I took on a UK Special Forces Challenge | The Fan Dance
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- This was the most important physical challenge of my life. I took on “The Fan Dance'' to prove to myself that I had overcome past injuries and setbacks. It was the culmination of a long journey to rebuild my body. My hope is that this video inspires you to overcome any physical or mental challenge you might be facing , because I know what you're capable of!
What is The Fan Dance? It is a 24km route march that forms part of UK Special Forces Selection. It is used as the first major indicator to assess if a candidate has the physical and mental aptitude to complete the legendary SAS selection course. The SAS cut-off time to complete the route is 4 hours 10 minutes. A time that I was determined to beat! I took part in the 'Load bearing' category which required wearing a loaded bergen weighing 35lb in addition to a minimum of 3 litres of water plus food.
DISCLAIMER: This was a personal challenge. It barely scratches the surface of SAS Selection. What they have to go through is on an entirely different level and I have the highest level of respect for those who have passed and served.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Fan Dance Explained
1:21 Why am I doing this?
3:30 Predictions
4:38 The Fan Dance
9:40 The final stretch
10:45 The emotional finish
12:07 Final words
References
I did The Fan Dance through the SF Experience. I cannot say enough nice things about Jason Birch and the amazing staff who run the event, many of whom are ex-special forces.
thesfexperience.co.uk/
About me
I'm a fitness coach with 15 years experience. I specialise in rebuilding bodies with a well-rounded approach to fitness. To learn more about how I can help you, visit jackhanrahanfitness.com/
Smarter Training, Superior Results!
Remember that civvies train to do this one event. By the time The SAS do it theyre probably already tired wet through stressed and still keep pushing even with an injury.👍
Cheers dits
@@waide07 Your welcome 👍
Thanks for pointing this out. This is 100% true. The conditions are far far harder and they do this sort of thing for months!
That's true, but also, soldiers aren't supermen, and Jack is probably fit enough to be in the special forces, at least physically. Plenty of (but still very few) people could make it, but you'll never know if that's not the route you choose to take. In the end, it's not what you could do, but what you actually do that matters.
@@jackhanrahanfitnessyears actually. First you'll have to get into the army, then you'll need to pass everything, then far outpace your peers in every training directive, then go to battle school, then specialise usually P company and commando, then you'll need to hit the right scoring criteria to get into selection all while doing your day job, then you'll go selection, then You're in the jungle, then you get binned if your staff think your a prick. Also......very well done, even in my 20's as a soldier I would have struggled with the fan dance never mind at 34.
Great effort! I always remember the recruitment brief from an SAS WO while doing leadership training in the RAF. His advice to pass the fan dance was easy, “On the downhill bits, run as fast as you can, on the flat bits, run as fast as you can and on the uphill bits run as fast as you can! “ 😂
can i just say that on the sas training over the fan dance you are not allowed to use public foot paths so in the summer its not to bad depending on how hot it is and in the winter could be be soggy and muddy making it a lot harder also having to use navigation ie compass and map increasing the time you have to do it in
@@wilky1953 Agreed mate but credit where credits due…3h 18m for the 24k route is an amazing time. Brutal exercise for all the right reasons.
Was that optional? 99% of the RAF would fail leadership if they had to do the fan dance in 10 hours, never mind 4 hours 😂
@@1993j 😂 You wouldn’t catch me climbing any mountain, that’s what helicopters are for! It was at the height of Herrick and Telic and they gave a brief to us, as leaders, advice on how people can apply for SF roles. They were pretty open and explained how it all worked to us all.
@@1993j TBF I don't know if it currently still is, but several years ago the majority of people going for selection and passing were RAF.
Well done mate, i did the fan dance about 12 years ago when i was in the paras, its fucking graft. The fact you did it in such a quick time is very impressive, i know how hard it is. You should be extremely proud, a great achievement 👏🏼
Awesome m8 I did pen y fan in a good time 9 weeks after a kidney transplant
If there are any veterans or serving guys watching this I thank you for your service❤
Did this back in the 80's. Ended up carrying someone else's backpack as well as my own for part of it (we rotated). Only just got my breath back yesterday :D I don't know how you did that with an old injury. Full respect to you! Great job.
I feel your pain... When a soldier goes down, someone else has to carry his pack. Only the best men are picked to do this...Respect. 2 REP 1989.
Well done Jack. I was told I would be in a wheelchair by 45. Too many injuries to my Skeleton. Now 64. In pain but still fighting and pushing along. You are a real inspiration to all. Never give in.
