Shawn Ryan served as a Navy SEAL for almost six years. He completed one of the most intense training programs known in the military world, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, or BUD/S for short. After seeing combat in Afghanistan, Iraq and Haiti, Ryan left the Navy and worked as a contractor for the CIA.
Ryan talks to Business Insider about his time with SEAL Teams 2 and 8, the weapons they trained with – including the M4, rocket launchers and miniguns – that helped him survive his toughest mission outside Baghdad, and why he decided to leave the special operations unit .
After leaving the military, Ryan began abusing drugs, chasing the adrenaline high he experienced as a SEAL. He says psychedelic therapy has helped him recover from addiction and other mental health challenges. Today he runs a YouTube channel and podcast called “The Shawn Ryan Show”.
If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Helpline for confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to be enrolled in the VA or health care program to connect. To contact lifeguards dial 988 then press 1 and chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chator text to 838255.
