I have a long way to go with my swimming techniques, should I keep going with the program even though I'm not able to complete the swimming portion of the workouts?
Absolutely, if swimming is your weak area then you should definitely work on it more. My private facebook group for clients is a really great resource for help too. There is a lot of great swimming advice on there. You could read the book Total Immersion or even hire a swim coach. It's just important to try and get all the distances in. I would even recommend if the swimming is what you struggle with that you spend even more time in the pool and gaining that confidence, water is a crucial part of being a PJ.
I am a girl. What do you think my chances are of being a PJ? How should I prepare?
So far, there have been a couple of women who have tried but the furthest any have made it was day 2 of training. The two biggest things are upper body strength and weight-bearing activities such as buddy carries and rucking. In order to prepare, I would recommend a stepwise approach to ensure you can attain the standards required. You can look at the old Indoc grad standards as a reference and reverse plan from that. Or you can check out my workout plans as well.
Is there a certain amount of pull ups I should be able to do before starting the program?
There is not a specific requirement, some people start not being able to do any and use a resistance band in order to attain the numbers they need. Most will repeat the program as they progress and are able to do substantially more pull ups the second go around. Just realize there will be some extra work you need to do in order to
For the workouts, is it all supposed to be accomplished all at once in the same setting, or is it okay to break it up?
You can break it up if you need to. That's not a big deal, just make sure you get it all in. I have many clients who work full time or work 18 hours a day, or 24hr shifts and they break up their workouts too. You have to find a way to make it work with your schedule.
I’ve realized that I can do something for an extended time and not quit but it just might take me forever. But when it comes to timed things I almost break. Any inputs?
The biggest thing to remember is that you are not working under the same circumstances that you will when you get to selection. You don't have the pressure when you are out at the gym by yourself. If you are finishing the workouts then you are way ahead of your peers, I guarantee it. But this also means you can improve your speed on some of the events. This is where I cannot completely replicate the feeling of being at selection for you. Keep it up and finish the workouts and you will be just fine. If you can find a workout partner, healthy competition will keep you on your toes as well.
I work 24 hours on, 48 hours off, there’s no access to a pool and only limited running opportunity, no treadmill, just some free weights and a barbell. Is it doable?
The biggest thing you will need is a pull-up bar of some sort to use at your station. Most of the workouts can be done with limited equipment. Also with the pool situation, I would recommend just doing the swim right before your shift and again after your shift, and a land workout in the middle of your shift. As long as you space it out like that and do all the reps/miles you will be good to go!
I understand your programs are geared mainly towards those for PJ/CRO but would provide equal results for someone planning to assess for CCT/STO or SR (SOWT)?
Absolutely! The criteria used for SR and PJ selection are the same and all of the candidates are now in the same course. All of the workouts in my programs are pertinent to CCT as well as SR.
If someone can pass your 'get selected' program, how much would you say it increases ones chances of success?
Physically it will absolutely put you ahead of the game, and it exposes you to the techniques and standards that you will experience in the water. If you finish the program to a "T" then you will not have to worry about the physical portion just focus on the team and the mental portion at selection.
What level of swimming should I have before starting your program?
As long as you are able to swim 100m at a time then that is fine. All I ask is that you complete the distance or reps however long it takes you. It is part of building resilience. I know you can get to that point in less than a month if you are willing to spend the time in the pool.
Does your Get Selected program help resolve calisthenic plateaus or is it more like a glimpse of Selection for someone who hasn’t been there?
It is meant to do both. After seeing all the students come through Indoc, I noticed too many people just doing a substandard pushup to try and get grad standards. So I incorporated a lot of exercises in the Get Selected program that have helped me throughout my time as a PJ and instructor to get guys through. There are also days where you will get a gut check, which helps people prepare for the long days so they can figure out nutrition and rest. The workouts I designed use sandbags and a weight vest to help guys increase their numbers.
I am a female trying to get into SERE. Do you have any workout programs geared toward this job?
The criteria for the PAST (Pushups, pullups, situps, and a run) is very similar to the other Special Warfare fields as far as cals go. You can look at that criteria here. My the Pass the PAST program has swimming included, which I would recommend to anyone anyway as an alternative cardio exercise in between run days in order to lessen the impact of running on your legs and prevent shin splints. The only thing the PAST program does not include is rucking which is huge in SERE. So if you can already pass the PAST and would like a bigger challenge you could go for the Get Selected program.
Are your programs scaled differently for PJ vs CRO? Or are they the same?
They are the same since both PJs and CROs go to the same selection. I do have the different past standards as the goal in the pass the PAST program, but all the workouts are the same.