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Coleman Ruiz: Overcoming Physical & Emotional Challenges

Andrew Huberman・177 minutes read

Coleman Ruiz, a former Navy SEAL, shares his life journey, emphasizing focus, family, friends, love, challenges, and triumphs. The podcast aims to provide science-related information to the public at no cost and features various sponsors promoting health and well-being.

Insights

  • Coleman Ruiz shares a life journey filled with focus, family, love, challenges, and triumphs, encompassing childhood, military service, and civilian life.
  • The podcast provides zero-cost science-related information to the general public, sponsored by BetterHelp, Maui Nei venison, and Eight Sleep.
  • Wrestling became a transformative experience for Ruiz, impacting academic performance and leading to success despite initial struggles.
  • The speaker's time at the Naval Academy was marked by intense focus, mentorship from figures like Doug, and a commitment to excellence.
  • The speaker's military experience in the SEAL Teams involved rigorous training, intense combat situations, and a deep sense of loss from fallen comrades.
  • The importance of mental health support, including therapy and stability, is emphasized by the individual's journey through severe depression and challenging experiences.
  • Ruiz's reflections on parenting, life balance, and the evolution of masculinity underscore the importance of diverse tools and surrendering to life's uncontrollable aspects.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Huberman Lab podcast about?

    The Huberman Lab podcast delves into science and science-based tools for everyday life, hosted by Andrew Huberman, a professor at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast aims to provide zero-cost science-related information to the general public, covering topics like focus, pursuit, family, friends, love, tragedies, challenges, and triumphs.

  • Who sponsors the Huberman Lab podcast?

    BetterHelp, offering online therapy, sponsors the podcast, emphasizing the benefits of therapy for emotional support and insights. Maui Nei venison, a nutrient-dense red meat, sponsors the podcast, promoting quality protein intake for health and hunger management. Eight Sleep, a smart mattress cover with cooling, heating, and sleep tracking features, sponsors the podcast, highlighting the importance of quality sleep for overall well-being.

  • What book is recommended for those interested in martial arts and self-discovery?

    "A Fighter's Heart" by Sam Sheridan is recommended for individuals interested in martial arts and self-discovery. The book explores the transformative power of combat sports like wrestling and boxing, shedding light on the physicality, respect, and challenges inherent in these disciplines.

  • How did wrestling impact the individual's academic performance?

    Wrestling positively impacted the individual's academic performance, with grades improving during wrestling season. Despite initial struggles, dedication and growth led to success in high school wrestling. The physicality and discipline of combat sports like wrestling foster respect among fighters, influencing the individual's academic and personal development.

  • What is the monomyth and its stages?

    The monomyth is a narrative structure spanning various cultures and consists of 17 stages, including the Ordinary World, the Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Help from a Mentor, Crossing the First Threshold, and the Belly of the Whale. The monomyth culminates in stages like the Ultimate Boon, Refusal of the Return, Magic Flight, and Freedom to Live, symbolizing personal growth, challenges, and transformation in heroic journeys.

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Summary

00:00

"Science, SEALs, and Life: Podcast Insights"

  • The Huberman Lab podcast discusses science and science-based tools for everyday life, hosted by Andrew Huberman, a professor at Stanford School of Medicine.
  • Coleman Ruiz, a former Navy SEAL special operator, shares his life story on the podcast.
  • Ruiz's life journey includes childhood, teenage years, military service, and post-military civilian life.
  • Ruiz's life embodies focus, pursuit, family, friends, love, tragedies, challenges, and triumphs.
  • The podcast aims to provide zero-cost science-related information to the general public.
  • BetterHelp, offering online therapy, sponsors the podcast, emphasizing the benefits of therapy for emotional support and insights.
  • Maui Nei venison, a nutrient-dense red meat, sponsors the podcast, promoting quality protein intake for health and hunger management.
  • Eight Sleep, a smart mattress cover with cooling, heating, and sleep tracking features, sponsors the podcast, highlighting the importance of quality sleep for overall well-being.
  • Ruiz discusses his upbringing in New Orleans, family dynamics, and early experiences in sports and school.
  • Wrestling became a pivotal channel for Ruiz to channel his wildness and energy, leading to a transformative experience in his life.

