MrBallen (Former Navy SEAL): If You Feel Lost, Here's How To Turn Your Life Around In 2025!

Intro (0s)

• A former Navy SEAL shares a life-changing experience from 2014 in Afghanistan, where a grenade detonated during a gunfight, and he had to confront the possibility of death, which led him to reflect on how people should approach their lives (7s).
• The former Navy SEAL, Mr. Ballen, is now a Master Storyteller and content creator who uses his battlefield experiences and personal failures to inspire, educate, and help people overcome challenges and achieve their goals (27s).
• Mr. Ballen comes from a successful family, but he had a troubled past, getting into street fights and nearly getting expelled, until he realized that taking responsibility for his actions was the first step towards change (42s).
• Fear often holds people back from making positive changes in their lives, but a select few are willing to face their fears and take action, leading to more fulfilling lives (50s).
• Mr. Ballen decided to become a Navy SEAL because of the challenging and mentally torturing training, and he noticed that the people who made it through shared two key traits: resilience and grit (1m3s).
• However, Mr. Ballen struggled with the reality of his job as a Navy SEAL, which involved killing people, and he had to confront his demons and find ways to cope with them (1m15s).
• One way to deal with inner demons is to acknowledge and confront them, as Mr. Ballen has found that facing his struggles head-on has been the most effective way to cope (1m24s).
• The former Navy SEAL asks his audience for support by subscribing to his show, promising to listen to feedback, find desired guests, and continually improve the show (1m47s).

Becoming MrBallen (2m3s)

• The individual was born into a family of highly successful and academically inclined people in Quincy, Massachusetts, with their mother, father, and two sisters being brilliant minds in the academic sense, including Pulitzer Prize winners and a PhD holder from a Harvard lab (2m24s).
• Growing up, the individual could have done well in school but chose not to as a form of rebellion, instead opting to party with friends and try to be a "bad kid" in a working-class town that wasn't particularly focused on academics (3m3s).
• The individual's behavior led to them getting into street fights, getting their "ass kicked," and staying out drinking with friends, ultimately setting them up for "colossal failure" (3m37s).
• Despite having horrible grades in high school, the individual got into college due to their mother writing their college essay, which impressed the school enough to give them a chance (3m49s).
• The individual attended the University of Massachusetts in western Massachusetts, a big party school, where they immediately bombed their first semester, earning a 1.016 GPA and getting involved in a riot (4m13s).
• The riot occurred after the school's football team lost a conference game, leading to a need to riot on campus, which the individual participated in, breaking windows and being recorded by security cameras (4m53s).
• The riot led to a "Witch Hunt" to find those involved, with the college police website posting information to identify the participants (5m11s).
• A person was struggling in school, posting a 1.016 GPA, and was at risk of being expelled due to various infractions, including noise complaints and being a disturbance in the dorms (5m33s).
• The person's parents were called to the school, and after meeting with the dean, they decided it would be best for their child to withdraw from the school and come home (5m48s).
• At 18 years old, the person moved back into their parents' home, specifically their mom's basement, where they initially felt angry and blamed their parents for their situation (6m13s).
• However, the person soon had an epiphany, realizing that their circumstances were a result of their own actions and that they needed to change their habits and way of thinking (6m35s).
• This newfound self-awareness led the person to make a simple goal: attend a local school, get good grades, and graduate from college (7m12s).
• The person worked hard, spending a lot of time in the library, and eventually transferred back to their original school to finish their degree (7m21s).
• After graduating from college, the person was unsure of their next steps but felt drawn to serving in the military, inspired by friends who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan (8m8s).
• The person wanted to challenge themselves in the military and set a difficult goal for themselves, having already achieved their goal of graduating from college (8m23s).
• The Navy SEAL Teams are unique in that virtually anybody can apply to be a SEAL, with basic requirements including the right physical fitness and citizenship, but only a small percentage of people survive the training and become SEALs (8m36s).
• The decision to become a Navy SEAL was motivated by a desire to reinvent oneself and serve in the military, which felt like a calling, and to progress into a career that requires a lot of training and preparation (9m10s).
• Setting a goal to become a Navy SEAL helped organize life and gave direction, shifting focus from graduate college to achieving this new goal, and everything fell into place (9m22s).
• After becoming a Navy SEAL, a medical retirement led to a new path as a YouTuber, which started with posting something online that went viral and a passion for telling stories (9m31s).
• Setting a goal that is consciously cared about and working hard to achieve it can organize one's whole life and give direction, as seen in the experience of setting a series of goals and working towards them (10m1s).
• Life can be a series of setting goals and working towards them, with the only thing that matters being achieving that goal, as experienced in the journey from coming home from college to becoming a Navy SEAL and later a YouTuber (10m12s).

The Self-Awareness to Take Responsibility Changed Me (10m14s)

• A turning point occurred in a basement, marking the beginning of self-awareness and the realization that one has a role to play in their own life circumstances, which can be a harsh truth to accept (10m15s).
• Self-awareness involves taking responsibility for both the good and the bad, and it's essential to acknowledge one's contribution to their own life circumstances (10m23s).
• Before the basement moment, the mindset was that of a victim, blaming others for bad things that happened, and not taking responsibility for anything (10m59s).
• A decision to graduate from college and become a SEAL led to the realization that owning the entire process is necessary, not just saying you're going to do something (11m24s).
• In SEAL training, there were moments of failure, but instead of making excuses, it's essential to take responsibility and own the process (11m37s).
• SEAL training is reputational, and as you progress, instructors view you as a potential teammate, expecting you to do a good job because they might need your help in the future (11m49s).
• A confidence exercise in the final part of training involved exposure to CS gas, which was a mentality test, and the goal was to stay in place and not run (12m23s).
• Despite being in the final part of training, a failure to stay in place during the CS gas exercise led to being tackled by an instructor and being publicly reprimanded in front of peers (13m16s).
• The instructor's reprimand was severe, stating that they never wanted to serve with the individual, and this led to wearing a humiliating outfit for the rest of training (13m48s).
• The experience taught the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions, owning up to mistakes, and showing strength by not making excuses (14m32s).

