A week ago, I attended the Navy Seal Foundation benefit dinner in NYC. An honor to be invited, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. And it has been both amazing and humbling to reflect on the journey that resulted in my ability to attend.

As many of you know, the Seals have a small window to train and need to stay healthy at all times. It is imperative that when they train, they train with intention and emphasize perfect technique, making them stronger—while only spending a small amount of time in the gym.

About a year ago, I was invited down to VA Beach to teach with Pavel Tsatsouline, Marty Gallager, and Mark Toomey—an honor itself. Our mission was to teach the basics in kettlebell movements, such as the Turkish Get Up, kettlebell swing, and the pull up. Marty Gallagher taught the basics of the front squat, back squat, and the dead lift (Purposeful Primitive).

During the week that we were there, we had an opportunity to spend some time with a small group of Seals, sharing stories and talking about training. I remember a moment when we were all eating steaks that Master Chef Marty Gallagher had prepared and drinking some beers while fighter jets flew over our heads. It was totally surreal; I couldn’t have been more fully present than at that time. I was living out part of a childhood dream. Many of us at some point in our childhood wanted to become a Navy Seal—at least I did, and now I was standing with them, sharing a beer, and talking just like old friends would.

At the last Philly RKC, I sat with RKC Team Leader John Heinz, and we started talking about our experiences training the Navy Seals. We reflected on the Seals who lost their lives in the Chinook Helicopter crash and how honored we were to be able to have met them. John and his family, are huge supporters of the Navy Seal Foundation, and he invited me to attend the upcoming gala dinner in support of the Foundation, which was held one week ago as I said above.

The dinner itself was another surreal moment in my life. Active Navy Seals from different Teams attended and were honored. Some of the speakers shared stories about what it’s like to be a Seal and the sacrifices their wives and entire families make. We heard one respond to a question, with his wife by his side, that 255 days out of the year he is away from home without contact. He spoke those words with honor instead of sadness. And this is a 10 year commitment, with many staying on longer. These are the amazing families this Foundation supports. Each and every story had a deep and visible impact on each of us at that dinner. At one point, they listed the names of the Seals who had lost their lives, and there was not one sound in the room of 1,700 people during that time. As I read the names, I remembered moments of my visit less than a year ago and the conversations we had.

The phrase ALL IN, ALL THE TIME was posted and repeated during the evening by many of the speakers. It really sums up what it’s like to be a Navy Seal (family equally included), and a simple, honorable message and lesson in leadership to all. It is one that I will never forget.

A special and deep thanks to John and his family for their awesome support of an awesome organization. The benefit raised an estimated $6 million for the NSW community and their families. I strongly encourage you to take a moment to learn about and support the organization as well. For more info on the event and the Foundation’s mission, see http://www.nswfoundation.org/