14:42

Wrestling: A Journey of Dedication and Success

  • The individual walked into a wrestling room, finding it extreme compared to other sports like football and baseball.
  • Growing up, the person's father wrestled in high school and college, influencing their interest in wrestling.
  • The close contact and physicality of combat sports, like boxing and wrestling, appealed to the individual.
  • Combat sports foster respect among fighters due to the shared understanding of the effort and challenges involved.
  • The book "A Fighter's Heart" by Sam Sheridan is recommended for those interested in martial arts and self-discovery.
  • Wrestling positively impacted the individual's academic performance, with grades improving during wrestling season.
  • Wrestling in Louisiana was uncommon, with the individual's high school having a unique wrestling program.
  • Despite initial struggles in wrestling, the individual's dedication and growth led to success in high school wrestling.
  • The individual's parents' divorce in senior year of high school prompted a desire to escape and led to applying to the Naval Academy.
  • Initially rejected from the Naval Academy, the individual's persistence and a call from the wrestling coach eventually led to acceptance.

29:06

"Prep School Journey: Newport to Naval Academy"

  • Prep school spot in Newport, Rhode Island, recruiting a kid from Pennsylvania
  • Exploring prep school options as a way in, called in May to be in Newport in July
  • Prep school year in Newport, Rhode Island, a nice place, wrestling and school
  • West Point and Colorado Springs also have prep schools
  • Wife first in class accepted, last for the speaker
  • Sponsorship mention of AG1 for vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and micronutrients
  • Prep school portal to Naval Academy, straight into Naval Academy after prep school
  • Lack of guidance in high school, no advice on college applications
  • Intense first weeks at prep school, military training, enlisted in Navy
  • 300 people at prep school, mix of military, athletes, and others, full school year, red shirt year competing on East Coast

43:00

"Naval Academy Love Story and Mentorship"

  • The text describes the speaker's experience at the Naval Academy, where he met his wife in 1996 during his sophomore year.
  • The Naval Academy is depicted as significantly larger and more impactful than the prep school, with a three-star admiral as the superintendent.
  • The speaker recalls meeting an important figure named Doug Zbec during his recruiting trip to the Naval Academy, who later became a mentor.
  • A vivid memory is shared of a late-night adventure with Doug and other wrestlers at the Naval Academy, involving sneaking into a swimming facility through the ceiling.
  • Doug is portrayed as a legendary figure with exceptional physical and mental toughness, leaving a lasting impact on the speaker.
  • The speaker emphasizes his intense focus on his mission at the Naval Academy, with Doug embodying the ideal of dedication and excellence.
  • The speaker's narrow focus on his mission and his admiration for Doug overshadowed other interests or pursuits during his time at the Naval Academy.
  • The speaker's wife, a talented swimmer and successful academically, was the first female graduate in her class at the Naval Academy based on academic and military grading.
  • The speaker's attraction to his wife was not based on her achievements but on her normalcy and likability among a diverse group of individuals at the Naval Academy.
  • The conversation shifts to the importance of work ethic, focus, and direction in achieving success, highlighting the speaker's approach of maintaining a 24-hour horizon and adaptive progress.

57:55

Wrestler's Journey to SEAL Teams Success

  • The wrestling season coincides with the holidays, requiring weight management during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Despite feeling miserable wrestling at 177 pounds, the wrestler considered leaving but met Bridget in February, prompting a change of heart.
  • The wrestler's weight fluctuated from 210 to 215 pounds in the off-season, cutting down to 177 pounds for wrestling.
  • To aim for the SEAL Teams, the wrestler initially considered joining the Marine Corps but later decided to compete for a spot in the SEAL Teams during junior year.
  • The selection process for the SEAL Teams involved a rigorous screening process, including a weekend at Navy and a two-week program at the buds compound in Coronado.
  • The wrestler identified three predictors of success at Buds: being a varsity athlete, having divorced parents, or getting suspended from school.
  • The wrestler emphasized the importance of having a strong team mentality and a sense of belonging to endure the challenges of Buds.
  • The wrestler's determination to succeed at Buds stemmed from a deep-rooted fear of being stuck in a job he disliked and a strong personal drive.
  • Despite facing difficult days during Buds, the wrestler never considered quitting due to his unwavering commitment to his goals and personal growth.
  • Reflecting on his journey, the wrestler acknowledged the role of fear in propelling him towards success and shaping his resilience.

01:12:31

Rebel SEAL: Elite Missions, Unconventional Success

  • Suspended in school implies getting caught misbehaving, indicating rebellion against authority or the system.
  • The speaker's experience in the SEAL Teams from 1998 to 2011 was intense, especially from 2003 to 2010.
  • Despite military rules, real combat situations don't follow a set pattern, requiring adaptability.
  • Success in their line of work often involves having a rebellious streak or questioning norms.
  • The speaker's first combat deployment in 2003 during the Iraq invasion highlighted the lack of mentorship from instructors.
  • The speaker's transition to a special Mission Unit involved a rigorous 9-month training program.
  • Psychological and physical screenings were part of the selection process for the special Mission Unit.
  • The difference between regular SEAL Teams and the special Mission Unit involved more advanced and high-risk operations.
  • The speaker's experience in the special Mission Unit from 2006 to 2011 involved counterterror work and highly unusual circumstances.
  • The speaker found working in the special Mission Unit to be the best experience, meeting and working with exceptional individuals.

