#9 Tu Lam Former - Green Beret / Call of Duty / CEO Rōnin Tactics
May 28, 2021
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Tu Lam, a retired Green Beret and the CEO of Ronin Tactics, shares his harrowing story of escaping Vietnam and his 23-year military career. He opens up about the profound effects of PTSD and his transition to civilian life. From overcoming childhood racism to thriving in the entertainment world as the inspiration for a Call of Duty character, Lam's journey encompasses resilience, growth, and community service. Highlights include the mental strategies he developed during intense training and his commitment to empowering others through martial arts and mindfulness.
Overcoming racism, poverty, and challenges, the speaker demonstrates resilience and strength from a young age.
Inspired by Bushido principles, the speaker's journey towards becoming a Special Forces Green Beret is characterized by honor and discipline.
Dedication and perseverance propel the speaker to success despite adversity, excelling in Special Forces selection and missions.
Navigating diverse environments and overcoming obstacles, the speaker reflects on the perseverance required for success in high-stakes missions.
Transitioning into advanced surveillance operations, the speaker highlights the training and assignments in specialized fields of reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
From combat veteran to mentor, the speaker's transformation emphasizes resilience, mindfulness, and empowerment through 'Ronin Tactics'.
Deep dives
Defying the Odds Through Strength and Resilience
Growing up in adversity, the speaker shares a powerful journey of overcoming racism, poverty, and challenges faced due to immigrating from Vietnam. From enduring genocide to escaping on a wooden boat, the speaker's early life laid the foundation of resilience and strength.
Inspired by the Way of the Warrior
Introduced to the Bushido principles at a young age, the speaker found inspiration and inner strength through notions of honor, discipline, and the path of a warrior. This early influence guided the speaker's mindset and journey towards becoming a Special Forces Green Beret.
From Soldier to Special Forces: Persistence Amid Trials
Amid racism, adversity, and physical challenges, the speaker's dedication and perseverance led to success. From excelling in the grueling selection process to earning a spot in the elite Special Forces, the speaker's story exemplifies resilience and a relentless pursuit of his goals.
Training and Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite facing intense physical and mental challenges, the speaker recounts moments of training and overcoming obstacles in a diverse range of environments. From enduring the grueling selection process to navigating through difficult missions in various countries, the individual reflects on the perseverance required to succeed amidst adversity.
Transition into Special Reconnaissance and Surveillance Operations
Following a transition into special reconnaissance and surveillance operations, the speaker delves into the intricate world of advanced surveillance techniques. From learning covert communication methods to engaging in technical reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, the individual highlights the meticulous training and global assignments in a highly specialized field.
Reflecting on Unexpected Career Progression
After an unexpected shift in career trajectory, the speaker discusses embracing new opportunities and acknowledging the blessings in disguise. Despite initial challenges and altered paths, the individual's journey leads to involvement in high-stakes operations, working closely with elite units, and demonstrating adaptability in dynamic and demanding scenarios.
Mindset of Survival: Thriving in Solitary Dangerous Missions
The podcast delves into the mindset of operating solo in perilous missions compared to team-based operations. The speaker shares insights on the heightened danger and unique challenges faced when embarking on reconnaissance missions alone in hostile territories like Yemen. They discuss the mental fortitude required when operating as a singleton, highlighting the intense focus, awareness, and readiness needed to navigate and survive in such high-risk environments.
Adapting and Overcoming Mental Health Challenges in Transition
The episode explores the mental health struggles and journey towards healing experienced by the speaker post-serving in combat zones. They candidly reflect on the complexities of post-traumatic stress, depression, self-medication, and the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. The narrative unfolds as the speaker opens up about their battle with depression, showcasing the humbling process of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues while endeavoring to find inner peace and purpose beyond the battlefield.
From Warrior to Mentor: Navigating a Path of Healing and Impact
The podcast episode traces the speaker's evolution from a combat veteran to a mentor and influencer guiding individuals towards self-discovery and growth. They share personal accounts of transforming adversity into strength, culminating in the establishment of 'Ronin Tactics,' a platform aimed at empowering others through martial arts, survival skills, and spirituality. The narrative captures the speaker's transition from a masterless warrior to a beacon of resilience, emphasizing the transformative power of mindfulness, gratitude, and mentorship in finding purpose and fulfillment beyond combat experiences.
Journey to Self-Discovery and Higher Purpose
Embarking on a transformative journey from a place of darkness to seeking a higher purpose and self-discovery, the speaker shares insights from his profound experiences. Reflecting on the impact of believing in a higher power, he emphasizes the power of surrendering to something beyond oneself. This shift in mindset enables him to draw strength and motivation to live up to the expectations set by this higher power, leading to a sense of purpose and direction in his daily life.
Embracing Growth, Contribution, and Gratitude
Exploring the significance of growth and contribution in personal fulfillment, the speaker delves into the importance of moving beyond ego-driven pursuits to focus on kindness, love, and gratitude. By prioritizing values that nurture compassion and connection, he highlights the shift from placing significance first to embracing principles that emphasize positivity and inner fulfillment. Through a deep connection with spirituality and mindfulness practices, he cultivates a sense of peace, resilience, and purpose, guiding his journey towards personal growth and contributing to the well-being of others.
Retired Green Beret Tu Lam, CEO of Rōnin Tactics and Call of Duty Character has a conversation with Shawn Ryan to discuss how he was smuggled out of Vietnam, his 23 year military career (20 of which as a Green Beret), his dark transition into civilian life living with PTSD from a long career of war fighting in Special Operations, Lam opened up about his childhood, how he overcame Asian racism at a young age, his military career and success in the entertainment industry. He recounts a visit to the principal's office when he was in third grade where he was belittled by the mother of his bully and the administration did nothing. "She told me that my kind don't belong here and that I need to go back home to my country," said Tu Lam. "I made a promise to myself that day that I was stronger than hate." Lam fulfilled his promise, joined the Army and became a Green Beret. He served in the military for 23 years, 20 of those years in special operations. After retiring from the service he founded Ronin Tactics, became the inspiration behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's Daniel "Ronin" Shinoda and Co-Host of Forged In Fire: Knife or Death on History Channel.
