SEAL Team 6 DEVGRU Operator - Eddie Penney on BUD/S, the Darkest Moment in His Career, Finding Faith & More

Jun 16, 2025

Eddie Penney, a former Navy SEAL and Marine, shares his incredible journey from elite military operations to being a devoted father and spiritual mentor. He discusses the emotional toll of combat and the identity crisis he faced transitioning to civilian life. Eddie introduces the concept of 'hot wash,' emphasizing the importance of reflecting and learning from past experiences. He opens up about his darkest moments, the role of faith, overcoming addiction, and navigating relationships, offering profound insights on resilience and personal growth.

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ANECDOTE

Haunting Regret Over Hesitations

Eddie Penney shares a haunting experience of witnessing innocent children die because he hesitated to take a shot.
He carries regret for shots not taken but no guilt for those he did take with full knowledge of the target.

ADVICE

Use Hot Wash to Improve

Use the military "hot wash" practice to debrief quickly, analyzing what went right and wrong.
Apply it daily in life, parenting, and business to improve continually.

ANECDOTE

Swimming Built SEAL Prep Foundation

Eddie Penney grew up in Cincinnati and overcame fears about sports due to size and injury.
He fell in love with swimming, which helped prepare him for SEAL training.

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In this episode, Eddie Penney shares his journey from Navy SEAL and Marine to devoted father, entrepreneur, and spiritual mentor. Known for his elite military background and high-stakes operational experience, Eddie opens up about the emotional toll of war, the identity crisis that followed his transition out of the SEALs, and how faith, fatherhood, and a new mission helped rebuild his life.

Eddie introduces the powerful concept of a "hot wash," a military-style debrief used to reflect, critique, and improve—a practice he’s now brought into daily life, parenting, and business. His story is rich with lessons on overcoming fear, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and letting go of ego-driven success in favor of deeper personal growth. From the rigors of BUD/S training to the humility of apologizing to his children, Eddie’s candor is both disarming and inspiring.

This conversation strips away the myths of invincibility surrounding special operations forces, revealing the man behind the uniform. For anyone seeking clarity, courage, or a sense of purpose beyond career titles and accolades, Eddie’s transformation offers a powerful reminder that true strength is found in vulnerability, accountability, and faith.

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