01:27:29

Loss, Reflection, and Resilience: A Soldier's Journey

  • The speaker and the listener share common friends who were involved in important wartime work and experienced the loss of many people they knew.
  • The speaker personally knew around 40 people who were killed during their work.
  • A book recommendation is made for "The Fearless" book about Adam Brown, focusing on addiction and his journey out of it.
  • The speaker's first close teammate, Doug, was killed, leading to a realization of the fragility of life.
  • The speaker reflects on the impact of Doug's death on their perception of mortality and the unpredictability of life.
  • The speaker has three sons and acknowledges the importance of ensuring their well-being if something were to happen to them.
  • The speaker's mindset shifted after Doug's death, realizing the need to work harder to stay alive.
  • The speaker reflects on the military's training that instilled a sense of immortality, which was challenged by the deaths of colleagues.
  • The speaker recounts notifying families of fallen comrades, highlighting the emotional toll of such duties.
  • The speaker recalls a series of deaths of colleagues, including Adam's in 2010, and the emotional impact on themselves and their community.

01:43:40

"Transition from Military to Civilian Life"

  • A young army unit is depicted in a scene preparing to charge across an open field, with a young kid holding a rifle with a bayonet fixed, reminiscent of the soldiers in a movie.
  • The narrator, identified as Adam, is mentioned in relation to notifying Kelly, his wife, about a tragic event involving their children, Savannah and Nathan.
  • The emotional impact of the narrator's experience with Kelly is described as leaving him feeling like shedding his skin, symbolizing a profound and difficult moment.
  • The narrator recalls a period from '06 to 2011, where he faced intense emotional challenges, leading to his decision to leave the military in the fall of 2011.
  • The community in Virginia Beach, including neighbors who also faced losses, created a supportive yet intense environment for the narrator and his family.
  • The narrator reflects on the intense military lifestyle, where the need to prioritize duty over personal life creates a challenging and almost dream-like existence.
  • The discussion shifts to the understanding that warriors on both sides of conflicts believe they are doing what is right for themselves, their families, and their countries.
  • The narrator's ability to compartmentalize his military and family life is attributed to the supportive environment created by his wife, Bridget, and the comfort of home.
  • The decision to leave the military in 2011 is described as a conscious and necessary choice, leading to a significant shift in the narrator's life and identity.
  • The narrator grapples with the aftermath of leaving the military, facing challenges in adjusting to civilian life, processing trauma, and seeking guidance from books like Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" to navigate his new path.

01:58:57

"Monomyth: Hero's Journey Through 17 Stages"

  • The monomyth, also known as the cosmogonic cycle, is a narrative structure that spans 2,000 years of culture across various cultures.
  • The monomyth consists of 17 stages, with the Ordinary World at the top and the extraordinary world at the bottom, connected by a horizontal line.
  • The back end of the hero's journey involves three stages out of the 17: the Ultimate Boon, Refusal of the Return, and Magic Flight.
  • The Ultimate Boon signifies a significant realization in life, leading to a desire to act upon it, whether through knowledge or experience.
  • Refusal of the Return reflects the reluctance to return to the Ordinary World due to perceived consequences or mundanity.
  • Magic Flight involves escaping the extraordinary world and taking a dangerous flight to pursue the Ultimate Boon.
  • Assistance from a special power or individual aids in the journey back to the Ordinary World.
  • Crossing the return threshold marks the transition back into the Ordinary World, followed by becoming a Master of Two Worlds.
  • The final stage, Freedom to Live, allows for the integration of opposing life experiences and the freedom to live authentically.
  • The first 10 stages of the monomyth, exemplified in "Star Wars," include the Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Help from a Mentor, Crossing the First Threshold, and the Belly of the Whale.

