“For the warrior, the body is as important as the mind – for the two are inseparable.”
– Aubrey Marcus

Why is it, then, that we separate them so much when we train?

We do things like sprinting and lifting to train the body. And we do things like reading and meditation to train the mind. But it’s rare that we mix the two. In fact, most people make a conscious effort to take their head out of training – taking their mind off their workout.

But the body and mind are inseparable. So stop wasting your time trying to separate them.I see it all the time in the gym. People just aren’t focused. Maybe it’s texting, tweeting, a gym selfie, or snapping a friend.

Whatever your distraction might be, it’s exactly that—a distraction. And distraction will hamstring your progress.

That’s a universal truth. It applies in the gym, at work, and at home. Distracting the mind will wreck your results.

Instead, unite body and mind, and unleash the warrior within.

BECOMING A WARRIOR

Everybody has the spirit of a warrior. Sometimes it’s buried and needs to be found (think: Neville Longbottom, Frodo Baggins, or Daniel LaRusso). Sometimes the inner warrior is closer to the surface (think: William Wallace, John McClane, or Jason Bourne).

Regardless, everybody has the potential to become a warrior. And life is our battlefield. A battlefield we face every day.

The gym is a great analogy for life. It’s a way to practice confronting hard things and working to overcome them. Life is hard. But the gym can train you to do hard things. The gym can teach you how strong you are – physically and mentally. The gym can turn you into a warrior.

But not all workouts are created equal. And it’s time to take your training to the next level and train like a warrior.

THE WARRIOR WORKOUT FOR BODY AND MIND

This is not for the faint of heart. It’ll test you, but it’s worth it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

● 2 Heavy Kettlebells (dumbbells work too)
● A Weighted Vest
● A Sled

If you don’t have access all of these, it’s okay. You can still get a killer workout with 2 out of 3. But I’m not going to lie, you look and feel like a champion when you’ve got all 3.

The workout itself is simple, but not easy. Set a 10-20 minute timer and walk – wearing the weighted vest, holding the heavy kettlebells, and dragging the sled. Walk either until you run out of space, your form breaks down, or you can’t carry the weights anymore.

Catch your breath, turn around (if necessary), and keep walking until time runs out.

Take note of how far you go during the entire workout. Then beat your record next time. The warrior feeds on competition. Not with others, but with self.

KEY TIPS

FORM IS CRITICAL

Think of it like a weighted carry, it’s just jacked up on T+. Keep the chest tall, shoulders back, and eyes forward. Grip the weights like you’re trying to crush the handle and take short powerful breaths into the belly.

REST

Rest as much as you have to, but as little as you need. Keep any rest as short as possible. Remember, the goal here is to test your limits both physically and mentally. They’ll never be tested if you don’t push yourself.

FOCUS

Don’t let your mind wander. Don’t look at your phone or check how much time is left on the timer. Just. Do. Work. Set the timer and go to war with the weight until time runs out.

The Warrior’s Workout will be hard. But you’ll discover you can do hard things and start to face life like a warrior. Work it into your training program and feel the words of Cyrano De Bergerac swell up from within:

I am going to be a storm, a flame.
I need to fight whole armies alone.
I have ten hearts.
I have a hundred arms.
I feel too strong to war with mortals.
Bring me giants.