Eric Greitens
Born: April 10, 1974 – St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Eric Greitens is an American author, former Navy SEAL officer, and former Missouri governor whose writing centers on resilience, leadership, service, and veterans’ issues. He is best known for The Heart and the Fist and Resilience, and for founding The Mission Continues, a nonprofit that mobilizes veterans for community service.
Biography & Author's Journey
Eric Greitens was born in St. Louis, educated in Missouri public schools, and came of age at the intersection of scholarship, service, and competition. After graduating summa cum laude from Duke University, he won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, where he earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. while studying how humanitarian organizations assist children in war zones. Those years also took him into refugee camps and hardship zones as a volunteer and documentary photographer in places including Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, India, and Bolivia. A defining early turn came when he left the academic path for the Navy SEALs, later deploying four times and earning decorations including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. ((https://oa.mo.gov/hall_of_governors/Greitens))
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Popular Books
Resilience
Eric Greitens
A former Navy SEAL's guide to building resilience through purpose, compassion, and positive action in life's toughest moments.
The Heart and the Fist
Eric Greitens
A Navy SEAL's journey from humanitarian to warrior, exploring the paradox of compassion and strength in global conflicts.
Resilience
Eric Greitens
A former Navy SEAL's guide to building resilience through purpose, compassion, and positive action in life's toughest moments.
The Heart and the Fist
Eric Greitens
A Navy SEAL's journey from humanitarian to warrior, exploring the paradox of compassion and strength in global conflicts.
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Jocko willink
This learning plan distills the battle-tested leadership philosophy of Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL commander who has transformed how thousands approach personal accountability and team leadership. It's ideal for aspiring leaders, business professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to develop elite-level discipline, decision-making skills, and the ability to lead teams through high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence.
The Grit Blueprint: Building Unshakable Composure
In an era of constant disruption, the ability to maintain composure under stress is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is designed for high-performers and leaders who need to move beyond mere survival to thrive in high-pressure environments.
The Maverick's Guide to High-Stakes Influence
In modern organizations, merit alone isn't enough to move the needle on bold ideas. This guide is designed for ambitious leaders and intrapreneurs who need to navigate political minefields and master the art of psychological persuasion to achieve results.
Rebuilding a Life of Integrity
This plan is designed for men seeking to transition from a life of survival and labor to one of intentional leadership and character. It provides a roadmap for those ready to align their physical health, career trajectory, and moral foundation with their deeper purpose.
The Vital Synthesis: Stoic Grit and Nietzschean Fire
This plan is essential for individuals seeking to balance emotional stability with the drive for creative self-expression. It is ideal for leaders, creators, and anyone looking to move beyond mere survival toward a life of profound purpose and vital action.
The Inner Citadel: Stoic Resilience
In an era of constant volatility and workplace pressure, developing emotional durability is a critical professional skill. This plan is designed for leaders and high-performers who need practical Stoic tools to maintain focus and composure under fire.
Stoic Grit for Modern Stress
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Master Mindset, Business & Financial Growth
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Community Voices
"Eric Greitens, one of the most remarkable young men I have ever encountered, founded and runs The Mission Continues"
— Mike Mullen
"The consistent thread throughout Eric Greitens' life is a moral and practical commitment to the advancement of humankind"
— David Gergen
"From combat to the home front, Eric Greitens has demonstrated extraordinary leadership as a Navy SEAL, humanitarian and champion for wounded veterans"
— Paul Rieckhoff
"Eric Greitens has the real-life experience, the courage and the heart to give all of us the kind of advice that can be life changing"
— Martha Raddatz
"If you're in despair about America's future, meet my hero—Eric Greitens"
— Tom Brokaw
"Eric Greitens, both in his personal example and in his book, points the way forward"
— Robert D. Kaplan
"Read it to win your own battles, and see why Eric Greitens is one of the great Americans of our time"
— J.J. Abrams
"Eric Greitens is the best of the best"
— Max Cleland
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
