In this episode, my guest is Coleman Ruiz, a former Tier One U.S. Navy SEAL joint task force commander. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq and as a BUD/S training officer. He shares his journey from childhood through the Naval Academy to elite Navy SEAL special operations. He shares the physical and emotional challenges he has overcome and discusses his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He also talks about the key role of mentors, family and friends in building resilience. Coleman gives us a raw, humble account of hitting rock bottom. He tells of the intense pain, fear, depression and suicidality in his journey of redemption. Coleman’s story is a real-life hero’s journey. He tells it with extraordinary vulnerability and humility. He explains the challenges and sudden tragedies that helped to ground, shape and renew him. His story will inspire listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Note: This conversation includes profanity and topics that are not suitable for all audiences and ages. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivension.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Plunge: https://plunge.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Coleman Ruiz Team Red, White & Blue: https://bit.ly/3vKu0Jc Liminal Collective: https://bit.ly/3PSl4bn Ames Watson: https://bit.ly/49AwCY8 Naval Academy: https://bit.ly/4aprPKc X: https://twitter.com/colemanruiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colemanruiz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coleman-ruiz-b65a2531 Books A Fighter's Heart: https://amzn.to/43Rr1uX Mindset: https://amzn.to/3TS8CK7 Bridge at Dong Ha: https://amzn.to/3PUtmQ2 Fearless: https://amzn.to/49mTwC9 The Hero with a Thousand Faces: https://amzn.to/49rFzTd The End of Faith: https://amzn.to/3vx35k8 Why Buddhism is True: https://amzn.to/4cQuyxJ The Body Keeps the Score: https://amzn.to/4cGSDHr Range: https://amzn.to/3xuzwQH Other Resources They Shall Not Grow Old: https://imdb.to/3VPYVyy Pale Blue Dot: https://youtu.be/wupToqz1e2g Extortion 17: https://bit.ly/3U7hP2r Veteran Solutions: https://vetsolutions.org Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned Dr. Anna Lembke: Understanding & Treating Addiction: https://youtu.be/p3JLaF_4Tz8 Dr. Alia Crum: Science of Mindsets for Health & Performance: https://youtu.be/dFR_wFN23ZY Robert Greene: A Process for Finding & Achieving Your Unique Purpose: https://youtu.be/50BZQRT1dAg Guest Series | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health: https://youtu.be/tLRCS48Ens4 Space-Time Bridging (timestamp): https://youtu.be/wTBSGgbIvsY?si=mk4-iUrvAvGaaqFp&t=8094 What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health: https://youtu.be/DkS1pkKpILY 90-min Caffeine Delay (timestamp): https://youtu.be/iw97uvIge7c?feature=shared&t=3224 People Mentioned Doug Zembiec: wrestler, Major USMC: https://bit.ly/3W7CB3B John Ripley: Colonel USMC, Dong Ha Bridge: https://nyti.ms/3xrj5EN Mike Martin: SEAL Master Chief, Vietnam War: https://bit.ly/3TMCY0E Britt Slabinski: Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator, SEAL: https://bit.ly/4aIaoUJ Thomas Valentine: Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator, SEAL: https://bit.ly/49sI87L Adam Brown: Chief Petty Officer, SEAL: https://bit.ly/4d1bqgT Paul Bucha: Captain US Army, Vietnam War: https://bit.ly/3TNm2XJ Sir Charles Sherrington: Nobel Prize in Physiology: https://bit.ly/3VPUL9D Timestamps 00:00:00 Coleman Ruiz 00:01:55 Sponsors: BetterHelp, Maui Nui Venison & Eight Sleep 00:06:06 Childhood, “Wildness” 00:13:24 Wrestling, Combat Sports & Respect 00:22:26 Divorce, College Applications & Naval Academy 00:29:51 Sponsor: AG1 00:31:22 Prep School, Patriotism, Fear 00:40:08 Growth Mindset, 24-Hour Horizon 00:43:02 Naval Academy, Mentor, Focus 00:52:45 Wife, Work Ethic 00:59:23 Sponsor: Plunge 01:00:51 Navy SEALs, BUD/S, Hell Week 01:04:51 BUD/S Success Predictors; Divorce & Aloneness; Rebellion 01:16:30 Patriotism, Navy SEALs, Green Team 01:22:15 Advanced Training, Tier One, Free-Fall 01:26:13 Special Operations, Deaths & Grief 01:36:08 Mentor Death & Facing Mortality 01:47:49 Warriors & Compassion; Trauma, Family 01:52:37 Civilian Life Adjustment 01:57:39 Hero With a Thousand Faces, Civilian Return & PTSD 02:07:03 Massage, Perspective, Space-Time Bridging 02:14:10 Psychedelics, Connection, Warrior Culture 02:19:15 Rock Bottom: Talk Therapy, Depression, Alcohol 02:25:50 Emotional & Physical Pain, Vulnerability, Fighter Mentality 02:30:42 Suicide, Asking For Help & Support 02:38:32 Therapy, PTSD Recovery, Dread; Pharmacology 02:44:54 Healing Process: Unsatisfaction & Asking For Help 02:54:03 Daily Routine, Movement, Nutrition 03:02:22 Manhood, Range, Parenthood, Surrender 03:10:08 Current Pursuits 03:16:01 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #HubermanLab Disclaimer: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer