BECOMING THE 0.1% Paperback – 2 June 2022

This book is an incredible account, rich in detail and full of practical lessons about mindset, behaviour and resilience. There are plenty of details out there about Royal Marines' training, many documentaries and YouTube videos, lots of training guides, interviews and also powerful and dramatic adverts, but this book is a peek into the real thing - and in reality it is a harrowing, brutal, and relentless experience, and clearly a reality no-one has shared in this much detail before (amazingly, you can even sense that the author is holding back on some of the experiences and challenges). It is a very human, honest, down to earth record from the personal diary of a young man thrown into a shocking, and extreme world. Even though he prepared very hard for it, when it came to it, nothing could prepare him for the brutal hardship he had to go through to get the beret. His writing engages you at an emotional and psychological level; you feel part of the journey - it's compelling and actually quite moving in parts. However, the great thing about this book is what the author does with his experience: he creates practical lessons in mindset for the reader; he links academic and psychological research to the practical experience he went through - and why - breaking it all down into life lessons about mindset, struggle, emotion, anxiety, physical pain, despondency, suffering and resilience as he goes. But it's also humorous, and outrageous in parts (you'll needs strong stomach). Anyone wanting to join the Royal Marines should read this, anyone who thinks their training, their studies, their job, or their daily routine is arduous, or even moans at going out in the cold, should read this. And of course, anyone at all who faces any sort of personal, physical or emotional challenge would do well to read this. The lessons are profound, at times emotional, but always, practical, real and meaningful. It will be on my shelves for a long time for others to read.

If you consider joining the Royal Marines.. then Read this! And if not Gareth writes a lot of good tipps that you can apply to the civi world. I can not stop reading it this book. And he writes it as it is, direct. Class!

I thoroughly recommend this amazing book for anyone considering joining the Royal Marines, or indeed anyone looking to improve their mindset. Its a must have for me.I really look forward to the next book by Gareth.....I can't wait

A fascinating insight into the incredible life of a Royal Marines recruit. This is probably the toughest military training in the world. Gareth gives a very detailed insight into the experience. He's brutally honest about his own mistakes, so provides lots of insight into what not to do, as well as really great learning points at the end of each chapter.My son has been really enjoying reading it before starting at Lympstone, I've been really enjoying it too. I'd say pretty much anybody can learn some very valuable life lessons from this book.

Brilliant insight into the training of the world’s most elite commando unit - class from start to finish! 👍👍👍