The Power of Never Quitting: A Conversation with Former Navy SEAL Chadd Wright
In a compelling episode of Wolf Un Tamed, host Derrick Wolf sits down with Chadd Wright, a former Navy SEAL turned endurance athlete and transformational coach. Their conversation reveals profound insights about perseverance, mental toughness, and the power of never giving up.
Small Town Beginnings
Growing up in Dallas, Georgia, Wright came from humble beginnings in what he describes as a “lower middle class home.” His early life was marked by simplicity and a connection to the outdoors. However, at age 18, Wright experienced a pivotal realization: “I just had this revelation that if I don’t leave here, I’m never going to become something special.”
The Path to becoming a Navy SEAL
Wright’s journey to becoming a Navy SEAL began unexpectedly through an internet advertisement in 2006-2007. Despite having no military background and being unable to swim, he was drawn to the SEAL program for one simple reason – it was advertised as “the hardest military training in the world.”
The path wasn’t straightforward. Wright faced a significant setback when doctors discovered an asymptomatic cyst on his heart during training. “It was brutal,” Wright recalls, describing the period after being forced to leave the program. “To have one dream and leave everything to go and do this one thing and then be told absolutely not… it was brutal.”
Persistence Through Adversity
Rather than accepting defeat, Wright took an extraordinary step – he underwent elective heart surgery to remove the cyst, a procedure so rare that “they had never seen it before in a SEAL candidate.” This determination exemplifies Wright’s core philosophy: never quit.
“I think that’s the essence of my story – just not quitting,” Wright reflects. “My whole life has just been a series of doing the best I can. And a lot of times that wasn’t good enough, but I kept showing up.”
Lessons from SEAL Training
One of the most powerful anecdotes Wright shares comes from his SEAL training experience. He describes an evolution during Hell Week that proved particularly challenging:
“They set two cones out on the beach… run from one cone to the other. It was a one mile stretch and then turn around and come back and they just said, keep doing this until we tell you to stop.”
What made this exercise so challenging wasn’t the physical demand but the mental uncertainty. The instructors didn’t tell the candidates it was a four-hour evolution, leading many to quit because “they couldn’t see the end.” Wright draws a powerful parallel to life: “Everybody’s looking for a finish line and there’s no finish line in life.”
The Birth of the 3 0 7 Project
After his 12-year SEAL career, Wright found his calling in helping others push past their perceived limitations. A pivotal moment came when he helped an entrepreneur train for a 100-mile race. Instead of focusing on technical aspects of running, Wright shared three simple rules:
- When asked how you’re doing, only respond with “I feel outstanding”
- No complaining or giving voice to pain
- Share something you’re grateful for every hour
Using these principles, his trainee went from a 30-mile maximum to completing 50 miles in a single day. This experience led to the creation of the 3 0 7 Project, Wright’s platform for teaching mental toughness and resilience.
Building a Legacy
Wright’s approach to business reflects his military background and personal philosophy. He intentionally makes his programs challenging to access, believing that “the people who show up are the people who really want to be there.”
“I do this because I see what it’s producing in people,” Wright explains. “I care about my country and I care about my brothers and sisters and my fellow man. If I can do something to help them grow and in turn help their families be better, their work life be better, their community be better… that’s how we produce change in our country and in this world.”
The Power of Mindset
Throughout the conversation, Wright emphasizes the crucial role of mindset over physical capability. His teachings focus on controlling one’s thoughts and words, understanding that mental fortitude often determines success more than physical ability.
As he puts it, “If you’ll take control of your tongue, your rudder, and speak positivity into your situation and not complain… it’s gonna change.” This philosophy has helped hundreds of people push past their perceived limitations and achieve what they once thought impossible.
Looking Forward
Today, Wright continues to impact lives through the 3 0 7 Project, training hundreds of individuals and sharing his message through podcasts and speaking engagements. His story serves as a powerful reminder that success isn’t about natural ability or perfect circumstances – it’s about refusing to quit, maintaining a positive mindset, and showing up consistently, even when things get tough.
As Wright reflects on his journey from a small-town Georgia boy to a Navy SEAL and now a transformational leader, his message remains consistent: “My whole life has just been a series of doing the best I can… and look where it’s gotten me today.”
His story stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one person can have when they refuse to give up on their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face.
