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Life Under Fire: How to Build Inner Strength and Thrive Under Pressure

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THE EXTRAORDINARY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.

Take control of your life, build resilience and learn to thrive in any situation with the powerful and inspiring new book from the number one bestselling author of Battle Scars .

In Life Under Fire , ex-Special Forces Sergeant Jason Fox shows you how to build the strength of mind and the resilience of an elite soldier.

Recounting stories from high-stakes operations and expeditions, Foxy draws on the practices of the British military and the skills he developed during his career to show how to respond positively to life's challenges. Using battle-tested techniques, he explains how to find true grit in life's difficult moments, and how to ensure you have the inner strength to thrive in any environment.

Whether you're under emotional pressure or facing physical challenges, this book will equip you with the tools you need to overcome obstacles and excel in adversity.

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First published October 15, 2020

115 people are currently reading
697 people want to read

About the author

Jason Fox

27 books54 followers
Jason Fox is a television presenter, adventurer and a former UK Special Forces soldier and Royal Marine Commando.

There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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5 stars
261 (37%)
4 stars
282 (40%)
3 stars
119 (17%)
2 stars
26 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Rich.
361 reviews
October 21, 2021
This is the fifth or so self help book that I have read over recent years so I like to think I have a good feel for what makes a good one.
This is a solid four out of five stars.
Hard going and at times, unnecessarily grinding, but it does exactly what it should. And that, is to provide a solution to life’s serial problems.

I am impressed with how Fox opens up, and it does appear to be a follow on from Battle Scars (the first of Fox’s literary efforts), with certain elements of his mental health explored some more, but ultimately, providing the reader with his solutions to battle through the fog.

I’m not sure I’d revisit this one, but for the most part I enjoyed it and my review certainly doesn’t take away from his aim to help people.
I for one, took elements away in to my life and I am sure others will follow it as well.

Four out of five.
Profile Image for Sam Dyer.
142 reviews
June 15, 2022
There’s some great things about this book. Every time Foxy goes into details about his experiences of war, his projects since, his struggle with PTSD and how he’s helping people through similar situations today, I was gripped.
When he started to apply that to everyday life for most people, I found the writing vague, repetitive and hard to get through. If the book was half the length, I would have enjoyed it twice as much.
6 reviews
January 22, 2021
7.9/10 A bit of a grind at times, but mostly enjoyable. The war stories, training, and the expeditions he partook in post-army were fascinating. Interesting insight into how resilient and flexible the special forces become through training and experience. Some of the main ideas I will take from this book include the idea of the comfort-fear-learning-growth zones, and engaging in mentally and physically challenging projects to remain emotionally strong.
73 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2022
some useful steps to keep mentally strong

Having enjoyed SAS Who Dares Wins and seen Foxy reveal his issues mentally after being discharged from special services, enjoyed this read where he pulls from his military life and relates lessons he’s learned to “normal” life.
If enjoy/Ed the series will most likely enjoy this book too
1 review
December 21, 2020
Fantastic read. Jason opens up about real life experiences whist offering some great advice for day to day living. Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Bear.
36 reviews
August 23, 2025
It’s hard not to admire Jason and his grit. The elements discussed in the book are insightful and I felt very convicted while reading about my own shortcomings. Here are my key takeaways:

- Your mindset is everything. If you cave in to pressure, it can lead to serious consequences.
- Positive thinking and visualization really work wonders, especially when you are in a tough situation
- Resilience is a skill that must be fostered and maintained
- Find a bigger goal and purpose in your life and do what you need to do to achieve it

So many other good nuggets I noted here as I read. Will definitely be thinking about this one for a while!
1 review
January 25, 2023
Inspiring and a proper kick up the backside to go and achieve my purpose, whilst reading this book I have landed a new position and looking forward to my new chapter. Thanks Foxy

Inspiring and a proper kick up the backside to go and achieve my purpose, whilst reading this book I have landed a new position and looking forward to new challenges ahead. Thanks Foxy
Profile Image for Lady.
1,077 reviews17 followers
February 28, 2021
Exceptional book with great insight and step by step guide with examples from both his past military life and examples from who dares wins. Learning how to build yourself into a better more resilient person
Profile Image for Steven Feeney.
54 reviews2 followers
October 6, 2021
An interesting and plain spoken approach to mental health. Foregoes the clinical language and uses military metaphors to make it accessible to the average person.

Also, a very raw and transparent memoir of Jason's own struggles.

