The Mindset of a Royal Marine: Gareth Timmins on Growth
In just 1 minute and 27 seconds, Gareth Timmins shares something most people will run from. Not a quote Not a cliché. A code — one forged in the cold, relentless grind of Royal Marines Commando training. Gareth’s not guessing. He lived this.
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As a former Royal Marines Commando, he endured 34 weeks of some of the toughest military preparation on earth — documenting the journey in real-time through a personal diary that would later become the foundation of his bestselling book:
Becoming the 0.1%.
You want to make it through the forces?
Get uncomfortable.
You want to build something that lasts?
Get uncomfortable.
You want to write a best-selling book?
You already know the answer.
There’s nothing glossy about this philosophy.
No shortcuts. No filters. Just discipline, repetition, and the willingness to show up — again and again.
Most people back away from that idea.
But that’s the separator. The edge.
Because growth doesn’t live in comfort.
It lives in the cold. The tired. The uncertain.
And Gareth would know — he’s spent years studying it.
After his military career, he went deep into psychology, earning a BSc in Forensic Psychology and now pursuing PhD research in decision-making under pressure. He now translates that mindset to leaders, teams, and individuals who are willing to push further through his work with The Halcyon Club.
The same mindset that got him through the Commando tests is the same one he applies to business, leadership, and life.
And in this short clip, he sums it up perfectly:
Constantly do uncomfortable things.
It’s simple. It’s brutal.
It works.
Stay Ready.
Who is Gareth Timmins?
Gareth Timmins is a former Royal Marines Commando, behavioural scientist, and bestselling author of Becoming the 0.1%: Thirty-Four Lessons from the Diary of a Royal Marines Commando Recruit.
During his 34-week Commando training in 2005/06, Gareth documented his experiences in a diary, capturing the raw challenges of elite military preparation. This diary became the foundation for his book, offering insights into developing an elite mindset through psychological lessons.
Beyond his military career, Gareth has pursued academic excellence, completing a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Psychology and currently undertaking PhD research at the University of Surrey. His research focuses on enhancing decision-making under pressure, aiming to apply military-derived strategies to corporate environments.
Gareth also serves as the Director of Retreat and Leadership Programmes at The Halcyon Club, where he designs transformative programmes that bridge the gap between elite performance and corporate leadership.
