Navy SEAL Endures Heavy Loss and Devastating Family Trauma
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Navy Seal Veteran Zack Ferguson shares his story on this week's Urban Valor. From his upbringing in Orange County to his decision to enlist, Zack recounts his challenging journey through Navy Seal Training and Service.
He discusses witnessing a teammate's death during training, losing friends when they took their own lives, and leaving his team to support his ill sister.
After leaving the Navy, Zack explored psychedelic therapy, which helped him heal from trauma. He uses this experience to assist others, including his family, with their healing.
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Video Chapters:
07:18 Boot Camp
17:47 Hell Week
29:58 Earning the Trident
36:50 Back to the Platoon
46:00 Sniper School
50:08 Family
1:14:18 The Future
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #usnavy #armyveteran #usnavyseal
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Thanks for having me on the show! Such a great podcast platform to share stories and life lessons learned.
@@Zackkfergthank you sir! Stay strong!!!🇺🇲💯🇺🇲
Please reach out to @shawnryanshow this man needs to be on all the great platforms thank you for this episode
I am humbled by your vulnerability and most of all by the love for your family and fellow man. God bless you Zach Ferguson.
Thank you 🙏
Thank you God Bless 🙏🏼
These type of men make life worth living
One it hurts me. Also. My husband got mono. Idk why the military doesn’t get this… sharing gear. Especially helmets or other stuff can cause mono. My team literally did a study on this. Every other diver, seal, rescue swimmer, eod gets mono… sharing gear. Especially gear that requires gear to be used in your frkn mouth…
Ferg is an absolute stud if you talk to any team guys they have nothing but good to say about him.
Thanks George I appreciate that my man 🤝
@@Zackkferg,Much love Zack, you’re an inspiration to the youth. Your life will not be in vain, thank you for sharing your struggles. I dont know what to say but Thank you for giving others strength to keep fighting 🖤
@@khazkh6245I appreciate your kind words and you tuning in and watching. Very much appreciated
You can tell just watching this.
@Zackkferg thanks for your service. Micro dose saved me from myself as well.
Everything was thrown at this man and he didnt give in he didnt give up that is I cant even think of the words to describe this man. Thank you for your service and a huge thank you for what your doing for other people! Thank you for your story.
Jesus Christ my brother! I love you dude!! You're an incredible human being. Would love to just cross paths some day.
love you too
The vulnerability of this guy is absolutely inspiring…what a beautiful human being..🥰
I’m thankful to live in the same country as this guy.
Appreciate it brother 🤙🏼🇺🇸👊🏼
So am I God bless our country and may God continue to bless us all.
Yo Zack Ferg, I’m proud of you brother you are the embodiment of determination dude if I had to go through all the struggles you’ve gone through I’d be one tough SOB. You’re a modern day hero too me as a navy seal and as a man, I’ve been through a lot but you give me the strength to stay sober and keep the faith
Amazing man thanks a lot for that and Im happy this podcast resonated with you. Much love 💪🏼
@Zackkferg hey bro thanks for everything you do...i been in a dark place myself..but seal ethos of never out the fight...resonates in my head everytime i wanna call it quits..hooyah bro keep fighting the good fight
@@ericbrierton2830 never quit
It's nice to see a SEAL who has the same qualities, values and mentality that the guys in this unit usually portray but without the clichés. And with communication skills 👍🏻
God bless you Zack, keep on being a light for others 🖤
Probably the most moving story I have heard from a seal, had me in tears at times..... I can relate to his life story in so many ways. I wish him all the goodness life has to offer.
🙏
I cant believe this only has 24k views. This story made me feel like a big wimp and buck up over my petty bullshi#. Zach, you rule man. God bless.
thank you, yeah social media doesnt like the raw authentic stuff, soft world. We just have to share it with friends and spread the word so it can get seen. Im madly shadow banned on my platforms.
Honestly one of the very best interviews I’ve seen. Zack, you are one of the strongest people I’ve come across on here. Most would have gave up with the childhood you had. You held on, served your purpose and are now continuing in your service to mankind. You had me in tears man. I was wounded in Iraq and med retired in 07. I’ve fought so long with the torment of how things ended and those we lost. You’ve given me hope.
