THE TAO OF JOCKO

WE WEREN’T ACTUALLY GRAPPLING.

This was purely for demonstration purposes. Still, it all happened so fast. One second I was kneeling there, hunched over Jocko Willink, this hulking beast of a man. A second later, I could feel the strong tug on the collar of my martial-arts-style gi and the powerful whip of his legs—and then suddenly I was on my back, staring up at the ceiling. I was told this move is called a scissor sweep. ¶ There is no shortage of popular podcasters and best-selling authors offering men advice on how to live a more fulfilling life. The lineup includes Jordan Peterson, Ph.D. (the “crisis of masculinity” psychologist), Tim Ferriss (the efficiency and psychedelics expert), Joe Rogan (the pot-smoking, comedic everyman), and, of course, Jocko. Though they all regularly ruminate on what it means to be a modern man, only one is a retired U. S. Navy SEAL and the clear bet in a fight.

Jocko is the warrior sage. At age 48, he provides the stern encouragement and blunt advice many of us never received from our fathers. A lot of people are looking for a successful, healthy, happy life, but the idea of what exactly makes a good man is more complicated than ever. Jocko seems to simplify everything. Listen to him for long enough and you’re likely to hear guidance on every aspect of life, from work habits to workout regimens to relationships. As technology offers us the chance to binge-watch television while someone delivers food to our door, Jocko tells us that some rewards come from understanding struggle, not avoiding it.

Being physical is part of that lesson. That’s