How to Make Yourself Unbreakable | DJ Shipley
In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Navy SEAL DJ Shipley shares his military experiences and mental health journey. From joining the Navy at 17 and serving in Iraq to coping with combat trauma and the loss of fellow SEALs, Shipley details his path through military service and the challenges he faced after returning home, including struggles with prescription medication dependence and mental health issues.
The discussion explores how Shipley found ways to heal, including his experiences with alternative treatments and his approach to maintaining physical fitness. He describes his current fitness regimen, which meets or exceeds his former SEAL standards, and explains how he structures his training around past injuries while maintaining elite performance. The episode covers his daily routines and habits, showing how they support both his physical recovery and family relationships.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 6, 2025 episode of the Huberman Lab
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1-Page Summary
Dj Shipley's Navy Seal Experiences and Challenges
DJ Shipley, the son of a Navy SEAL father and Navy mother, joined the Navy at 17 and underwent rigorous BUD/S training. Deployed to Iraq at 19, he faced the brutal realities of war, including combat, IEDs, and the devastating loss of teammates. A particularly impactful incident involved attempting to rescue his injured teammate, Matty Roberts, under heavy fire, which left lasting psychological scars.
The loss of fellow SEALs, including those killed in a 2011 helicopter incident in Afghanistan, deeply affected Shipley's sense of mortality. These experiences, combined with the tight-knit nature of the SEAL community in Virginia Beach, made it increasingly difficult for him to compartmentalize trauma and maintain healthy relationships with family.
Dj Shipley's Mental Health Journey
After his military service, Shipley struggled with physical injuries and became dependent on numerous medications, taking up to 60 pills daily from 25-30 different prescriptions. His mental health declined significantly, leading to admission to a psychiatric ward for a "med washout."
Seeking alternative treatments, Shipley turned to psychedelic therapies, including Ibogaine and 5-MeO DMT. These experiences proved transformative, helping him confront past behaviors, particularly regarding his relationship with his wife and family. The treatments enabled him to overcome his prescription drug dependency and find renewed purpose in life.
Dj Shipley's Fitness and the Value of Standards
Despite his injuries, Shipley maintains an intensive fitness regimen that matches or exceeds his former SEAL standards. His program includes functional exercises like broad jumps, farmer's carries, and trap bar deadlifts, carefully structured to accommodate his previous injuries while maintaining elite performance levels.
Shipley emphasizes the importance of objective fitness standards for mental clarity and decision-making. His dedication to physical training includes a strict morning routine, beginning at 5 a.m., which he credits as essential for his recovery and ability to be present for both his family and work. This routine includes a nightly 20-minute walk with his wife, demonstrating his commitment to combining physical health with relationship maintenance.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- You can start a small-scale fitness challenge with friends to build a supportive community and enhance mental clarity. Create a shared document or social media group where each person sets a personal fitness goal, whether it's doing a certain number of push-ups, walking a set distance daily, or completing a series of functional exercises. Regularly update the group on your progress to maintain accountability and encourage each other.
- Develop a personal morning or evening routine that promotes well-being and presence in your relationships. Begin by choosing one or two simple activities, such as reading, meditating, or taking a short walk, and commit to doing them at the same time each day. This consistency can help you establish a sense of stability and focus in your daily life.
- Explore alternative wellness practices by researching and participating in local workshops or online courses. Look for introductory sessions on topics like mindfulness, yoga, or even art therapy that don't require previous experience. Engaging in these practices can offer new perspectives on managing stress and personal challenges.
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Dj Shipley's Navy Seal Experiences and Challenges
In exploring the life and challenges of Navy SEAL DJ Shipley, it becomes clear how the rigors of combat and the bonds formed within SEAL teams shape personal lives and emotional well-being.
Heading: Dj Shipley Raised In Seal Culture, Joined Navy At 17, Underwent Seal Training
DJ Shipley grew up immersed in SEAL culture in San Diego, California, the son of a Navy SEAL father and a Navy mother. He graduated early from high school at 17 and joined the Navy a month later, drawn to the SEAL environment that he was familiar with from childhood. Shipley went through the rigorous BUD/S training program on the East Coast, facing immense pressure to perform and high expectations. The challenging beach runs and mental barriers during training instilled in him a resilient mindset, where he preferred the prospect of death to quitting or failing.