Thank you for your service and listening, I’m happy the podcast hit hard. Much love 🤝
guy is too wise for his years, emotionall intelligence is off the charts... thank you for being so selfless
Omg. This poor kid. The multiple traumas he’s endured are heartbreaking! I don’t know how he’s made it through but I’m glad he has and he’s helping people! Thank you, Zack for educating me on MDMR therapy. I just might try it. I pray that the rest of your life is free from trauma and that you get to enjoy true love and have kids, etc. 🙏🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜💜
Thank you
Zack, you have freed yourself with your Dad...thanks be to God!! Keep pushing on in this life kid. My daughter is a missionary, and I've told her she has to be HIS light in our dark world for those searching.....thats all you can do for your family kid. I'm retired Air Force, proly twice ur age, but you have all my respect. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Peace Be With You Zack.
I stayed up for 48 hours once and was beginning to hallucinate. I can't imagine doing a full week.
You get 5th, 7th, and 10th winds
Imagine having this guy on your team or in your family. The word dedication just scratches the surface of describing it. Keep fighting the good fight, Zack, you’re a powerful person. Ossss
Ossss 🥋
I think it’s crazy how this guys probably been through some super high stress combat situations and yet it looks like just talking about his tragic family events is harder than anything else he’s done. Thank you for your service warrior. I’m eternally grateful
Theres almost nothing as painful as losing a very loved one to drugs dead or alive. This guy definately has had demons rip through his family i pray god will heal and help them.
@@austinporter6701he sure has healed us back together
I’ve listened to countless amount of stories from Soldiers just like you using the same type of language and platform but for some reason You have literally helped me to open my eyes just enough.., in the littlest way that I needed and have been waiting for.., for a very long time…. Hard to explain…. Thank you Brother
Resonate is the word that comes to my mind. I’m humbled and thankful for this. 🙏🏼
The Holy Spirit is working through you whether you know it or not. You are God's vessel. The epitome of a man of God. Continued blessings and healing to you and your family. Thank you.
Holy shit I literally cried my eye out with this ending... You are doing gods work and I'm so happy you found peace and purpose... Thank you for your service and sharing your story ...
Ever since I saw this man in one of the podcast in Mike Ritland. I started to include this man in my prayers. And made himself as my role model to fight back in life
Thank you for being you man
This is the most powerful one of these videos I’ve ever watched. This was so hard to finish. Ton of respect for this dude!
much love!
I'm an older DAV and this spot on... vet's please talk to someone. I didn't do shit Like this guy has done and this makes me want to talk to someone. Thank you so much
I don't know you. But, I love you. Talk. You're precious, too.
Damn brother this was heavy… Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Appreciate you watching 🙏
thank for you very much for watching !
The willingness to share such personal stories let alone actual videos and screenshots is so humbling to see. This dude goes hard on every level
The goal is for it to resonate and hit people on a deep and impactful level. Thank you 🙌🏼
Thank you sir for stepping up snd everything you did for our country. I’m so glad you’re here with us to share your story. You’re a hero.
Bless you and your brothers thank you truly
I have much love and respect for those that serve or have serviced in the military. I pray for them and their families.!
Damn this is one of the hardest videos I’ve watched so far. Drug/alcohol addiction is a bitch. God Bless our troops. They deserve better.
This Video and his vulnerability is literally the picture perfect example of the capacity of love that individuals can have when they have gone through extreme trauma. I notice that although elite military are seen as these rough and tough people, they have this equal and opposite characteristic of love, if they allow themselves to be vulnerable. I miss my brothers, and have yet to find any group as close to me or as true as those I served with. Loved this video.
A common man with an uncommon desire to succeed is what we live by. We are just regular people. Thanks a lot for this comment and watching the podcast 🤘🏽
Zack Ferguson my brother , very admirable guy 💪🏽
Acrazyy my G! Always appreciate the love homie
@@ZackkfergI have heard much about you. When it comes to unalive. My husband has burdened himself with his friends who decided to go. My husband hates he didn’t answer the text, or didn’t pick up their last phone call. My husband kills himself for not being there for friends that decided to make a permanent decision. Take care Zack. Also. It took my husband over 2 years before he would visit the VA. He was working at a factory, he never complained but I knew he hated. While using his GI bill for school during day. Also, my husband had very bad addictions, not just alcohol. I enabled for so long. Even aided. We both took time off during Christmas. Just stayed in our room. He has been free of all now.