Just watched. Well done having done the load bearing event last year (5 hours - I’m late 50s) and just had to VW off the event this year with a fractured heel I totally get where you’re coming from. In 2017 I was 23 stone and diagnosed as a diabetic. I’m now 14 stone and have done 2 Fan Dances and 7 Paras 10s and reversed my diabetes. You’re right. You can do it if you put your mind to it. I’ll be back on the Fan next year for around 3 to see if I can make it 2-1 . Maybe see you then. Keep smashing it and once again …. Very well done
Fan dance is just the first march in “The hills phase” they do it all over gain the next day doing a series of peaks over a week with no rest. This is done while following a map and often at night or poor conditions. The hills phase is just the first part of selection which is six months long.
17 weeks to be exact
Brutal
Well done Jack. Your video is similar to my own experience. In 2017 I learned that I had a tumour in my knee, (benign, but 5cm in size), I underwent major knee surgery to remove the tumour, and then a knee reconstruction, The consultant said that I should "cease all sporting activities". I refused to accept that, and I signed up to do a 10k run just 5 months after surgery, which I did, although not in any record time. Nine months after surgery I skied over 160kms in Italy. In 2021 I did the fan dance with SF Experience so I really connected with your video. I was in the load bearing category but my finish time of just over 5 hours wasn't as impressive as your achievement. The day after I completed The Fan Dance was my birthday... I was 62 years old. Never say never x
Congrats mate, huge effort. "the body achieves what the mind believes"
I never expected to get emotional watching this. Great job.
What an achievement! What an inspiration! On my agenda for next year, at 55 years old! 😮
Did this twice in the early and mid-80s. brought back some painful memories. Well done you smashed it.
Well done, excellent effort. Just a bit of context - The Fan dance is done in the first week of the aptitude (hills) phase, basically to weed out those who haven't sufficiently prepared for the rest of selection. If someone isn't quick enough on this while still fresh then there's no way they'd manage the later tabs. This tab is also done in regular infantry promotion courses.
LOL. It's listed as a 'Forces Wives Challenge' too. It's been running for the last five years.
Spot on and you do it in the time and save yourself for the hills, it’s “not” a race!
It is certainly a terrible thing to be told that your dreams are shattered due to an injury, Jack you have bounced back and worked incredibly hard to be at the level that you are today, well done for taking on this challenge and what a great effort you put in. Not wishing to take anything away from you or devalue your efforts, but its worth pointing out that - all the events during selection are passable for an individual with an above average level of fitness and endurance, it is the culmination of each event which takes it toll on the body. By the time a candidate reaches the Fan Dance they have already completed several events and given very little time to recover, the DS are looking to see if anyone is pacing themselves as maximum effort is expected at all times and cruising can get you noticed. Now - you completed the Fan Dance and made it look easier than most, your next challenge MUST be the LONG DRAG... Good luck Jack and thank you for contribution to the Health and Fitness industry, stay strong. P.S - I wasn't in 22 just in case you were wondering.
Well done jack, I can see how much this meant to you so congratulations. Im on the road to recovery from a lower back injury and stumbled across this video and i can say its inspirational. You've gained a sub. Stay strong
Well done buddy, awesome achievement... I'm signed up for this in July 24 and have been watching a few videos just to remind myself what I've got my self into!
Conclusion is... I am going to have to train much harder over this next couple of months, absolutely brutal!
Amazing effort! Thank you for sharing this...your emotions on screen has given me drive to keep going! Thank you Jack!
Brilliant effort, I felt for ya at the end, the emotions of completing something that required: determination, willpower, stamina & the negative thoughts that were put in ya head from someone who said to quit, you also encouraged other people, you not only thought about yourself, you thought about other people too, well done.
Love this Jack. Really inspiring. Thanks so much for recording. Currently training at 43 and your vids are exactly what I was looking for to start the journey. Long way to go, but this vid has ignited a fire. Thanks again!
You seem like a real genuine guy and I really felt how much this meant to you. Nice one Jack, hopefully it is just the start of even new heights
Congrats Jack, massive effort. The only boundaries that exist are in the mind. Good that you didn't let a persons limiting mindset to hold back your own.
Well done Jack. I am genuinely pleased for your and your journey was truly inspiring.
