The Power of Grit: What West Point Cadets and Fitness Journeys Have in Common
Getting into the United States Military Academy at West Point is no small feat. Only a select few out of thousands of applicants are chosen each year. To even be considered, you need to be in the top 20% of your class, have an impeccable academic record, excel in extracurriculars, meet a rigorous physical fitness standard, and receive a recommendation from a U.S. Representative or Senator. And even then, nearly 20% of those admitted end up dropping out during the initial six weeks of Cadet Basic Training (CBT), commonly known as “Beast.”
On the other hand, any one of us can start a fitness journey. There are no admissions standards, no recommendation letters, and no minimum GPA required. All it takes is the courage to walk through the door for the first time, a willingness to try, and enough money to pay for a monthly membership. The opportunity to begin is open to everyone.
As a longtime CrossFit coach and Jiu-Jitsu instructor, I’ve always been fascinated by what separates the people who are still coming back years later from those who drop off. There’s something unique about the ones who push through the soreness, the frustration, and the endless learning curve. And that “something” isn’t talent, fitness level, or past experience. It’s grit.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: is grit just some made-up psycho-babble? Turns out, no! There’s actually a test for it. Psychologist Angela Duckworth, who literally wrote the book on Grit (and inspired this very blog post), created a “grit scale” so you can measure exactly how gritty you are. Curious? You can take the quiz yourself here.
In her research, Duckworth found that grit—a combination of passion and perseverance—is a key predictor of long-term success. It’s the quality that pushes people to keep going, even when things get hard. Reading her book helped me understand why certain students stick with CrossFit and Jiu-Jitsu, even when the workouts are brutal or the techniques feel impossible to master. It’s the same grit that pushes West Point cadets to survive Beast and go on to serve.
When someone first walks into a gym, they’re often nervous, maybe even intimidated, albeit excited for the prospects of living a newfound healthy lifestyle. But as Duckworth points out, passion alone isn’t enough—it’s the combination of passion and perseverance that drives real growth. Those who stick with CrossFit or Jiu-Jitsu learn resilience. They become comfortable with discomfort and learn to push through it. Grit isn’t visible on the outside, but it shows up in those small, uncelebrated moments: choosing to finish a workout despite feeling exhausted, or coming back after a tough class.
The reality is that only a select few are chosen for West Point, yet any of us can start a fitness journey. But the real test in both cases isn’t getting in; it’s the follow-through. Whether it’s military training or a workout program, it’s not enough to simply show up once. Sticking with something difficult—building a foundation, failing, and then trying again—is where grit develops, and that’s what leads to lasting success.
So, for anyone considering starting something new, be it at the gym or elsewhere, remember that grit isn’t about being the best right away. It’s about staying committed, even when things get tough. In a world that often celebrates instant results, grit reminds us that the real achievements come from showing up, working hard, and never giving up.