@@sukaenacornelius9285 forgiving someone is hard. Forgiving yourself is even harder in my opinion. God Bless all of you. Thank you for sharing this ✝️
Im balling 😭 This is what you call a high value man!! Thank you so much for your service GOD BLESS YOU
I am into the video 15 minutes in and this is the most genuine description of the
"torture " these guys go through. I have watched lots of these SEAL: programs....awesone.
Thank you so much for watching 👊🏼
Watched the podcast until the end.....it will rip your heart out,....
@@Zackkferg I watched the entire podcast, your story. God god what a tumultuous life....this story needs to be made into a book. I can't watch it again....too emotional, almost too real...thanks for sharing.
@@mschacht69 my pleasure. It was rough to talk about and i was drained after but i knew it would help and resonate with a lot of people.
Brother you are a hero too
Appreciate your words
Oh wow ❤ so proud of our forces US and U.K. specials. Different breed. You’re a lovely lad and will be a great dad one day , no doubt. . Peace ✌️ 🏴🇺🇸
Great story my dude. I served in the navy during the first gulf war. 40th nmcb. I built barracks and latrines while guys like you engaged the enemy
NMCB 7 from 05 to 11. Honor to serve in some kinetic areas in the Philippines, and Pakistan! Thank you for your service!!!
Respect to you sir..🏴🏴
Ive seen his mike Ritland interview, kid has been through alot for a normal civilian... granted hes a SEAL. but usually people from real fucked up early life & where you grow up really effects your adult life.
words can't describe how valuable you are to those you love, but thank you for sharing and being there for yours
Holy cow that was powerful. Didn’t know why I was even watching this at 1am on a wed night but I’m thankful for this. Thanxoxo Zack!
thank you for the support and watching!
I love how you shared your love for your mama! What a special woman she is 🥰 you’re such a good son and I bet she loves you beyond words
God bless you zack and thanks for your service ❤
Appreciate it 🙏
I’ve waiting for this episode since I saw the shorts a week or two ago.
Thank you for sharing your story Zack.
It’s my pleasure thanks for tuning in!
You're a good man, Zack.
What a f×cking powerful share brother !! Thank you both !! 👏🏼
Thank you brother 🙌🏼🙌🏼
I'm not a veteran but I have suffered great trama in my life, I'm 50 years old and just want to fucking heal. I don't know how to get ahold of a person like this but I certainly wish I had a dude in my life like this. Thank you SIR for your service you took my spot I was rejected. This is an interview that will stick with me probably forever. Thank you.
Appreciate your support and for watching brother🤙🏼🇺🇸👊🏼
Powerful words, thank you very much
Respect to Zach.
Soldi human and ferocious warrior-protector.
This ☝️ hit me in the ❤️ & had me 😭 feeling like he was talking about my best friend , my father , my sister & my mom !! All this world needs is love to become whole ! This has been the message from the very beginning, We just need to open up our minds , close our mouths & allow our hearts to lead us toward true love , healing & brotherhood !! My deepest respect & admiration for this guy!! What an example he’s been !!
Wow I think i watched all of your interview and this one hit me in a good way. Almost cried at my job but thought about my parents and sis. Thanks Zack for sharing your story.
Thank you brother!! For sharing your story and serving this country 🙏🏾🙌🏾 and helping with the awareness of suicidal
Brooooo!! All love to you man. What a journey you've been on!! Thank you for pouring out your story. More people need your message.
thank you very much for listening!
This was deep! Thank you for your service 🙏
Thanks for listening and appreciate your support 🙏
Thanks for sharing your story. What struck me was the correlation when you spoke about surf torture and what your purpose is now. It’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves when we are suffering but when you focus on others it actually relieves our own suffering. So in the surf you weren’t going to let go of the guy left and right of you no matter how much it sucked. You’re doing the same now. You’ve suffered losing friends and family and you’re focusing on helping others. Fucking awesome dude you’ve always had that purpose. True warrior. Bless you and your family.
