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Navy SEAL Instructor: The Dangers of Leaked OPSEC, Curing High-Performer Burnout, and Finding Your "Why" After Quitting Goldman Sachs | Josiah Kauffman
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"There's a lot that shouldn't be said." In Part 2 of our powerful conversation, former Navy SEAL Instructor Josiah Kauffman (The Warrior Calling) gives a rare and critical "insider" perspective on the recent New York Times article leaking sensitive Special Operations capabilities. He reveals why this is so dangerous and the real-world implications it has for the safety of future operators.
Josiah then shares his raw, personal journey of transition, burnout, and finding a new "calling." He contrasts the feeling of a "dialed" SEAL platoon operating at its peak with the hidden dangers of the "yes man" culture that leads to burnout. He gives a hilarious, unfiltered account of his Goldman Sachs internship—a 10-hour-a-day desk job that made him want to "jump off a bridge"—and the "scariest moment" of his life: quitting his 9-to-5 with a family to feed to go all-in on his true purpose.
This episode is a masterclass in mindset, resilience, and perspective. Josiah breaks down why he believes Gen Z is "fairly distracted" and lacks the strong "why" (like 9/11) needed to survive BUD/S, the #1 mental model that separates those who quit from those who graduate, and the powerful story of his grandfather in a WWII concentration camp that forged his own unbreakable "why."
In this episode, you will learn:
[OPSEC & National Security]: A former SEAL's "insider" perspective on the New York Times article and the dangers of leaking Special Operations capabilities.
[Peak Performance]: What it really feels like to be in a "dialed-in" SEAL platoon where everyone is a subject matter expert.
[High-Performer Burnout]: The critical warning for all high-achievers. Why the "yes man" trap and living off caffeine will "wreck" your life, and why rest is a non-negotiable for longevity.
[Career Transition]: Josiah's raw story of leaving the Teams, his shocking experience at Goldman Sachs, and the "scariest thing he's ever done"—quitting his 9-to-5.
[Finding Your "Why"]: The #1 most important question for any candidate. Why "I want a challenge" isn't enough, and why the "quiet professional" ethos is disappearing in the "influencer" age.
[The Mindset that Wins]: The "Two Guys in Hell Week" analogy—a masterclass in how perspective determines your outcome.
- [The Power of Perspective]: A deeply personal story of his grandfather's resilience in a WWII concentration camp and how it provides the ultimate "why."
⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Trailer Preview 00:14 Intro 01:11 The Real-World Danger of Leaking OPSEC (NYT Article) 02:09 Why We're Concerned: Capabilities the Public Doesn't Need to Know 03:40 "It's Playing for Keeps": Why This Is a No-Go 04:33 What Does Peak Performance Feel Like? The "Dialed" Platoon 05:52 A Team Packed with Subject Matter Experts 07:24 A CRITICAL WARNING: The "Yes Man" Trap & Operator Burnout 08:26 The High Cost of "Chomping at the Bit" 09:42 Josiah's Personal Story of Burnout (Goosebumps) 10:01 Transition: From SEAL Instructor to Goldman Sachs Intern 11:15 "I Wanted to Jump Off a Bridge": The 9-to-5 Reality 12:45 Starting from Scratch, Type 1 Diabetes, & Hitting Rock Bottom 14:41 The Scariest Moment of Josiah's Life (It Wasn't in Combat) 15:26 The Birth of "The Warrior Calling" 17:36 Is Gen Z Softer? A SEAL Instructor's Honest Take 18:20 The Missing "Why": 9/11 vs. Today 18:46 The "Influencer" Problem vs. The Quiet Professional 19:49 "Why Do You Want to Be a SEAL?" (The Only Question That Matters) 20:41 The "Job Interview" Fallacy: Why "I Want a Challenge" Isn't Enough 23:49 A Practical Drill to Build Real Mental Toughness 25:54 THE MINDSET: The "Two Guys in Hell Week" Analogy 27:03 Perspective is Everything: "I Am Blessed to Be Here" 28:11 The "Why": Josiah Grandfather's Story in a WWII Concentration Camp 30:31 Final Thoughts on Chaos, Perspective, and the Future 31:40 Outro
📚 Resources Mentioned Warrior Calling: https://thewarriorcalling.com
👤 Guest Information Josiah Kauffman Former Navy SEAL (BUD/S Class 265) | Founder of Warrior Calling | Mentor & Speaker 🔗 Website/Link: https://thewarriorcalling.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahk265
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