Episode
#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
2:01:42
Published: Mon Jul 06 2015
Description
Stanley McChrystal (@StanMcChrystal) retired from the U.S. Army as a four-star general after more than 34 years of service. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates described McChrystal as "perhaps the finest warrior and leader of men in combat I ever met." From 2003 to 2008, McChrystal served as Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), where he was credited with the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. His last assignment was as the commander of all American and coalition forces in Afghanistan. He is currently a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and the co-founder of CrossLead, a leadership consulting firm. In this episode, we discuss everything imaginable, including: - Why he eats only one meal per day - His exact exercise routines - Tactical and psychological lessons of combat - Self-talk used before and after difficult missions - The value and development of mental toughness - Favorite books, documentaries, etc. - And much, much more Chris Fussell (@FussellChris), who also joins the conversation, is a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, former Aide-de-Camp for General McChrystal, and a current senior executive at CrossLead. Links, resources, and show notes from this episode can be found at http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could only use one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is, inevitably, Athletic Greens. It is your all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in the The 4-Hour Body and did not get paid to do so. Get 50% off your order at https://www.AthleticGreens.com/Tim This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world’s largest marketplace of graphic designers. Did you know I used 99Designs to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body? Here are some of the impressive results. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade: http://www.99designs.com/tim Give it a test run. Enjoy!***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
Tim Ferriss introduces his email newsletter called Five Bullet Friday, which he sends out every Friday and contains five bullet points of the coolest things he's found that week.
00:00 - 01:06 (01:06)
Summary
Tim Ferriss introduces his email newsletter called Five Bullet Friday, which he sends out every Friday and contains five bullet points of the coolest things he's found that week.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Retired General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, talks about personal habits, leadership, and the art of war.
01:06 - 06:17 (05:11)
Summary
Retired General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, talks about personal habits, leadership, and the art of war. He also promotes Athletic Greens' special offer on a free vitamin D supplement and travel packs for new subscribers.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The podcast host discusses the pros and cons of military training and how it translates to the civilian world, specifically in terms of eating habits during long work hours.
06:19 - 09:49 (03:30)
Summary
The podcast host discusses the pros and cons of military training and how it translates to the civilian world, specifically in terms of eating habits during long work hours.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Dave Berke explains that each special operations unit has a sub-component of secondary selection phases and special operations components developed each of the elite units.
09:49 - 15:12 (05:23)
Summary
Dave Berke explains that each special operations unit has a sub-component of secondary selection phases and special operations components developed each of the elite units. However, even with special operations units, joint collaboration and teamwork in a joint fashion is challenging.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The importance of having an immediate staff with a deep understanding of the organization's key players, both internal and external, was emphasized in the military to improve the efficiency of decision-making in fast-moving environments on the battlefield.
15:12 - 19:20 (04:08)
Summary
The importance of having an immediate staff with a deep understanding of the organization's key players, both internal and external, was emphasized in the military to improve the efficiency of decision-making in fast-moving environments on the battlefield.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker draws parallels between military elite units and fast-growing startups and explains the correlation between self-esteem, perception and fitness.
19:20 - 25:41 (06:21)
Summary
The speaker draws parallels between military elite units and fast-growing startups and explains the correlation between self-esteem, perception and fitness.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The best way to empathize with locals on the ground in combat situations is to understand their views and sense of history.
25:41 - 32:37 (06:56)
Summary
The best way to empathize with locals on the ground in combat situations is to understand their views and sense of history. Reading books that give cultural context can help military personnel to do this.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
High academic performance and a pristine disciplinary record do not necessarily translate to success in the military, as peer ratings and the ability to "live life" tend to be more indicative of future achievement.
32:37 - 38:38 (06:01)
Summary
High academic performance and a pristine disciplinary record do not necessarily translate to success in the military, as peer ratings and the ability to "live life" tend to be more indicative of future achievement. This prompts a discussion on the correlation between past disciplinary infractions and high-ranking officers in the military.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes the importance of integrity and intellectual curiosity in individuals who will be making high-stakes decisions and going through rigorous assessments in their careers.
