#350 Mike Hayes - The Navy SEAL in Obama’s Situation Room During the Captain Phillips Rescue
The transcript details a conversation between Sean Ryan and Mike Hayes, a former Navy SEAL commander, discussing Hayes' military experiences, notably during critical operations, his transition to civilian life, and his initiatives to support Gold Star families through the 1162 Foundation. It highlights themes of service, leadership, and the personal impact of military life on families.
Summary
In the transcript, Mike Hayes shares his journey from being a Navy SEAL commander to his current role as a managing director at Insight Partners, including a detailed discussion of his time spent in various operations and leadership roles in the military. He recounts significant moments from his service, including the Captain Phillips rescue mission and the challenges faced during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The conversation explores the emotional toll of war, the importance of faith and personal connection, and the impact of his experiences on his professional life. Hayes emphasizes the mission of the 1162 Foundation, which aims to pay off mortgages for Gold Star families, arguing that it is vital to support those who have lost loved ones in service. He concludes with discussions on purpose, mentorship, and the lessons learned from leadership in both military and civilian sectors.
About this episode
Mike Hayes is a retired Navy SEAL commander, national security leader, and business executive. He spent 20 years in the SEALs, ultimately serving as commanding officer of SEAL Team TWO and leading a 2,000-person special operations task force in Afghanistan. He later served on the National Security Council for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama where he worked on the START Treaty and led the White House response to the Maersk Alabama hijacking. Today, he is a Managing Director at Insight Partners and the bestselling author of Never Enough and Mission Driven. Hayes draws on his experience across combat, government, and business to speak on leadership, decision-making, and purpose. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. https://theglacierapp.com Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code SRS at https://stopboxusa.com/SRS #stopboxpod All 8 episodes of The Terminal List Season 2 are out now, exclusively on Prime Video. Go to https://drinkag1.com/SRS and for a limited time, get a free Immune Support Bundle, including a bottle of Omega-3 fish oil and a bottle of Vitamin D3K2, with your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro. Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at https://hexclad.com/SRS! #hexcladpartner Mike Hayes Links: Official Website - https://www.thisismikehayes.com The 1162 Foundation - https://givebutter.com/1162foundation Books: Mission Driven - https://a.co/d/09BklBVU Never Enough - https://a.co/d/0akzYknd Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisis.mikehayes X - https://x.com/thisismikehayes LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hayes-733688 National Medal of Honor Museum - https://mohmuseum.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Key Insights
- Mike Hayes recalls a tense hostage situation he experienced in Peru, which shaped his approach to dealing with stress and fear.
- He highlights the importance of building trust within military units and the significance of mental preparedness for leadership roles.
- Hayes describes a profound moment when he had to make a decision regarding the risk of sending troops into a potentially dangerous situation.
- He emphasizes that success in the military is not solely based on individual efforts, but rather on teamwork and shared values.
- Hayes connects his faith to his sense of purpose and recognizes the impact of not sharing that faith with others during his service.
- He outlines how the 1162 Foundation was established to pay off mortgages for Gold Star families, providing them with stability after a loss.
- Hayes argues that living a life of service extends beyond military duty and can be fulfilled through contributions to one's community.
- He discusses the heavy emotional burden that military families bear and how their sacrifices should be recognized and supported.
- Hayes shares a story about the impact of a message from his grandfather, which reminded him of his values and purpose during a challenging deployment.
- He reflects on the importance of proactive communication and leadership in high-pressure situations.
- Hayes critiques the bureaucratic nature of military command and the challenges it presents in making timely decisions.
- He acknowledges the moral complexities involved in decisions regarding combat operations and the effects on civilians.
- During his White House Fellowship, Hayes emphasizes the value of mentorship and learning from diverse experiences.
- He outlines the practical steps for defining one's purpose and seeking fulfillment in both military and civilian life.
- Hayes stresses that individuals in the military should service others and contribute positively to their communities, regardless of their background.
Topics
Transcript
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