I Am Charles Schwartz Show
Episode: Navy SEAL Mind Techniques That Work
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Charles Schwartz
Guest: Garrett Unclebach, Former Navy SEAL and Leadership Coach

Introduction to Garrett Unclebach

In this compelling episode of the I Am Charles Schwartz Show, host Charles Schwartz welcomes Garrett Unclebach, a former Navy SEAL combat veteran who has seamlessly transitioned into leadership training and entrepreneurship. Garrett brings over a decade of experience coaching entrepreneurs on how to achieve sustainable success by harnessing battle-tested mental mastery techniques.

The Importance of Purpose

Garrett begins by emphasizing the profound impact of purpose and belief systems on personal and professional growth. He shares foundational beliefs instilled in him from a young age:

1. "God has a plan for your life."
   (06:17)
   This belief instills a sense of duty and the understanding that one's existence serves a larger purpose beyond individual gratification.

2. "You can have anything you want in life if you're willing to pay the price for it."
   (06:17)
   Reflecting Henry Ford's philosophy, Garrett underscores the importance of a growth mindset—believing in the potential to achieve anything through dedication and effort.

Garrett explains how these beliefs not only shaped his resilience in SEAL training but also drive his current endeavors in business and personal development.

Overcoming Mental Barriers in SEAL Training and Life

Garrett delves into the intense mental and physical challenges faced during Navy SEAL training, particularly Hell Week—a grueling five and a half days with minimal sleep and extreme physical demands. He reveals that "the common reason people quit is simply because they decide to" (15:25), highlighting the critical role of mental tenacity over physical prowess.

Through personal anecdotes, Garrett illustrates how maintaining a steadfast belief in one’s purpose can lead to extraordinary endurance and success, both in military operations and entrepreneurial ventures.

The SEAL Big Four Mental Techniques

Central to Garrett's approach are the SEAL Big Four—a set of mental mastery techniques designed to enhance performance under extreme pressure:

1. Breathwork
   (54:23)
   Garrett explains the significance of controlled breathing, such as the four-second box breath: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold again for four. This technique helps regulate emotions and maintain composure during high-stress situations.

   Garrett Unclebach (54:23): "Breathwork is one of them. Another one is visualization... breath work is a four-second box breath."

2. Visualization
   (33:04)
   Visualization involves imagining successful outcomes and detailed scenarios to prepare the mind for real-life challenges. Garrett shares how he visualized completing Hell Week without succumbing to physical exhaustion, which bolstered his confidence and actual performance.

   Garrett Unclebach (33:06): "I began to visualize for myself what completing this, what completing Hell Week looked like and how I would look when I finished."

3. Segmentation
   (54:53)
   Breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable segments makes them less daunting. Garrett likens this to eating an elephant "one bite at a time," allowing individuals to focus on incremental progress rather than the entire challenge.

   Garrett Unclebach (54:53): "Segmentation is breaking it down into bite-sized chunks... make it one bite at a time."

4. Self-Talk
   (54:53)
   Positive self-talk reinforces confidence and counters negative thoughts. Garrett emphasizes the importance of intentional and verbalized self-talk to reinforce a constructive mindset.

   Garrett Unclebach (54:34): "Self-talk is intentional versus passive... verbalize it."

Transitioning from Military to Entrepreneurial Leadership

Garrett shares his journey from Navy SEAL to entrepreneur, highlighting the transferable skills of discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking. He discusses overcoming the fear of leaving the stability of a paycheck to pursue self-employment, emphasizing that "your worth as a human being isn't dictated by your bank account." (39:32)

Through entrepreneurial ventures in IT, real estate, coaching, and defense tech, Garrett illustrates how SEAL principles can drive business success and personal fulfillment.

Leadership Philosophy: Strength and Warmth

A pivotal part of Garrett’s leadership philosophy revolves around the balance of strength and warmth:

• Strength: Demonstrating reliability and the ability to follow through on commitments.

  Garrett Unclebach (63:40): "Strength is I can do what I say. If I say I can open this door, I can open it."

• Warmth: Showing genuine care and concern for team members, fostering trust and a supportive environment.

  Garrett Unclebach (63:40): "Warmth is that the people on your team believe that you care about them."

Garrett argues that effective leadership hinges not just on authority but on being someone others "want to follow." (63:40)

Influential Leaders in Garrett’s Journey

Garrett pays homage to Charlie Keating, a revered leader in his life, whose unwavering dedication and positive demeanor left a lasting impact. Charlie’s ability to maintain a "love for life and dedication to the mission" inspired Garrett to embody these qualities in his own leadership and coaching practices.

Garrett Unclebach (65:06): "Charlie was someone that I looked up to... his ability to translate battlefield wisdom into practical business strategies."

Tools and Techniques for Business Leaders

Applying SEAL mental mastery techniques to business, Garrett recommends:

• Cultivating Equanimity: Maintaining emotional balance in high-pressure business environments.
• Intentional Breathing Exercises: To manage stress and enhance focus during critical decision-making.
• Structured Self-Talk: Reinforcing positive beliefs and countering negative internal dialogues.
• Strategic Segmentation: Breaking down large business goals into achievable milestones.

Garrett emphasizes that these techniques not only foster personal resilience but also enhance team performance and leadership efficacy.

Conclusion and Resources to Connect with Garrett

As the episode concludes, Garrett encourages listeners to integrate the SEAL Big Four into their daily routines to build mental toughness and effective leadership skills. He invites entrepreneurs and leaders to connect with him through the Impossible Life Podcast, Instagram, or directly via email at garrett@coacharrettunkelbach.com.

Charles Schwartz (68:07): "To all the leaders, entrepreneurs, and high performers listening... your commitment to personal growth and team development is why we do what we do."

Listeners are also invited to download a comprehensive guide summarizing the SEAL Big Four mental mastery techniques, tailored to foster equanimity and purpose-driven leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose and Belief Systems: Central to enduring success and resilience.
• SEAL Big Four: Breathwork, Visualization, Segmentation, and Self-Talk are essential tools for mental mastery.
• Leadership Qualities: Combining strength with warmth to inspire and lead effectively.
• Continuous Preparation: Equipping oneself to handle extreme challenges through disciplined mental and physical training.
• Intrinsic Worth: Understanding that personal value transcends financial success.

Harness the insights shared by Garrett Unclebach to transform your approach to challenges, build resilient leadership, and achieve unstoppable success in both business and life.