Useful, applicable and well written.
Profile Image for Keith Weller.
209 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2020
Great second book great to see how him comes to terms with everything controls his mind though bad times
2 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2020
Amazing book with some great tips on how to become more resilient. I'll be reading this again for sure.
167 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2021
Disappointing. Really like Jason Fox, respect what he has done, admire his history.. But the book taught me nothing, and enlightened me zero. . gave up on it with 80 pages to go.
Profile Image for Megan Jermy.
87 reviews
July 3, 2021
Once j started i couldn’t put it down! I just kept thinking just another chapter and then there was none left! 100% recommend
Profile Image for Kirsten.
11 reviews
October 23, 2021
Absolutely amazing, a must read if u want to build ur tool kit in resilience 😁 x
Profile Image for Claire.
319 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2022
Went to see Jason speak in Birmingham. Loved it!

Lots of good tips on resilience in the book and enjoyed his openness about PTSD
Profile Image for Mark Speed.
Author 17 books83 followers
August 22, 2022
Probably suited to people beginning their journey into self-development. Some solid lessons and interesting stories from special forces.
Profile Image for Milly.
38 reviews
August 7, 2023
Interesting but found it hard to get into so it was a slow burn
18 reviews
January 8, 2024
1/4 self help, 3/4 action and great stories. Very interesting and motivating read
1 review
August 13, 2021
Can relate easily to this book. Apply his experiences to real life situation
Profile Image for Will.
149 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2021
Some cracking life lessons and leadership skills. Heavy.
23 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2021
life under fire is a brilliant a book to sort out yourself if you are stuck in lockdown. it is very true a lot of people dont know their why (purpose of life). finding that why the purpose is what we should be doing. I look forward to read similar book from jason.
Profile Image for Dan Liggins.
69 reviews11 followers
April 12, 2022
Very impactful, informative & captivating!
Jason Fox has a story or two to tell. He is a man who has experienced a lot in life – composing through extreme jobs in his British Army roles as well as a simple guy from England living his own life – Jason has a lot to say.
In his book Life Under Fire, Jason exhibits brilliantly how life is tough.
Life does not go as planned or is an easy ride for anybody. Whatever you do, whoever you are, whatever you are aiming to be in life, it will not be easy.

Jason Fox has lived in extreme war conditions & other life-threatening endeavours he has volunteered to embark on. For these types of living, you are going to need to be one strong character both mentally & physically.
However, Fox explains very comfortably that you are not destined to be a set way. We can all work on different aspects of out life to make sure we get the best out of us in whatever we do in life.
In this book, Fox is great at displaying how we all need to build certain grounding characteristics if we are to succeed in the ever rolling up & down of life!

Through an easy-to-follow book, in Jason’s own narrative directed at the reader as well as re-capping very touching, & at times, tense anecdotes of his own life, Jason portrays how to build inner strength & thrive under pressure!

When Fox talks about his stories about life in the warzones, you do not feel disconnected from the overall principle of this book & it’s messages of how we can all change! Instead, the addition of personal stories - that are then represented in other life situations we may be more familiar with - you are taken more deeply into this book. Jason Fox delivers expertly a contrast of his own gripping stories & making them relatable to us readers unfamiliar with the thrill-seeking & dangerous scenarios this man has been in.

If you are interested in Jason Fox himself or just want to build on your own inner strength no matter what life is throwing at you, then pick this book up!
You can flick back through it easily to find the parts that stand out a lot more to you as a reader & also consume the information to make your own resilience stronger – leading to a better, more fulfilled life.

Great book by Jason Fox.
Profile Image for Charlotte Thomas.
34 reviews
April 25, 2023
I did find this book rather intriguing it gave you a different view of life one where not everything goes alright and that's okay people are dying trying to save our country and struggling with life during and after wars. The least we can do is understand them better. This book allows you to see into the mind of a man who is full of bravery and learn from him how to build and develop yourself more under stressful situations. It is a book where now I've read it I wouldn't read it again though but was definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Katie  Kaye .
12 reviews
February 18, 2021
Resilence is key

Having come through my own mental journey this book has helped me reflect on the skill set I have gained in resilience overall in not doing to bad.
If you want an honest account on how to deal with the every day S.it life throws at you then this is brilliant.

I think everyone needs to read this right now. We all need a.mental NOT dealing with the dramatic changes 2020 has thrown at us.

Kudos Foxy
Profile Image for Izzy.
148 reviews
January 13, 2022
Actually really loved this book. I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to relate considering its based off military experiences. BUT the underlying messages and values can definitely be brought into everyday life and I think I have learnt some really valuable lessons here.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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