SEAL Team 6 DEVGRU Operator - Eddie Penney on BUD/S, the Darkest Moment in His Career, Finding Faith & More

Jun 16, 2025

Eddie Penney, a former Navy SEAL and Marine, shares his incredible journey from elite military operations to being a devoted father and spiritual mentor. He discusses the emotional toll of combat and the identity crisis he faced transitioning to civilian life. Eddie introduces the concept of 'hot wash,' emphasizing the importance of reflecting and learning from past experiences. He opens up about his darkest moments, the role of faith, overcoming addiction, and navigating relationships, offering profound insights on resilience and personal growth.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Dad's Action Lesson

Eddie's father acted decisively by diving to retrieve a fallen anchor, teaching Eddie the power of action over overthinking.
This lesson inspired Eddie to "just do it" despite fears and uncertainties.

ANECDOTE

Mental Grit Beats Physical Strength

The toughest Buds event for Eddie was treading water for 5 minutes with tanks and fins.
Success in Buds depends more on mental endurance than physical strength alone.

ANECDOTE

Discarding Military Identity

Eddie threw away his military awards and patches after a spiritual conviction.
This act lifted a heavy burden, freeing him from idolatry of past accomplishments.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MULLIGAN Save 10% off your Marek Health order by using code “MULLIGAN” at https://www.marekhealth.com/ #ad Unlock exclusive ad-free interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and unseen footage. Join our Patreon for the ultimate Mulligan Brothers experience- https://www.patreon.com/mulliganbrothers If you're struggling and want to speak with an online, professional, and affordable counselor consider going to our partner Betterhelp for 10% off your first session - https://betterhelp.com/mulliganbrothers Places to find Eddie Penney: https://www.instagram.com/eddie.penney/ https://linktr.ee/eddiepenney https://unafraid.org/store/ https://www.instagram.com/contingentgroup/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52WvikdO41M

In this episode, Eddie Penney shares his journey from Navy SEAL and Marine to devoted father, entrepreneur, and spiritual mentor. Known for his elite military background and high-stakes operational experience, Eddie opens up about the emotional toll of war, the identity crisis that followed his transition out of the SEALs, and how faith, fatherhood, and a new mission helped rebuild his life.

Eddie introduces the powerful concept of a "hot wash," a military-style debrief used to reflect, critique, and improve—a practice he’s now brought into daily life, parenting, and business. His story is rich with lessons on overcoming fear, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and letting go of ego-driven success in favor of deeper personal growth. From the rigors of BUD/S training to the humility of apologizing to his children, Eddie’s candor is both disarming and inspiring.

This conversation strips away the myths of invincibility surrounding special operations forces, revealing the man behind the uniform. For anyone seeking clarity, courage, or a sense of purpose beyond career titles and accolades, Eddie’s transformation offers a powerful reminder that true strength is found in vulnerability, accountability, and faith.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices