The Push – Tommy Caldwell
Book - The Push by Tommy Caldwell
By @redpointperformance_
Background:
“Whatever you do, DO NOT settle for mediocre.” I was given this advice a long time ago and it rings loudly in my ears still. People fear many things: failure, sharks, death, embarrassment. My biggest fear is that one day I will stop raging against the dying of the light and I will give into the ‘easy option’; accept my lot in life and all that makes me who I truly am will disappear.
I think about this often, and it fuels my desire to push the boundaries - whatever they may be. It focuses me and keeps me on track when my motivation falters.
I grew up in Eastern Europe, around the time the Soviet Union was packing up and feel I enjoyed a less than mediocre childhood: I had my first front row seats to a gun fight at 7 – not participating actively of course; I watched the bomb squad remove a thoughtful gift for us from under the family car and I watched as a man tasked with my protection fulfilled his duty in blood, as my parents tore me away from a rather energetic display of disapproval from the local tough guys.
As a child I learnt that if you do not make your life happen, life will happen to you. I spent the last ten years in the military and from the moment I stepped through the gates at Officer training I knew that the Infantry was for me. It took me 7 years longer than the men I started with to realise that dream.
Some of the hurdles were external, such as policy and politics, while some were internal, such as physicality and training requirements. A brief detour to a couple of SAS selections helped me understand just how to get the most out of my body and mind before getting back to the Infantry path.
I never cared much for emblems or symbols but the day I earnt my Skippy badge was one of my proudest. I understand that optimising our performance in whatever field we operate in is a lifelong pursuit and not a weekend seminar.
This is why, since leaving Defence, I have dedicated myself to supporting others achieve their potential and live their own extraordinary