Young Seal Dj Faced War's Harsh Realities in Iraq, Including Combat, Ieds, and the Loss of Teammates
Deployed to Iraq at 19, Shipley encountered the brutality of war firsthand, including the constant threat of IEDs and the immediate reality of combat, where every encounter carried life-or-death stakes and a sense of randomness to survival. The loss of teammates like those in Operation Red Wings impressed upon him the fragility of life, revealing his own sense of mortality and vulnerability. As he had observed before, his community of SEALs began accepting jobs after serving, often meeting their ends in the line of duty, highlighting the ever-present danger associated with their profession.
Seal Team Camaraderie: Dj's Struggle With Survivor's Guilt and Trauma After Matty Roberts' Injury
Shipley's sense of camaraderie and his commitment to never leave a teammate behind deepened when he witnessed injuries to a respected teammate, Matty Roberts. Attempting a rescue under heavy fire made him feel a profound sense of helplessness, exacerbated by the desperate need to protect his brothers-in-arms. This critical incident scarred Shipley mentally, impacting his ability to emotionally separate himself from the battlefield, a difficulty compounded by his avoidance of discussing his trauma within a culture that often dismissed these issues with humor.
Teammates' Loss Deepened Dj's Sense of Helplessness and Mortality
The collective grief within the SEAL community following losses like those on August 6, 2011, when a helicopter full of SEALs was shot down in Afghanistan, highlighted the unpredictable and devastating nature of their job. This bred a deeper awareness of mortality, not just for himself but for his entire team. Confronting t ...
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Dj Shipley's Navy Seal Experiences and Challenges
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Actionables
- You can foster resilience by setting up a "perseverance journal" where you document daily challenges and your responses to them. This practice encourages reflection on how you overcome obstacles, similar to the resilience developed in SEAL training. For example, if you face a tough situation at work, write down the problem, your actions to address it, and the outcome, focusing on the process rather than the result.
- Develop a support network by initiating a peer-based support group in your community or workplace. This group could meet regularly to share personal challenges and provide mutual support, mirroring the camaraderie found in SEAL teams. Start by inviting a few colleagues or friends to discuss common issues and how you can support each other, then gradually expand the group.
- Create a personal ritual to honor and remember the sacrifices of oth ...
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Dj Shipley's Mental Health Journey
DJ Shipley details his tumultuous journey from the depths of post-service mental health struggles to his enlightening experiences with psychedelic therapies, fundamentally altering his relationship with trauma, addiction, and family.
Post-Navy, Dj's Mental Health Declined Due to Injuries and Medication
Shipley candidly shares the disorienting shock of tackling mental health issues after facing a plethora of physical injuries and surgeries. These injuries, coupled with a hazardous electrical accident right before his scheduled military retirement, propelled him towards severe emotional distress and medication dependency.
Dj's Admission to Psychiatric Ward for "Med Washout" and Realization of Self-Destruction
Recounting his darkest moments during his stay at a psychiatric ward for a "med washout," Shipley realized the extent of self-harm inflicted by the myriad of medications prescribed to him, which included up to 60 pills a day with about 25 to 30 different prescriptions. This epiphanic episode revealed a path of self-destruction, manifesting in severe withdrawal symptoms and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
Dj Explored Therapies Like Ibogaine and 5-Meo dmt, Which "Reset" His Ability to Confront Trauma and Rebuild His Life
Shipley embraced unconventional approaches to mental health through psychedelic therapy, finding solace and transformative experiences in Ibogaine and 5-MeO DMT. These substances initiated profound reflections on personal actions, particularly the hurt inflicted on his wife and family, and catalyzed a stronger commitment to repair and enhance these pivotal relationships.
Psychedelic Experiences Led dj to Remorsefully Confront how He Hurt His Wife and Family, Renewing His Commitment to Relationships
Shipley confesses that the clarity and remorse felt post-psychedelic treatment were pivotal, compelling him to divulge past misdeeds to his wife. His consequent emotional catharsis and her acceptance became a pivotal moment, one that renewed his dedication to being present and cherished ...