Incredible effort mate, can see you really pushed beyond your limits there. Well done 👏
unreal effort mate! Well done, very inspiring
I did this for fun every couple of months but with half the weight. Phenomenal effort by you, Jack. Best video I’ve seen on the Dance. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Outstanding absolutely A sterling effort, your video moved me Jack huge well done
Well Done Jack, I was also injured as a kid and told I'd never do the the things I wanted, I overcome and proved them wrong by working my way up to SF units , I may now be older, but my determination is still there from enjoying the Highlands of Scotland to my oldest nightmare The Fan Dance,
Well done once again 👏👏👏
Well done mate , this is brilliant always thought I'd have a crack at selection after a long battle with Crohn's disease I had my large intestine removed and. Was told I wouldn't walk after the op and definitely never work , by my surgeon , I walked out of the hospital my self with my gear and I was working a full time job within 6 months , proper mind set and the right trianing , and never let negative pl beat u down , well done look forward to the next challenge 😊
Your channel has been needed for quite some time! Thank you for posting!!
Appreciate the kind words. Next week I'll be starting to upload 1 x video per week to really drill into my training methods and help people to rebuild themselves and achieve their highest potential. I've been meaning to start for a long time. I shot this video to kick it all off!
An incredible effort Jack! That was very inspiring.
Inspirational as always Jack!!
Fantastic effort Jack, you are inspiring well done mate
I feel you mate, I did this a few years ago and it's hell, you really have to dig deep. Fantastic effort and you've earnt a subscriber
Absolutely amazing Jack. Excellent and outstanding!
I found this quite emotional. I'm struggling with plantar fasciitis that just won't go and it's getting me down. This gave me a lift. Thank you.
I especially like that whilst you are obviously extremely fit and have overcome so much, you are so humble about it. Great character and attitude. Subscribed.
Once into this video I had to finish watching. In a way foolishly thinking that while I sit on my couch watching I could help you finish as I was realizing and feeling this spiritual journey. Great job.
Absolutely amazing work, thank you for sharing this with us!
I need to do this now!
Bloody well done mate. I'll never forget Jacob's ladder, engrained in my soul that. Great video, great message.
Incredible! I love that you started making long form videos in CZcams.
Bravo young Fella. You "knocked the bastard off" alright. Thank you for sharing your challenge/journey. Many will be inspired by your determination and hard work. All the best to you mate.
Well done mate. Brilliant effort! Keep working hard, looking after your body and loving life.
Inspirational stuff mate. Love how much it meant to you. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks for watching and thank you for the kind words. Means a lot.
What a fantastic achievement, you've every right to be very proud of yourself. Well done mate!
Well done mate, great to watch and inspirational content. Thank you
Wow well done man, that was amazing after what you’ve been through. Quilty human being
Amazing effort and what a time. 👏👏👏 Extremely inspiring and emotional. . Thankyou.
Great video and great effort mate!
As they say, "it's a state of mind." You sure have that state of mind. Well done.
Well done, what an achievement. Similarly to you I wrecked my knee at 15. Thought I'd never be able to do sport again but found a way. Currently have a herniated disc in my neck so can't do much a all - you're an inspiration. Good luck with your next challenge!
Woah, this was exactly the inspiration i needed today. Fantastic video, great effort brother
WAY TO GO JACK! Truely inspiring!
Well done it took me back to when I did it on Juniors and seniors back in the 90’s and early noughties!! Outstanding effort
Loved this, you did so well. Building your body back up plus the run. Congratulations.
What A legend !!!! I'm attempting this in 2 years time for a veterans charity I volunteer for, your an inspiration dude 🤜
great stuff man! Very inspiring! Well done
Awesome! Impressive! Inspiring! Good for you!
Absolutely amazing feat, well done especially with that story, I’ve been told very the same in the past so it hit close to home. I’m so glad you could prove the surgeons wrong congrats
Obviously just training for this is easier than what the SAS do but with everyone pointing that out i would just like to say 99% of us would fail to do what this man just did and he did it with a fkd knee, great effort mate well done.
cheers dits
Superb effort. Like you, I have enormous respect for the guys who do the full Selection and serve our country.
Thanks my friend. Me too. The highest level of respect.
Well done buddy, this is probably the most brutal racing event on the UK calendar. Amazing time.
Amazing effort dude. This challenge is honestly no joke.
This is incredible! Well done Jack!
