I Got Told I Wouldn't Complete Royal Marines Training By A Royal Marines Physical Training Instructor

There's always going to be some dickhead in life that throws negativity at you and puts you down but usually this comes from those who would never even attempt what you're aiming to achieve. And to those people I say, ignore them individuals, they aren't worth your time or mental capacity. They never have and never will put themselves out there like you are.

However... when it comes from someone who's been where you're going and who is your instructor, it really hits different. And the reason it hit so hard is because - well, he was probably right.

Let me set the scene.

At the beginning of Royal Marines training we start with a lot of training in the gymnasium. This training consists of IMF (Initial Military Fitness). Essentially a tonne of bodyweight exercise and high intensity circuits with sprints etc.

We also had these horrendous max effort sessions around the camp called "camp circuits".

These were feared by all who started training. This was essentially a best effort lap around the camp which I think was around 800-900 metres in length.

When the PTIs really wanted to give us a proper thrashing they would make us grab the green mats for a "green mat camp circuit". These were the worst. The green gym mats were very heavy and awkward to carry. We would have to team up to carry them around the camp and back into the gymnasium. We would re group at the gym doors with the matts praying for the next instruction to be "put the matts back and get in your positions", which basically meant we were done with the mats and needed to get into our positions in the gym to crack on with the session, but at least it meant no more camp circuits. More often than not we were just sent for another lap though.

This particular time we didn't have the mats with us so it was just a best effort sprint. Each time we were told "it pays to be a winner". This just meant, if you are the first 5-10 to get back then you may not have to go again, and those who didn't make the cut would have to go for another lap.

I remember trying to play it safe and tactical. I knew I wasn't the fastest bloke in the troop so I thought I would hang back for the first couple and then smash it in the 3rd or 4th to be near the front so I didn't have to go again. What I didn't consider was just how knackered I would be with each lap and how much harder it would be to actually get to the front. Because every time you come in to the end of the lap closer to the rear you are starting behind a load of lads that finished quicker than you. Meaning they had a head start. With each lap I got further and further towards the back, almost giving up on even trying to move quickly.

I was on the final circuit and finished it with the last 8 or so blokes. The PTI, a short and very angry scouse bloke stood in front of us and de briefed us whilst the rest of the troop watched.

He said something along the lines of "You lot are a bunch of wasters. You haven't got a fucking chance of making it to the end of training. Either pull your finger out or fuck off"

I won't lie, this broke me a bit mentally. Initially I was thinking of just handing my notice in and leaving. I thought "I am clearly shit and don't deserve to be here". The lads were quiet and didn't talk much. We all felt like we had massively cocked up, which we had.

I had to have a word with myself at this point. If I was going to get through this process I needed to buck my ideas up and sort my shit out. I needed to raise my standards. In hindsight I could have pushed harder, I could have put more effort in and I could have got closer to the front. I absolutely could have been a "winner" on one of those laps and I would have been ok. That day I just chose to try and be a smart arse with holding back and it didn't pay off.

The reality here is I gave myself an excuse and a reason to hold back. I told myself "I'm not the fittest bloke in the troop so I might as well hang back". What a shithouse thing to say to myself.

It's so easy to get stuck into this mindset though. Providing ourselves with excuses.

"I am mega busy with work so I can't train"

"The kids need me so I don't have time to hit a session"

"I feel tired from work so I need sugar to give me a boost"

"I've earned a day on the sofa because I have been at work all week"

"I will watch this tv series tonight and then I will start training tomorrow"

"I can't be arsed to cook because I'm tired, lets just get another takeaway"

What a load of shit. You know it is. Yet you still use these same excuses, just like I did.

It feels ok at the time, but it will cost you. This mindset nearly cost me my future career as a Royal Marine. And since leaving the forces I actually fell back into this trap myself. All the same excuses I have written above. The truth is this shit will cost you.

This mindset of "I can't because of X" or "there's no point because of Y".

You will be feeling the reciprocations right now one way or another from lowering your standards. But if you don't sort it out it will cost you BIG in the future. And likely in the near future if you have really let things slip.

What you need isn't a fancy shiny plan or the latest diet. You just need a shift in mindset. You've been stronger in the past, you've had better routines. Make the decision to create the change today.