JOHN COLLINS Spills The Truth About Getting Dropped

In this powerful episode, John Collins opens up about his grueling journey through Navy SEAL training and the relentless physical and mental obstacles he faced on his path to earning the coveted trident. Sharing his firsthand experiences from multiple Hell Weeks, pneumonia battles, and severe shin splints, Collins describes the brutal reality of SEAL training—one of the toughest military programs in the world. Despite numerous medical rollbacks and the haunting bell that tempts many to quit, he reveals the mindset and resilience that kept him going. Drawing on advice from his father and a deeply rooted sense of purpose, Collins exemplifies what it takes to survive BUD/S training and become part of the elite SEAL Brotherhood.

Collins' journey is more than just an inspiring Navy SEAL story; it’s a testament to the power of mental toughness, perseverance, and a relentless "never quit" attitude. This episode dives into the philosophies that helped him endure, such as viewing training as truly beginning only when you reach your breaking point. For viewers seeking motivation, military insights, or stories of elite mental fortitude, Collins’ reflections offer unique and valuable lessons. Tune in to this episode of The Suffering Podcast for an unfiltered look into Navy SEAL training, the camaraderie within the SEAL teams, and the hard-earned path to overcoming failure and adversity in the most extreme conditions.

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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