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Tag Archives: naval special warfare

William Branum US Navy SEAL

Unlock Growth by Stepping into Discomfort

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Pushing boundaries, seeking discomfort, and constantly testing limits – these aren’t just buzzwords for me. They’re a way of life. In the realm of the SEALs, this principle holds a sacred place. The reason? Because being uncomfortable is where true growth happens.

Every day, we’re set up to face challenges that many would deem insurmountable. The very nature of our training pushes us to the brink, designed not just to test our limits, but to go beyond them. Why? Because it’s in those moments of pure discomfort, when the odds seem stacked against us, that we discover who we really are.

It’s easy to navigate a smooth sea; any sailor will tell you that. But navigating stormy waters, braving the unforgiving waves, and keeping your ship steady? That’s where skill, endurance, and true grit are tested. Much like those stormy seas, we too face rigorous physical and mental challenges. These challenges aren’t there just to break us down, but to build us up stronger than before.

Forcing myself into these situations of discomfort has done more for me than any comfortable day ever could. It’s easy to relax when things are going your way, but it’s the resistance, the fight, and the push against obstacles that carve out a resilient soul.

This is precisely why I don’t shy away from physical endurance challenges. The burning in my muscles, the weight of exhaustion, the mental battle of pushing just one step further – these sensations, as uncomfortable as they are, have become my allies. They teach me about my own strength and the power of the human spirit. They remind me that discomfort is temporary, but the strength and character it builds? That’s permanent.

Being uncomfortable also teaches one of the most vital lessons: adaptability. When faced with unknown terrains and unexpected hurdles, we quickly learn to adjust, improvise, and overcome. This isn’t just a physical lesson; it’s a mental and emotional one too. Embracing the unfamiliar, and learning to thrive in it, is a skill that serves well not just in the harshest terrains of combat, but in the challenging terrains of life.

So, the next time you find yourself shying away from something that makes you uncomfortable, remember that growth isn’t found in the ease and comfort of the familiar. It’s found in the gritty, rough edges of challenges. Dive into those moments headfirst. Embrace the discomfort. Grow through it. And remember, every challenge faced and overcome is another testament to your strength and resilience.

Unleashing Independence: Entrepreneurial Lessons Through the Eyes of a Navy SEAL

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Entrepreneurship and personal freedom share a profound connection. Building your own business becomes a pathway to independence, providing an avenue for individuals to shape their destinies, exercise autonomy, and create opportunities for personal and financial growth. Here are key points highlighting this connection through the lens of an entrepreneurial Navy SEAL:

  1. Pursuit of Purpose: Just as a Navy SEAL finds purpose in serving their country, entrepreneurship allows for the pursuit of a different kind of purpose. By building a business, you can follow your passion, leveraging your unique skills and experiences to create something meaningful. This pursuit of purpose for us extends beyond the battlefield and brings a sense of fulfillment to our renewed civilian life – something you can experience as well.
  2. Tactical Decision-Making: In our careers, we make strategic decisions in high-pressure situations, SEALs are entrepreneurial by nature, and we embrace the challenge of decision-making in business. With the ability to adapt and make calculated choices, we navigate the competitive landscape, set goals, and determine the direction of our venture. This independence you have the ability to adopt in decision-making mirrors the same autonomy we experience on the battlefield.
  3. Agile Adaptability: The training of a Navy SEAL fosters adaptability and resourcefulness, which seamlessly translate to entrepreneurship. An entrepreneurial Navy SEAL can quickly adjust to market dynamics, identify opportunities, and pivot when necessary. This flexibility ensures we stay ahead of the curve, responding to challenges with resilience and maintaining a strong sense of independence. This is a pinnacle lesson and skill anyone pursuing a business should take to heart and implement.
  4. Leadership and Team Building: A Navy SEAL understands the power of effective leadership and teamwork. When becoming an entrepreneur, carry these invaluable skills, and build a business with a strong foundation. By assembling and leading a team, delegating responsibilities, fostering a collaborative environment, and creating a culture that values autonomy, initiative, and personal growth, you’ll progress to new levels of success.
  5. Overcoming Adversity: Both in the military and in entrepreneurship, adversity is a constant companion. As Navy SEALs, we draw upon our training and experience, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. The ability to face adversity head-on, persevere, and adapt is ingrained in our character, empowering us to overcome obstacles and maintain independence in the face of adversity – something you can develop as well, and I strongly suggest you do to thrive and become prosperous.
  6. Impact and Legacy: Just as Navy SEALs strive to make a lasting impact in their service, entrepreneurial Navy SEALs seek to create a legacy through their business. By introducing innovative solutions, driving change, and making a positive difference in the lives of others, they leave their mark on the entrepreneurial landscape. This pursuit of impact and legacy further enhances our sense of independence.

