Navy Seal “MrBallen” Reveals Near Death Experience, Rescue Missions, & Millionaire Mindset

Added: Oct 30, 2023

MrBallen then discusses how Navy SEAL training offers individuals the opportunity to reset who they are and become a new person. He explains that the training replaces the person they were before becoming a SEAL with the person they become as a SEAL.

The host expresses his appreciation for MrBallen's content and storytelling abilities. He mentions that he has been downloading MrBallen's videos and listening to them during plane trips. He praises MrBallen's storytelling skills and mentions that his ability to captivate listeners puts them in a trance-like state.

The host asks MrBallen if he has always been able to captivate people with his storytelling. MrBallen explains that he discovered his storytelling superpower when he used to give talks at dinners to raise money for a charity he co-founded. He found that putting his thoughts into story format made it easier for him to speak in public. He also mentions that he has always had a knack for retaining information when it is presented in a story format.

The conversation then shifts to MrBallen's upbringing and the high expectations set by his family. He grew up in a town called Quincy, just south of Boston, Massachusetts. His family was highly educated and academically minded, and success was defined by doing well in school and going to a good college. However, MrBallen rebelled against this path and chose not to pursue academia. He admits to being a bad student and making many bad decisions during his teenage years.

One of these bad decisions led to a fight with a boy named Paul during his sophomore year of high school. MrBallen explains that he had a reputation for being tough because he hung out with tough guys, but he wasn't actually tough himself. Paul challenged him to a fight because he thought MrBallen was hitting on his girlfriend. MrBallen accepted the challenge to defend his honor and reputation. However, Paul ended up beating him up in front of a crowd of people, including students from both high schools.

The host comments on how this experience must have affected MrBallen's confidence. MrBallen agrees that it was a humbling experience and made him realize that he wasn't as tough as he thought. He acknowledges that he made a lot of bad decisions during his high school years.

After high school, MrBallen's life took a downward spiral. He had a 1.016 GPA in his first semester of college and was on the verge of being expelled. He also got involved in a riot at his college, which further complicated his situation. He ended up withdrawing from school and moving back home to live in his mom's basement.

During this time, MrBallen started to think about joining the military, inspired by his friends who had joined the Marines. His mom suggested that he talk to her best friends, who were both Navy SEALs. They were retiring from the military and could provide guidance. MrBallen reached out to them and had a conversation about joining the Navy SEALs.

MrBallen then discusses the intense training and selection process to become a Navy SEAL. He explains that it takes about two years of training before becoming a SEAL. He describes the training as the best time you never want to have again, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail and pushing oneself beyond their limits.

The conversation continues with MrBallen discussing the bond among Navy SEALs and the ability to recognize each other even without prior acquaintance. He mentions that there is a certain posture or body language that SEALs have, which allows them to identify each other in public settings.

MrBallen explains that if recruits successfully complete the six-month basic underwater demolition SEAL training in Coronado, they are virtually guaranteed to become a Navy SEAL. However, there is an additional six months of advanced training and language school before being assigned to a team. He mentions that Navy SEALs are well compensated compared to other enlisted ranks in the Navy, but it is not a high-paying job. He notes that many people join the SEALs for the challenge and the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, rather than for the pay.

Moving on to deployment, MrBallen shares that he deployed twice, once to Afghanistan and once to South America. He acknowledges that his deployments were minimal compared to others in the Special Operations community, but he describes the mix of excitement and fear he felt before going to Afghanistan. He explains that while he wanted the opportunity to put his training to the test, the reality of potential combat and the risk of death became more apparent when speaking with more experienced SEALs who had been on multiple deployments. He recalls the intense adrenaline rush and physical reactions he experienced when being shot at for the first time, but also highlights the camaraderie and trust among his teammates during these situations. He emphasizes that while he misses the camaraderie, he does not miss combat.

MrBallen also shares a near-death experience during his deployment in Afghanistan. He recounts being in a close-quarters firefight and having a grenade detonate near him. He describes the intense pain and the immediate thoughts of potential death, hoping that the grenade would not blow off his head. He credits his medic, who saved his life by dragging him to cover and applying a tourniquet. He praises the calmness and training of his medic during the chaotic situation. He also mentions the indiscriminate firing of rockets by enemy fighters in the area, adding to the danger and chaos of the situation.

