Michael—everyone calls him Mike—is a man of many talents and experiences. He brings together his operational experience and psychological knowledge in the SPARTANAT Black Book, “The Inner Strength.”
SPARTANAT: Mike, you’ve been in the field. What was the most important thing for you mentally?
The most important thing was to remain calm and capable of taking action, even in chaotic, high-stress situations. In life-and-death situations, it doesn’t help to let fear, anger, or the big picture overwhelm you. The focus always had to be on the next meaningful action that could positively influence the situation. At the same time, it was important to accept that stress, pain, and uncertainty are part of the situation, rather than fighting against them internally.
SPARTANAT: How can you prepare mentally?
Mental strength doesn’t just appear suddenly in a crisis; it’s built through everyday habits. Small, voluntary challenges—such as intense physical training, cold showers, daily discipline, or consciously stepping outside your comfort zone—help build resilience. It’s also important to learn to think clearly under stress and control your emotions. For me, it has always been crucial not to view unpleasant situations as punishment, but as training.
SPARTANAT: Who should read your book?
The book is aimed at people who want to become more mentally resilient, disciplined, and capable of handling stress—not only in the field, but also in everyday life. Many of the principles from military or tactical fields can be directly applied to daily life, work, sports, or personal crises. It’s not about becoming a soldier, but about developing greater self-control.
MICHAEL STRAUCH holds a degree in psychology and has extensive experience in tactical and remote medicine, as well as serving as a bodyguard on international missions in high-risk environments. His work combines psychology, functional training, tactical medicine, and Stoic philosophy into a modern system of mental and physical resilience. With Project Archangel, he teaches practical principles for performance, resilience, and self-leadership under pressure.
You can find Michael Strauch’s book here in our SPARTANAT Shop:
