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How to Make Yourself Unbreakable | DJ Shipley

2025-10-06 Science & Technology
370.9k
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Andrew Huberman
Andrew Huberman
7.5m subscribers

Implement Elite Operator Structure for Unbreakable Mental and Physical Resilience

Master extreme mental and physical resilience by adopting ultra-intentional routines designed to control your day from the first minute. Gain tactical clarity by learning how structure buffers you against personal trauma and external chaos.

Short Summary

  • Execute rigorous morning regimens to immediately stack small, controllable wins that dictate daily psychological success.
  • Employ strict mental compartmentalization to separate work, family, and recovery blocks for maximum presence in each role.
  • Leverage severe physical discipline, even post-injury, as the bedrock for developing superior mental durability. This discussion with retired Navy SEAL DJ Shipley outlines his precise framework for achieving peak performance. He shares actionable steps covering daily routine mechanics, managing severe personal trauma (including recent psychedelic-assisted therapy), and maintaining uncompromising physical standards for lifelong capability.

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Description

My guest is DJ Shipley, a retired Tier 1 operator Navy SEAL and now a top public educator on how to build mental and physical health and reach top-level performance in any endeavor. DJ’s life is one marked by extraordinary strivings, wins, setbacks and comebacks that together have shaped his approach to overcoming challenges of all kinds and to daily life. DJ explains a regimen of clear, practical steps and a mental stance that can allow anyone—male, female, young or old—to build extreme resilience of mind and body and to be successful in family and work. We also discuss his experience with new, emerging treatments for addiction, PTSD and depression that many people, not just veterans, are benefiting from. The tools DJ describes to “stack small wins” and to be ultra-intentional about your mindset will be of immense benefit to anyone wishing to achieve the best version of themselves. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/EeYgeW1 *Thank you to our sponsors* AGZ by AG1: ⁠https://drinkagz.com/huberman Rorra: ⁠https://rorra.com/huberman BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/huberman Eight Sleep: ⁠https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: ⁠https://functionhealth.com/huberman ROKA: ⁠https://roka.com/huberman *Follow Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *DJ Shipley* GBRS Group Website: https://gbrsgroup.com GBRS Performance Program X: https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/workout-plan/team/gbrs-performance-team DJ Shipley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_shipley85 GBRS Group Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbrsgroup GBRS Group YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/gbrsgroup GBRS Group X: https://x.com/GBRSGroup GBRS Group Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GBRSGroup GBRS Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gbrs-group *Timestamps* 00:00:00 DJ Shipley 00:04:03 Mental & Physical Health, Tools: Morning Routine & Micro-wins 00:08:35 Balancing Work & Family, Tools: Compartmentalization, "Control the Controllable" 00:13:46 Sponsors: Rorra & BetterHelp 00:16:25 Phones, Social Media vs Focus, Negativity, Tool: Consistency & Sleep 00:23:05 Routine & Stressors, Exercise & Benefits, Tool: Morning Workout 00:29:24 Body Awareness, Hurt vs Injury 00:33:53 Physical Injury & Rehab; Exercise; Mobility, Tool: 5-Day Workout Program 00:44:26 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Eight Sleep 00:47:29 Skateboarding, Career, Navy SEAL, BUD/S & Embracing Discomfort 00:56:13 BUD/S, Motivation & Mental Resilience 01:02:18 Navy SEALs, Iraq War & Casualties, Compartmentalization 01:08:41 Public Press; Extortion 17, Operation Red Wings; Death of Friends 01:16:25 High Performers, Social Media Negativity & Legacy 01:19:37 Sponsor: Function 01:21:24 Family Legacy, Military & Purpose, Navy SEAL Culture, Wife & Relationship 01:30:10 Second Deployment, Helplessness & Trauma, Inspiration & Reverence 01:38:30 Skydiving, Injury & Mental Resilience; Medical Retirement & Addiction 01:49:17 Art Therapy, Skateboarding, Electrocution & Recovery 02:00:57 Physical Recovery, Trainer Vernon Griffith 02:04:38 Miracles, Higher Power; Work & Life Tension 02:12:52 Sponsor: ROKA 02:14:39 Physical & Mental Posture, Suicide, Depression, Tool: Control the Controllable 02:21:22 Suicide, Mental Health & Darkest Hour, Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT 02:31:18 Ibogaine & Empathy, 5-MeO-DMT & Ego Death; Returning Home, Tool: Dials Not Switches 02:42:42 Psychedelics, Mental Health Plasticity; Veterans' Solutions, Addiction 02:50:39 Medical Ibogaine, Anger, Numbing Out & Hate; Dogs 03:03:42 GBRS Program, High Standards, Functional Fitness, Tool: Fitness Test 03:17:50 Self-Care, Longevity & Fitness, GBRS Program 03:24:45 Self-Respect, Tools: 20-Minute Walk & Relationships; Micro-wins 03:32:57 Acknowledgements, American Flag Hat, Patriotism 03:40:00 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Top Comments (10)

@travispayne9589 2025-10-06

Anytime I see DJ content, I click. Massive respect for this man.

715 25 replies
@rehabfix 2025-10-06

I appreciate the mention Andrew, it was a pleasure helping you through that low back injury so we can spread a very positive message about pain education and recovery!

426 9 replies
@hubermanlab 2025-10-06

Thank you for watching. Please click the subscribe tab and then the "bell" icon to subscribe to our channel here on YouTube and get notified when new content is posted... And thank you for your interest in science! -- Andrew

254 20 replies
@TheAwesomeWatchPodcast 2025-10-06

The two most influential dudes in my life rn doing a pod is exactly what I needed in my life

203 13 replies
@bobgug8626 2025-10-06

I first read the title as 'Make yourself unbearable', and was like "Way ahead of you guys!"

174 5 replies
@katenhydris1226 2025-10-06

Professor Andrew you are the most ever important human being in my growth and I listen to every single episode of yours from the “oldest” to “now” and my notebook is packed with everything I learned from your videos! Your knowledge videos saved me from the lowest bottom of the studying journey! I truly appreciate you!

152 3 replies
@CSyoutube90 2025-10-20

Routine is key. Wake. Train. Shower. Work. Food. Work. More food. Rest. Repeat.

109 8 replies
@purplelinny 2025-10-07

I almost didn’t watch this episode. And I almost missed one of the best inspirational podcasts I have ever seen.

41
@claudioramirez5726 2026-02-08

His quote when talking about parents say "Ill take a bullet for my kid. But you won't lose 40 pounds for them." Such a powerful message. Something everyone can feel. The level of focus is next level.

39
@271kEggos 2025-11-18

DJ is a really great role model for the current generation of young men. I always appreciate how honest he is about his struggles

23

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