Throughout the podcast, MrBallen reflects on personal growth and the importance of taking accountability for one's actions. He acknowledges his past entitlement and lack of responsibility, particularly during his college years. He explains that taking accountability for his mistakes and missteps allowed him to move forward and evolve into a better version of himself. He also discusses the impact of deployments on mental and emotional well-being, noting that the intense focus on survival and the simplicity of daily life during deployment can make it difficult to readjust to civilian life.

After his military service, MrBallen struggled to assimilate back into civilian life. He talks about the challenges of dealing with physical and emotional injuries and the difficulty of finding a job that matched his skills and experiences. He eventually started a charity called Elite Meet, which aimed to help veterans transition into civilian careers through networking events. However, he faced backlash from the SEAL community for his self-promotion on social media, which led to depression and a decision to delete all his content.

MrBallen struggled to find his purpose and direction in life. He tried various jobs and even started a business, but nothing seemed to work out. It was during this time that he discovered TikTok and decided to give it a try. He started creating content, trying to keep up with the trends and appeal to a younger audience. However, he soon realized that this wasn't the right path for him.

One day, while feeling frustrated with his failed attempts at TikTok, MrBallen stumbled upon two Google Docs on his computer. One was a list of his failed content types, and the other was about unsolved mysteries. He decided to tell the story of the Dyatlov Pass incident, a mysterious event in which a group of hikers died under strange circumstances in the Ural Mountains in the 1950s. He condensed the story into a 60-second TikTok video and posted it before going to an indoor water park with his family.

To his surprise, the TikTok video went viral, gaining millions of views within hours. This success prompted MrBallen to continue telling stories on TikTok, focusing on unsolved mysteries and dark tales. His unique storytelling style and genuine interest in the subject matter set him apart from other creators on the platform. Within 30 days, he gained a million followers and became one of the first big storytellers on TikTok.

However, his TikTok journey hit a roadblock when he received a ban for allegedly brandishing a weapon during a live stream. This ban led him to shift his focus to YouTube, where he could create longer-form content and monetize his channel. His first YouTube video, a personal ghost story, went viral and solidified his storytelling style as a hit with audiences.

MrBallen acknowledges that his content revolves around morbid and dark stories, which may seem unsettling to some. However, he believes that humans have a natural curiosity for such stories, as they provide a safe way to experience fear and anxiety. He strives to tell these stories with respect and neutrality, allowing viewers to form their own opinions.

As his YouTube channel grew, MrBallen realized that he needed help in managing his business. He partnered with Nick, a combat veteran and talent manager, who became his manager and helped him build a team. Today, MrBallen's team consists of 37 employees, including writers, editors, topic finders, and production staff. They work together to create and distribute content across various platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and podcasts.

Despite the success of his channel, MrBallen remains focused on storytelling and leaves the management and business aspects to his team. He values the talent and potential of his employees, offering them opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. He also emphasizes the importance of training and maintaining the authenticity of his content across all platforms.

When asked about his relationship advice, MrBallen shares a simple mantra that he follows in his marriage: "I will always be good to Amanda." He explains that this phrase reminds him to prioritize his partner and to take the high road in conflicts. He also reflects on the early days of his marriage and how he learned to be a better partner.

MrBallen then shares the story of how he met his wife and fell in love with her. He describes a picture he saw of her in South Africa, where she was caring for children and animals, and he was struck by her kindness and nurturing nature. He emphasizes the importance of finding someone who aligns with your values and who you can see yourself building a life with.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of honesty in relationships. MrBallen is asked if he would tell his wife if she didn't look good in a dress, and he responds that he believes his wife looks beautiful no matter what she wears. He emphasizes the importance of respect and unconditional love in a relationship.

The discussion then turns to the challenges of assimilating back into society after leaving the military. MrBallen opens up about his struggles with identity and depression during that time and how therapy helped him overcome those challenges. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and being honest about one's struggles.

When asked about the importance of knowing about the evil in the world, MrBallen acknowledges that it is important to be aware of the dangers and to take precautions but also emphasizes the importance of not living in constant fear. He believes that finding a balance between vigilance and living a fulfilling life is crucial.

The conversation then touches on the topic of public speaking and MrBallen's upcoming live storytelling event. He admits to feeling nervous about it but also acknowledges that doing things that scare him has been a driving force in his life. He believes that the best things in life often lie on the other side of fear and that pushing oneself to do uncomfortable things can lead to personal growth.

Finally, MrBallen discusses his vision for Ballin Studios and Ballin Management. He envisions Ballin Studios as a hub for storytellers, where they can receive support and resources to create high-quality content. He also talks about the importance of maintaining a high standard of quality and the need for a diverse group of hosts to expand the brand.