Our Why I Sweat campaign features athletes from all walks of life sharing the motivation behind their fitness journey. We last got to know more about former ballerina Hannah Merkin, and today, you get to meet the one and only Steve Willis — also known as Commando Steve.

Steve describes the beginning of his journey as an attempt to use fitness as a tool — a tool to change the person inside him, who he didn’t quite like. But, if there is one thing Commando Steve — who was in the Australian Special Forces until 2004 — knows how to do, it’s work.

And work, he did. He had the grand idea to compete at the CrossFit Games, and in 2009, he did, ultimately placing 4th. It lit a fire in him further. And along with the unconditional love and support of his children, his adventure was far from over.

His friends will say that it’s his heart and his passion that draw people in. This grit and thirst for life are what have helped him come this far. “You need to be a bit unrelenting to making things happen, you know?” Steve says. “Putting things into action and place because if you’re waiting for other people to make things happen, you’ll always be waiting. You’ll be sitting at a bus stop for a bus that never comes.”

This sense of proactivity and determination has guided Steve throughout all of his accomplishments, and it’s safe to say that they’ve served him well.

Steve wanted to channel his life’s work into something even bigger. His journey led him to TV appearances on Australia’s Biggest Loser and Australian Survivor. Additionally, Get Commando Fit was born, and he brought with him his years of experience plus everything he learned while serving in the Army. Steve’s mission is to bring like-minded people together in a training facility that encourages physical wellness, improved mental health, and a strong sense of community. Mindfulness is at the center of everything they do, and it’s about so much more than hitting your fitness goals. It’s also about evolving into a better you.

Training with Steve isn’t easy, but it sure is worth it.

Having built his business and life around his passion for fitness, something tells us that this guy is just getting started. That’s not all, either! Check out the full video below and get to know Commando Steve better.

Which part of Steve’s story inspires you the most?