Your entrepreneurial journey can take on new levels of success by embracing the lessons a Navy SEAL offers as a unique perspective on the connection between entrepreneurship and personal freedom. Through the pursuit of purpose, tactical decision-making, adaptability, leadership, resilience, and the desire to create a lasting impact, if you adopt these as an entrepreneur, you’ll forge your own path to independence. Apply the values and skills acquired to build a business that aligns with their passion, allowing you to shape your own destiny and embrace the freedom that entrepreneurship provides.

How CBD Has Helped Me After Leaving the SEAL Teams

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As a retired US Navy SEAL veteran, I know all too well the physical and emotional toll that serving our country can take on a person. When I left the service, I had a litany of issues to deal with, including the emotional decompression I experienced and the effects of physical injuries I acquired during my years of service working within special operations forces. After trying various treatments and therapies, I had another SEAL brother share some CBD with me, and I started to learn more about its potential to help alleviate what I was experiencing.

I haven’t been shy about my post SEAL team life and especially the first year and a half after my retirement. I started using alcohol to self-medicate in an attempt to tone down the anger I was feeling. I also experienced physical pain throughout my body, and I wasn’t willing to commit to a life of prescription medicine that would likely harm me in the long haul rather than address my problems.

A SEAL brother of mine shared with me a bag of his CBD gummies, and I started to take them. I noticed that my pain was lessening, and I wasn’t as angry as I had been in the past. Eventually, I found myself becoming more even-tempered inside and less angry. Then I ran out of gummies, and the anger started to build again. I bought another bag of gummies, and the anger started to diminish again, and I thought, “Hey there’s something to this.”

So I started a CBD company.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant that has been shown to have a variety of potential health benefits. Unlike its cousin THC, which is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. Instead, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including pain perception, mood, and sleep.

I wanted to create a product that was not only effective but also trustworthy and transparent. The Navy SEAL ethos is one I don’t take lightly and resonates with my personal and professional core values. I know firsthand the importance of integrity and honesty, and I wanted my company to reflect those values.

One of the main reasons I started a CBD company was to provide other veterans with an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD. Many veterans are prescribed a metric shit ton of prescription meds, including opioids for chronic pain, which can be highly addictive and have dangerous side effects. CBD, on the other hand, has been shown to have few side effects and a low risk of addiction.

In addition to providing veterans with an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals, I wanted to create a company that supported the effort to educate and prevent veteran service members suicide, which is climbing at an alarming rate. It’s something I speak of when I travel and address business leaders across the country.

Starting a CBD company, not only as a retired Navy SEAL veteran from Naval Special Warfare but as a small business owner, has not been without its challenges. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding cannabis and CBD, and it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the complex legal landscape. However, I believe that the potential benefits of CBD are worth the effort, and it’s an established alternate form of treatment for many. I think we’re still at the beginning of really understanding what CBD oil can do for the active service members of our armed forces as well as our veterans. In my opinion, this is our new mission – to combat the individual forces that separate us from living our best life and focus on post-career care. Negligence, ignorance, and stagnation for treatment is our new enemy.

If you want to learn more about how I cultivate a strong mindset and apply the use of CBD in my life, check out a recent podcast I was a guest on as I talk about all of this.

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