38:38 - 43:32 (04:54)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of integrity and intellectual curiosity in individuals who will be making high-stakes decisions and going through rigorous assessments in their careers.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The podcast discusses the importance of developing soft skills alongside technical abilities in various stages of military and civilian careers.
43:32 - 50:43 (07:11)
Summary
The podcast discusses the importance of developing soft skills alongside technical abilities in various stages of military and civilian careers. The speaker emphasizes the significance of prioritizing qualities such as teamwork, adaptability, and communication in personal and professional growth.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker recounts a mission in which they had to rescue Americans while in the military and emphasizes the difficult decision-making that must be done in these situations.
50:43 - 55:46 (05:03)
Summary
The speaker recounts a mission in which they had to rescue Americans while in the military and emphasizes the difficult decision-making that must be done in these situations.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses the need to think about cross-functional application in other spaces within the military and how high cost is associated with a slower effort.
55:46 - 1:01:06 (05:20)
Summary
The speaker discusses the need to think about cross-functional application in other spaces within the military and how high cost is associated with a slower effort. The JSOC organization serves as a global nerve center where information is passed around the world on a 24/7 cycle.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The realization that big tasks can only be accomplished through connections of networks is highlighted in books about sweeping history stories and biographies.
1:01:06 - 1:10:38 (09:32)
Summary
The realization that big tasks can only be accomplished through connections of networks is highlighted in books about sweeping history stories and biographies. The gathering and sharing of ideas at the right time and space with the right people are crucial in achieving success.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
One of the operator's decisions in the coalition partnership caused a lack of enthusiasm among the helicopter pilots, leading to a period of self-doubt and a feeling of unpreparedness for the game.
1:10:38 - 1:15:05 (04:27)
Summary
One of the operator's decisions in the coalition partnership caused a lack of enthusiasm among the helicopter pilots, leading to a period of self-doubt and a feeling of unpreparedness for the game.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes how staying focused helps make crucial decisions during war, but when faced with a grinding attrition or the feeling of being trapped, it becomes difficult to make those calls.
1:15:05 - 1:21:43 (06:38)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes how staying focused helps make crucial decisions during war, but when faced with a grinding attrition or the feeling of being trapped, it becomes difficult to make those calls.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker reflects on their experience transitioning from the military to the corporate world and highlights the biases and challenges that come with this transition.
1:21:43 - 1:30:51 (09:08)
Summary
The speaker reflects on their experience transitioning from the military to the corporate world and highlights the biases and challenges that come with this transition.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this episode, the speaker talks about developing a plan to solve problems effectively and efficiently, giving an example of Clinton's first campaign strategy with the 'if this then that' approach.
1:30:52 - 1:37:36 (06:43)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker talks about developing a plan to solve problems effectively and efficiently, giving an example of Clinton's first campaign strategy with the 'if this then that' approach.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes the value of being part of a team, stating that it is worthwhile and teaches valuable lessons such as support for those on one's left and right.
1:37:36 - 1:44:33 (06:57)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the value of being part of a team, stating that it is worthwhile and teaches valuable lessons such as support for those on one's left and right. He compares the experience to developing a business or war plan.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Chris Fussell, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and partner at Management Consulting firm McChrystal Group, discusses the importance of efficiency and adaptability within a team, drawing from his experience in Iraq and the leadership of Stan McChrystal.
1:44:33 - 1:57:02 (12:29)
Summary
Chris Fussell, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and partner at Management Consulting firm McChrystal Group, discusses the importance of efficiency and adaptability within a team, drawing from his experience in Iraq and the leadership of Stan McChrystal.
Episode#86: General Stan McChrystal on Eating One Meal Per Day, Special Ops, and Mental Toughness
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Investing time in training and developing leaders will increase effectiveness exponentially, whether they lead a team or complete tasks themselves.
1:57:02 - 2:01:38 (04:36)
Summary
Investing time in training and developing leaders will increase effectiveness exponentially, whether they lead a team or complete tasks themselves. Neglecting to prioritize this development can result in decreased efficiency and professionalism.