For me, it has been crucial in helping me tackle some of the toughest situations I’ve faced. 

 

The British military has been on operations for two decades. For a long time, we’ve been fighting two wars simultaneously. An operational tour is testing to any solider, but repeated close-combat tours over a decade is challenging to even the most resilient. 

 

I knew that if my men were trained and physically fit, they had a better chance of survival – should the worst happen to them. Their bodies would be strong enough to either pull through that crucial first hour after an injury. Or, they would be strong enough to physically carry another person out of the firefight. 

The desert of Southern Iraq and the green zone of Helmand province were unforgiving environments to fight in. Often, this would be compounded by the heat of summer. This environment places a real demand on the body. I knew that when my men got tired, they wouldn’t be as effective. This is where mental fitness was key. Having the right mindset was crucial to survival. 

I remember applying mental resilience when I was tasked to resupply Cimic House in Iraq 2004. Cimic House was an isolated outpost in the centre of Al-Amarah that saw some of the heaviest fighting in the whole of the Iraq campaign. It needed constant resupply, particularly of ammunition and water. On one particular supply run, we were hit hard by the local militia and it took hours to move even a short distance across the city. By the time we got to Cimic House, I was fatigued from both the heat and physical exertion, and mentally drained. 

I knew we still had to fight our way back out of Al-Amarah and I had to dig deep, both physically and mentally, to motivate myself and the soldiers under my command. Whilst it can be taxing to be a leader at times, in this case I drew strength from my position of command, and point-blank refused to lower my standards and let down my section. 

From my own experiences, I believe staying strong, developing good habits and always looking for ways to grow. But you can only grow and develop your own resilience when you’re outside your comfort zone. For me, it was battling through Al-Amarah, but for you it could be learning a new skill or running a marathon. 

And what happens when the challenge is over? It’s important to reward yourself or your team for maintaining good morale and being prepared for the worst course of action. This moment of reflection helps to embed mental and physical resilience in your (or your team’s) character. 

I believe that mental and physical resilience are crucial to help you withstand life’s toughest challenges. They both go together hand in hand. Everyone will need to apply both sometime within their lifetime. Hopefully my story will help inspire you to develop yours.

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