What pivotal experience led Ant Middleton to quit the British Army the first time?

After four years in the army, Ant Middleton observed a 35-year-old staff sergeant drinking from an old desert boot in a squadron bar. He realized that if he continued on his current path, that would be him in 15 years, which scared him into handing in his notice.

What was Ant Middleton's moment of clarity after leaving the Metropolitan Police?

While sitting on the steps of a job center, jobless and with little money, Ant Middleton had an out-of-body experience. He realized he was living a lie by pretending to be someone he wasn't, which freed him to pursue his true self and rejoin the military (Royal Marines).

Why does Ant Middleton consider honesty with oneself the most courageous act?

He believes that facing oneself in the mirror and 'ripping yourself apart' is the hardest but most liberating thing to do. Many people shy away from this, living in a 'void' or on autopilot, which leads to living a lie, whereas honesty underpins continuous personal evolution.

How does Ant Middleton handle 'cancel culture' and societal pressure to conform?

He maintains two core principles: not going out to offend and not acting maliciously. He believes in being true to himself, even if it means losing opportunities. He views external criticism as fuel for growth, rooted in his solid foundations of self-knowledge.

What is the 'moment of madness' phenomenon Ant Middleton describes for military veterans?

It refers to the confusion and confliction that arises when shifting between the extreme violence of a battlefield and the zero-tolerance to violence in civilian society. Veterans can mistakenly revert to battlefield aggression in an inappropriate civilian context.

How does Ant Middleton define 'positive motivator' in relation to negativity?

He states that negativity can be a great fuel, but only if there is a positive motivator ahead of it. Without a positive goal, one will simply drift deeper into negativity. The motivator is seeking to learn, grow, and become a better version of oneself.

Why did Ant Middleton refuse to claim PTSD to avoid prison?

Despite his lawyer's advice that it would prevent him from going to prison, Ant Middleton couldn't lie to himself. He knew he didn't suffer from PTSD and chose to face the consequences (prison time) rather than live a lie, which he believed would lead him down a false path for years.

How does Ant Middleton approach failure?

He sees failure as a challenge and is intrigued by what he can learn from it. He believes that even if the objective isn't met, the steps taken into 'failure' are valuable lessons for growth, leading to a better version of oneself. Failure is an inevitable part of life to be embraced, not avoided.

What is Ant Middleton's perspective on societal comfort and human evolution?

He believes humans are not designed to be comfortable or 'wrapped in cotton wool.' He feels society's restraints are forcing us into mental illness and hindering our natural evolution to constantly change and adapt. He sees a dichotomy between society's push for comfort and humanity's inherent need for challenge and meaning.

How does Ant Middleton define spirituality?

He describes spirituality as feeling connected to the world and having a 'real presence' or 'energy connection' with the earth. He initially shied away from the term due to its 'hippie stigma' but now resonates with the idea of being interconnected with the planet, a vital part of its evolution.

What is Ant Middleton's ultimate purpose in life?

His purpose is to continuously strive to become the best possible version of himself. He acknowledges that he will never achieve perfection, but the constant journey of growth, learning, and self-improvement is what gives him longevity and meaning, making him addicted and obsessed with the pursuit.

Key Moments

Ant Middleton Opens Up About His Personal Demons, Being "Cancelled" & His Spirituality | E74

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Ant Middleton discusses personal demons, integrity, and authenticity amidst cancel culture.

Key Insights

Embracing personal demons and past traumas is crucial for self-understanding and resilience.

Authenticity and honesty with oneself are the most courageous acts, leading to freedom.

Cancel culture forces individuals to compromise their values, risking their integrity for career.

Personal responsibility and a proactive mindset are key to overcoming challenges and achieving growth.

Challenging negativity and reframing failure are essential for personal development and a positive outlook.

Connecting with oneself and the natural world fosters a sense of purpose and peace.

ACKNOWLEDGING AND EXERCISING PERSONAL DEMONS

Ant Middleton emphasizes that having inner demons and negative thoughts is a natural part of being human, often stemming from life's hardships. He stresses the importance of acknowledging these 'demons' rather than suppressing them, as suppression allows them to grow and take control. Middleton's own experience with the death of his father at a young age and subsequent family upheaval led him to a practice of self-reflection from an early age. This continuous self-examination, understanding his strengths and weaknesses, has provided him with a 'bulletproof mindset.'

THE FOUNDATION OF SELF-HONESTY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Middleton posits that the most courageous act is to be profoundly honest with oneself, a trait he finds increasingly difficult in modern society. He recounts a pivotal moment on job center steps at age 22, where he stripped away his false persona and embraced his true self. This self-realization, fueled by accepting personal responsibility for his actions and choices, freed him from living a lie. He argues that without this honesty, one risks living an inauthentic life, leading to internal conflict and a loss of identity.

NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF THE MILITARY AND EARLY ADULTHOOD

Joining the British Army at 16, Middleton felt pressure to conform to a culture of drinking and fighting, which contrasted sharply with his polite, respectful upbringing. He describes spending four years trying to fit into a 'square hole,' developing aggressive traits to survive. A turning point came in his early twenties when he witnessed the destructive path of older soldiers, prompting him to leave the army. He then joined the Metropolitan Police, but old habits persisted, leading to expulsion. These experiences highlight the struggle to reconcile societal expectations with one's core identity.

THE REALITY OF CANCEL CULTURE AND MAINTAINING INTEGRITY

Middleton reflects on being 'cancelled' after his show 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' was axed. He discusses the immense pressure to conform to specific agendas, fearing career repercussions for voicing honest opinions. He operates on two principles: not intentionally offending and not acting maliciously. However, he acknowledges that speaking truth can lead to backlash, especially in a social media landscape that simplifies complex issues. He emphasizes that staying true to oneself, even when it means facing criticism or losing opportunities, is paramount.

THE POWER OF CHALLENGING NEGATIVITY AND REFRAMING FAILURE

Middleton views negativity and failure not as endpoints but as catalysts for growth. He explains that without darkness, light cannot exist, and actively confronting negativity can reveal opportunities for positive change. He likens it to digging for a seed of positivity amidst adversity. Similarly, failure is seen as a challenge, an opportunity to learn and evolve. By embracing failure, one gains experience and moves closer to becoming a better version of oneself, rather than allowing the fear of it to lead to complacency or a victim mentality.

FINDING SPIRITUALITY IN CONNECTION AND PURPOSE

While not traditionally spiritual, Middleton finds a deep connection to the earth and a sense of purpose in constant self-improvement. He believes humans are part of a larger interconnectedness, like leaves on a tree, and that embracing change and challenging oneself is essential for evolution. His experiences in nature, particularly in the Andes, have reinforced this feeling of connection and energy. He advocates for finding one's purpose, becoming the best version of oneself, and honoring that inner voice, as this leads to authentic happiness and resilience, far more valuable than external validation.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Ant Middleton emphasizes the importance of 'exercising' demons rather than locking them away. He shares his methods, which include discussing experiences with like-minded people in safe environments, sometimes facilitated by alcohol, or physically challenging himself in extreme situations.

Topics

Mental Health & Psychology Human Performance Mindset & Self-Improvement Personal Growth Overcoming Trauma Military Psychology Societal Pressure

Mentioned in this video

Supplements

Heroin

Used in an analogy with rats to illustrate how a lack of meaning in life can lead to addiction, even when other options are available.

People

Ant Middleton

An adventurer, military veteran, television host, author, and entrepreneur known for survival, endurance, and leadership. Recently 'cancelled' from his show SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Jeremy Clarkson

Cited as another example of a public figure who, like Ant Middleton, has faced 'cancel culture' but continued to thrive by staying true to themselves.

Piers Morgan

Cited as an example of a public figure who, like Ant Middleton, has faced 'cancel culture' but continued to thrive by staying true to themselves.

Johann Hari

Author of a best-selling book on depression and anxiety, whose research on the lack of meaning leading to drug addiction is referenced.

Locations

Mount Everest

Ant Middleton climbed Mount Everest during a storm, deliberately putting himself in a challenging situation to 'exercise his demons' and experience ultimate peace.

Andes

Ant Middleton experienced a powerful, almost spiritual, connection to the earth while in the Andes mountains in Chile, interpreting a falling rock as a confirmation of his path.

Organizations

Metropolitan Police

Ant Middleton joined the Metropolitan Police after leaving the army but was kicked out of training after being caught drink-driving.

Royal Marines

Ant Middleton rejoined the military as a Royal Marine, determined to be his authentic self and was awarded the King's Badge for best recruit.

Chile

Ant Middleton describes feeling a strong connection to the earth while filming in the Andes mountains in Chile.

French Foreign Legion

Ant Middleton worked with the French Foreign Legion in Macedonia, appreciating their mature and family-orientated culture, which resonated with his true self.

Companies

Channel 4

The broadcaster that axed Ant Middleton's show, stating his views and values were not aligned with theirs.

Concepts

Psychedelics

Mentioned as a method to strip back the ego and reveal one's true self, drawing a parallel to Ant Middleton's moment of clarity.

Media

Thanos

Ant Middleton compares his ability to absorb and transform negativity into fuel to the Marvel character Thanos.

SAS: Who Dares Wins

Ant Middleton's biggest television show, axed by Channel 4 due to a misalignment of values. He views it as bringing people together for positive change.

Books

First Man In

A book written by Ant Middleton, where a quote about 'making friends with your demons' is discussed as a foundational piece of his life.

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