April 8, 2024 • 3hr 18min

Coleman Ruiz: Overcoming Physical & Emotional Challenges

Huberman Lab

In this episode, Andrew Huberman interviews Coleman Ruiz, a former tier one U.S. Navy SEAL joint task force commander. Ruiz shares his remarkable life story, from his childhood in New Orleans through his time at the Naval Academy, his career as an elite Navy SEAL, and his struggles with PTSD and depression after leaving the military. With extraordinary vulnerability and honesty, Ruiz details the physical and emotional challenges he has faced and overcome. His story provides powerful insights into resilience, healing, and personal growth that will resonate with listeners from all walks of life.

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Key Takeaways

Coleman Ruiz is a former Navy SEAL who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and as a BUD/S training officer. He shares his journey from childhood through the Naval Academy to elite special operations.
Ruiz discusses the intense physical and emotional challenges he has overcome, including his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after leaving the military.
He highlights the critical role of mentors, family, and friends in building resilience and overcoming adversity.
Ruiz gives a raw, vulnerable account of hitting rock bottom, experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts, and his journey of redemption and healing.
Key factors that helped Ruiz recover include therapy, medication, physical training, connecting with others, and developing a growth mindset.
Ruiz emphasizes the importance of asking for help, being vulnerable, and developing emotional range as crucial aspects of healing and personal growth.
The conversation explores themes of masculinity, fatherhood, and redefining strength to include both toughness and emotional intelligence.

Introduction

In this episode, Andrew Huberman interviews Coleman Ruiz, a former tier one U.S. Navy SEAL joint task force commander. Ruiz shares his remarkable life story, from his childhood in New Orleans through his time at the Naval Academy, his career as an elite Navy SEAL, and his struggles with PTSD and depression after leaving the military. With extraordinary vulnerability and honesty, Ruiz details the physical and emotional challenges he has faced and overcome. His story provides powerful insights into resilience, healing, and personal growth that will resonate with listeners from all walks of life.

Topics Discussed

Childhood and Early Life (6:06)

Ruiz describes growing up in a modest household in New Orleans with his parents and siblings. He recalls being a very active, adventurous child who enjoyed sports and roughhousing. In 7th grade, Ruiz began getting into trouble at school, frequently ending up in detention and fistfights.

Ruiz attributes his wild behavior to an innate desire for excitement and rebellion against rules
Wrestling became a positive outlet for Ruiz's energy and aggression starting in 7th grade
The discipline and structure of wrestling helped improve Ruiz's grades and behavior

Naval Academy and Early Military Career (22:26)

After high school, Ruiz attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School before enrolling at the U.S. Naval Academy. He describes the intense physical and mental challenges of this environment.

Ruiz was driven by a desire to prove himself and earn his place
He operated with a narrow focus on the next 24 hours, not thinking long-term
Ruiz met his future wife Bridget, a talented swimmer, during his sophomore year

"I felt like every day I had to wake up and earn my place there. I was never good enough for myself, ever. So next day up is a restart to prove myself again on whatever standard I'm picking that day." - Coleman Ruiz

Navy SEAL Training and Career (1:00:51)

Ruiz details his journey through the grueling BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL and his subsequent career in special operations.

Ruiz identifies three factors that predict success in BUD/S: being a varsity athlete, having divorced parents, and getting suspended from school
He describes the intense physical and mental challenges of SEAL training
Ruiz served multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003-2010

"When I got to BUD/S, Andrew, when I got to the Naval Academy, I had a very strong sense of, this is my chance. And you better bring the nastiest s**t on the planet because I'm not leaving here." - Coleman Ruiz

Loss and Grief in Special Operations (1:26:13)

Ruiz opens up about the profound losses he experienced during his military career, losing 40 close friends and teammates.

The death of his mentor Doug Zembiec in 2007 was particularly impactful
Ruiz describes the emotional toll of notifying families of fallen teammates
He reflects on how these losses shattered his sense of invincibility

"When Doug was killed and I was a pallbearer in his funeral...it was like the whole scaffolding of the world was just gone. Because at that age...I'm thinking, you know, things get more and more serious as you go. But when Doug was killed...I knew when Doug was killed that it's all f**king made up. Like, he was supposed to be the immortal one, and if he's not, none of us are." - Coleman Ruiz

Transition to Civilian Life and Struggles with PTSD (1:52:37)

Ruiz discusses the challenges he faced transitioning out of the military in 2011 and his subsequent struggles with PTSD and depression.

He initially refused to acknowledge his PTSD symptoms
Ruiz experimented with psychedelic therapies like ibogaine and DMT
He eventually hit rock bottom, experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts

"I couldn't believe how emotional pain could be so physically painful. That whole experience. Again, the shocking part was...I just didn't think it was real. And so then when it was and I'm like, how many f**king things I have to deal with, you know?" - Coleman Ruiz

Healing and Recovery (2:38:32)

Ruiz details his journey of healing and recovery from PTSD and depression.

He began regular talk therapy and took medication (Wellbutrin) for several months
Physical training, sleep hygiene, and nutrition were crucial to his recovery
Connecting with others and asking for help were essential steps

"You have to get help from people who care about you and you have to step back away from the problem set somehow and work through it, you know, step by step." - Coleman Ruiz

Reflections on Manhood and Personal Growth (3:02:22)

Ruiz shares his evolving perspectives on masculinity, fatherhood, and personal growth.

He emphasizes the importance of developing emotional range and vulnerability
Ruiz discusses redefining strength to include both toughness and gentleness
He reflects on the ongoing process of healing and growth

"It's okay to have your tough guy moments, your fighter mentality moments. I would never want to lose that...But what I don't think is okay to do is to let that slice of the traditional, whatever you want to call it, aggressive manhood be your whole life. Like, that's just not functional." - Coleman Ruiz

Conclusion

Coleman Ruiz's powerful story illustrates the profound challenges faced by many veterans and the potential for healing and growth. His journey from elite warrior to struggling with PTSD to finding a path of recovery offers valuable insights for anyone grappling with trauma or major life transitions. Ruiz's willingness to be vulnerable and ask for help demonstrates true strength and resilience. His evolving perspectives on masculinity and personal growth provide a compelling model for redefining what it means to be strong in today's world. Ultimately, Ruiz's story is one of hope - showing that even after experiencing extreme adversity, it is possible to heal, grow, and find new purpose and meaning in life.