04: Sharpen the Saw - Gary Rossi
Navy SEAL, Advocate for Resilience and Personal Growth
Gary Rossi’s journey is one of relentless resilience. From being overlooked for the Naval Academy to facing dismissal due to honor code violations, Gary's path was anything but smooth. However, his determination to push through every obstacle led him to become a Navy SEAL, eventually serving in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Gary's story is a true testament to the power of grit and perseverance, but what resonated most with me during our conversation wasn’t just his physical toughness—it was his focus on holistic growth.
When Gary joined the podcast, he shared lessons based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. These aren’t just habits for success—they’re principles for building a strong foundation in every aspect of life. Gary emphasized Habit 7: Sharpening the Saw, a daily practice of self-renewal in four areas: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. He didn’t just preach this habit—he challenged me to put it into action with a routine that has since become a game-changer in my life.
Covey’s 7 Habits and Why They Matter:
Be Proactive
Everything starts with this habit. It’s about realizing that you are responsible for your own life. Being proactive means taking control, making intentional choices, and understanding that your actions determine your future. Gary embodies this in his story—when things got tough, he didn’t wait for someone else to solve his problems. He took action.Begin with the End in Mind
This habit is about envisioning your life’s goals and working backward to make them happen. It’s not about short-term wins; it’s about the bigger picture. Gary shared how having a clear vision helped him push through setbacks. He didn’t let dismissal from the Naval Academy derail his ultimate goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. He stayed focused on his end goal and made it a reality.Put First Things First
Prioritize what matters most. In life, it’s easy to get caught up in urgent tasks, but Covey’s habit teaches us to focus on what’s important—our long-term goals, relationships, and growth. Gary emphasized that whether it’s training, building a business, or nurturing personal growth, you have to put the most important things at the top of your list.Think Win-Win
Life isn’t about zero-sum games. This habit is about creating outcomes where everyone benefits. In SEAL teams, mission success isn’t about individual glory—it’s about the team winning together. Gary stressed how this mindset helps not only in combat but in life. When we approach situations with a win-win mentality, we build stronger connections and create more opportunities for success.Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
The foundation of effective communication is listening. Gary talked about how critical this is in high-pressure environments. It’s not just about getting your point across—it’s about truly understanding others before you speak. This habit isn’t just for military operations; it applies to everyday life. We’re often so focused on being heard that we forget the power of listening.Synergize
This is about teamwork and collaboration. It’s the idea that together, we can achieve more than we ever could on our own. Gary’s career is proof of this. Whether working with his SEAL teammates or building his entrepreneurial ventures, he thrived by combining the strengths of those around him.Sharpen the Saw
And here’s the heart of Gary’s challenge to me: Sharpening the Saw. This habit is about daily self-renewal—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You don’t have to tackle everything all at once, but each day, you do something that invests in your future self. Gary’s challenge was to do just that.
Gary’s Challenge: Sharpening the Saw
Gary laid out a simple but powerful challenge for me: every day, dedicate time to each of the four key areas—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. These don’t need to be huge, time-consuming tasks. The idea is to make consistent, small investments in yourself, and the results will compound over time.
Here’s what the challenge looked like for me:
Physical:
20 Jumping Jacks
10 Arm Circles (small, medium, and large—forward and backward)
20 8-Count Body Builders
10 Box Jumps
20 V-Ups/Jackknife Sit-ups (3 sets)
This part got my heart pumping right away. I don’t always love working out, but these exercises were quick and effective. I didn’t need fancy equipment—just a chair for the box jumps, though I almost fell using it (definitely find something more stable!). After the workout, I felt energized and accomplished, ready to take on the rest of the day.
Mental:
Daily journal writing: Reflect on what I did, how I felt, and what I’m grateful for.
I love journaling because it’s such a great way to clear the mind. Writing down my thoughts helped me process emotions and focus on what truly mattered that day. Gratitude shifted my mindset from worrying about what I didn’t have to appreciating what I did.
Emotional/Social:
Reach out to someone every day—a friend, family member, or colleague.
This was probably my favorite part of the challenge. I reached out to people I hadn’t spoken to in a while. Just a 15-minute phone call with a friend or a text to a family member made a big difference. It reminded me how important it is to nurture relationships, no matter how busy life gets. I even called my great aunt, who’s 85, and hearing her voice brightened my day. We often take those connections for granted, but this challenge reminded me to prioritize them.
Spiritual:
Read a biography or learn about a historical figure.
For the spiritual aspect, I spent time learning about the history of aikido, the martial art I’m currently practicing. Understanding the philosophy behind it deepened my appreciation for the discipline and connected me with something bigger than myself.
Lesson Learned:
Sharpening the Saw isn’t just about physical exercise or mental sharpness—it’s about holistic self-improvement. When you take the time to nurture each area of your life, you show up stronger, more focused, and more capable of handling whatever comes your way. This habit is the foundation for sustained growth and success. When we invest in our future selves daily, we don’t just react to life—we create it.
But here’s where it became personal for me: We get far too caught up in life. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say they don’t have time—especially when it comes to connecting with loved ones. Gary’s challenge forced me to reach out to someone new each day. I picked people I hadn’t spoken to in a while, not just my core family who I talk to regularly. What I learned was that time is there if you make it. I’d call while driving or running errands, and each call was only 15-20 minutes.
We take for granted the connections in our lives, thinking they’ll always be there. Gary’s exercise showed me that you dohave the time—you just have to prioritize it. And as for the other exercises? When I journaled, I stopped overthinking. When I exercised, I had more energy. When I read or watched something educational, I felt smarter and more engaged in life. The biggest lesson? When I take care of myself, I function better and actually end up with more time to do what matters. It’s a cycle of growth that benefits everyone around me.
Takeaway for You:
Start with Gary’s challenge: do a quick workout, write down your thoughts, reach out to someone, or learn something new. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. You aren’t spending hours on these exercises. Fifteen minutes, and you’re golden. You’ll feel the benefits almost immediately, and that will keep the momentum going.
Small, intentional actions build up over time, and the compound effect of these habits will transform your life. Remember: taking care of yourself isn’t just an option—it’s your duty. And when you take care of yourself, it doesn’t just benefit you—everyone around you benefits too. Keep sharpening your saw, and you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.