Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What can a retired Navy SEAL teach us about everyday life? More than you might think.
Andy Stumpf has spent years operating in some of the world's highest-pressure environments. But in this conversation with Kelly and Juliet Starrett, he explains why the greatest lessons he learned weren't about combat – but about resilience, leadership, self-talk, and navigating life's inevitable setbacks.
From an unforgettable skydiving story over Afghanistan to the simple mental frameworks that helped him survive overwhelming moments, Andy shares the tools that continue to shape how he approaches adversity today.
If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this episode offers a practical blueprint for staying calm, finding clarity, and moving forward one decision at a time.
What You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Why resilience is less about toughness and more about controlling what you can control
-How breaking overwhelming challenges into small, manageable steps can help you navigate almost any crisis
-The surprising role that self-talk plays in performance, confidence, and decision-making under pressure
-Why asking for help is one of the strongest leadership skills, not a sign of weakness
-How finding a healthy "flow state" can improve focus, reduce stress, and build long-term resilience through work, sport, or everyday life
Key Highlights
0:00 Intro & Andy’s Background
5:15 Origin of "Becoming a Supple Leopard"
11:00 Backstory of "Drownproof" Title
17:49 Where We Learn Resilience & Life Skills
20:22 Breaking Tasks Into Small Chunks
23:12 Andy’s Wild HAHO Jump Story
30:43 Everything Goes Wrong Mid-Air
37:52 Getting to Safety & Lesson From the Jump
43:04 How Divorce Was Harder Than SEAL Training
47:38 The Power of Self-Talk
49:11 Asking for Help as a Sign of Strength
54:32 After-Action Reviews, Accountability, & Leadership
54:34 Why 85% Quit BUD/S
58:14 The Chunking vs. Overwhelm Theory
1:00:00 Hell Week & the Psychology of Time
1:09:57 "It Takes Longer to Do It Wrong"
1:17:32 Writing Drownproof
1:20:38 BASE Jumping, Wingsuits, & Risk
1:23:44 Flow State, Not Adrenaline
1:31:23 The Sphere of Influence Exercise
1:33:32 Redirecting Negative Self-Talk
1:34:47 The Infinite Shelf: Money & Meaning
Infinite Shelf Recommendation
At the end of every episode, we ask our guests to add one thing to the Infinite Shelf — a book, film, album, show, or idea that’s shaped how they think, perform, or see the world.
The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
"The Art of Spending Money really made me think about the motivations behind why we spend. It helped me realize that what I value most isn't accumulating things – but using money to prioritize time with the people I love and create experiences instead."
– Andy Stumpf
Connect with Andy Stumpf
Instagram: instagram.com/andystumpf212
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007405368980
YouTube: youtube.com/@ClearedHotPodcast
X: https://x.com/AndyStumpf77
Website: andystumpf.com
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by LMNT, a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix that makes staying hydrated easy and delicious. Their limited-time Iced Tea Lemonade brings a refreshing taste of summer with a little caffeine, while their sparkling options offer another convenient way to get your electrolytes in every day.
Grab yours and get a free sample pack here: bit.ly/Drink-LMNT
This episode is sponsored by Momentous, a supplement brand focused on high-quality, rigorously tested products for health and performance. Their Omega-3 supplement is an easy way to support your daily intake, with research pointing to benefits for cardiovascular health, inflammation, and performance when paired with strength training.
Use code TRS and save up to 35% on your first order: bit.ly/Live-Momentous
#AndyStumpf #Resilience #MentalStrength #Leadership #PersonalGrowth
About The Ready State:
TRS provides athletes, coaches, and humans of all walks of life the tools to relieve pain, prevent injury, and improve physical performance. Subscribe to Mobility Coach for customized mobility coaching, tailored to your body and lifestyle.
👉 Start a 7-day FREE TRIAL today at bit.ly/MC-FreeTrial.
Connect with TRS:
Visit the The Ready State WEBSITE: thereadystate.com
Follow TRS on INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thereadystate
Like TRS on FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thereadystate
Follow TRS on TWITTER: twitter.com/thereadystate
Follow TRS on TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@the_readystate
What can a retired Navy SEAL teach us about everyday life? More than you might think.
