Shawn Ryan served as a Navy SEAL for almost six years. He endured one of the most intense training programs known in the military world, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, or BUD/S. After seeing combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti, Ryan left the Navy and worked as a contractor for the CIA.

Ryan speaks with Business Insider about his time with SEAL Teams 2 and 8, the weapons they trained on — including M4s, rocket launchers, and miniguns — surviving his toughest mission outside Baghdad, and the reasons he chose to leave the special operations unit.

After leaving the military, Ryan began abusing drugs, chasing the adrenaline highs he'd experienced as a SEAL. He says psychedelic therapy has helped with his addiction recovery and other mental health challenges. Today, he runs a YouTube channel and a podcast, "The Shawn Ryan Show."

If you're a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to connect. To reach responders, dial 988 then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

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00:00 - Intro
00:23 - The Lifestyle
02:56 - The Missions
09:51 - The Weapons
15:14 - Signing Up
17:23 - BUD/S Phase I
21:49 - Phase II
26:52 - Phase III
29:15 - Leaving the SEALs
33:26 - The Toll
37:15 - The Recovery
39:44 - Credits

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