Well done! Great story and thanks for sharing it with us 🙏🏼 I also had knee issues as a teen. Had to stop sport which was a big release for me, and it lead ultimately to alcoholism. Thankfully back out again and 25+ years sober. 45 now and fitter in many ways than ever. Do a lot of swimming now, ultra marathon swims you could say. Still push my knees when I can, like you say, training 'smart'. You have a new subscriber anyway, great content 👍🏼
Massive well done 👏 and an inspiration to us all👍
Well done mate, emotion and exhaustion is clear to see congratulations
Fabulous video. You should be proud of yourself mate. It’s not about your time etc, it’s about bringing yourself back from despair. With that kind of mentality, NOTHING will get in your way. EVER. Well done son.
I was going to bin off my run this afternoon, but this has just motivated me to get out and go. Subbed
Get after it!
Very well done jack and a very excellent time well smashed it,should be well proud of yourself ❤
Kudos to you mate! I'm going to do it next week! Can't wait! Great video!
Incredible effort mate well done
Good effort, and thanks for being real, that takes more guts.
Jack, what a superb effort. I've done it 3 times with another organisation & I did the High Moon in winter. I beat the time on all events but you have beaten my best time. Honestly, listening to your back story I'm thrilled for you to have done one of the hardest TAB's. TSFE also do The Long Drag which an ex sas friend told me nearly caused him to vw. But he also stated that exercise high walk was the first real test that all candidates were dreading. So you have achieved what many candidates often fail on. YOU ARE A STAR SIR.
Haha, you've got in great shape, well done. Now the real hard work begins....its called aging. As isotonics became more difficult I found calisthenics and isometrics took over and gave me mobility, strength, and endurance. I'm 56 and I am in better condition than all of my mates who are younger.
It takes dedication and understanding to realise you can't beat aging, but you can work with it.
Well done mate. Tenacity is key and you have shown exceptional grit.
Great and inspiring message : so many people have been told by surgeons that they could never do this or that again, but your life experience (and many people's experience) proves the opposite. These specialists see the body as something mechanical, and not on a holistic perspective. But human being is much more than that.
Awesome and inspiring Jack thanks for sharing 👊
Bloody brilliant, mate! Well done!
This is just one day of test week, at this point you have been doing this every day for a month and completely exhausted, I know I’m ex 6th troop, but well done lad!😂
Fair play to you my friend. I've heard detailed accounts of what SAS selection is like. Completely different level. Highest level of respect for you. Different breed....
Great effort mate. Can see what it means to you. Well done
Great Video Jack, Well done!!
You can achieve anything in this life, your a good role model at such a young age :)
Welldone Jack, I've ruined my knee but that's from 10 years of working on them as an Electrician. I still run lightly but it's a constant struggle. You did great!
Brilliant Effort Respect 💪💪
A man after my own heart. You get my respect well done, not a easy challege
So glad you added that disclaimer mate. Those who know, know there's a huge difference. But congratulations on the times. I can't get near that
Great effort! As someone who also got told by a surgeon in their early 20s they were broken and nothing could be done this resonates. Although injuries (in my case shoulder) stopped me from pursuing the career I wanted too in the Royal Marines, the most important thing in life is to keep challenging / pushing yourself despite setbacks. Will have to give this a go at some-point!
That was raw. Cracking, honest account there. Great work.
fair play buddy, great achievement and pretty inspirational ......must of gone through some pain on that journey......bet that pint went down a treat
Very inspirational, super effort, thank you for sharing 🏃🏃🏃
amazing effort! I have completed it once and it was the toughest thing I have done in my life
Congratulations, I am so happy for you. Just goes to show that you should always listen to that little voice inside of you that says, 'you can'.
Well done Jack inspiring indeed, your loss to the Olympics is our CZcams followers gain!
A tiny snapshot into why the UKSF is one of if not the toughest selection course in the world. Great job 👍🏻
The longest tab they do is approximately 64 kilometres. Carrying a Bergen weighing anything up to 55lbs. Your body will adapt. Evolution baby.
Great video jack, love to see the emotional at the end, I've been there many times at the end of ultramarathons. Congrats man ❤
awesome effort very proud to hear your story and keep up the great work
Cant wait for this next year 🫣😫
Great effort 👍. Very inspirational.
I'd love to do this! You are an inspiration to us all.
Great effort, thanks for sharing. I'm 52, a civvie doing P company tab in 7 weeks with 35lb. Love your energy and I will take your mantra of don't look up, eyes down, one foot in front of the other 👏👏
Well done jack.
Excellent effort mate.