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Today we have our first of a two round Combat Story as we delve into Sam Mackey's extraordinary journey from a rebellious youth to a Navy SEAL and, after retiring with 20 years in the service, to a successful entrepreneur. His early years were marked by selling drugs and legal troubles, finding purpose in a love for boxing and eventually joining the military. This decision, fueled partly by a need to escape legal issues, led Sam on a transformative path of discipline and self-discovery.
Sam's time in the military was challenging yet formative. His first attempt at BUD/S training was unsuccessful, leading to a stint in Italy where misadventures and personal growth went hand in hand. However, Sam returned to BUD/S more mature and focused, eventually joining SEAL Team 8. His first combat experience comes in Iraq, where he first grappled with the harsh realities of warfare with an intense gunfight marking a significant shift from training to real-world operations, highlighting the need for quick, tactical decision-making and adaptability.
Stay tuned for Round 2 where we cover even more of Sam’s time downrange and the entrepreneurial skills he develops in the teams that translate into his current work on Outsider, an outdoor lifestyle brand with high quality products, alongside former NFL QB Jay Cutler.
Many thanks to Ari for connecting us with Sam! And now, please enjoy this inspiring episode with retired Navy SEAL, Sam Mackey.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Guest Profile: Sam Mackey
01:48 - Start of Interview
05:32 - Fighting Growing Up
10:31 - Legal Troubles
14:17 - Joining the Military
16:50 - Mentors
21:46 - Hello Fresh Ad
23:09 - Taking Accountability
24:03 - Deciding Branch of Service
27:47 - Boot
33:26 - Path to Teams
41:00 - BUDS
49:47 - Time In Italy
01:01:45 - 2nd BUDS
01:04:29 - West Coast Team
01:15:29 - First Call After Making Teams
01:23:12 - First Time Downrange
01:29:51 - Loadout Advancements
01:32:25 - Feeling Coming Back Home
01:33:08 - Listener Feedback
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- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
🔗 Find Sam Online:
- Outsider https://shop.outsider.com/
This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!
How to Live a No Shortcuts Mentality w/ former Marine and Navy SEAL Kevin Seiff | Vet Collective | Helping 100K Vets
Inside the Iron Triangle | Vietnam Combat in Pictures (from the time) | Kent Hillhouse Rd 2
FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) Operator | SWAT & FBI Agent | Drug Squad | Bicycle Bandit | Operation Black Widow | Shaffer Security | Greg Shaffer
Commanding Tanks in Vietnam | Silver Star Mission | Armored Cavalry M48 Tanks in 'Nam | Kent Hillhouse (MG, Ret)
Operator Syndrome Impact on Vets, Active Duty, Law Enforcement and the Special Operations Community | Chris Frueh
Last Great Tank-on-Tank Battle | Battle of 73 Easting | Armored Cavalry | M1A1 Abrams | Tim Gauthier
Navy SEAL Sniper | UNSEALED | Hardest Experience Losing a Fellow Frogman | Enlisted & Officer | Mark Greene
Epic Medal of Honor Battle Description | Marine Force Recon | Army Special Forces | Earl Plumlee
F-15E Pilot and Weapons Officer | Teaching Fighter Weapons School - Tom Moser and Mike Benitez
Senior CIA Officer on Russia | Legendary Case Officer and Chief of Station | Glenn Corn
F-15E Weapons System Officer | Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient | Mike “Pako” Benitez (Round 2)
F-15E Weapons System Officer from Marine Helo Mechanic | Mike “Pako” Benitez (Round 1)
Inside Look at The Unit (not Delta Force) from Operator Adam Gomal | Getting Shot | Taking Out HVTs
Dropping Danger Close with F-15E Strike Eagle Fighter Pilot Tom Moser (Round 2)
F-15E Fighter Pilot, Marine & Police Officer | Fighter Weapons School | Tom Moser
Two SEALs Talking Combat Operations
Black Hawk Down - Setting the Record Straight | Silence and Light Musician - Brad Thomas Catchup
Navy SEAL Sniper | Almost Getting the Longest Kill in Combat | Sam Mackey - Round 2
Navy SEAL Combat Operations | Maritime Interdiction Ops | Platoon Chief | Iraq/AFG - Joel McGuire
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