Episode 171

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Published on:

16th Sep 2025

Why Navy SEALs Aren't Scared Like Everyone Else | Rich Diviney

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with former Navy SEAL Commander and author, Rich Diviney, to break down what it takes to thrive under extreme pressure. Rich, author of "The Attributes and Mastering Uncertainty", reveals the psychology of elite performance, explaining why true toughness has less to do with physical strength and more to do with your mental attributes.

He shares candid insights into the realities of SEAL training, the mental tools used in combat, and why the "little tragedies" of everyday life are your training ground for resilience. This is a must-watch for anyone who wants to build the mental fortitude to overcome anxiety, step outside their comfort zone, and reach their full potential.

Who is Rich Diviney:

Rich Diviney is a bestselling author, leadership and human performance expert, and retired Navy SEAL commander. During his career in the US Military, spanning more than twenty years, Rich has completed more than thirteen deployments overseas.

Chapters

0:00 - What makes a Navy SEAL not normal?

1:13 - Introduction to Rich Diviney

2:27 - The difference between SEALs, Delta, and CIA

3:35 - The "best at what" question

5:10 - Are SEALs knuckle-draggers?

7:47 - The dark side of deployment

10:45 - The sacrifice of military families

13:51 - Marriage in the special operations community

15:19 - Why empathy can be a challenge for a "team guy"

17:40 - The evolution of empathy

19:34 - Rich's mission: From SEALs to humans

20:58 - Stepping outside your comfort zone

24:08 - The Attributes Test & Compatibility

26:29 - The truth about BUD/S and athleticism

29:21 - Why athleticism is not a predictor of success

30:43 - The dopamine reward of hard things

33:57 - The challenge of mentally hard things

36:34 - Mastering the "little tragedies"

37:25 - The psychology of fear (uncertainty + anxiety)

41:56 - The Horizon Shifting technique

47:25 - The problem of free-floating anxiety

48:51 - How to reframe anxiety

51:08 - How to combine a physiological sigh with horizon shifting

53:41 - The "nail the exit" story

56:12 - Identity and its role in uncertainty

1:00:54 - Leading alpha types

1:01:52 - The power of hard things

1:03:50 - The subjectivity of failure

1:04:15 - A particular set of attributes

1:04:47 - Living a civilian life

1:07:37 - The edge

1:08:44 - The next horizon

1:09:50 - My dad's story

1:10:52 - What are the top two attributes of success?

1:14:13 - The courage switch

1:15:23 - The neurology of anxiety

1:16:46 - What advice would you give to someone who wants to be tougher?

1:18:13 - Closing remarks

1:21:18 - A funny story

1:24:00 - The Five Remembrances

1:25:01 - A moment of meditation

1:31:16 - Closing remarks

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Find Rich Diviney at:

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_diviney
  • X: https://x.com/richdiviney
  • Website: https://theattributes.com/
  • Buy His Book Masters of Uncertainty: https://theattributes.com/buy/book-masters-of-uncertainty


Find Dr. Gabrielle Lyon at:

  • Instagram:@drgabriellelyon
  • TikTok: @drgabriellelyon
  • Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
  • YouTube: youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
  • X (Twitter): x.com/drgabriellelyon
  • Apply to become a patient – https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/
  • Join my weekly newsletter – https://institute-for-muscle-centric-medicine.ck.page
  • Pre-order my new book - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668085623


Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

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About the Podcast

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show
The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show promotes a healthy world, and in order to have a healthy world, we must have transparent conversations. This show is dedicated to such conversations as the listener; your education, understanding, strength, and health are the primary focus. The goal of this show is to provide you with a framework for navigating the health and wellness space and, most importantly, being the champion of your own life. Guests include highly trustworthy professionals that bring both the art and science of wellness aspects that are both physical and mental. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a Washington University fellowship-trained physician who serves the innovators, mavericks, and leaders in their fields, as well as working closely with the Special Operations Military. She is the founder of the Institute of Muscle-Centric Medicine® and serves patients worldwide.