Overcoming Physical & Emotional Challenges | Coleman Ruiz

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

Andrew HubermanhostColeman Ruizguest

Apr 8, 20243h 18mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: April 8, 2024
Duration: 3h 18m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

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

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Coleman Ruiz
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Coleman Ruiz, Overcoming Physical & Emotional Challenges | Coleman Ruiz explores navy SEAL’s Journey: From Invincible Warrior To Vulnerable, Whole Man Former Tier 1 Navy SEAL operator Coleman Ruiz traces his life from a modest New Orleans upbringing through elite military service, intense combat, and deep personal loss, to a hard-earned psychological reckoning. He describes how early aggression and chaos were transformed through wrestling, structure, and the Naval Academy into an extreme work ethic and a narrow, high‑RPM focus that served him well in war but later broke him in civilian life. After years of repeated combat losses, a psychedelic-assisted experience, and a severe depressive crash that brought him to the brink of suicide, he was forced to confront long-ignored trauma. Through therapy, lifestyle changes, and accepting help from others, he rebuilt himself, broadened his emotional range, and found a different, more sustainable way to live, work, and be a husband and father.

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