How You React After Making Mistakes Changes Everything (14m58s)

• Making a mistake is not the end, but rather how one responds to the mistake is what truly matters, as it can often make a relationship stronger than it was before the mistake was made (15m10s).
• Responding to a mistake by making a quick apology, taking responsibility, and making amends can help to rectify the situation and even strengthen relationships (15m23s).
• Taking responsibility for one's mistakes is a key part of being an adult, and it's especially important to own up to mistakes when they are painful, public, and difficult (15m59s).
• Owning up to mistakes can provide an opportunity to not only rectify the mistake but also to become a stronger and better version of oneself (16m10s).
• Recognizing and taking ownership of one's mistakes can be a turning point for personal growth and success, as it allows individuals to learn from their mistakes and move forward (16m23s).
• The experience of making mistakes and learning from them can ultimately lead to success, as it provides opportunities for growth and improvement (16m37s).

What Is the Navy SEALs? (16m44s)

• The term "Navy SEALs" is widely recognized around the world, but many people do not fully understand what it is (16m47s).
• Every branch of the military, in almost every country, has a specialized unit that carries out Special Operations, which involves high-stakes missions (17m0s).
• In the US, each branch of the military has its own Special Operations division, such as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force (17m21s).
• The Navy SEAL Teams are considered one of the most well-known and potentially most skilled Special Operations units in America, with expertise in multiple disciplines (17m42s).
• The acronym "SEAL" stands for Sea, Air, and Land, reflecting the team's ability to operate in various environments and use multiple insertion platforms (18m2s).
• The Navy SEAL Teams are a highly versatile Special Operations group that can insert into any environment, whether by diving, jumping, or going in on land (18m20s).
• Unlike other Special Operations groups, which may specialize in certain geographies, the SEALs are trained to operate in a wide range of environments (18m32s).
• The Navy SEALs were established in the 1960s under President John F. Kennedy and gained prominence after 9/11, particularly in the Middle East (18m50s).
• The SEALs' success in carrying out kinetic operations in the Middle East, including the bin Laden raid, has contributed to their reputation as a highly skilled and versatile Special Operations group (19m3s).

How Long Is Navy SEAL Training? (19m21s)

• Navy SEAL training takes approximately two years to complete, but it can take longer due to the competitive nature of the program (19m22s).
• There are two ways to become a Navy SEAL: through the enlisted component or the officer side, with the enlisted side being more competitive due to the large number of applicants with college degrees (19m30s).
• The officer route is extremely difficult to get into, with only a handful of spots available, making it similar to a political appointment (20m1s).
• Many people with college degrees choose to go the enlisted route to become Navy SEALs, making the enlisted side highly competitive with professional athletes, Olympians, and top college athletes (20m27s).
• Before joining the Navy, applicants must go through a competitive application process that can take years, and then they must complete boot camp, which is two months long (20m56s).
• After boot camp, enlisted personnel attend a prep school for two months, where they learn how to swim and run with professional coaches, and receive mental strengthening (21m18s).
• Following prep school, they attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in San Diego, which is six months long and considered the hardest part of SEAL training (21m42s).
• BUD/S training is physically and mentally challenging, with a high dropout rate, and is often the focus of movies about Navy SEAL training (22m16s).
• After completing BUD/S training, students attend Advanced Training, also known as SEAL Qualification Training, which is another six months long and teaches them how to do the job of a Navy SEAL (22m26s).
• Finally, students may attend additional schools, such as language or medical school, before joining their team and becoming a certified Navy SEAL (22m48s).
• The entire process, from initial application to becoming a certified Navy SEAL, typically takes around two years (22m56s).

The Difference Between Those Who Made It or Not (23m5s)

• Individuals who have impressive resumes, such as professional athletes, often struggle and wash out quickly in challenging environments like the Navy's Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, despite having the physical ability to succeed (23m17s).
• Those who have been highly successful in the past may struggle with the fact that their instructors do not care about their previous accomplishments and may even use them as a way to motivate others by making them feel inadequate (24m25s).
• Instructors in BUD/S training often use mind games to test the resolve of candidates, making them feel like they are not good enough, even if they are performing well (24m55s).
• Candidates who have less impressive resumes and lower expectations from others may have an advantage in these situations, as they have less to lose and are more motivated to prove themselves (25m0s).
• The key to success in challenging environments like BUD/S training is not just physical ability, but also the mental toughness to persevere through extreme discomfort and hardship (25m49s).
• Candidates who are able to find an internal motivation, such as a desire to prove themselves, are more likely to succeed than those who are motivated by external factors, such as living up to others' expectations (25m58s).
• The graduates of BUD/S training are often a diverse group of individuals who do not necessarily fit the typical mold of a Navy SEAL, but who have all demonstrated the mental toughness and perseverance to succeed in the challenging training program (26m40s).
• Many successful candidates have a "chip on their shoulder" that drives them to persevere, even when things get extremely difficult (26m56s).

