Navy SEAL Josiah Kauffman: Forged Through Failure – Overcoming Injury, BUD/S, and the Unseen World of SDV

How do you define Resilience when your dream is shattered moments after surviving the impossible? What happens when Failure isn't just an option—but a brutal reality delivered via a broken bone after Navy SEAL Hell Week?

In this gripping Part 1 of 3, BD sits down with Josiah Kauffman, former Navy SEAL, BUD/S classmate (Class 265!), and founder of Warrior Calling. Josiah takes us deep into his extraordinary journey—beginning with the crushing blow of a femur stress fracture following Hell Week with Class 263, forcing a complete reinvention of his path.

This is a masterclass in Grit, Growth, and Grace under pressure. Josiah shares the raw truth of BUD/S—the unforgiving nature of winter training, the evolution of SEAL standards emphasizing Character over brute strength, and the realization that training is merely the job interview.

He then offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes, unseen world of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams, detailing the discipline, sacrifice, and conviction required for missions most people will never hear about.

If you've ever faced a setback that felt like the end, Josiah's story will show you how failure can be the forge that shapes your true purpose.

💡 In This Episode, You Will Learn

• The brutal reality of suffering a femur fracture after Hell Week — and how to come back stronger.

• What winter BUD/S is really like: freezing water, crushing waves, and relentless tests of commitment.

• Why Hell Week truly separates those called to serve from those who just want the title.

• How BUD/S is "the job interview," and the real work begins once you earn the trident.

• The evolution of SEAL training standards to emphasize character, humility, and trustworthiness.

• The no "soft start" intensity of SDV Teams — where every operator is held to elite standards.

• A rare look inside SDV missions: high secrecy, deep sacrifice, and pure frogman discipline.

• How to maintain motivation when your work is invisible to the world.

• Why the definition of mental toughness evolves — from surviving pain to living with purpose.

• Leadership lessons on setting high standards, trusting your team, and living your "why."
  
  

⏳ Timestamps

(00:00) – Intro & Welcome Josiah Kauffman

(01:04) – BUD/S Class Origin: Starting in Class 263

(01:30) – Winter Class & Brutal Surf: The harsh realities of cold-weather BUD/S

(02:12) – The Crushing Setback: Femur fracture discovered after Hell Week

(03:00) – Rolled to Class 265: Reinventing after injury

(04:29) – Hell Week's True Test: What commitment really means

(05:37) – First Impressions vs. Reality: Meeting the combat-hardened instructors

(06:47) – BUD/S: The Job Interview

(08:20) – The Evolution of BUD/S Standards: Mentorship and character