From Navy SEAL to Breaking Point to Building Lives | Johnny Wilson

Johnny Wilson’s life doesn’t follow a straight line—it crashes, burns, and rebuilds.

From getting kicked out of the Naval Academy to fighting his way into the Navy SEALs…From combat deployments in Iraq to the trading floor at Goldman Sachs…From suicidal thoughts and a fractured life to finding healing in the darkest places…

This is a story about what happens after the mission ends.

Johnny opens up about war, trauma, identity loss, addiction, and the moment everything broke. And more importantly—how he found a way back.

Now, through INVI MindHealth, he’s helping others do the same—using data, community, and new approaches to mental health to save lives. 

This one is raw, honest, and necessary.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Rho: https://rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

(00:00) Meet Johnny Wilson

(00:51) Military Kid Upbringing

(02:08) Fatherhood and Toughness

(04:01) High School Football Days

(06:22) Kids Today and Drinking

(08:17) Non Alcoholic Beer Boom

(10:13) Sponsor Ketone IQ

(11:02) Naval Academy Culture Shock

(12:52) Hazing and Leadership

(14:37) Kicked Out and Rebuilding

(23:33) Bootcamp and Ratings

(28:28) Birthday Weekend Disaster

(37:44) Bridge Bust and Near Jump

(38:19) Cop Recognizes Them

(38:51) Fence Hop Fallout

(40:06) Faith and Second Chances

(41:14) NAD Plus Sponsor Break

(42:19) BUDS Cold Grind

(43:53) Sand Runs and Boot Pace

(47:29) Obstacle Course Wipeouts

(50:14) Team Four and Deployment

(51:11) New Guy Hazing Culture

(52:17) Tridents and Birdcage

(53:31) Mindset on Killing

(56:13) Marriage and Home Front

(01:02:01) Arrival in Baghdad

(01:03:37) Turnover Ops and Mike Day

(01:07:40) Sadr City and IED Chess

(01:09:39) Drone Tech Evolution

(01:11:30) Corruption and Integrity Talk

(01:15:16) First Incoming Fire

(01:16:18) Tunnel Vision Under Fire

(01:16:52) Calm Leadership Moment

(01:17:35) Debriefs and Evolving Tactics

(01:19:17) Deployment Life Off Duty

(01:20:17) Degrees During Deployments

(01:22:08) Marriage Strain and Growth

(01:26:26) Landing at Goldman Sachs

(01:27:33) Corporate Culture Shock

(01:31:32) Quitting and Returning to Teams

(01:33:49) Back In and Global Deployments

(01:37:38) Transition to Capital Group

(01:41:01) Farm Life and Hunting Stories

(01:48:53) Early Signs and Ibogaine Lead

(01:52:12) Psychedelic Research Spark

(01:53:40) Hitting Rock Bottom

(01:54:35) Ibogaine Clinic Prep

(01:56:01) Visions Then Darkness

(01:59:40) Trauma Purge And Integration

(02:01:49) DMT Death And Family

(02:04:22) Therapy Not Recreation

(02:07:10) Ending Cravings With Ibogaine

(02:10:09) Building NV Mind Health

(02:12:25) Wearables And Swim Buddy

(02:17:50) ARPA-H Trials And Partnerships

(02:23:00) Vulnerability And Community

(02:28:31) Resources And Wrap Up

(02:29:22) Subscribe And Sponsors

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