Steal Like a SEAL: How to Train Smarter by Observing Experts

There’s a reason why elite warriors, top-tier athletes, and high-level performers in any field all have something in common: They learn by watching.

Not casually. Not passively. But with laser-focused, intentional observation.

If you want to fast-track your progress as a protector, leader, and confident shooter, you need to train smarter by training your eyes before your hands. This isn't theory. It's how I trained as a Navy SEAL—and how I’ve trained thousands of students who came to me stuck and unsure, and left with clarity, precision, and a sharpened edge.

Let’s break down exactly how this works, why it’s backed by neuroscience, and how you can start using it right now to supercharge your firearms training—and every other area of your life.

Why Observation Beats Information

We live in an age where everyone is drowning in information—YouTube videos, podcasts, gear reviews, social posts, and online arguments about what technique is “best.”

But here’s the truth:

The people who actually get better aren’t the ones who collect the most information. They’re the ones who observe what works—and apply it.

Elite performers model excellence. They look for the habits, movements, and mindsets of those already getting results, and they replicate those patterns through deliberate practice.

This is where intentional observation comes in. You’re not just watching. You’re decoding. You’re studying. That’s what makes the difference. If you want to train smarter, start by watching smarter.

What the Science Says: Mirror Neurons and Modeling

Your brain is hardwired to learn by imitation. Mirror neurons are specialized brain cells that fire both when you perform an action—and when you see someone else do it. This concept was first observed in the early 1990s by neuroscientists Giacomo Rizzolatti and colleagues at the University of Parma in Italy.

In fact, a 2007 review published in the journal Brain Research Reviews found that these neurons are instrumental in learning motor skills, understanding others’ actions, and even developing empathy.

That means your brain treats watching someone do a skill almost like you’re doing it yourself. But here’s the catch: the quality of what you observe determines the quality of what you model.

Watch someone who’s sloppy or panicked, and you’ll pick up those bad habits. Watch someone calm, deliberate, and effective? You’ll start to adopt that energy yourself.

This is why I tell students to be very careful who they follow online. If you’re going to watch, watch the best.

To train smarter, be selective about the mental software you're installing through your eyes.

What Experts Say About Learning by Watching

Albert Bandura, one of the most cited psychologists of all time, emphasized observational learning as a cornerstone of his social learning theory. He famously stated:

“Most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed.”

This principle is the foundation of everything from martial arts to surgical training. In fact, a study published in Annals of Surgery showed that surgeons who watched videos of expert procedures performed significantly better during actual operations compared to those who didn’t.

If it works for saving lives, it’ll work for defending yours. Use it to train smarter.

How I Used This in SEAL Training

When I was going through BUD/S and sniper school, I knew I wasn’t going to out-muscle anyone. But I could out-learn them.

So I started doing something that paid off for the rest of my career: I studied the instructors. Not just what they said, but how they moved. How they stood. Where their eyes went. How they stayed calm under pressure. What they did when things went wrong.

I soaked it in like a sponge. Then, when it was my turn to perform, I ran that internal tape. It wasn’t just practice. It was modeled precision. That’s how I consistently earned top scores and eventually became a sniper instructor myself.

I didn’t try to do more. I tried to train smarter.

How to Apply This to Firearms Training

This isn’t just a cool story. You can use this technique today. Here's how:

1. Choose Your Model Wisely

Pick one expert to study. Not five. Not fifty. Watch someone who teaches what they do—not just shows off for the camera. Someone who can:

Explain why they do what they do
Demonstrate clear control and intention
Perform under pressure

(And yes—watching my videos or training courses counts. That’s why I make them.)

2. Watch With Intention

Set a timer for 10 minutes. No distractions. Watch the video or demonstration slowly. Focus on:

Their stance
Hand positioning
Eye movement
Breathing rhythm
Their reaction to unexpected situations

Ask yourself: Why are they doing it that way?

3. Replay Mentally

Before bed, replay what you saw in your mind. Visualize yourself doing it the same way. Mental rehearsal is scientifically proven to improve motor learning. Your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between real and vividly imagined practice.

4. Apply It In Training

The next time you dry fire or go to the range, pick one thing you saw—and try to replicate it. Keep it simple. Don’t try to change everything. Anchor one skill at a time.

5. Review and Adjust

Afterward, ask: Did that work for me? What felt right? What felt forced? Not everything will click immediately. But you’re building a sharper lens for performance.

Real-World Example: Drawing From the Holster

Let’s take a concrete example: drawing from the holster.

You could spend hours dry firing and still build bad habits. But if you carefully watch someone who moves with efficiency—no wasted motion, no hesitation—you’ll start to notice the subtle cues:

Where their support hand goes first
How they engage their core without thinking about it
The rhythm of their draw, not just the speed

Then, when you step up to practice, you’re not just repeating reps. You’re training with purpose, modeled off precision.

Beyond the Range: Applying This in Life

This same principle applies whether you’re trying to:

Become a better parent
Speak with more confidence
Lead a team
Stay calm in a crisis
Live a more disciplined life

Look for people who live the way you want to live—and start observing them with intent.

What time do they wake up?
How do they talk to their kids?
What do they say when things get tough?
What do they never waste energy on?

Just like on the range, their actions leave a trail. Follow it.

Final Word: Your Eyes Are Your Advantage

Most people rush into action and wonder why they keep making the same mistakes.

You’re smarter than that. You’re not just training to shoot—you’re training to see.

If you want to train like a protector, lead like a warrior, and level up every area of your life, then slow down… and start watching.

Your eyes are your edge. Use them.

And if you want to shortcut your path even more, I’ve laid out a full system you can follow inside my premium membership. The lessons are there, the models are built-in—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Stay sharp,
— Chris Sajnog