Encinitas author teaches ‘The Way of the SEAL’

Whether your goal is to join America’s elite military force or just get fit, Encinitas resident Mark Divine says everyone could reach their goals by learning “The Way of the SEAL.”

Navy SEALs are known for their physical and mental toughness. As a retired Navy SEAL commander, Divine shares the skills he’s learned to help others change their lives at his Encinitas-based training center, as well as through his books and his websites.

“I love helping people be better people,” Divine said.

A New York native, Divine earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colgate University, followed by a master’s in finance from New York University. He began his career as a certified public accountant with Coopers & Lybrand.

Four years later, however, he left the corporate world to become a Navy SEAL officer.

“I was destined to be a warrior,” said Divine, who was a triathlete and competitive swimmer in college. “I wanted to be out doing things that were going to be challenging, and where I could really lead people.”

At 26, Divine graduated at the top of his SEAL class. He served nine years on active duty and 11 more as a reserve SEAL, retiring as commander in 2011.

Divine’s SEAL training also helped him as an entrepreneur.

While still in the SEALs, he opened his first business, the Coronado Brewing Company in 1996. Next, he founded the e-commerce website navyseals.com.

In 2006, he launched U.S. Tactical, a government contracting business, where he acquired contracts with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE for training support and with the Navy Recruiting Command for a nationwide mentoring program for SEAL trainees.

Divine later became the founder and head coach of the CrossFit and SEALFIT Training Center in Encinitas, at 849 Second St.

SEALFIT is an integrated training program that goes beyond typical fitness training, Divine said. It includes a foundation of strength and high intensity, and a functional interval-training regimen not found in traditional gyms or with personal trainers.

“When you train the body and the mind in this way, physically and mentally, you slow down the clock and actually reverse it,” Divine said. “I’m stronger at 50 than I was at 30, even as a Navy SEAL. I’m far more stronger and far more capable functionally.”

Divine is now the author of three books. In 2012, he self-published “Unbeatable Mind.” At the end of 2013, Readers Digest published, “The Way of the SEAL,” which reveals exercises, meditations and focusing techniques to train your mind for mental toughness, greater intuition and inner strength. St. Martin’s Press released “8 Weeks to SEALFIT” in April.

“I want readers to understand that training, physically, is not just working out,” he said. “You can get a nice body and get healthier, and for a lot of people, that’s enough. But the training you do physically should be so that you can enjoy life more fully.”

Divine is working on three more books, including a book on “yoga for warriors” and another on training for teens. He is also planning to produce a documentary or reality show about his training camp.

“Everyone can transform themselves into a better version of themselves,” Divine said. “I believe everyone can.”

Visit sealfit.com, uscrossfit.com or unbeatablemind.com.