Former Navy SEAL turned bestselling author Jack Carr has a simple but powerful message for today’s youth: put down the phone pick up a book and get on the mat if you want to dominate in life.
During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Carr delivered what he considers essential advice for young people navigating an increasingly digital world.
“If you learn to think for yourself you think logically. If you read kids today if they put that down that phone and just read that is a superpower,”
Carr emphasized.
“Read work out do some MMA BJJ stuff do a little boxing but read. You are going to just leave everyone else in the dust when it comes to whatever you want to do next in life.”
The Terminal List author, who served as a Navy SEAL before transitioning to writing bestselling thrillers, believes that reading and physical training create an unbeatable combination for success. His prescription isn’t just about physical fitness or intellectual development in isolation—it’s about building both mental and physical resilience in an age when most people rely on technology to do their thinking for them.
“You’re going to be a more empathetic compassionate person but you’re going to have this knowledge base that other people are relying on chat GPT whatever it is their phone whatever to do that thinking for them,”
Carr explained. This intellectual independence, he argues, will become increasingly valuable as artificial intelligence handles more cognitive tasks.
Carr‘s emphasis on reading stems from his belief that books provide something digital media cannot: deep sustained engagement with ideas and the development of critical thinking skills. He noted the dramatic decline in reading habits which corresponds directly with the rise of smartphones.
“It’s amazing how many people just don’t consume any non-fiction or fiction. They don’t consume anything but like TikTok and Netflix,”
he observed.
The combat sports component of his advice reflects his military background and understanding of how physical challenges build mental toughness. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in particular teaches problem-solving under pressure, resilience in the face of adversity, and the importance of continuous learning—all skills that translate directly to success in other areas of life.
Carr‘s message resonates particularly strongly given his own journey from the battlefield to bestseller lists. His James Reece thriller series which includes “The Terminal List” and “Dark Wolf” draws directly from his military experience and extensive reading habits. The success of these books, which have been adapted into popular Amazon Prime series starring Chris Pratt, demonstrates the power of combining real-world experience with intellectual curiosity.
For parents and educators wondering how to prepare children for an uncertain future dominated by artificial intelligence and social media, Carr‘s advice offers a refreshingly straightforward approach. Rather than trying to compete with technology, he suggests developing the fundamentally human capacities that no algorithm can replicate: critical thinking physical resilience and emotional intelligence.
The former SEAL’s prescription may seem old-fashioned in an era of digital transformation but he argues it’s precisely because of technological change that these traditional skills become more valuable. As AI handles routine cognitive tasks, the ability to think independently, process complex information, and maintain physical and mental toughness will distinguish high achievers from the crowd.
Carr‘s advice isn’t just theoretical—it comes from someone who has successfully navigated multiple high-stakes careers and understands what it takes to excel when the pressure is on.
e is on.
