Deliberate Discomfort: How U.S. Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

by Jason Van Camp, Andy Symonds (Primary Contributor)

Now an Amazon bestseller!
Deliberate Discomfort follows the journey of Jason Van Camp as a new Green Beret commander taking over a team of combat-hardened Special Forces veterans. This true story tells firsthand the intense, traumatic battles these warriors fought and won, sharing lessons learned from their incredible backgrounds. A cadre of scientists further break down each experience, translating them into digestible and relatable action items, allowing the reader to apply these lessons forged under fire to their own lives.

Deliberate Discomfort  is the ultimate book on leadership and self-improvement, depicting how these warriors found a way to win under incredible odds with never-quit attitudes. The authors don't just tell you how to thrive underpressure; they show you how, in heart-racing, first-person narratives.

Read Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry's true account of grabbing an enemy grenade in Afghanistan, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers but losing his hand in the process. Hear what fellow Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg was thinking as he tackled a suicide bomber. Feel what Marine Joey Jones felt as he was flying through the air, weightless, after stepping on the IED that would take both his legs. And most importantly, experience what Jason learned about leadership and embracing discomfort from adversity.

Reviews
"Gripping. Authentic. Engaging. Prodigiously researched, carefully argued, and gracefully written... a masterpiece." Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. , Best Selling Author of Catch Me If You Can, Stealing Your Life, and The Art Of The Steal.

"Deliberate Discomfort provides an intensely practical and enlightened path which challenges us to break out of our comfort zones. It will undoubtedly be lauded by both military and non-military readers alike as a powerful catalyst for individual change." Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs under President Obama; Retired Chairman, President & CEO of The Procter & Gamble Company

"This book provides leadership and life lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my career and life. Every leader should read it." Ron Rivera , former NFL Head Coach, Carolina Panthers

"Straight up authentic. For anyone that has ever wanted to overcome fear and do more in their life, Jason Van Camp doesn't just tell you to do it, he shows you how to do it. I have a renewed appreciation for the power of the human mind to dare to win." Rob Riggle, Actor/Comedian & Lt. Colonel, USMC (Ret.)

"Jason's gravitational pull as a leader is unmistakably evident. There s no better man to curate anecdotes of mental toughness and perseverance." Chris Long, 2x Super Bowl Champion
"The principles Jason taught (the team) and the instruction we received are all found in his game-changing book. He taught us the value of mental toughness and maintaining composure through emotional intelligence." Rick Spielman, General Manager, NFL s Minnesota Vikings

Genres: Leadership, Self Help, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Personal Development, War

285 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Oh, no!” I hear you say, “not another one on personal motivation.” "Deliberate Discomfort" by joint authors Jason Van Camp and Andy Symonds is not your run-of-the-mill self-help book. Jason Van Camp is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) officer. He earned the Bronze Star with “V” device for Valour as well as two additional Bronze Stars during three combat rotations in the Middle East and Africa. Andy Symonds is the president of the book’s publisher, Ballast Books which he started when he read the draft of Deliberate Discomfort, was suitably motivated, left his then employer and commenced his own publishing company. That in itself, is testament to the effectiveness of the lessons to be gained from the book. Aside from Van Camp’s personal experiences, there are testimonies from twelve decorated combat veterans who describe in detail their own accounts, both in battle and in the aftermath of their missions and blended with their stories are expert opinions from scientists to help the reader get the most out of the soldiers’ narratives. While Van Camp and the non-scientific writers are from a military background, the book targets those who just want to get on in life, whatever their leadership aspirations – teachers, firefighters, corporate CEOs, sports coaches. We all want to lead in one form or another, even if we are homemakers wanting to do the best for our families.

The writing itself is first class which you might expect when most of the writers have college degrees but as we know from some aspiring fiction writers, neither an academic background nor a university education is a blueprint for success. The personal accounts of soldiers’ experiences in war zones are so gripping you may feel you’re reading a thriller by a leading fiction writer. The sometimes harrowing scenes are described in detail and the dialogue, of course, is realistic. Read "Deliberate Discomfort" and you will definitely take something away from it. I know I did.

[Erik Golbiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the format of this book - The input and thoughts that each of the contributors provided. The background story, of each hero, was fascinating and revealed true character. What I continue to find amongst military leaders is the belief that you are in command of your actions. Outcomes are frequently an unknown - But you control the planning and reaction to what happens once the battle starts. Kudos.

[Cav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This book is about getting comfortable being uncomfortable. When you make the courageous decision to deliberately choose discomfort, you prove to yourself that you are no longer satisfied with the way things are and you won’t tolerate it any longer. You’re ready for change, for growth. You are ready to accept and embrace suffering because you want a better life for yourself, your family, and/or your business.
What’s stopping you?
Fear. Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will..."

Deliberate Discomfort was a decent read, although not quite what I was expecting going in. I am admittedly a huge fan of books on the performance mindset, and/or books on elite military units, so I naturally put this one on my list when I came across it. The author drops the quote above in the book's intro.

Author Jason Van Camp is a decorated Green Beret who attended and played football at West Point before earning his US Army Ranger tab and Special Forces tab.

Jason Van Camp:


The formatting of this one is a bit unorthodox. Each chapter is written by a different person in the armed forces who overcame a huge challenge or setback. Then, at the end of each chapter, lessons are distilled from each story. Unfortunately, something about this presentation just did not resonate with me as well as I'd hoped...

Van Camp founded the organization Mission Six Zero. In this quote, he talks about it and the goal of the book:

"Mission Six Zero was built by high performers determined to empower our clients to live life to its fullest. We identify, assess, and develop human behaviors to help our corporate and professional sports clients achieve optimal performance results. This book is a blueprint for how we do that.
We’ll outline our company’s curriculum, the Total Warrior Model, in the pages within. Our model focuses on consistent, sustainable improvement in six areas: mental, physical, spiritual, social, emotional, and professional.
This model was derived from the training that made us Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, etc. It focuses on the “Whole Person” concept and is used to transform door kickers into warrior diplomats capable of highstakes negotiating, rapport building, and unconventional warfare in the most stressful environments imaginable."

Interestingly enough, and in a theme that is recurring in many of these books on high performance that I've read; the key is to get a handle on the conversation in your own head. Van Camp writes:

"Sometimes we can be afraid of what is happening in our own minds. When we observe our mindscape, we can see our personal inaction, negativity, debilitative self-talk, and ineffective focus. Sometimes we just can’t accept it all. We judge our mental space and shame ourselves, then run from that place only to get trapped in a downward spiral. This cycle not only affects us negatively, but also the people we are around. This is yet another aspect of our development where we have the opportunity to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
It may be uncomfortable, but you need to master the skill of mindscape observation first. Observe what is happening in your head. Become the “spotter” of your own mind. Once you can execute this ability to observe, you will be met with a new ability: to orient and manage your mindscape (emotional response, self-talk, imagery) and choose where you want your attention to be."

********************

Deliberate Discomfort was still full of interesting and actionable advice. I would recommend it.
3.5 stars.

[K.C. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Deliberate Discomfort: How U.S. Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable is a work of non fiction based on real life experiences, and was penned by author and Green Beret commander Jason Van Camp, with assistance from Andy Symonds. When Van Camp takes over a band of Special Forces veterans, the stakes are high and the mental attitudes have to be tougher than tough in order to survive the ordeals that they go through during active service. The book recounts many tales of incredible bravery and mental fortitude, whilst also teaching important lessons about developing leadership and thriving under pressure.

A visceral, painful and provocative reading experience, author team Jason Van Camp and Andy Symonds take non fiction seriously. The purpose of the book is clear from the outset: to deliver the authentic experience of the Special Operations Forces and show the world how they survive and thrive, and that is exactly what you get, unfiltered, from cover to cover. Aside from the fact that the content itself is exciting, shocking and highly emotive, the style in which it is narrated also lends itself to the overall effect. The prose is elevated to cinematic standards, letting us live alongside these incredibly brave individuals as if we were walking right beside them, and it is this realism that adds gravitas to the work as a whole. Overall, Deliberate Discomfort delivers everything it promises and will make a highly satisfying read for anyone who wants the raw truth and inspirational tales of veterans working under immense conditions.

