On this episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, Mike Ritland hosts Alan Shebaro, a former Green Beret sniper, 5th-degree jiu-jitsu black belt, and We Defy Foundation founder, supporting veterans with jiu-jitsu scholarships. Alan opens with a fiery take, branding Israel a "terrorist state" for displacing Palestinians and dismissing the "unprovoked" October attack narrative as a cover for decades of occupation. He challenges theological land claims, arguing ancient entitlements don’t justify modern evictions, reflecting on both sides’ fierce convictions.
Alan shares his journey from a military brat in Europe and the Middle East to enlisting post-9/11, surviving the grueling SF Q-course, and enduring three intense Iraq deployments. His initial pride in "liberating the oppressed" soured as he questioned the trillions spent and lives lost for little gain, paralleling his critique of colonial conflicts like Israel-Palestine. Now in Vietnam, he’s the top-ranked jiu-jitsu practitioner, finding solace on the mat.
Expect raw, unfiltered takes as Alan and Mike explore geopolitics, stoicism, and hypotheticals like facing ancient warriors. From blind patriotism to brutal honesty, Alan exposes the thin line between duty and delusion, shaped by a life of combat and reflection.
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Support Alan Shebaro
https://www.instagram.com/alan.shebaro/
https://www.youtube.com/@alanshebaro
https://wedefyfoundation.org/
https://tier1trainingfacility.wordpress.com/tier-1-tf-staff/professor-alan-shebaro/
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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
00:06:54 - Growing Up in Military Households Worldwide
00:14:58 - Journey into Jiu-Jitsu and Military Service
00:26:30 - Special Forces Selection and Training
00:38:49 - First Deployment to Iraq
00:48:28 - Changing Perspective on Iraq War
01:04:26 - Questioning the Worth of Sacrifice
01:17:48 - Analysis of US Foreign Policy
01:30:23 - Perspective on Ukraine-Russia Conflict
01:42:04 - Deep Dive into Israel-Palestine History
02:11:04 - Personal Experience in West Bank
02:36:04 - Analysis of Current Israel-Gaza Conflict
03:08:24 - Proposed Solutions for Palestine
03:36:04 - Transition to Civilian Life and Struggles
03:48:28 - Founding WeDefy Foundation
04:24:04 - Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu Training
04:32:28 - WeDefy's Impact and Growth
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