John Ballen

I was in the library all the time, like feeling, like getting to feel what it feels like to be working towards a goal and achieving it was like really addictive for me. And so by the time I was like in my last year in college, I actually ironically had no clue what I would do post-college. It was sort of like, Well, the goal was just to graduate college. I don't really have a clue what's next.

I was in the library all the time, like feeling, like getting to feel what it feels like to be working towards a goal and achieving it was like really addictive for me. And so by the time I was like in my last year in college, I actually ironically had no clue what I would do post-college. It was sort of like, Well, the goal was just to graduate college. I don't really have a clue what's next.

And I thought about briefly becoming a lawyer or something because I was studying philosophy and English because I liked those two subjects and they sort of fit the mold. But I had always sort of had this calling to serve in the military because my – just some friends of mine in high school went off to serve in the military in 2006. Like they went to Iraq and Afghanistan.

And I thought about briefly becoming a lawyer or something because I was studying philosophy and English because I liked those two subjects and they sort of fit the mold. But I had always sort of had this calling to serve in the military because my – just some friends of mine in high school went off to serve in the military in 2006. Like they went to Iraq and Afghanistan.

But I wanted to do something really hard in the military because I needed like a big goal. And like graduating college was this goal that I had achieved. And I was like, I want to do something hard in the military. And that's when I got turned on to the SEAL teams. And the cool thing about the Navy SEAL teams is virtually anybody can apply to be a SEAL. You have to have the right physical fitness.

But I wanted to do something really hard in the military because I needed like a big goal. And like graduating college was this goal that I had achieved. And I was like, I want to do something hard in the military. And that's when I got turned on to the SEAL teams. And the cool thing about the Navy SEAL teams is virtually anybody can apply to be a SEAL. You have to have the right physical fitness.

You have to be a citizen. There's a few things, but basically anybody can try out. but it's only those who survived the training that become SEALs. And it's a really small percentage of people.

You have to be a citizen. There's a few things, but basically anybody can try out. but it's only those who survived the training that become SEALs. And it's a really small percentage of people.

And it just really was the thing that was like, wait a minute, if I do that, if I go through like this baptism of going through this rigorous training, I'll become a guy that will no longer be viewed as like the screw up in high school who sort of got it together with college. I'll be able to reinvent myself. I'll be able to serve in the military, which is something I felt the calling to do.

And it just really was the thing that was like, wait a minute, if I do that, if I go through like this baptism of going through this rigorous training, I'll become a guy that will no longer be viewed as like the screw up in high school who sort of got it together with college. I'll be able to reinvent myself. I'll be able to serve in the military, which is something I felt the calling to do.

It's a career that I can kind of progress into. And it's a big freaking challenge that's going to require a whole bunch of training and prep before I get to go. And so I kind of just shifted my goal from graduate college to become a Navy SEAL. And everything fell in line. And then naturally after that, I became a YouTuber, which is an even longer story. But basically, I...

It's a career that I can kind of progress into. And it's a big freaking challenge that's going to require a whole bunch of training and prep before I get to go. And so I kind of just shifted my goal from graduate college to become a Navy SEAL. And everything fell in line. And then naturally after that, I became a YouTuber, which is an even longer story. But basically, I...

Yeah, I became a SEAL, and then I got hurt, medically retired, and then I basically posted something online that went viral. And I love telling stories, as you can see from this long intro. And I just kept telling stories, and now I'm here. But it started with setting a goal and achieving it, which sounds so basic. But I think a lot of people go through life just sort of

Yeah, I became a SEAL, and then I got hurt, medically retired, and then I basically posted something online that went viral. And I love telling stories, as you can see from this long intro. And I just kept telling stories, and now I'm here. But it started with setting a goal and achieving it, which sounds so basic. But I think a lot of people go through life just sort of

doing stuff because they were told to or they just sort of fell into it. I found like setting a goal that's really consciously something you care about for whatever reason and working hard to achieve it, it like organizes your whole life. And so my life starting with coming home from college and being in the basement has been a series of set a goal and shoot for that goal.

doing stuff because they were told to or they just sort of fell into it. I found like setting a goal that's really consciously something you care about for whatever reason and working hard to achieve it, it like organizes your whole life. And so my life starting with coming home from college and being in the basement has been a series of set a goal and shoot for that goal.

And that's all that matters.

And that's all that matters.

It's a harsh truth when you realize it's your fault or a big part of it is your fault. But that's what self-awareness is, like taking responsibility for the good and the bad.

It's a harsh truth when you realize it's your fault or a big part of it is your fault. But that's what self-awareness is, like taking responsibility for the good and the bad.