From Mormon Mission to Hell Week: How Gus Built Unshakable Grit
Update: 2025-08-12
Description
In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Navy SEAL veteran Gus Gustavson for an unforgettable look at what it truly takes to build unshakable grit.
From a small-town upbringing and a Mormon mission in Brazil to surviving Hell Week. Not once, but twice. Gus reveals how discipline, purpose, and mental toughness shaped every step of his journey.
You'll hear how his military mindset now fuels a powerful mission to train law enforcement and save lives. Whether you’re chasing your next Spartan finish line or just trying to push through life’s obstacles, this episode will challenge your excuses and reset your perspective.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:30 Meet Karl Gus Gustavson
02:07 Background & High School
02:35 Coaches Who Built Character
03:38 Gus’s Mormon Mission to Brazil
04:43 Mission Work as a Rite of Passage
06:50 Learning to Communicate & Coexist
07:53 Returning from Brazil and the 9/11 Turning Point
08:49 Why He Joined the Navy SEALs
11:17 Injuries and Perseverance in SEAL Training
15:19 Reflections on His SEAL Career
17:33 Perspective from WWII Veterans
19:01 Physical Struggle Builds Mental Strength
19:49 Life After the SEALs
20:52 Support from the Spartan Community
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