Stew Smith – former Navy SEAL, tactical fitness expert, and mentor to future service members – to explore the idea of “Paid Wisdom.” We dove into the idea that… the most profound insights we carry are rarely given; they are earned, often through a relentless willingness to face challenges, confront our own limitations, and, as the conversation revealed, consistently show up and do the work even when no one is watching.
This Week’s Wisdom Forged By:
Stew Smith: Former Navy SEAL, Tactical Fitness Coach, sharing potent lessons from a life of service and high-stakes training.
Key Insights We Uncovered:
1) The Two Phases: Getting To vs. Getting Through
Stu kicked things off with a critical distinction, especially relevant in high-stakes careers: Phase One is about meeting the entrance requirements (passing the tests, getting accepted). But Phase Two – preparing for the actual demands and events of selection, boot camp, or the job itself – is where many falter. Stu’s own Naval Academy experience, failing early despite high school success, underscored this. He’d focused on getting to the Academy but hadn’t understood what it took to get through it. This early failure forced a reckoning and a pivot towards seeking mentorship and developing new skills (study, time management).
2) Ego, Imposter Syndrome, and the Drive to Prove it to Yourself
My own early military experience contrasted with Stu’s in some ways. Lacking internet resources or clear guidance, what fueled me was a fierce refusal to quit and a profound imposter syndrome. My drive was about proving to myself that I belonged, that I was capable. This internal competition, as Stu later agreed, can be a powerful motivator. The self-competitive mindset can take you far.
3) Gamify Life: Finding Competition in Everything
As the conversation naturally gravitated towards the power of a competitive mindset, we discussed the distinction that competition doesn’t necessarily have to be against others, it can be against your own previous best, against the task itself. I spoke about “gamifying life” – turning even mundane tasks into a challenge to explore personal limits and learn in the moment. Stu echoed this with his example of timing himself raking leaves, turning drudgery into a game. This internal drive to compete, to test yourself, is a consistent theme among those who achieve and grow.
4) The Indispensable “Why”: Fueling Grit and Consistency
A critical point kept surfacing: skills, fitness, and even a competitive spirit isn’t enough without a powerful “Why.” If your purpose is strong enough, you can achieve incredible things. Stu reinforced this, stating that in the toughest moments of BUDS selection – cold, wet, sandy, exhausted – the question “Why am I doing this?” will arise. Without a compelling answer, quitting becomes the easy option. This “why” is the bedrock of grit.
5) Wisdom Isn’t Free: It’s Paid in Blood, Sweat, and Tears (and Time)
This point became the core of “Paid Wisdom.” True wisdom, the kind that sticks and transforms, isn’t passively absorbed. Stu stressed that it takes time and patience. I reiterated that you can read all the books, attend all the talks, but until you bleed, sweat, and tear your way through challenges, you won’t achieve those deeper wisdoms. Consistent, daily payment of effort, enduring some discomfort, and learning from failures is what builds wisdom.
6) The Non-Negotiable of Consistency and Action
Stu’s advice for those feeling lost was profoundly simple yet powerful: start doing things that make you a little tougher, consistently. Wake up earlier, go for a walk, especially when it’s uncomfortable (like winter). These small, daily acts of pushing past discomfort build mental toughness and create momentum. You build accomplishment, then confidence, and it grows from there. The key is consistent action.
7) Assessing, Not Guessing: The Role of Failure in Growth
“If you’re not assessing, you’re only guessing,” Stu stated. Failure is essential data. It shows you where your weaknesses lie, what you need to work on. Actively pursuing failure points is how you identify areas for growth. You won’t improve by constantly succeeding easily; you improve by testing your limits and learning from what breaks.
Final Thought: Wisdom’s Price Tag is Daily Effort
Wisdom isn’t the knowledge we’ve memorized; it’s the understanding forged in the fires of consistent effort, uncomfortable challenges, and a relentless pursuit of our “why.” It’s about showing up even when the conditions suck, even when your ego takes a beating, even when you’d rather hit snooze. It’s about understanding that true grit isn’t built in the gym alone; it’s built in the mind, and it’s built by a deep, unwavering purpose.
The path to wisdom doesn’t have a shortcut; it’s a daily investment, paid in the currency of blood, sweat, tears, and an unwavering commitment to getting 1% better, even if it’s just by beating last year’s leaf raking speed record.
Keep paying your dues.
Listen to the full “Paid Wisdom” discussion with Stew Smith here: Paid Wisdom
Keep learning, building, and earning your wisdom,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
