“You must own everything in your world. There is no one else to blame.” Former Navy SEAL and author of Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win Jocko Willink preaches the importance of mental discipline and fortitude. Listen to some of his podcasts and he discusses the importance of having, maintaining and improving a hard mindset and getting after your goals with ferocity and hunger. The concept of motivation is all good but, it has proven to be unreliable as it comes and goes, similar to a diet. One day, feeling lean and mean. Then time goes by, finally coming to the realization of how much work that comes with a nice body. Then couch playing video games and stuffing your face with junk food. Just because the motivation has left does not give you the right to procrastinate, skip a workout or miss an assignment. If you really care about your body, health and lifestyle then one will not procrastinate but, instead take charge of one’s goals and dreams. Procrastination is the enemy of motivation. They simply have different meanings.

In no way shape or form, am I saying that I have a “perfect” mindset and I would be lying to you if I said I don’t procrastinate. However, some of the greatest lessons I have learned from myself and experiences has been a direct route from procrastination. Let me tell you, it bit me in the butt a few times. A general lesson that I found myself in and have applied to situations is, once your conscious reminds you to do something, do it. It doesn’t matter what’s going on now or who you are with, just get it done. Trust me when I say this, it will help in the long run.

It was the beginning of my senior year in high school, and I had sworn into the United States Navy and would be shipping off after the summer. However, I knew I wanted to get in better physical shape but, spending time with the boys, mix in a couple late nights and suddenly there you are looking unhappy in the mirror. That of course, was on me, I did not discipline myself enough to get to my goal. Little did I know, my guardian angel had been looking out for me and sought a solution that was brutal, amazing and frankly, in plain sight.

A good friend of mine, one of the most driven people I have ever met, was deep into mixed martial arts and often praised in the school hallways for his ability to throw a nasty combination or sweep your legs for a double leg takedown. We got to know each other more from the nightly trips to the mixed martial arts gym. One night, on the ride home, he mentioned that I wrestle for the high school team. At first glance, I wasn’t crazy about it. What’s the point of a high school senior wrestling for one year? Then he said, “You want to get in crazy good shape for the Navy, right?” It was at that moment that I decided to join and found myself signing up for the days to come.

It was soon, that I got my paperwork in and I had joined my new teammates in what was the most hellish but rewarding sports program I have ever been through. My first practice wasn’t anything out of the ordinary but, coming home was clear as day; I walked into my house exhausted. Immediately, venting to my mother about the physical strain that was new to me. I wondered how I would survive the next long months to come, if I could barely survive a two hour practice. I had spent the whole practice begging myself not to quit, not to udder those treacherous words. Now, it pains me to think of such an act. My mom stopped what she was doing, looked me in the eyes and said, “You can do it Aaron. You can do anything you put your mind to.” She was right, she always is and I left her hopeful for the near future.

I began that wrestling season an immature kid, out of shape and lost from any sort of drive. As it turned out, I had to lose fifteen pounds in order to compete. Turning my food regimen around was the move, from junk food and ice cream to egg whites and chicken. I maintained a solid 189 the majority of the season with 184.9 being my lightest weight. The end of the season came around, and we were all getting drained. Back breaking practices was the norm and so was pinning opponents. With that being said, wrestling took away from our social and work lives. We practiced two hours everyday after school and Saturday was full with tournaments. While losing weight and winning matches was great, the thought of chilling with the boys was something I needed. The state tournament was just around the corner, a sign that the end of the season was near. A small part of me was saying I could take the easy route go on my back a few times, hang up the shoes and call it a season. Losing is something I hate and avoided at all costs, it was my last year in wrestling and the only choice was to leave it all out on the mat. In order to make the state tournament, the requirement was to place third or above in sectionals, the odds were not in my favor. Walking out of that gymnasium with a third place medal around my neck was one of the best days of my life. I had beaten the odds and through pain and suffering, through the course of that season, a hardened mindset was forged. It was a great day for the team. My brothers and I had been through thick and thin together in those few months. The bond wrestlers share is like no other. I would not have been able to make it to the state tournament if it were not for my coaches and my brothers pushing me to get better every day.

Wrestling dates back to the days where man had his hands and a stone for defense. Along with mma, it is one of the most savage sports, deriving from human kinds survival instinct. The mindset you deploy in life, whether it may be sports, fitness, work or school is absolutely crucial to a successful path. Our coach made many references to “mental fortitude”. As it is defined by Google, “a measure of individual resilience and confidence that may predict success,” The day to day grind of how bad you want it, it is the burning fire inside of the soul. It is absolutely necessary to unleash your never quit mindset and to never give up. Life is a difficult test and it will suck you down into a black hole if you don’t grab it by the throat and take control. The saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” In that moment of true despair, muscles on fire and lungs ready to explode, buckle down, focus on the task at hand and give it your all. You might end up somewhere glorious.