MrBallen’s Mentality Before and After SEAL Training (27m7s)

• The mentality of a person before and after Navy SEAL training is vastly different, with the latter having evidence of personal growth and responsibility (27m8s).
• Before entering the Navy SEAL program, the individual had a mentality of blaming others for their problems, as seen in their reaction to being forced to withdraw from college due to poor academic performance (27m31s).
• The individual's default setting was to shift the blame to others, such as their parents, for their failures, and they were furious with them for making them withdraw from college (27m50s).
• It wasn't until they hit rock bottom, living in their mother's basement with no direction, that they realized they needed to take responsibility for their actions and acknowledge that their problems were their own fault (28m10s).
• The individual's mother played a significant role in their growth by not coddling them and instead encouraging them to get a job, pay rent, and take responsibility for their life (28m26s).
• The individual's transformation was from having no self-awareness and blaming the world for their problems to becoming extremely self-aware and secure in their image, willing to discuss their past mistakes publicly (28m44s).
• This growth was a result of overcoming challenges and taking responsibility for their actions, which ultimately led to their success in the Navy SEAL program (29m41s).
• The individual believes that acknowledging and learning from their mistakes is a strength, not a weakness, and that it shows others that they are secure in their image (29m20s).
• The key to turning their life around was recognizing that they needed to start by acknowledging their faults and taking responsibility for their actions (29m48s).

Hitting Rock Bottom (29m51s)

• Hitting Rock Bottom is a concept where people sometimes need to reach their lowest point to realize the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of making a change (29m51s).
• This concept is illustrated by a quote that says the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of making a change, which was first heard by the speaker at 18 years old when they had dropped out of university (30m2s).
• Some people may need to hit rock bottom to take action in the right direction, but others may be able to make changes before reaching that point (30m20s).
• When trying to help someone, propping them up too much can prevent them from hitting rock bottom and making necessary changes (30m27s).
• Not everyone needs to hit rock bottom to start making changes in their life, but it can be a catalyst for some people (30m56s).
• The speaker was fortunate to not have "paralysis by analysis" and was able to quickly find a new goal after hitting rock bottom, which was going to college (31m9s).
• The speaker's goal after college was to attend SEAL training, which offered a chance at reinvention and rebirth (31m39s).
• Some people may have already hit rock bottom and want to make a change, but don't know what to do next due to the overwhelming number of choices (31m58s).
• The key is to find something that "checks enough boxes" to be worth doing, rather than waiting for a perfect idea (32m21s).
• The speaker's approach was to find a goal that demonstrated they could overcome past failures, which was graduating from school (32m40s).

Advice for People Who Feel Stuck (32m52s)

• When feeling lost, it's essential to start moving in a direction, even if it's not the right one, as certainty can be better than uncertainty in some situations (33m1s).
• Paralysis by analysis can be a self-perpetuating problem, where overthinking and fear of making the wrong decision can prevent people from taking action and making progress in their lives (33m30s).
• The concept of an "80% solution" can be helpful, where a good enough solution now is often better than a perfect solution later, and it's about prioritizing speed over certainty (34m1s).
• When trying to make a change in life, it's crucial to focus on what truly matters to you, rather than what society or others think you should care about (34m35s).
• Taking time for self-reflection, such as having "shower thoughts," can help you identify your genuine motivations and desires, and it's essential to be honest with yourself about what drives you (34m37s).
• Having a clear understanding of your core motivations can help guide your decisions and actions, and it's essential to prioritize your goals and values (35m13s).
• For some people, the desire for recognition, wealth, or achievement can be a powerful motivator, and it's essential to acknowledge and accept these desires rather than trying to suppress them (35m2s).
• Ultimately, finding your real motivation and being true to yourself is crucial for making progress and achieving your goals, and it's essential to find what drives you and prioritize your values (36m17s).

I Almost Died: Finding Your True Motivation (36m23s)

• Having a motivation to prove others wrong, such as wanting to be rich or famous, can be a driving force, even if it's considered unorthodox advice (36m40s).
• Sometimes, people need to pursue an idea or hypothesis, even if it fails, to scratch an itch and move forward (36m55s).
• If a personal goal or "box" remains unchecked, it can lead to regret later in life, even if one convinces themselves they never needed to achieve it (37m14s).
• A personal experience in Afghanistan in 2014, where the speaker nearly bled to death, made them realize the importance of checking their personal "boxes," including starting a family (37m36s).
• During this near-death experience, the speaker's thoughts turned to their obituary and the fact that they hadn't started a family yet, leading to a deep sense of sadness (38m45s).
• After surviving the incident, the speaker's first priority was to start a family, which they did upon returning home (39m18s).
• The experience highlights the importance of pursuing personal goals and checking one's "boxes," even if it means trying and failing (39m30s).
• Even if the outcome isn't what was expected, the act of trying can be enough to "check the box" and provide a sense of fulfillment (39m33s).

Retiring Due to War PTSD (39m43s)

• Many people are driven by motivations that are not widely accepted, such as insecurity or shame, rather than a desire to serve a higher purpose or change the world, and these motivations can be just as powerful in driving individuals to make changes in their lives (39m47s).
• After being medically discharged from the military due to physical injuries sustained in Afghanistan, a period of mental health struggles ensued, including symptoms of PTSD, which ultimately led to a medical retirement in 2017 (40m15s).
• The medical retirement was driven by both physical injuries and mental health issues, and it came with a retirement package that was not sufficient to live on, making it necessary to find a job (41m17s).
• Upon leaving the military, there was no clear plan in place, and a job search was initiated on LinkedIn, where a connection was made with Jordan Celik, a former investment banker who was helping his friend, a transitioning fighter pilot, navigate the challenges of entering the civilian job market (41m52s).
• Jordan Celik was reaching out to random veterans on LinkedIn to gather information about their transition experiences and offer support, and this connection ultimately proved to be a valuable one (42m40s).
• A charity called Elite Meet was started to help transitioning military veterans meet with private sector hiring managers and get jobs, which is still active today (43m15s).
• The idea for the charity came after a conversation with Jordan, who suggested meeting people in his network in New York, and it eventually led to the creation of the charity (43m8s).
• Jordan believed in Gary Vaynerchuk's style of social media, which involves bombarding the internet with content and being all-in on content creation (43m37s).
• This approach to social media and content creation was found to be fascinating, especially since there was no experience with social media while in the military (43m53s).
• Social media content was used to drive donations for the charity, but there was a desire to do more with social media and build a personal brand (44m9s).
• A cardinal sin was committed by wanting to build a personal brand as a former Navy SEAL, as there is a code of conduct in the active duty community that prohibits talking about being a SEAL for personal gain (44m30s).
• The SEAL brand is built on people fighting, struggling, bleeding, and dying together for a common goal, and leaving the military to say "I was a Navy SEAL" for personal gain is not allowed (45m21s).
• There is a gray area in this rule, but it is generally understood that being a SEAL is not something that can be used for personal gain after leaving the military (45m31s).