It’s my pleasure sharing, the goal is to open up and help others open up to healing and sharing their stories and ask for help, thank you for watching and your feedback. I really appreciate it 🤝
🙏 appreciate your support and words
Best interview I’ve ever seen ! Thank you for everything. ❤
Zack, SIR…I’ve watched a couple of podcasts that you’ve done and it never gets old! Your story is hands down AMAZING! The things we b!€¥h about these days is mind blowing when you listen to your life story! You are a TRUE AMERICAN BADASS SIR! Keep telling your story! Great podcast gentlemen!
@@BtmOper22 thank you for watching not only this one but my previous ones as well. Means a lot and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Can I say that I love all these videos but this one definitely stood out to me above the others hearing your emotion talking about your family is really great man.
thanks!
Early af love everything you do man we need to document all of these experiences and your doing it thank you 🫡
Wow bro your team had a hard start, which is a understatement. Your a strong man and a real teammate much respect
Proud of you Zack. This is so inspiring and therapeutic for everybody who watches this! Your authenticity is such a sign of strength, quite opposite of what we tend to believe.
Couldn't keep my eyes dry, God bless you and thank you for your service! 😎
@@michaelliner8308 I appreciate very much your kind words and thank you for taking the time to listen!🎧
Thanking you for opening up and being vulnerable to the public. Thank you for your service.
Thank you for the support 🙌🏼
This was the best episode I’ve listened to respect to Zack made me tear up at work.
Thank you that is humbling
Way of the Warrior. It’s the fellowship that’s appeared from comradeship I love. Thanks for being so freaking open and unafraid
🤝
Hi Zack. You are a great person who has taken on the burden of keeping your family together. Most of us will never know how tough that is, but it sounds as if it is in your DNA. You have done so much for your country, your colleagues, and your family. You are a great person. Keep up the great work. God is on your side, and He will never let you down.
He never will let us down. God bless and thank you
As a little boy i drowned too and it’s scary not being able to do anything about it. It hurts your throat from all the water filling up until you randomly just black out. After that an uncle of mine saw the tip of my head in the pool and jumped in luckily saved me. Crazy experience.
Amazing heart felt story of reflection 👍
Thanks for listening
This is a worrier and awesome story
pure emotion what a legend thank you for your service
Thanks for watching brother 🤙🏼
@@UrbanValorTV thank you for all you do .. have you ever considered interviewing the families of veterans as well?
just curious and thanks again for everything, i havent healed yet but these people show there is hope. Always respected those in the army not the polees.
thanks a lot for supporting the podcast!
Its not your fault, you have gave back man your story is one I will not forget🙏
God Bless you brother. You’ll never know how much your honesty and testimony mean to so many. Thank you for your courage and honesty. We’re all human with our faults and can’t escape our humanity this side of heaven. God is good. You’re a warrior.Thank you.
Not trying to talk down on this guy at all,but someone needs to check on this guy daily,buddy system
For all the people saying the SEALS are not the same . It’s good to know there are STILL amazing badass WARRIORS.
Smh this story/interview is one for the ages great great great is all I have to say. The strength, vulnerability, and perseverance is nothing but inspiring, Big Ups much respect
Salute to you soldier. You gave me goosebumps how brave you are to open up your heart to the world and show how vulnerable you are as a human being despite the most difficult and intense training you've gone through from life to being a soldier then to life again. God bless you and your family. Thanks for sharing.
Seal, not Soldier
Zack, I'm deeply grateful for you and to you ❤️ God's Speed!
I’m grateful for you as well, thank you
You guys are amazing.
I sent a link to Zak's story to a select group of friends that I think can take is with the following provide: I have only sent this story to a few people I know that could take it.
WARNING: WATCHING THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR THE WEAK OF HEART, AND THOSE THAT DON’T WANT TO HEAR THE WRENCHING STORY OF ANOTHER’S LIFE PAIN. TEARS MAY WELL UP IN YOUR EYES, AS THEY DID IN MINE.
There here is no combat SEAL violence in Zak’s life story, just tales of supercharged emotional violence and family disarray. It’s > 1 hour long, and it went where I didn’t expect. It was so disturbing I wanted to turn it off, but I was mesmerizing I had to watch it to its conclusion.
It’s made me appreciate how good I had it growing up, and probably you too. This video will tear you up, guaranteed. It makes me wonder how Zack has survived to this day.
very cool to hear your insight and i appreciate it and you working through and finishing the whole thing 👏
thank you. I don't think you'll ever realize how much this video meant to me, but it meant a fuckton.
