Shawn Ryan Show #228 David Rutherford - Navy SEAL & CIA Contractor
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Aug 18, 2025 
David Rutherford, an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker and former Navy SEAL, shares his incredible journey from military service to motivating others. He opens up about his experiences in the CIA and discusses the mental challenges faced during Navy SEAL training, including Hell Week. The conversation touches on the importance of resilience, the impact of mentorship, and the need for open dialogues around mental health, especially for today's youth. David's mission to empower others shines through as he navigates themes of trauma, connection, and personal growth.
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From SEAL To CIA Contractor To Coach
- David Rutherford left SEAL service, worked Blackwater, then contracted with the CIA and later returned to public speaking and coaching.
- He framed that career arc as a search for purpose, moving from operator roles to mentoring and motivational work.
Family Fracture Shaped Identity
- Rutherford describes his household changing after his brother came out at 15 and the family struggle that followed.
- He links that rupture to long-term emotional impacts that shaped his search for identity and belonging.
Triage Under Fire: The Kandahar Evac
- In the Kandahar patrol where three teammates were wounded, Rutherford describes being the only medic initially and the chaos of medevac triage under fire.
- He credits a skilled flight medic who saved John Beltran and reflects on the emotional aftermath.
