When Anxiety and Overthinking Become a Weapon — And When They Don’t - Nat Galloway

When Anxiety and Overthinking Become a Weapon — And When They Don’t

“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

I’ve always been an overthinker.
I’ve always had anxiety.
For a long time, I thought that made me broken.

But the truth is — it made me sharp.

Andrew Bustamante, former CIA officer, said the agency actively recruits people with anxiety.

“Anxiety is a superpower in the world of espionage.”

Because anxious minds are naturally more attentive, suspicious, and have stronger memory recall.

That stuck with me. Because for years, my anxiety was my edge.

In the Military, Anxiety Had a Purpose

In the military, overthinking kept me alive.

It wasn’t just about being a leader — even as a rifleman, I was trained to think ahead:

• Where’s the next attack coming from?
  
  

• What’s the next surprise?
  
  

• What do I need? Where’s my exit?
  
  

• Which doors or windows could be firing points?
  
  

You scan buildings. Clock movement. Watch hands. Listen for tone.
You don’t “arrive” somewhere — you assess it.

That kind of mental readiness was rewarded. It made me better.
It made me dependable.
It kept people safe.

But After the Military, That Same Mindset Turned Against Me

Once I left, the threat disappeared — but the scanning didn’t stop.

Suddenly, I was stuck in a loop:

• Replaying conversations.
  
  

• Anticipating problems that didn’t exist.
  
  

• Worrying about being too early, too late, too unprepared.
  
  

• Overthinking things that should have been simple.
  
  

What used to be a tactical advantage became mental noise.
There was no ambush coming, but my brain was still on patrol.

Eventually, I had to say:

“This isn’t helping anymore. It’s hurting me.”

Still Vigilant — But Not Controlled

Let me be clear: I’m still prepared.

• I scan every room I enter.
  
  

• I have bug-out bags packed.
  
  

• At the King’s visit in Ottawa last week, I instantly spotted snipers on the roof — without even thinking.
  
  

• Even when I’m sitting with someone I trust — someone I know I’m safe around — I still catch myself glancing at their hands, scanning the exits, clocking what people around us are doing.
  
  

That vigilance doesn’t just switch off. It’s hardwired.
And honestly, I don’t want it gone.

But I’ve learned to keep it in check — and not let it pull me away from the moment.

Yes — something could go wrong.
That’s why I have a plan.
That’s why I train, stay alert, and stay ready.
But once the plan is in place? I let it go.

COVID Forced Me to Face It

During the COVID pandemic, everything stopped — work, the gym, and routine.
I had nothing to distract me from my thoughts. And they were relentless.

But that quiet taught me something I carry with me to this day:

You can control your mind.

You can pause and say:

• “This isn’t a real threat.”
  
  

• “This doesn’t need my attention.”
  
  

• “This is just a movie in my head — and I don’t need to watch it.”
  
  

Then you act:

• Train.
  
  

• Work.
  
  

• Walk.
  
  

• Spend time with people who matter.
  
  

• Do something physical to break the mental loop.
  
  

When I’m with my son, I’m not in my head — I’m in the moment.
Phone away. Present. Focused on him. And that matters more than any imagined problem.

Anxiety Isn’t Weakness — It’s Power That Needs Direction

If you overthink or have anxiety, you’re not broken — you’re built for survival.

It’s not the presence of anxiety that’s the problem — it’s where you aim it.

CIA officers use it to detect patterns.
Soldiers use it to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
Parents use it to protect their kids.
Athletes use it to visualize failure and train around it.

You don’t need to shut it off.
You just need to lead it.

Final Thought

If you’re wired like me — if your brain never shuts up — that’s okay.
But at some point, you have to stop living like you’re at war when you’re not.

So:

• Stay prepared.
  
  

• Have a plan.
  
  

• Use your edge.
  
  

• But don’t let it run your life.
  
  

You’re still a weapon.
Just stop pointing it at yourself.

There’s nothing wrong with how you’re wired — you just need the right strategy. Let’s build it together. Book a call with me or one of our coaches at www.masterathletic.com. You already have the tools. We’ll help you use them.

Nat Galloway

Coach, Master Athletic Performance