Surviving 2.5 Hell Weeks and 6 BUD/S Attempts | Ep. 251
In this episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, John Collins delivers an unfiltered, brutally honest account of what it really takes to become a Navy SEAL—and what happens when the dream nearly dies. This isn’t your typical war story. It’s about failing hard, facing humiliation, and coming back swinging.
Raised by a hard-charging state trooper in small-town Maryland, John always knew structure. What he didn’t know was how far he’d have to go—how much he’d have to lose—before finally earning the Trident. From getting dropped at BUD/S to guarding terrorists in Guantanamo Bay, John’s journey is a masterclass in grit, redemption, and what it means to serve with purpose even when the path doesn’t go according to plan.
Through multiple Hell Weeks, soul-crushing setbacks, and years of grinding through Navy politics, John fought like hell to get back into SEAL training. And he made it. But what happened after is just as powerful. From sniper to breacher to K9 handler, to a complete reinvention in civilian life—John proves that purpose doesn’t end with a uniform.
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