In this powerful episode of The Mike Drop Podcast, former Marine Raider Joe Malone sits down with Mike Ritland to share his raw and unfiltered journey—from growing up in a mafia-connected suburb to battling early drug use and heroin withdrawal, all the way to surviving brutal deployments with MARSOC in Afghanistan and Syria. Joe opens up about facing ISIS on the battlefield, surviving a deadly KC-130 crash that claimed his fellow Marines, and the heavy burden of survivor’s guilt that followed.

Listeners will hear about Joe’s struggles with severe poison oak, failing a critical ruck run, and overcoming traumatic brain injury, depression, and suicidal thoughts. He also dives into his transformative discovery of the Law of Attraction and manifestation, his work with a Crimes Against Kids task force, and near-death experiences rescuing colleagues in Somalia.

The episode closes with Joe’s dedication to veterans through his training companies, JM Training and Lethal U, where he tackles tough topics like stolen valor and the critical role mindset plays in overcoming trauma and preventing veteran suicide.

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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:21 - Team Dog Nutrition Ad
00:01:56 - Introducing Joe Malone, Former Marine Raider
00:07:43 - Growing Up in a Mafia-Connected Suburb
00:14:41 - Lack of Purpose & Early Drug Use
00:22:52 - Heroin Withdrawal Sickness Explained
00:26:19 - Overdosing & Sleep Paralysis Experiences
00:29:05 - Initial Marine Corps Experience
00:37:19 - Joining MARSOC Selection
00:45:27 - First MARSOC Deployment to Afghanistan
00:50:15 - Fighting ISIS in 2016
00:55:40 - Helicopter Crash
01:06:35 - Facing an ISIS Tank & Stolen US Equipment
01:11:46 - SEALs Clear ISIS Bodies at Mosul Dam
01:16:09 - Impact of Politics & Morale on Deployment
01:18:32 - Transition to Amphibious Assault in Syria
01:23:35 - Coordinating Ribbon Bridge for Assault
01:31:36 - Personal Struggles & Best Friend’s Addiction
01:38:24 - Promotion to Staff Sergeant & Sniper School
01:40:25 - Severe Poison Oak & Failing Ruck Run
01:45:56 - C130 Crash & Loss of Bravo Element
01:51:10 - Guilt Over Surviving the C130 Crash
01:53:08 - Best Friend’s Death & Downward Spiral
01:55:00 - Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis & Overmedication
01:59:12 - Battling Depression & Suicidal Thoughts
02:03:54 - Divine Intervention & Reflecting on Survival
02:07:49 - Discovering Law of Attraction & Manifestation
02:10:57 - Working with Crimes Against Kids Task Force
02:14:30 - Near-Death Experience Rescuing Colleague in Somalia
02:16:56 - IED Attack on Colleague in Somalia
02:19:31 - Meeting the Attorney General of São Tomé
02:24:27 - Escaping São Tomé Safely
02:26:02 - Starting Lethal U & JM Training for Veterans
02:29:28 - Evolving JM Training & Lethality University
02:32:41 - Addressing Stolen Valor in Firearms Training
02:37:08 - Power of Mindset for Veterans Struggling with Suicide
02:39:28 - Gifting a Token of Appreciation

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