Episode 313: Never Quit Mindset with Epictetus (Slave to Stoic Teacher)

Building a Never Quit Mindset is Possible… https://www.stewsmithfitness.com/products/the-never-quit-mindset-book

With this action plan, you'll learn to understand the growth process required for physical and mental toughness. You'll enjoy the liberation from the fear of failure and the freedom to move forward and through obstacles, setting you on a path whereby your growth knows no limits.

Defeat Self-Doubt and Embrace Never-Ending Progress

- Step-by-Step Growth Process: Transformations don’t happen in a day, but with the right blueprint, you can ignite the spark within and foster continuous success.

- Expert Tactics for Resilience: Take a methodologically proven path to becoming unfazed by challenges—straight from a former Navy SEAL and Tactical Fitness Coach helping operators prepare for decades.

- Comfort Zone Expansion: Effectively step beyond limitations and explore new territories of potential.

- Stress Coping Mechanisms: Equip yourself with tailored strategies that make stress, failure, and doubt manageable—not debilitating.

- Mindset Mastery: Leverage mental practices that redefine self-belief, focused on winning and competing and never even thinking about quitting.

Master Your Mindset with Stew Smith, Tactical Fitness Pioneer / Spec Ops Coach

A Stoic approach is something that concisely concludes each chapter of the book. Here is one of the great teachers of Stoicism Epictetus: From Slavery to Stoic Wisdom

How Ancient Teachings Inspire Motivate and Build the Never Quit Mindset
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
True freedom is internal and comes from controlling one’s own will and judgement not from external factors like power or wealth. Even a friend of Caesar is a slave if their happiness depends on the ruler’s favor.


Epictetus was born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, present-day Turkey. He spent his early years as a slave in Rome. Despite this challenging start, he gained his freedom and devoted his life to philosophy, becoming one of the most influential voices in Stoicism. Epictetus's journey from slavery to respected teacher highlights the transformative power of focusing on what we can control.

The Core of Stoicism: Control Over Response, Not Circumstances
Stoic philosophy teaches that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can control how we respond. Epictetus emphasized that our true power lies in our thoughts, beliefs, and actions—not in external events. This idea forms the heart of Stoicism and serves as a foundation for personal resilience.
TWO Categories: What Is Up to Us vs. What Is Not
• Up to Us: Our opinions, choices, desires, thoughts, and actions.
• Not Up to Us: Other people’s actions, external events, weather, and other’s opinions.
Epictetus encouraged asking, “Is this within my control?” This simple question helps us focus energy on what we can influence, reducing anxiety and frustration.