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Tim Kennedy Interview — Hurry Up and Fail | The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss・73 minutes read

Tim Kennedy discusses the evolution of jujitsu from its brutal origins to sports jujitsu, emphasizing the importance of pushing oneself to the breaking point in training. He highlights the significance of mental preparation, resilience, and adaptability in facing challenges, sharing personal experiences from combat situations and training in Special Forces.

Insights

  • Tim Kennedy highlights the original brutal nature of jujitsu and expresses disdain for its sport version, emphasizing the evolution and loss of its original purpose.
  • Kennedy stresses the importance of meticulous preparation before combat situations, focusing on mental toughness, self-talk, and resilience in high-pressure scenarios.
  • The narrative showcases Tim Kennedy's transformative journey from a directionless individual to a determined military recruit, emphasizing the rigorous selection process, intense training, and focus on leadership and strategic skills in Special Forces training.

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Recent questions

  • What is Tim Kennedy's approach to combat training?

    Tim Kennedy emphasizes pushing oneself to the breaking point to improve in combat training. He focuses on intense workouts that challenge endurance and strength, showcasing progress through increased physical capabilities. Kennedy's method involves rigorous preparation and mental toughness to face high-pressure situations effectively, ensuring readiness for combat scenarios.

  • What is the concept behind Tim Kennedy's show "Hard to Kill"?

    Tim Kennedy's show "Hard to Kill" revolves around experiencing dangerous jobs to honor those who perform them daily. The show delves into challenging and risky professions, highlighting the dedication and resilience required to excel in such environments. Kennedy's experiences on the show showcase the importance of mental preparation, self-talk, and meticulous training before facing extreme situations.

  • Who are some fighters Tim Kennedy admires?

    Tim Kennedy admires fighters like Jeremy Horn and Carlos Condit for their unassuming appearances but fierce competitiveness in combat. Despite their unassuming demeanor, these fighters exhibit exceptional skills and determination in the ring, earning Kennedy's respect for their tenacity and performance in high-stakes situations.

  • What is the significance of mental preparation in combat according to Tim Kennedy?

    Tim Kennedy stresses the importance of mental preparation in combat, focusing on self-talk and readiness before high-pressure situations. He highlights the need for meticulous planning and specific procedures to ensure every step is done correctly, emphasizing the mindset of not allowing failure on crucial days. Kennedy's emphasis on mental toughness and preparation underscores the critical role of mindset in facing challenges effectively.

  • What is the importance of extensive training according to Tim Kennedy?

    Tim Kennedy emphasizes the importance of extensive training, rehearsal, practice, strategy, and preparation to ensure success in challenging situations. He underscores the need for thorough readiness and teamwork, highlighting the value of hard work in achieving desired outcomes like freedom, success, and strong relationships. Kennedy's focus on training and preparation showcases the dedication required to excel in combat scenarios and other demanding environments.

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Summary

00:00

Tim Kennedy: Disdain for Sports Jujitsu

  • Tim Kennedy discusses his disdain for sports jujitsu, emphasizing the original brutal nature of jujitsu.
  • He contrasts traditional jujitsu with the sport version, highlighting the evolution and loss of its original purpose.
  • Kennedy explains his approach to combat training, focusing on pushing oneself to the breaking point to improve.
  • He narrates a workout experience where progress was evident through increased endurance and strength.
  • Kennedy delves into his show "Hard to Kill," detailing the concept of experiencing dangerous jobs to honor those who perform them daily.
  • He recounts a harrowing experience on a boat, smashing a window with a tomahawk and getting an infection from contaminated water.
  • Kennedy discusses the importance of self-talk and preparation before high-pressure situations, like entering the Octagon to fight a top jujitsu competitor.
  • He mentions Roger Gracie and their MMA fight, where Kennedy was reported to have dominated both standing and on the ground.
  • Kennedy explains his meticulous pre-mission checks before entering a gunfight, emphasizing the importance of specific procedures for safety and readiness.