Andy Stumpf has spent years operating in some of the world's highest-pressure environments. But in this conversation with Kelly and Juliet Starrett, he explains why the greatest lessons he learned weren't about combat – but about resilience, leadership, self-talk, and navigating life's inevitable setbacks.
From an unforgettable skydiving story over Afghanistan to the simple mental frameworks that helped him survive overwhelming moments, Andy shares the tools that continue to shape how he approaches adversity today.
If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this episode offers a practical blueprint for staying calm, finding clarity, and moving forward one decision at a time.
What You’ll Learn In This Episode
-Why resilience is less about toughness and more about controlling what you can control
-How breaking overwhelming challenges into small, manageable steps can help you navigate almost any crisis
-The surprising role that self-talk plays in performance, confidence, and decision-making under pressure
-Why asking for help is one of the strongest leadership skills, not a sign of weakness
-How finding a healthy "flow state" can improve focus, reduce stress, and build long-term resilience through work, sport, or everyday life
Key Highlights
0:00 Intro & Andy’s Background
5:15 Origin of "Becoming a Supple Leopard"
11:00 Backstory of "Drownproof" Title
17:49 Where We Learn Resilience & Life Skills
20:22 Breaking Tasks Into Small Chunks
23:12 Andy’s Wild HAHO Jump Story
30:43 Everything Goes Wrong Mid-Air
37:52 Getting to Safety & Lesson From the Jump
43:04 How Divorce Was Harder Than SEAL Training
47:38 The Power of Self-Talk
49:11 Asking for Help as a Sign of Strength
54:32 After-Action Reviews, Accountability, & Leadership
54:34 Why 85% Quit BUD/S
58:14 The Chunking vs. Overwhelm Theory
1:00:00 Hell Week & the Psychology of Time
1:09:57 "It Takes Longer to Do It Wrong"
1:17:32 Writing Drownproof
1:20:38 BASE Jumping, Wingsuits, & Risk
1:23:44 Flow State, Not Adrenaline
1:31:23 The Sphere of Influence Exercise
1:33:32 Redirecting Negative Self-Talk
1:34:47 The Infinite Shelf: Money & Meaning
Infinite Shelf Recommendation
At the end of every episode, we ask our guests to add one thing to the Infinite Shelf — a book, film, album, show, or idea that’s shaped how they think, perform, or see the world.
The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
"The Art of Spending Money really made me think about the motivations behind why we spend. It helped me realize that what I value most isn't accumulating things – but using money to prioritize time with the people I love and create experiences instead."
– Andy Stumpf
Connect with Andy Stumpf
Instagram: instagram.com/andystumpf212
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007405368980
YouTube: youtube.com/@ClearedHotPodcast
X: https://x.com/AndyStumpf77
Website: andystumpf.com
Sponsors
This episode is sponsored by LMNT, a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix that makes staying hydrated easy and delicious. Their limited-time Iced Tea Lemonade brings a refreshing taste of summer with a little caffeine, while their sparkling options offer another convenient way to get your electrolytes in every day.
Grab yours and get a free sample pack here: bit.ly/Drink-LMNT
This episode is sponsored by Momentous, a supplement brand focused on high-quality, rigorously tested products for health and performance. Their Omega-3 supplement is an easy way to support your daily intake, with research pointing to benefits for cardiovascular health, inflammation, and performance when paired with strength training.
Use code TRS and save up to 35% on your first order: bit.ly/Live-Momentous
#AndyStumpf #Resilience #MentalStrength #Leadership #PersonalGrowth
About The Ready State:
TRS provides athletes, coaches, and humans of all walks of life the tools to relieve pain, prevent injury, and improve physical performance. Subscribe to Mobility Coach for customized mobility coaching, tailored to your body and lifestyle.
👉 Start a 7-day FREE TRIAL today at bit.ly/MC-FreeTrial.
Connect with TRS:
Visit the The Ready State WEBSITE: thereadystate.com
Follow TRS on INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thereadystate
Like TRS on FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thereadystate
Follow TRS on TWITTER: twitter.com/thereadystate
Follow TRS on TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@the_readystate