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Jason BA Van Camp is a West Point graduate, 26 years my junior. So I did not have the good fortune to serve with this fine soldier. This book is excellent for those leaders, especially young leaders, who are seeking mentorship for successful leadership. Van Camp collection is consistent with the mantra “No pain, no gain” (or "No gain without pain") is an exercise motto that promises greater value rewards for the price of hard and even painful work. Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, famously said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." And of course all of the pain isn’t physical. Van Camp aptly notes that “fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Van Camp clearly suggests that “You must deliberately choose to place yourself in the uncomfortable position of facing your fears,” whether it is speaking in public, or playing in the big game, or starting a business. But Van Camp acknowledges that that is not what society is teaching our recent graduates right now. According to Van Camp, “society is cultivating indignation and victimhood” suggesting “we are encouraged to place ourselves in an environment where we will not be exposed to criticism, opposing opinions, or emotional harm.” According to the author, “by implementing this Deliberate Discomfort mind-set” the read will find that “your life will change in a profoundly positive way.” Van Camp has compiled an incredible collection of “war stories” among 12 combat vets including two Medal of Honor recipients, one silver star recipient, 21 bronze stars, six purple hearts among 41 combat deployments. The author starts with training and trust, goes to motivation beliefs and leadership behaviors, and emotional dexterity. He itemizes important SOF Truths (Special Operations Forces). SOF Truth 1 “Human are ore important than hardware”, SOF Truth2: “Quality is better than quantity. And MY favorite SOF Truth 5:”Most Special Operations require non-SOF assistance.” Excellent examples of how Values influence action and values transport across various situations and challenges. The author itemizes some of the steps: be honest be accountable, express your pain, ask for help, stop focusing on yourself and serve others, and forgive yourself. Other great recommendations: 1. Show up. 2. Work hard., and 3. Deliberately recover. Some lasting recommendations to defeat analysis paralysis. 1. Decide to stop being a perfectionist. 2. Curb your emotional investment, and identify your objectives. Van Camp’s collection shows that the path to professional growth and success is enhances by inviting adversity. Each chapter is a separate unique story of adversity followed by expert analysis by Van Camp. This book is appropriate for the new graduate, or the new commissioned officer or NCO, or any mid-level or senior leader who wants to improve by CHOOSING Deliberate Discomfort.

[Charlie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book!
Lets just say I don't often want to grab a highlighter to use in my books ... I was by page 2 in this book!
It starts with a true "war story" of a Special Operations soldier from each person interviewed. Then it ties the story into the science of which mental, spiritual, or physical attributes the soldier used to show leadership. It also relates it to how that leadership trait is utilized in business and how we can build up that skill. It does a good job reviewing material that was read and not going over the readers head and also kept my attention.

I would recommend this book.

[Stacey Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step Up & Be Counted

A well laid out read using the experience of the author and his entry into a high performing team environment that had a great and visionary leader that challenged him to learn. By then having a review and translation of the key lesson and how it compared in other places to leadership or experience was very positive.
Step up & be counted through taking action more so when you are not comfortable !

[Ken Vennera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must read for organization and business leaders, executives, military leaders, business school students and anyone looking to deal with uncertainty, overcome challenges, or succeed in the face of obstacles to their business and life in general.
By far not what you would expect in a book by a military or other business leader, Jason Van Camp and his team take the lessons learned from Medal of Honor recipients and military experiences and creates easily grasped analogies to organizational and interpersonal dynamics to help anyone thrive by being forced outside their comfort zones. There is no situation in business or life that cannot be surmounted without the methods honed by U.S. Special Forces teams, the elite teams who face constant mission-critical decision points in the most life-threatening situations. This book lays them out in vignettes that are easily relatable to anyone and valuable to those even in the highest positions of decision making.
The reader will learn to embrace being creative in situations of extreme stress, the art of analyzing by questioning what appears to be known, but above all, avoiding paralysis by fear of the unknown and executing on strategies in such a way that will prevent catastrophe and encourage learning from the situation. This book truly teaches that failure is not an outcome, but learning opportunities are!
Having read many great authors on management and leadership in my days at Wharton and in law school, I can honestly say that Deliberate Discomfort is a game changer.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. This book is both a story about a company that advises leaders and their teams on solving problems and improving performance, as well as a text book for what they teach in their training sessions. The theme is like a rope of many strands: how to lead, how to take command, how to listen effectively, how to know oneself, and how to be all you can be on a team in volatile and uncertain environments. It provides a tightly integrated collection of stories about the author’s reception, socialization and integration into a high performing combat unit, a US Army Special Forces Company. We learn about significant life experiences of American heroes and of people successful in civilian life. We hear from highly educated and experienced experts in various human performance specialties. What emerges is a book of great use for any military professional as well as for leaders and managers anywhere. There is so much good information on a variety of personal growth subjects packed efficiently in one short book you just have to read it. It activated for me so many buttons about self development, military leadership, and teamwork and placed them in one kit bag that it gets five stars.

