Navigated away from the Navy SEALs, amidst nearly six years of service, to avoid the fate of being a solitaire.
Straight Talk with Shawn "The Ex-Seal" Ryan
Hey there, folks! Let's get real about Shawn Ryan, the former Navy Seal and on-point host of the "Shawn Ryan Show". This article is a focused chat, tidied up for your readin' pleasure.
So why'd Shawn ditch the Navy Seals? Not because of the deployments. Nah, he was raring for combat - he'd already seen it all in Haiti, Afghanistan, and Iraq. But the hard truth is, you might sign up for another six years, but only spend a fraction of that time in actual combat. The rest? It's all training and waiting.
His decision came after over 20 years as a Seal. See, he witnessed the toll it took on his fellow Seals - the physical injuries, PTSD, TBIs, and, heartbreakingly, the crumbling of personal lives. Most of 'em were divorced or headed down that road. And their kids? Well, many barely knew 'em.
Family's important. Platoon's family. He knew staying in the Seals would leave him lonely in retirement.
Going Navy - Not Really by Choice
Shawn wanted to join the military but had no clue about the Navy Seals when he started. He went for the Marines first, but they sent him to the infantry. Next, he tried the Army for a Green Beret - they laughed him off!
But a Navy recruiter spotted him and said, "Hey, have you ever thought about the Seal teams?" That's all it took to set the ball rolling. He read books, watched docos, and eventually knew - he was set on becoming a Navy Seal.
Combat Calling, but Not Quite
Shawn went through BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal) and was off to Haiti in 2004. With riots everywhere, their missions were reconnaissance, flying over cities every morning in a helicopter to report.
Not enough action for Shawn. He was hungry for more - specifically, the Middle East.
In Iraq, they were sent with conventional units battling IEDs and ambushes. They trained the units, took 'em on real missions, and, together, they took out the bad guys.
From SEAL to Civvy Street
Life after the Navy wasn't a breeze. Shawn worked part-time for the CIA, earning similar intensity but four to five times the pay. After leaving the CIA, he moved to Colombia and fell headfirst into cocaine and alcohol.
A vicious cycle, but he found his way out, returned to the states, and launched the "Shawn Ryan Show". He wanted to share veterans' stories - tired of mainstream media botching military tales.
Initially, every guest had hit rock bottom. It ranged from addictions, broken families, and suicide attempts to finding success through entrepreneurship. We're now approaching our 200th episode. Shawn's interviewed many active military and veterans.
One key takeaway? People find hope in hearing others' stories.
Shawn might not have left the SEALs because he was done fighting, but it led him to his wife, the podcast, and a new family. Hearing someone else's success story sparks belief in one's own potential.
For further deets on organizations or initiatives Shawn directly supports to help veterans, more sources would be needed. But stay tuned, because we're bringing you inspiring tales from Shawn's podcast! 🔥💰💪🔥💪🤘🔥💰💪🔥💪🤘🔥💰💪🔥💪🤘🔥💰💪🔥🙌
- Though Shawn Ryan initially aimed for the Marines or the Green Berets, it was a Navy recruiter who suggested the Seal teams, leading him to eventually become a Navy Seal.
- Despite gaining significant experience in Haiti, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Shawn Ryan left the Navy Seals due to the intense training and waiting taking up most of his time, rather than actual combat.
- Shawn Ryan's decision to leave the Navy Seals was also influenced by the physical and mental health issues, such as PTSD and TBIs, and personal life struggles, including divorce, that he witnessed among his fellow Seals.
- After leaving the Navy Seals, Shawn Ryan found renewed purpose in sharing veterans' stories through his podcast, "The Shawn Ryan Show," focusing on the intensity of their experiences and the mixed-martial-arts-like battles they face every day.
