Mastering Fear

A Navy SEAL's Guide

By: Brandon Webb, John David Mann

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain, Brandon Webb

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author and former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb comes a simple yet powerful five-step guide to transforming your life by making your fears work for you instead of against you.

Brandon Webb has run life-threatening missions in the world's worst trouble spots, whether that meant jumping out of airplanes, taking down hostile ships on the open sea, or rolling prisoners in the dead of night in the mountains of Afghanistan. As a Navy SEAL, he learned how to manage the natural impulse to panic in the face of terrifying situations. As media CEO and national television commentator, he has learned how to apply those same skills in civilian life.

Drawing on his experiences in combat and business, along with colorful anecdotes from his vast network of super-achiever friends, from astronauts to billionaires, Webb shows how people from all walks of life can stretch and transcend their boundaries and learn to use their fears as fuel to achieve more than they ever thought possible. "Fear can be a set of manacles, holding you prisoner", writes Webb. "Or it can be a slingshot, catapulting you on to greatness."

The key, says Webb, is not to fight fear or try to beat it back, but to embrace and harness it. In the process, rather than being your adversary, your fear becomes a secret weapon that allows you to triumph in even the most adverse situations. In Mastering Fear, Webb and his best-selling coauthor, John David Mann, break this transformation down into five practical steps, creating a must-listen manual for anyone looking for greater courage and mastery in their lives.

©2018 Brandon Webb, John David Mann (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

“A useful weapon for those fighting creative battles in the ‘War of Art.’” (Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art)

“The big wins and most incredible experiences come when we feel afraid but do it anyway. Read Mastering Fear, get out of your comfort zone, and dance with your fear, knowing it will lead you to new levels of performance!” (Siri Lindley, former triathlon world champion, coach, and author of Surfacing) 

"Brandon’s book will help you conquer anything holding you back from being your best and most unafraid self. A life-changer!" (Betsy Morgan, former CEO, Huffington Post; former president, The Blaze) 

slow start

It was a good audio book. I got it after finishing Extreme Ownership. I kept wondering "when will we get to the good stuff?" It started out slow and seemed like I personally was not going to get much out of it. About 25% through though the author broke things down and explained his system for working through and with your fears. It was enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it. If it starts off slow for you like it did for me just give it a chance and listen to the entire book before passing judgement.

One of the Best!

Absolutely marvelous! Probably better as an audiobook than if I'd read a hard copy! Brandon's story telling skills are on full display and it lends a nuance to the book that is unparalleled. Well done sir...and thank you!

Excellent

So glad this book crossed my path. Enjoyed listening to this powerful message. best seller in my opinion

Get off the sidelines

Honestly, this book was one of the best personal development books I have read. It gives you a motivational perspective on time and propels you to get into the game. One line that really resonated with me was “Don’t wait for the perfect version of yourself to come around before you take action.” Phenomenal! I also love the stories about his time at war and as a pilot.

Webb’s Best Work So Far

I read this through in one sitting, couldn’t walk away. I read a lot of books, lots of business and self improvement books - by a long long shot this one resonated with me like no other. It went beyond motivating, it delivered a visceral clarity and a sense of freedom I’ve not found before. I’ve read all of Webb’s books and they are all good, but he dug down deep on this one and struck a chord. This book won’t leave me, ever. I’m reading it again tomorrow. Thank you Brandon.

Thank you!

This was an incredibly powerful book that brought me to several realizations about the power of thought and action and fear. Thank you for both enlightening me, and solidifying some blurry thoughts that have been churning around amidst the chatter. Totally incredible stuff, written in a powerful way!

Unique viewpoints, good narration.

This book is about how to take action in spite of fear. He throws away the notion that fear is "not real" and explains what it is really about. The idea is not about getting rid of fear, but how to use it and live with it.

I appreciate when an author expresses their own ideas instead of just rehashing the same ideas you hear in so many other books. Brandon tackles some popular ideas such as living outside of your comfort zone and taking massive action, refutes them and offers his own viewponts. Who else would know fear if not someone who has faced it in battle?

I would recommend this book to anyone that recognizes fear as an obstacle their life.

Last book I read from this author ! promised!

I gave him a second try, after quick reading total focus, which I complained it was much more of a biografy & bragging how succesfull he was blabla.... instead of mastering or giving techniques, or getting you to practical point on mastering something....
and he did it again.....
plus, some of the parts are the same as the first book total focus.....again he stays too long explining battle stories and successfull trades which he made...instead of making you think about your fears or conquer them....

so totally not recommended.

A self help book by a warrior and business man

Most self help books a written by people who have not even run a lemonade stand or would be unable to fight there way out of a wet paper bag. This book in grounded the Author's dances with fear during fire fights in Afghanistan and multi million dollar business disasters and successes. It's that grounding that makes this book work so well. Great to realize fear tastes the same to everyone and it's how you chow down on it that makes you.

Fantastic book

This is a great read (listen). Webb has written a guide to overcoming fear and using it as fuel to live your best life. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone trying to accomplish a good life.

Great listen.

Great listen. Well narrated and brilliant content. Everybody can relate to something here. Cheers 😎

Kick in the a$$ even if you feel you dont need it

End to end useful tactics based on real examples, stories from all walks of Brandon's life (thus far) and extremely frank, honest and engaging. So many takeaways that I have started it again to take notes in the paperback I have also purchased for notation.

Even if you think you are killing it in your field of work, business or life this will make you stop, reassess and highlight areas that you may need to act upon now or in the near future.

Fantastic piece of work and a tool for those who are willing to be honest with themselves and 'let go of some coconuts' and take precise and measured step by step actions.

Surprisingly Excellent!

Surprisingly excellent. I say surprisingly as there's a shed ton of former special forces guys cashing in on the self help leadership market and it's easy to be cynical about the content at times. However, this not overly long book really hit the mark for me in devising an effective approach to overcoming fears and I'd not hesitate to revisit this book repeatedly to reinforce the lessons conveyed.

Amazing book.

Amazing book. It makes you think what it matters and what is important in life. With getting these things in place, no fear is an obstacle.