Ep 13: Dan Cerrillo on Mental Toughness & How to Live a Good Life

Dan Cerrillo is a retired Navy SEAL who spent 15 years leading people to safety in some of the most dangerous hot spots and war zones in the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and other high-risk locations. 

Some of his roles in the SEAL Teams include security specialist, breacher, sniper, counter surveillance, and BUD/S Instructor.  Dan medically retired in 2005 after suffering blast injuries during a hand-to-hand fight with an Al- Qaida fighter in Sadr City, Iraq.  

Since his retirement from the Navy, Dan has worked in executive security protecting some of the biggest names in business today, including Paul Allen and Sergey Brin. 

Dan is the founder of Spartan 7 Adventure, an organization that teaches high net worth clients and organizations leadership, communication, offensive mindset, and advanced situational awareness skills developed by Navy SEALs. 

He is the chief of staff for American Addiction Centers, and leads their veteran treatment program, helping former military to break addiction cycles and lead happy, productive lives. 

Dan is a Board Member for the Navy SEALs Fund and an Ambassador for the Navy SEAL Foundation. He volunteers his free time coaching football at Lipscomb Academy near his home in Nashville, TN.

Quotes:

“My problems aren’t their problems. Their problems aren’t my problems. Make seven people smile today.”“Work is work and home is home.”

Topics Discussed:

How the Navy trains SEALS to deal with adversity Why mentoring is the most important part of leadershipDan's story of addiction, family failure, recovery, and transformationWhy family means everything to himHow he trains executives through Spartan 7 AdventuresHow nature and the outdoors has impacted his lifeWhy doing hard things is a constant motivatorHis most memorable outdoor experiencesHow Dan's motto of "make seven people smile per day" has impacted his entire lifeWhy slowing down and appreciating people is so importantHow Dan almost died multiple times as a SEAL and what he learned from the experienceWhy he always carries a backpack and what he keeps in it at all timesWhy a morning routine is the secret to a successful dayDan's 10-10-10 philosophy: 10 minutes for her, 10 minutes for him, 10 minutes for intimacy

Resources Mentioned:

Spartan 7 AdventuresBook: No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin LadenDuane DieterBlack DiamondMarmotThe North FacePatagoniaBook: We Were Soldiers Once...and YoungBook: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and WinBook: The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value InvestingPodcast: The Joe Rogan ExperienceAndy StumpfAmerican Addiction CentersNavy Seals FundArticle: 

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