Dishonored by the Navy SEAL Community (45m34s)

• The individual began posting about being a Navy SEAL on social media, initially sharing stories to promote Elite Meet, a charity for SEALs and veterans, but eventually shifted focus to sharing more personal experiences as a SEAL, which led to a significant following and attention from the Navy SEAL community (45m34s).
• As the individual's online presence grew, they started to receive painful and personal messages from fellow SEALs, who felt that their actions were tarnishing the Brotherhood and being selfish (46m55s).
• The messages were not just from strangers, but from actual SEALs who knew the individual and wanted them to know exactly who was sending the messages, with some even sharing detailed explanations of how their opinion of the individual had changed (47m20s).
• The individual would often encounter people they knew from the SEAL community in public, who would give them a mean or disapproving look, making them feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in their own community (47m52s).
• The individual received two to three messages, emails, or phone calls per day from people expressing their dislike and disappointment, which was a difficult experience to deal with (48m34s).
• Despite the backlash, the individual had previously experienced difficult situations in their life, such as being exposed to CS gas and dealing with a challenging homecoming from college, which helped them to quickly realize that they needed to re-evaluate their actions and justify why they had drifted into this situation (48m57s).

I Crossed the Line… (49m15s)

• A former Navy SEAL had crossed a line by sharing content about their service, which upset many active and retired SEALs, and as a result, they deleted all their content related to being a SEAL (49m31s).
• The decision to delete the content was made after receiving a hurtful message from a close friend, also a SEAL, which made them realize that no amount of success was worth the negative impact it had on their relationships (50m18s).
• After deleting the content, they tried to create new content, such as sketch comedy and following trends on TikTok, but nothing worked, and they felt lost and unsure of what to do next (50m53s).
• They had two documents on their computer, one with ideas for non-SEAL related content, which they had exhausted, and another with a single topic, "Dyatlov Pass," which sparked their interest in creating content about strange, dark, and mysterious unsolved mysteries (52m1s).
• The Dyatlov Pass incident, a famous mystery about nine experienced hikers who died under unclear circumstances in the 1950s, became the starting point for creating new content that would eventually become the "MrBallen" brand, focusing on world-level mysteries and unexplained phenomena (52m37s).
• In 1952, a group of nine experienced hikers and mountaineers embarked on a challenging mountaineering test in the Ural Mountains to achieve the prestigious Level Three mountaineering certification, which was a rare and highly respected title in Soviet Russia at the time (52m44s).
• The group consisted of couples and individuals who were well-prepared and excited for the test, but they failed to reach the second checkpoint, prompting a search and rescue operation (53m40s).
• The search party followed the hikers' planned route and found their tents pitched in a hazardous location on the mountain, which was unusual given the hikers' experience and skills (54m42s).
• Upon investigating the tents, the search party found that they were empty, with neatly folded clothing left behind, and had been cut open from the inside, suggesting that the hikers had made a hasty and desperate exit (55m24s).
• The search party also found footprints in the snow leading down the mountain, some of which were barefoot or had only one shoe, indicating that the hikers had fled in a state of panic (55m50s).
• Nine hikers were found deceased in the Ural Mountains, with three of them found near a group of trees, and the other six found in a snow cave about a mile away, all with unexplained injuries and some with missing clothing and body parts (55m56s).
• The three hikers found near the trees had deep scratch marks on the tree trunks, and one of them was draped over a branch, while another was almost naked and wrapped up on the ground (56m12s).
• The six hikers found in the snow cave had seemingly exchanged clothing, with women wearing men's clothing and vice versa, and some of their clothes had trace levels of radiation (56m56s).
• Some of the hikers had parts of their face removed, including lips, nose, and ears, with what appeared to be surgical precision (57m9s).
• One of the hikers had a chest injury that would have required a massive impact, equivalent to a speeding car, but there was no sign of any object that could have caused the damage (57m20s).
• The Soviet government launched an investigation, which was later shut down, concluding that the nine hikers died from an unknown unnatural force (58m39s).
• A huge military exercise was taking place in the area, but the military had no knowledge of the hikers or their location, and a senior commander reported seeing strange lights in the sky on the night of the incident (57m44s).
• The case remains one of the great unsolved mysteries, with the Russian government sealing the investigation and leaving many questions unanswered (58m54s).
• A story about the Dyatlov Pass mystery was posted on TikTok, which led to massive virality with over 5 million views, despite the account having no followers initially (59m55s).
• The account owner had previously exhausted other social media platforms and was trying out TikTok, posting a 60-second video about the mystery in a hotel room (59m45s).
• The video was posted with no expectation of it going viral, and the account owner left their phone in the room to spend time with their family at a water park (1h0m11s).
• Upon returning to the room, the account owner found their phone flooded with notifications from the video, which had gained massive traction (1h0m26s).
• The virality of the video was not related to the account owner's background as a Navy SEAL, but rather their passion for telling stories (1h0m39s).
• The success of the video led to the account owner creating more stories, which coincided with the start of the pandemic and the rise of TikTok (1h0m59s).
• The account eventually transitioned to YouTube, where the owner continues to tell stories (1h1m18s).