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Dj Shipley's Mental Health Journey
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Counterarguments
- The efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapies are still under research, and while they may have helped Dj Shipley, they may not be suitable or effective for everyone.
- The narrative may oversimplify the complexity of mental health recovery by attributing success primarily to psychedelic therapy without acknowledging the role of other support systems and treatments.
- There is a risk of glamorizing the use of psychedelics without sufficient emphasis on the potential risks, legal issues, and the importance of professional guidance.
- The story may inadvertently contribute to stigma around conventional mental health medications, which can be life-saving and effective for many individuals.
- The personal nature of Dj Shipley's account may not generalize to other veterans or indi ...
Actionables
- You can start a personal reflection journal to explore your own mental health and past actions. By writing daily or weekly entries, you can identify patterns in your behavior, thoughts, and feelings that may be linked to deeper issues. This self-exploration can be a step towards recognizing the need for change or seeking professional help if necessary.
- Consider joining or forming a support group focused on alternative healing methods. In this group, members can share their experiences with different therapies, including but not limited to psychedelic treatments, and provide mutual support. This can be a safe space to discuss personal challenges and growth, fostering a community of understanding and shared learning.
- Engage in a creative expression activit ...
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Dj Shipley's Fitness and the Value of Standards
Despite facing significant physical injuries, DJ Shipley maintains an unwavering commitment to fitness after his military retirement, believing it essential for mental clarity, decision-making, and overall well-being.
Seal Dj Maintains High Fitness After Military Retirement
Dj Shipley continues to adhere to stringent physical standards, similar to or exceeding those required in his earlier Navy SEAL career. He integrates functional fitness into his regime, executing movements such as broad jumps, farmer's carries, and trap bar deadlifts, which contribute to his astonishing physical capacity and facilitation of his recovery from injury.
Dj's Gbrs Fitness: Functional Fitness With Broad Jumps, Farmer's Carries, Trap Bar Deadlifts
Shipley's training includes a thorough fitness regimen focused on improving condition over time. He performs exercises such as broad jumps for power output, farmer's carries for grip strength, and trap bar deadlifts, considering his body type and previous injuries. Pull days involve pull-ups and grip work, while Thursdays are reserved for intense leg workouts with movements like Bulgarian split squats. These workouts are part of a well-structured program that sets performance and mobility as primary objectives.
Dj Believes Maintaining Peak Fitness Is Essential for Mental Clarity, Decision-Making, and Well-Being
Dj Stresses the Need for Objective Standards and Continuous Physical Improvement
Shipley believes in the indispensability of high physical standards and objective goals as benchmarks for continuous improvement. He values the ability to train consistently without injury, as it is crucial for professionals in demanding fields. Shipley uses standards such as number of pull-ups and weight carried in farmer's carries to measure his physical performance and maintain readiness. Moreover, his pro ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Dj Shipley's Fitness and the Value of Standards
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Counterarguments
- While Dj Shipley's commitment to fitness is commendable, not everyone may have the physical capability, resources, or time to maintain such high standards, especially after retirement.
- Functional exercises are beneficial, but they might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health conditions or physical limitations.
- The emphasis on peak fitness for mental clarity and decision-making could imply that those who are not at peak fitness are less capable in these areas, which is not necessarily true.
- Objective standards can be motivating, but they can also be discouraging if they are set too high or are not adaptable to i ...
Actionables
- You can integrate mental exercises into your workout by solving puzzles or listening to educational audio during rest periods to enhance mental clarity alongside physical fitness.
- While resting between sets, try solving a Rubik's Cube, doing a few Sudoku puzzles, or even playing a quick game of chess on your phone. This can help train your brain to switch between intense focus on physical exertion and mental challenges, potentially improving your cognitive flexibility and decision-making skills under fatigue.
- Create a personal fitness challenge that aligns with your daily responsibilities to maintain motivation for continuous improvement.
- For example, if you have kids, design a "playground workout" where you perform exercises that mimic playing with your children, like timed monkey bar hangs or sandpit sprints. This not only keeps you active but also directly benefits your ability to engage with your family energetically.
- Establish a "recovery ritual" that complements your ...
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