Grit Like a Navy SEAL: What Hockey Players Can Learn from the Toughest Warriors

Growing up in San Diego, just a short drive from Coronado, the training ground of the elite Navy SEALs, I’ve always been fascinated by their grit, resilience, and unmatched mental toughness. That interest deepened during my triathlon days, when pushing physical and mental boundaries became part of my daily routine. What stood out to me, beyond their physical capabilities, was the SEALs’ relentless mindset—the way they could endure extreme stress, fatigue, and hardship without losing focus on the mission.

As someone deeply passionate about hockey, I see a natural connection between what Navy SEALs represent and the mindset required for hockey players to thrive. Both are team-centric environments that demand grit, focus, and mental endurance to reach elite levels. While the physical demands are different, the mental skills—especially grit—are universal.

Here are three key takeaways from Navy SEALs that every hockey player can apply to develop that unshakable grit.

1. Embrace the Suck: Adversity Is a Privilege

One of the Navy SEALs’ most famous phrases is “embrace the suck,” meaning to accept that pain and discomfort are part of the journey. In SEAL training, whether it’s freezing water, sleep deprivation, or brutal physical drills, the ability to endure hardship without complaint defines success.

For hockey players, adversity is inevitable. Injuries, losing streaks, and difficult training regimens are part of the process. Instead of avoiding these challenges or getting frustrated, embracing them as opportunities for growth is key. The more discomfort you can endure with a positive mindset, the more resilient you become. Grit is forged in these tough moments, just like the SEALs do in their training.

Takeaway for Hockey: When things get tough on the ice—whether it’s a grueling practice, a bad game, or an injury—embrace the challenge. The harder it is, the stronger you will become.

2. Focus on the Next Objective, Not the Entire Mission

Navy SEALs are trained to stay focused on the next objective, rather than getting overwhelmed by the entirety of the mission. This helps them avoid mental fatigue and doubt in high-pressure situations. During Hell Week, for instance, recruits don’t think about how they’ll survive the entire week; they focus on making it to the next meal or the next small task.

In hockey, players can easily feel overwhelmed by the weight of a playoff run or the pressure of a season. Instead of focusing on everything at once, break it down: win the next shift, complete the next pass, score the next goal. By narrowing your focus to the immediate task, you maintain control over your mental state and increase your chances of success.

Takeaway for Hockey: Stay present. Focus on the next shift, the next drill, or the next play. The big wins come from a series of small, focused victories.

3. Master the Art of Team Dependence

One of the Navy SEALs’ core strengths is their dependence on their team. No SEAL can survive on their own; the team is their lifeline. Every SEAL knows their role and trusts their teammates to execute theirs. This trust and interdependence make them one of the most effective fighting forces in the world.

Hockey, like SEAL teams, is a game where the sum is greater than its parts. No matter how talented an individual is, success in hockey depends on working cohesively as a unit. Grit in hockey isn’t just about pushing yourself; it’s about pushing together as a team, trusting your linemates, and knowing that the collective willpower will get you through.

Takeaway for Hockey: Trust in your team. Every player plays a role, and every role contributes to the team’s success. Grit is not just an individual trait—it’s something that’s built and sustained as a group.

Parting Advice

The lessons from the Navy SEALs transcend the battlefield and apply directly to hockey. Grit—whether in training for war or playing on the ice—is about embracing adversity, focusing on the next small victory, and relying on your team. If hockey players can adopt these same mental strategies, they’ll become not only physically stronger but also mentally unbeatable, ready to face any challenge the game throws at them.

In the end, success in hockey—like with the Navy SEALs—isn’t just about who’s the fastest or most skilled; it’s about who has the grit to keep going when everything gets tough.