What Happened to Those 9 Hikers (1h1m23s)

• An investigation into the deaths of nine hikers was reopened in 2020, possibly due to the viral video about the incident, and concluded that an ice slab broke off and killed them (1h1m23s).
• However, this explanation does not account for several unexplained factors, including the exchange of clothes among the hikers, the potential radioactive nature of their clothes, and the presence of military personnel with lights (1h1m42s).
• When people become hypothermic, they may experience a sensation of warmth and remove their clothes, which could explain why the hikers were found without clothing (1h1m59s).
• Despite this possible explanation, there are still many unanswered questions, including strange marks on trees, the source of the radioactive clothing, and the meaning of the government's description of an "unknown unnatural Forest" in the 1950s (1h2m35s).
• The incident also involved reports of strange lights seen by a military personnel, which adds to the mystery (1h2m45s).
• The case remains one of the most intriguing unexplained incidents, leaving room for speculation about supernatural forces or extraterrestrial involvement (1h3m7s).
• However, it is also possible that there may be a rational explanation for the events, such as a radiation leak, that has not yet been discovered (1h3m23s).

Advice for Finding What Motivates You (1h3m35s)

• Reflecting on one's life journey can help identify intentional actions that led to success, and timing played a significant role in these events (1h3m36s).
• The importance of timing is highlighted by the example of being medically retired from the military, which led to reaching out to Jordan and creating the Elite Meet concept (1h4m14s).
• Having a feeble income from Elite Meet and a retirement salary allowed for a temporary financial safety net, but the Navy's decision to extend the contract provided more time to focus on growing Elite Meet (1h4m47s).
• The extended contract allowed for the incubation of Elite Meet, and the company's growth was facilitated by the Navy's financial support (1h5m36s).
• The role of timing in success is acknowledged, but it is also emphasized that being willing to take chances and act quickly is crucial in capitalizing on opportunities (1h6m16s).
• The advice given is to start moving and taking action, as this is when doors begin to open up, and being stationary can lead to missed opportunities (1h6m47s).
• The idea is that being proactive and taking chances can lead to success, and timing can be beneficial for those who are already in motion (1h6m55s).

The Best Things in Life Are on the Other Side of Fear (1h6m59s)

• The concept of timing is often perceived as a crucial factor in success, but it can be seen as perfect only in hindsight, and it requires being willing to take risks and try new things, even if it means being bad at them initially (1h6m59s).
• A person's life can pivot when they take action despite feeling lost, and having a bias towards action can lead to feedback, knowledge, and ultimately, power (1h7m47s).
• Failure is a natural part of the learning process, and it provides valuable feedback that can inform future decisions and actions (1h7m53s).
• Embracing a willingness to embarrass oneself and be bad at something can be a defining characteristic of personal growth and success (1h8m27s).
• Having a mantra or mindset that encourages taking risks and facing fears can be beneficial, such as the phrase "do things that scare you," which was popularized by actor Will Smith (1h8m46s).
• Will Smith's experience with skydiving is a notable example of facing fears and taking risks, as he initially hesitated but ultimately went through with the experience, which had a profound impact on him (1h8m51s).
• The best things in life are often on the other side of fear, as stated by Will Smith, who used skydiving as an example of facing his fears and experiencing an exhilarating outcome (1h10m6s).
• Becoming a Navy SEAL, for instance, involves overcoming fear, not just fear of failure, but also fear of not meeting expectations, and the reward for pushing past this fear can be substantial (1h10m30s).
• Public speaking is another example of facing fear, as it can be terrifying, but taking on this challenge can lead to personal growth and fulfillment (1h10m55s).
• The things that people don't want to do often evoke indifference, while the things they do want to do typically involve some level of fear response, which can be a sign that it's worth pursuing (1h11m16s).
• Fear can hold people back from achieving their goals, whether it's fear of embarrassment, failure, or other things that make us human, but facing these fears can lead to more fulfilling lives (1h11m57s).
• People who are able to face their fears and push past them often have the best and most fulfilling lives, as seen in examples like Will Smith, who has likely had to overcome many uncomfortable challenges to achieve his level of success (1h12m18s).
• The idea of doing things that scare you can be a powerful way to live, as it allows individuals to face their fears and potentially achieve great rewards, and this mindset can be applied to various aspects of life, including goal setting and personal growth (1h12m52s).
• The most difficult part of making a change in life is often the initial decision to confront reality, which can be daunting but ultimately not as bad as anticipated (1h13m23s).
• When considering making a change, individuals are faced with a decision: to accept the status quo or to inflict mental torment upon themselves by taking action (1h13m32s).
• Research has shown that people on their deathbeds often regret the things they did not do, rather than the things they did, highlighting the importance of taking action and trying new things (1h13m45s).
• A personal experience of freezing and walking away from a public speaking engagement in San Francisco served as a catalyst for overcoming fear and eventually led to personal growth (1h13m54s).
• The experience in San Francisco was initially viewed as a negative one, but ultimately became a valuable learning experience that pushed the individual to face their fears and try again (1h14m1s).
• The key takeaway is that it's not the failures that are regretted, but rather the opportunities that are not taken, and that trying again is essential for personal growth and development (1h14m20s).