[Jay Izso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a life changer and a business changer. Major Jason Van Camp (Green Berets Special Operations Forces) shares with us some of the most heroic and intense stories of those who have literally sacrificed themselves in the service for others...in particularly many of whom they don't even know by name. Then Jason takes these stories and finds the practical application that you can apply to your life, your career, and your business. This book is for everyone! I have read it now numerous times and each time is just another reminder of how I have no excuses, I need to stop being comfortable, and I need to increase my training. Perhaps one of my favorite quotes from the book is this: "We do not rise to the occasion...we rise to level of our training." The book is powerful, applicable, intense, and will change you if you apply the principles.

[Michael Deffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't say enough about how enjoyable and informative I found this book to be, and wouldn't know where to begin to fill the 5-Star rating I give.
I found the mix of true-life heroic accounts of respective individuals, followed by a bit of "classroom" instruction, so interesting. I highly recommend any individual to take a dive, read this book. There are so many aspects covered within.
Not a paid advertisement!! But:
If any mid-size to large organization had the time and money, I could see a great benefit in bring the Mission Six Zero team in for "group therapy".

[Robert Strupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing: if you’ll allow it.

We often see special operators as action heroes; like the wars they fight abroad are some sort of stupid action movie. These men and women are brave souls that dared to put everything on the line for something greater - and then share it with the rest of us. What kind of world would we be living in if everyone thought this way? I’m glad they’ve been successful. If we’ll let getting comfortable being uncomfortable rub off on us, our lives will have been worth it, no matter what happens…

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this book was deliberately discomforting for me to read. Which is honestly why I kept reading it. I didn’t find any jaw-dropping bits of wisdom in here. I did genuinely enjoy the case studies, but I continually felt that there was a bit too much artistic license and embellishment with some of the “facts.” My perception of reality doesn’t mesh with this hardcore Disney theme I felt vining through these stories. All in all, a useful book, but not to my personal tastes.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. He highlighted some of the most important leadership lessons he learned in the Green Berets, through story telling with those individuals that taught him those lessons. Then he finishes up each chapter with an expert in that field giving the science and practical application of these lessons. Holy Moly, read this book and apply it to your life. Excellent.

Definitely reread.

[Jack Dawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is one that I just can't understand why others like it so much. Being in and of the community may make this treatise seem to simple and mundane, prior exposure tainting my experience may well be the reason this reads at a kindergarten level of performance and self-help for me. Not sure, others in my household like it well enough.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has become one of my favorite leadership books. With a format of each chapter being broken up into a testimony/story section, a section on scientific foundation, and a section on application, this book greatly helps the reader gain better understanding of navigating and embracing discomfort.

I highly recommend this book!

[Haley Boutwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first “self-help”-like book I’ve read and it took me a minute to get used too. But once I was in it, man was it good. I got this book off of the Book of the Month for my Fit To Fight Fire patreon group. I took notes throughout the whole thing. I loved that each chapter was a different member of the group and a different special forces team member.

[Greg Despres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great leadership book! The stories are varied and compelling but the principles of leadership had me looking for a summary pdf review- I did not find it anywhere so I went and purchased the Kindle version in order to scour and mine those principles. If I find 2-3 principles, I’m my opinion, it was worth the cost of the Kindle version.

[Dallas Woolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me feel like myself and everyone I know are total wussies. Also, it helps to motivate to instill habits into ones life to step out of the comfort zone. It’s outside those comfort boundaries that the grown and development happens.

[Glenn Yeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good real-world examples of how high-stress military operators maintain composure and motivation during most difficult situations. Becomes a bit repetitive. Could be condensed and remain equally interesting and even more impactful.

[Bryan Mullalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is excellent for anyone who is looking to improve their leadership skills. It provides real life situations and then analyzes how different skills/mindsets were used to help succeed in certain situations.

[Justus Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book.

[Paul Eberhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivational leader book. A good book for anyone taking on a new role leading a unit; good lessons from the experience earned by others.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little rough starting it, but once I understood the format, it became a much better read. Good leadership points.

[Mike J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books IMHO starts slow. However, from the second half on I loved it. It’s a great book and very dynamic. I highly recommend this book to those learning about leadership and performance.

[Lucas Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars**
Some cool stories in this book but I feel like information in here is accessible in lots of other books. Still a decent read

[Elisabeth Fulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow read but good content

[Dustin Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Van Camp is an inspiration, and this book showcases this. It's a must read

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my perspective on life. Living differently. Well worth the read. This book was a gift.

[Evan Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar themes to other seal inspired books. Choose which one you want to read, they are all approximately the same.