[klum]

Sleep is awesome, yes. I don't quite get how people like Jocko Willink (https://twitter.com/jockowillink) function... but at least for me, the hours I sleep are rarely the limiting factor regarding how much I get done, but rather how I use the hours I'm awake.

[tenpies]

Jocko almost certainly has certain genetic mutations that allow him to get by on much less sleep. These mutations have been identified for a while now[1], but they also seem to result in a vulnerability to degenerative mental conditions later in life. It is not clear if it is a direct result of the mutations, the decreased amount of sleep interfering with other processes, or something else.

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1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genetic-mutation-...

[asdffdsa]

I'd advise you to listen to Cant Hurt Me by David Goggins. Lots of people, me included, explain away uncommon behavior with science but we are all capable of lots more than we think. The problem is we see others do incredible things and think we cant achieve something similar so we assume they're something fundamentally different from us.

[bob_theslob646]

While what you said is true, I think you will see that vigorous exercise plays a vital role in regulating body function and may allow him to sleep less.

[kiba]

Some people just happened to hit the genetic lottery.

[olivermarks]

I find if I've over trained I can't sleep overnight whether aerobic or weights, but if I run a long way I need to sleep immediately afterwards. I think everyone is different, there's no one size fits all