Dealing With People Hating What I Love Doing (1h14m24s)

• People often misunderstand others due to limited context, such as only seeing them on a screen and consuming specific content they create, without knowing the full context of their life (1h14m24s).
• The intention behind posting content related to being a Navy SEAL was not to portray oneself as great, but rather to do something with life and take advantage of an opportunity, despite it being questionable (1h14m56s).
• When leaving the insulated team environment of the Navy SEALs, it can be difficult to imagine how to start a new life without leveraging the biggest thing one has ever done (1h15m26s).
• The content created was not made because of a belief in being a special or superhero-like individual, but rather out of awareness of being a junior SEAL with minimal experience compared to others (1h15m33s).
• As the "MrBallen" brand has grown, it has become challenging to balance life with content creation, responsibilities, and family obligations, leading to difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance (1h16m19s).
• The initial content creation process was intense, with up to five videos a week, each taking around 26 hours to produce, leading to negative impacts on physical and mental health, as well as relationships (1h16m51s).
• A conscious effort was made to reduce content creation and prioritize family time, but this change was not understood by everyone, with some people viewing it as a negative development (1h17m30s).
• The growth of the "MrBallen" brand has led to a perception of being a corporate, money-grabbing individual, which is not accurate, as the goal is still to tell stories and be one's own boss (1h18m25s).

Will You Stop Being MrBallen? (1h18m44s)

• As a content creator, priorities can be misplaced, and the constant need to produce content can be overwhelming, with no clear end in sight, as getting off the "train" can be seen as failure (1h18m45s).
• The motivation for creating content has shifted from seeking fame or money to enjoying the process of storytelling and interacting with the audience, as seen in the live tour experience (1h19m31s).
• The goal of creating content has evolved from seeking success and making money to focusing on producing videos that people enjoy and maintaining interest in the content (1h20m40s).
• The possibility of stopping content creation is considered, but it's also acknowledged that it's possible to say "I'm good" and move on to something new, especially with family (1h20m53s).
• The total number of subscribers across all platforms, including the main channel and podcast, is estimated to be around 20-25 million (1h21m13s).
• The main channel has almost 10 million subscribers, and the total number of subscribers is calculated by including all areas and platforms (1h21m7s).

What Would Make You Leave MrBallen Behind? (1h21m16s)

• There is a consideration of what it would take to walk away from the current life and reality, and whether there is a catalyst that could make that happen (1h21m17s).
• A deeply internalized, unchecked box from adulthood was the desire to give a big public talk, which was terrifying and seemed impossible to achieve (1h21m42s).
• The fear of public speaking was partly due to the high standards set by a father who is an incredible speaker (1h21m58s).
• The MrBallen project provided the audience and content needed to deliver a talk, making it a decision to either do it or not (1h22m31s).
• After mentally preparing, a live tour was organized with limited production value to make it as intense as possible and fulfill the desire to be a captivating speaker (1h22m55s).
• The live tour was a huge success, and the experience of overcoming fear and achieving a long-held goal was a significant accomplishment (1h23m20s).
• With the success of the tour and other projects, including a New York Times bestselling graphic novel, there are no more deep-seated, unchecked boxes to achieve (1h23m44s).
• The only remaining goal is to be a good dad, but this is not something that can be quantified or achieved through a specific action (1h23m50s).
• There is a desire to find a new, big, audacious goal, but for now, the focus is on storytelling, family, and having a full life (1h24m35s).
• While the current balance between work and family is good, it is not sustainable for 30 more years, and a change will be needed in the future (1h24m56s).
• The current work is driven by a genuine love of storytelling and a desire to connect with fans, rather than just building a business (1h25m13s).
• The search is on for a new, unchecked box to achieve, as everyone needs something to strive for (1h25m37s).

Finding the Next Thing to Tick Off Your List (1h25m38s)

• Having a goal or something to work towards can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, keeping one motivated and engaged (1h25m40s).
• People who have the means to do anything they want, such as billionaires who go on deep-sea excursions, may struggle to find meaning or purpose because they can afford to do almost anything (1h26m0s).
• When people have the ability to buy anything they want, the value of material possessions can decrease, and the things that hold value are often the things they cannot have (1h26m31s).
• For some individuals, once they have achieved a certain level of success or security, it can be challenging to determine what they want to do next or what their next goal should be (1h26m54s).
• Having a family can be a significant source of purpose and meaning, and cherishing time with loved ones can be a crucial aspect of life (1h26m59s).
• Having a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in one's work or personal projects, such as with Ball and Studios, can also provide a sense of purpose and meaning (1h27m10s).
• Having a "next big thing" to work towards, or an "unchecked box" to achieve, can be a motivating factor and provide direction in life (1h27m13s).

Dealing With PTSD and Alcoholism (1h27m18s)

