Top Frogman John Collins Reveals His Most Painful Experience

In this episode, decorated Frogman John Collins reveals his most painful experiences during elite military training and sheds light on the intense standards expected in these high-stakes environments. Collins explains how individuals aren’t just cut from programs for failing physical or mental exams; even minor lapses in teamwork or motivation can lead to dismissal. Drawing on his own challenging journey, Collins describes how each member of a "boat crew" must perform at their best to avoid dragging the entire team down. His story provides a raw look into the unforgiving nature of military training, where success requires both physical endurance and a high degree of team cohesion.

Collins also discusses how minor medical issues may receive more leniency than performance-related shortcomings, emphasizing the importance of reliability and resilience in such elite units. This glimpse into the world of Frogman training highlights the incredible sacrifices, mental toughness, and strict standards that define top military personnel. Whether you're interested in military life, team performance, or stories of overcoming adversity, this episode dives deep into the grit required to survive and thrive in one of the world’s most demanding environments.

John Collins is a Navy SEAL veteran. He was born and raised in Sykesville MD. The oldest of 3. Growing up, he played football, lacrosse and he was a wrestler. He graduated from Glenelg High School in 2003 and joined the Navy on October 31, 2006. He served for 12 years. He was in 6 BUD/S classes. He went through first phase 4 times and has been through 2 1/2 hell weeks. He graduated SQT March 2nd, 2012 and went to SEAL Team 7. He did 2 deployments there before he went to the K9 unit as an instructor, where he finished out his career. After getting out of the Navy in 2018, he was hired as a combat skills instructor, where he taught Navy EOD technicians and their support personnel how to shoot, move and communicate. He recently was hired as the safety director for the District Council of Ironworkers and the California Ironworker Employers Council. He still teaches firearm instruction for anyone interested in learning or developing their tactical proficiency. He can be found on Instagram @shooteatandlift. He lives in San Diego with his wife and 3 children.

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