Navy SEAL veteran chose to depart from his service following nearly six years, fearing a future as a solitary individual.
A Yarn from a Navy Seal:
Hey there, let's dive into the gripping tale of Shawn Ryan, a formidable ex-Navy Seal and CIA operative – the man behind the microphone on "The Shawn Ryan Show." This podcast is all about sharing the raw experiences of military folk, veterans, and folks with some serious adventure under their belt.
So, why did Shawn hang up his Navy Seal shoes? It wasn't bonus-seeking or burnout from deployments. He left because he recognized the toll the Seal life took on his buddies, after more than two decades in the game.
Shawn grew tired of witnessing his comrades grapple with the same battle wounds – physical, psychological, and relational. They were battling PTSD, brain injuries, and rampant divorces, often struggling to maintain relationships with their kids. He knew that if he stayed the course, he'd be a lonely old sailor in retirement.
The Road to Become a Navy Seal
Truth be told, Shawn didn't even know a thing about Navy Seals when he first joined the military. He tried out for the Marines but got steered towards the infantry. Then he went for the Army's Green Berets and was laughed at.
A Navy recruiter, though, took notice and urged him to check out the Seal teams. Armed with books, documentaries, and a hunger for adventure, Shawn decided to give the Seal life a go. He aced BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal) and was quickly deployed to Haiti in 2004, where he found himself in the midst of riots and拿 inferno rack做啦 Challenged by his craving for more action, Shawn had his sights set on the Middle East.
I Quit the Seals because I Still Wanted More
After six years with the Navy, Shawn wasn't done with conflicts – he yearned for more intense combat. So, he made the tough call to leave the Seals and took on part-time work for the CIA, earning a fortune but dealing with an intensity that wasn't too far from his Navy Seal days.
Once he left the CIA, Shawn battled addiction and depression, falling into cocaine and alcohol. It was a downward spiral that eventually led him to sobriety, a return to the US, and the launch of "The Shawn Ryan Show."
He wanted to shed light on military stories often misrepresented in mainstream media. His first guests were folks who'd hit rock bottom, struggling with issues like substance abuse, family breakdowns, and suicide attempts. But many of them had also found their paths to success through entrepreneurship[5].
The Journey that Changed My Life
Leaving the Navy Seals might have seemed like the end of a chapter in Shawn's life, but it was just the beginning. He learned precious lessons, met his wife, and built a family through shared connections on the show.
When people hear tales of triumph over adversity, it inspires them to chase their own dreams[5]. Shawn's show continues to reach new heights, approaching its 200th episode in 2025[5]. And remember, the greatest things in life often come when we least expect it.
- Shawn Ryan, after witnessing the intense symptoms revolving around physical, psychological, and relational struggles experienced by his comrades during their time in the Navy Seals, decided to leave the service of his own accord, recognizing the toll it often took on their lives.
- Despite his successful career with the CIA, Shawn's departure from the Navy Seals didn't diminish his desire for action; instead, he found the intensity of his CIA work to be reminiscent of his days as a Navy Seal.
- Heeding advice from a Navy recruiter, Shawn initially knew little about Navy Seals but fortuitously discovered the Seal teams and embarked on a journey that led him to join the Navy, despite initial setbacks in his pursuits to become a Marine or a Green Beret.