• The individual has struggled with mental health issues, particularly after military service, and was medically retired in 2014 due to an injury sustained in Afghanistan (1h27m19s).
• Following the injury, they went through the motions of therapy but didn't truly address their mental health issues, as they wanted to deploy again and be part of the team (1h27m54s).
• During a second deployment to South America, specifically Peru, they didn't mentally prepare themselves for the experience and struggled with the language barrier, as they only spoke a little Spanish (1h28m35s).
• The individual had to navigate the airport in Peru alone, which was a stressful experience due to the language barrier and the fact that their bag got stuck (1h29m1s).
• They were then driven through a slum to reach their destination, which made them feel unsafe and far from their family, triggering feelings similar to those experienced during their time in Afghanistan (1h29m42s).
• The deployment to Peru was a challenging experience, with the individual struggling with depression, misery, and recurring dreams, which made it difficult for them to maintain their sanity (1h30m12s).
• The individual experienced a difficult time in their life while serving in Peru, feeling lost and disconnected from their family, particularly their pregnant wife, and struggling with the harsh realities of war and its aftermath (1h30m41s).
• They had recurring nightmares about being taken hostage in Russia, which led to feelings of mental collapse and questioning their own sanity (1h30m49s).
• The individual's experiences in Afghanistan also contributed to their mental struggles, as they grappled with the moral implications of their actions during wartime (1h31m34s).
• They eventually got medically retired from the military due to physical injuries and their own unhappiness with their role, which was a personal choice (1h32m19s).
• After leaving the military, the individual struggled with anger and high-strung emotions, causing tension in their personal relationships, and eventually sought therapy at the urging of their family (1h32m50s).
• Through therapy, which began around 2018, the individual was able to confront and forgive themselves for their past actions and experiences, ultimately finding a sense of contentment and perspective (1h33m16s).
• The therapy process helped the individual to understand that its purpose is not to forget past traumas, but to provide a new perspective and help individuals move forward (1h33m40s).

Coming to Terms With Everything I Did (1h33m52s)

• The desire to become a Navy SEAL was driven by a sense of challenge and the idea of serving in the military, which was seen as an honorable thing, (1h33m55s).
• The process of becoming a SEAL takes years, and it's not until one becomes a SEAL that they realize the reality of the job, which involves killing people and the possibility of death, (1h34m42s).
• The job of a SEAL requires a specific mental conditioning that comes from training, which enables them to become capable warfighters, (1h35m20s).
• When leaving the SEALs, one must come to terms with what they have been doing and the way they've been thinking about it, which can be a difficult process, (1h35m56s).
• The experience of being a SEAL can shape a person's identity, and leaving the SEALs can lead to a loss of identity, which can be hard to cope with, (1h36m39s).
• The realization that being a SEAL wasn't a fit for one's life can be a difficult pill to swallow, even if medically retired, and it would have been a path taken regardless of the circumstances, (1h36m35s).
• The process of becoming a SEAL can lead to a person becoming someone they're not proud of, such as becoming overly aggressive and alpha, which can be a difficult thing to reconcile with one's true self, (1h36m9s).

Your Demons and Therapy (1h36m42s)

• Going to therapy is helpful in dealing with personal demons, and having a good therapist can make a significant difference (1h36m43s).
• Vinnie Shoran, a therapist based in the UK, has been helpful in addressing personal issues, although the focus has not been on military experiences (1h36m49s).
• Military service can be a source of pride, and the people served with were incredible, regardless of any negative feelings that may exist now (1h37m1s).
• The decision to leave the military was not a reflection on the institution or the people, but rather a realization that it was not the right fit (1h37m11s).
• Being part of the Navy SEALs and deploying to Afghanistan for a combat deployment was a unique experience that not everyone gets to have, and it was a chance to do the job in real life (1h37m23s).
• Having only one combat tour was enough to realize that being a Navy SEAL was not the right path, but it was still a valuable experience that shaped who the person is today (1h38m4s).
• Reconciling past experiences as a Navy SEAL with current life as a civilian can be challenging, but it's possible to take the best qualities from that experience and apply them to being a good husband, father, and person (1h38m14s).
• It's surprising to look back on past experiences and realize how different life is now, but it's possible to move forward and become a better person (1h38m30s).

The Only Way to Cope With Your Demons (1h38m34s)

• Everyone has their own demons to some degree, which can be thought of as a spectrum of how strong those demons can be and how much control they can have over one's decisions (1h38m35s).
• A demon is something that if you begin to have those thoughts and you feel them creeping in, and you tell yourself to stop thinking about it, but you can't, and it usually happens at the same time of the day or is triggered by the same thing (1h39m4s).
• Demons are uncontrollable thoughts that come into one's head, and one's reaction to it is often "oh my God, I can't think about this thing," which indicates that it is a demon in one's life (1h39m31s).
• It is not possible to simply convince oneself that a demon is not a demon, and it doesn't matter if it's rational or not (1h39m49s).
• The only way to cope with demons is to talk about them with someone, such as a therapist, which can be cathartic and help one hear themselves talking about it (1h40m0s).
• Talking to a therapist in a private setting can help bring deep insecurities and pains to the surface, and a great therapist can provide perspective and help one think about their demons in a different way (1h40m30s).
• A therapist's role is to listen, interpret, and provide perspective, rather than trying to tell one that their demon is not a thing (1h40m41s).

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Reconciling With My Dad (1h43m0s)

• A person was raised by a single mother in the basement, but their father was an active part of their life despite their parents splitting when they were 13 (1h43m2s).
• The person had a good relationship with their father until they decided to enlist in the Navy and become a Navy SEAL, which they didn't discuss with their family beforehand (1h43m56s).
• The father couldn't understand why his son wanted to become a Navy SEAL, viewing both successful and unsuccessful outcomes as having big negatives, such as going to war or being stuck in the Navy with a non-preferred job (1h44m36s).
• The person interpreted their father's concerns as a lack of belief in their ability to become a Navy SEAL, which marked a departure in their relationship and led to a lot of ill will towards their father (1h45m8s).
• The person barely spoke to their father from 2010 until recently, partly due to resentment towards their father's remarriage and perceived lack of belief in them (1h45m24s).
• The person's relationship with their father had become negative for many years, but it also motivated them to prove their father wrong and push through challenges in Navy SEAL training (1h46m13s).
• Through recent therapy and discussions, the person and their father reconnected and discovered that their father was simply worried about his son's well-being and felt unloved and unappreciated (1h46m39s).
• The person is now happy to have reconnected with their father and is grateful for the opportunity to rebuild their relationship (1h46m52s).