02:15:06

Navigating Psychedelic Experiences: Caution and Support

  • The individual had a profound experience with ibogaine DMT, feeling connected to warrior cultures from the past.
  • They had previously explored plant medicines recreationally in their youth, leading to negative outcomes.
  • After starting a new job, they engaged in controlled, physician-assisted ibogaine and 5 Meo DMT experiences, which initially seemed positive.
  • A few months later, they experienced a significant downturn, leading to severe depression.
  • The individual mentioned the benefits of plant medicines for PTSD treatment, highlighting a bipartisan bill supporting the use of psychedelics for such purposes.
  • They emphasized the importance of caution and stability before engaging in intense psychedelic experiences like ibogaine and 5 Meo DMT.
  • The individual discussed the need for deliberate mental health support, including talk therapy and mentorship, to navigate the aftermath of intense psychedelic experiences.
  • They described their experience of severe depression as physically and emotionally excruciating, requiring immense effort to function daily.
  • The individual found solace in the principles of the 12 Steps of AA for addressing their emotional struggles beyond substance abuse.
  • They highlighted the importance of opening up to trusted individuals for support during challenging times, acknowledging the difficulty but essential nature of seeking help.

02:31:48

Recovery from Manic Episode: Friends' Support

  • The individual experienced a manic episode that lasted one day, leading to intense feelings of being fundamentally bad or having something bad inside that needed to be removed.
  • Symptoms included sweating, shaking, and feeling extreme pain, leading to thoughts of being better off without oneself.
  • Through support from friends and tough love advice, the individual was able to step back from the edge of self-harm.
  • Friends provided crucial support through phone calls and tough love, emphasizing the impact of self-harm on one's identity and integrity.
  • The individual's role as a leader and protector made it challenging to seek help, but eventually, they accepted the necessity of therapy.
  • Talk therapy was initiated immediately, with weekly sessions helping the individual process emotional burdens accumulated over the years.
  • Pharmacology, specifically a low dose of Wellbutrin, was used temporarily to assist in stabilizing emotions and providing a break from the intense feelings.
  • The individual's resistance to therapy was greater than facing physical dangers, highlighting the stigma and difficulty in seeking help.
  • The importance of stabilizing sleep, avoiding substances that disrupt it, and allowing emotions to be expressed in therapy were crucial in the recovery process.
  • Despite ongoing challenges, the individual feels like a different person, grateful for the support that led them away from self-destructive behaviors and towards a healthier life.

02:47:17

"Journey to Healing: Overcoming Pain and Stress"

  • The speaker expresses a desire to go back in time to fix things, influenced by a broken time machine metaphor from their graduate advisor.
  • Psychological wounds are compared to physical wounds, highlighting the challenge of recognizing and addressing psychological pain.
  • The concept of a "low-grade pain" is introduced, describing a persistent feeling of dissatisfaction and seeking resolution.
  • The speaker discusses the impact of traumatic experiences on the nervous system, leading to physical symptoms like sickness after returning from deployments.
  • Stress modulation is crucial, with stress potentially affecting the immune system differently based on evolutionary adaptations.
  • The healing process often starts at a "rock bottom" moment, where the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change.
  • The hero's journey is referenced, suggesting that personal growth involves continuous cycles rather than reaching a permanent state of peace.
  • Physical movement is emphasized as a vital component for mental well-being, with movement serving as a signal of utility to the nervous system.
  • The speaker shares personal experiences of using physical activity to cope with stress and maintain clarity of mind.
  • Lifestyle changes, including disciplined eating habits, regular physical training, and simplifying life by cutting out unnecessary activities, are highlighted as key factors in maintaining health and well-being.

03:02:51

"Embracing Challenges: Insights from Coleman Ruiz"

  • Coleman Ruiz discusses the importance of being able to do hard things, noting that sometimes the hardest tasks are not what we expect.
  • He reflects on his life experiences and parenting, emphasizing the concept of "range" from David Epstein's book and the importance of releasing control as a parent.
  • Ruiz highlights the balance between tough moments and softer qualities, stressing the need for a diverse toolkit in life.
  • He acknowledges the struggle of surrendering to life's uncontrollable aspects and the evolution of masculinity in navigating these challenges.
  • Ruiz shares his current role as the Chief Operating Officer at Lid Sports Group, a large brick-and-mortar licensed sports retailer in North America.
  • Despite his busy schedule, Ruiz finds contentment in managing his life and work, contrasting his initial struggle with post-Navy life to his current satisfaction.
  • The conversation with Ruiz underscores the mentorship he unintentionally provides through sharing his hero's journey, offering insights applicable to all individuals.
  • The host expresses gratitude for Ruiz's openness in sharing his experiences and the universal lessons drawn from them.
  • The podcast encourages listeners to subscribe on various platforms, support sponsors, and engage with the content through comments and social media.
  • Lastly, the neural network newsletter is promoted as a resource for detailed summaries, protocols, and science-related content, available at no cost on the Huberman Lab website.
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