14:06

Tim Kennedy: Preparation, Resilience, and Redemption

  • Tim Kennedy discusses the importance of meticulous preparation before combat situations, emphasizing the need to ensure every step is done correctly.
  • He highlights the significance of mental preparation and self-talk in facing challenges, focusing on the mindset of not allowing failure on crucial days.
  • Kennedy shares a personal experience of overcoming a mistake in combat, showcasing the importance of resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations.
  • He mentions his interactions with Marcelo Garcia, a renowned combat sports athlete, and the unique training methods employed at Garcia's school.
  • Kennedy admires fighters like Jeremy Horn and Carlos Condit for their unassuming appearances but fierce competitiveness in combat.
  • He discusses the mental toughness developed in Special Forces training, emphasizing the stripping down of ego and building resilience through strategic advantages.
  • Kennedy reflects on his life-changing decision to join the military after the events of 9/11, highlighting a period of wasted potential and the realization of needing to make a significant change.
  • He describes the reactions of his family and friends to his decision to join the military, with his father being proud and seeing it as a chance for redemption.
  • Kennedy's journey post-recruitment involves rigorous testing and training to qualify for Special Forces, focusing on the intense process of breaking down and rebuilding individuals.
  • The narrative showcases a transformation from a directionless individual to a determined and focused military recruit, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact and redeem wasted potential.

28:50

"Special Forces Selection and Training Process"

  • ASVAB and GT tests measure general technical knowledge and are crucial for Special Forces selection.
  • Proficiency in a second language is required for all Special Forces candidates.
  • After basic training and Airborne School, candidates attend the Special Operations preparation course.
  • The Special Operations preparation course is a pivotal step before selection for Special Forces.
  • Failure in the preparation course leads to reassignment to other army roles.
  • Selection for Special Forces involves rigorous training and a high dropout rate.
  • Graduates of selection proceed to the Q course for further training.
  • The Q course focuses on small unit tactics and job-specific skills like weapons expertise.
  • Robin Sage is a simulation phase where candidates train indigenous forces in a fictional country.
  • Graduation from the Q course leads to joining an ODA, the Special Forces A-team, for further training and deployment.

43:17

Proving leadership through combat and survival training.

  • The individual describes a scenario where they were preparing for a fight, using various objects as weapons and creating a strategic choke point.
  • After graduating from Ranger School, the individual received criticism from their boss for lacking leadership and experience, leading them to prove themselves by attending Ranger School.
  • The individual recounts a mission targeting a notorious figure, Zarqawi, known for brutal acts during the war.
  • Despite feeling deserving of a spot on the helicopter assault force, the individual was placed on the ground assault force to test their performance.
  • The individual reflects on instances where they were given opportunities to prove themselves through tasks and load plans.
  • Following Ranger School graduation, the individual returned to combat with increased military bearing and leadership skills.
  • The individual describes a fight they engaged in after Ranger School, where they dominated their opponent, showcasing their physical prowess.
  • The individual shares their strategy of using disarming walkout music before fights, such as "Rooster" by Alice in Chains, to pay tribute to soldiers.
  • The individual emphasizes the importance of starting small in physical training, encouraging activities like walking, martial arts, shooting, and healthier eating habits.
  • Suggestions for urban survival literacy include taking CPR and EMT classes to enhance basic survival skills.

57:15

Enhancing Active-Shooter Defense and Threat Assessment

  • A key aspect of active-shooter defense involves keeping blood inside innocent individuals and removing it from perpetrators.
  • Skills for active-shooter situations can include CPR, tourniquet application, and situational awareness.
  • Situational awareness involves identifying potential threats, locating weapons, and assessing people's behavior in a given environment.
  • Understanding the normalcy of surroundings aids in recognizing abnormalities, enhancing situational awareness.
  • Knowledge of demographics, socio-economic classes, and typical behaviors in an area contributes to effective threat assessment.
  • Awareness of parking locations, crowd demographics, and potential threats in different areas enhances safety measures.
  • Special Forces enlistment was driven by a desire to win and prevent losses in conflicts like those in Ramadi, Sadr City, and Fallujah.
  • Recent successes against ISIS are attributed to strong support, strategic bombing, and empowering capable individuals to take action.
  • The speaker's children understand and support his military service, recognizing his purpose and pride in his work.
  • Despite the risks involved in deployments, the speaker's commitment to preventing atrocities against innocent individuals drives his willingness to face danger.

01:11:56

Tim Kennedy: Success Through Preparation and Teamwork

  • Tim Kennedy emphasizes the importance of extensive training, rehearsal, practice, strategy, and preparation to ensure success in challenging situations, highlighting the need for thorough readiness and teamwork.
  • He discusses the necessity of having contingency plans in place for potential injuries or emergencies, including difficult conversations with friends about end-of-life decisions and ensuring loved ones are taken care of.
  • When asked about a message for a billboard, Tim stresses the value of hard work, stating that everything desired, such as freedom, success, and good relationships, can only be achieved through dedicated effort and perseverance.
  • Tim shares information about where to find more about him, directing people to his social media accounts under the name Tim Kennedy MMA, as well as mentioning his companies, Sheepdog Response and Ranger Up, which focus on training for resilience and military-themed apparel.
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