How to Help Men Experiencing Mental Health Issues (1h46m55s)

• Many men struggle to openly discuss their emotions and personal demons, especially those who have been in combat and are perceived as tough guys, due to societal expectations and a lack of tools to express themselves (1h46m56s).
• Men often feel the need to shield others from their struggles, but this can lead to unintended consequences, such as affecting their mood, health, habits, or search for quick fixes of dopamine (1h47m39s).
• Opening up about personal struggles can be a pivotal experience, as seen in the example of sharing feelings and emotions with a partner, which can help men unburden themselves and address their demons (1h48m2s).
• Societal expectations can make it difficult for men to discuss certain personal issues, such as hating their job or not loving their partner, without being judged or questioned about their manhood (1h48m30s).
• However, it's the more personal and potentially embarrassing issues that can be the most damaging if left unaddressed, and men need to be able to talk about these things to overcome them (1h49m0s).
• It's not necessary to sign up for therapy, but being able to talk about personal struggles and unburden oneself is crucial, and this can be done by simply sharing feelings and emotions with someone trusted (1h49m18s).
• Everyone has personal insecurities and things that drive their decisions, and it's essential to bring these issues up and address them to avoid being haunted by them (1h50m58s).
• Sharing personal struggles out loud and taking action to address them can be a helpful and cathartic experience, as seen in the example of overcoming a personal issue with urinating in front of others (1h51m16s).

How to Be a Great Storyteller (1h51m23s)

• Not stating the truth can lead to misunderstandings and create more problems in life, as seen in a scenario where a person struggles to urinate in front of others and their partner misinterprets their behavior, leading to unnecessary issues and hurt (1h51m23s).
• To turn life around, one must take the first step in the right direction, which may involve running an experiment to build evidence and prove that honesty is a better life than secrecy and keeping everything to oneself (1h52m20s).
• When it comes to telling stories, the delivery of the story is more important than the content, and it requires a level of commitment to the story, being fully invested in it, and using gestures and details to make it more engaging (1h53m5s).
• To tell better stories, one must be committed to the story, be in the story, and own it, which can be achieved by internalizing the story and inhabiting it, rather than just practicing and getting the words right (1h54m10s).
• The medium by which a story is told matters, but when speaking to people directly, the delivery of the story is key, and it's essential to be fully committed to telling the story, regardless of whether others find it interesting or not (1h53m11s).
• Effective storytelling involves making the audience feel invested and building tension to create a payoff at the end, regardless of the type of story being told (1h54m22s).
• A good storyteller should own the story and ensure there's a payoff, which can be achieved by using point of view, inhabiting aspects of the story, or adding twists (1h56m4s).
• The goal of storytelling is not just to convey information, but to keep the audience engaged and curious about what's happening, as seen in the example of a mystery story (1h55m5s).
• A storyteller should avoid giving away the ending or the main point of the story at the beginning, as this can reduce the audience's interest and investment in the story (1h55m32s).
• The story of the Dyatlov Pass incident is an example of effective storytelling, where the goal is to present conflicting information and raise questions in the audience's mind (1h56m12s).
• The key to good storytelling is to create a sense of tension and curiosity, and then provide a payoff at the end, rather than revealing the main point or ending at the beginning (1h56m52s).
• The story of the Headless Valley is an example of a challenging story to piece together, spanning over a hundred years and comprising multiple anecdotes (1h57m12s).
• The Headless Valley story is featured in a graphic novel and is set in the Northwest Territories of Canada, a remote and lesser-known region (1h57m30s).
• The Nahani Valley, located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is a remote area with a mysterious history, earning it the nickname "The Headless Valley" due to numerous incidents of people entering the valley and being found headless in bizarre circumstances (1h57m54s).
• The valley is extremely difficult to access, with no option to fly or hike in, and the only ways to enter are by taking a boat upstream and carrying it up waterfalls or completing a 70-mile treacherous overland hike (1h58m16s).
• The Nahani tribe, which once inhabited the valley, mysteriously disappeared overnight, leaving behind their equipment and housing, with no explanation for their vanishing (1h58m36s).
• There are rumors of white creatures wandering the woods in the valley, but the true cause of the strange occurrences remains unknown (1h58m47s).
• A comprehensive narrative of the events in the Headless Valley has been created by piecing together seven or eight anecdotes chronologically (1h58m54s).
• The podcast space is seen as a desirable future for new media, as it is not corporate and allows anyone to start a podcast, with success based on merit and skill rather than corporate influence (1h59m21s).
• The podcasting world is viewed as a meritocracy of content, where podcasts grow and succeed based on their quality and authenticity, covering a wide range of topics (1h59m57s).
• The hope is that podcasting will continue to be an authentic and uncorporatized space, allowing for human authenticity and willingness to discuss various subjects (2h0m35s).
• The graphic novel, an anthology of nine stories, is a New York Times bestseller and features beautiful illustrations, making it a great holiday gift (2h1m0s).
• The graphic novel is part of a media company that intends to continue producing more content, including additional graphic novels (2h1m8s).
• The stories told are a mix of mysteries, unsolved mysteries, and true crime, which are engaging and help some people sleep (2h1m35s).
• The key to being a brilliant storyteller may be a combination of family influence, personal experience, and a long journey of development (2h1m49s).
• The concept of 1% improvement is crucial, as small, consistent actions can lead to lasting changes in life outcomes, rather than relying on drastic transformations or quick wins (2h2m35s).
• A diary has been created to help people identify, stay focused, and develop consistency with the 1% improvements that can change their lives, featuring pictures, inspiration, motivation, and interactive elements (2h2m47s).
• The diary is available in a limited run, and interested individuals can purchase one for themselves or others at thediary.com (2h3m9s).