@@BurtSampson that means a lot to me hearing it, super cool to read this comment! Thanks
@@Zackkferg Thank you dude. I mean it. I've been stuck in this pit for over 10 years now, man. 10 years, not a single person in my life. I didn't even leave my room dude, i moved back in with my parents, cut all ties with everyone, and just sat there for 10 fucking years. no restaurants, or gas stations, or stores, or vacation. Nothing for 10 fucking years. And the shit that just went down this past year was mentally tougher than anything I went through in prison or in the Marines, and man, i've been losing it man. My first job in a decade, I told God was going to do it, and I wasn't going to quit. And he he tested me, bro. He tested the fuck out of me. And i didn't excel, or rise above hte mother fuckers or anyhting, but I did what i promised i was going to do. That stuff you were talking about, about seeing your mom be her old self again and stuff, that's what I really went hard for this past year, and, these fuckign people people man, they, i'll sound crazy just for talking about it man, they tried everything possible to destroy me. They hacked my phone, and I figured it out, my coworkers did, and dude, i ran a fucking train on those fuckers day in and day out for a fucking year while they did nothing btu try to get me arrested and fired. And I wanted to do was be happy again, and i had to mentally go back to the places that fuckign fucked everything up in ym head to begin with, i couldn't be weak man. I promised God i wouldn't quit though, and I fuckign didn't. Thanks so much man, you were talking directly to me bro. Even the dying shit man, and the void, that shit happened to me for real one time, it's crazy man.
This is a very good interview. Everyone should watch until the end. There is so much we can learn from this whether you are interested in the psychotherapy or not really is irrelevant. Very powerful stuff. Tons of respect and thanks for him sharing.
👍💯🙏
🤙🏼🇺🇸👊🏼
This was tough watch…….thank you warrior!
Appreciate you watching 🙏
thanks for sharing!!!
Dam this was a deep one
Appreciate you watching 🙏
What an awesome resolve you have Zack. How big can your heart grow?
Absolute amazing testimony!! You are the man dude
I very much appreciate that, thank you for listening 👍🏼
@@ZackkfergI think your the Zack ferguson I met online social media during covid. Approx 2020. I from Indiana. Wonder if your profile was recommended bc you were located here around then.
I know there was a navy guy with your name that i was commenting with.
Always wondered if you were related to some of the fergusons I went to school with and knew from around here.
You might remember fb group we were in. If your the same Zack.
Poli tical Thunder dome.
You are a great dude. A great man. I mean that
im humbled man, i appreciate that
God speed Zack…holy shit this was a crazy episode
Blessed be Zach, 🙏
I can’t understand why anyone would put themselves through such torture and for people who don’t appreciate it!😮
6:35.... PowerFull...PowerFull....PowerFull..Testimony
Ferg's the MAN‼️🔱🏴
Powerful
Im from the uk i want that shirt so bad 😂😂
Dude, im not fucking around, i stepped into the void you're talking about at 11:45, and i've seen a dark figure as well, and i saw his face, or it's face, and it was the single most terrifying thing i've ever seen in my life. However, the time i stepped into the void(for me it was a totally black mirror) after stopping breathing, there was a woman there. And she told, "she will never love you again." , and I knew exactly who she meant. And honest to God that's true, and right after she said it I stepped into the mirror, and there was nothing there. I was conscious and aware, but I didn't even know what i was. THere was no time, there was nothing. I had no idea how long this had been going on, but i knew if i couldn't think of who i was, i was gone, i was going to leave this life, and i started panicking because i couldn't think, and i felt like how it feels when you're really trying as hard as you can to see how many laps you can complete totally underwater with one breath, and you're like halfway on what you know is gonna be your third lap, and you start to panic because you want to reach the wall and get hte full lap, and then I remembered everything, and it was legit like a flash of light, and i zoomed back into ym bed and shot awake gasping for air. Things are hard for people like us, it's the price we pay for not being NPCs, but no matter how bad it gets, we' will always make it out alright to the otherside just so long as our true purpose hasn't been fulfilled yet.
Beast
Bro, I wish you lived in northeastern Connecticut! I’m so proud of you and all you’ve been through and all you’ve done and how you’ve changed. What gets me through is Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven, you are well on your path! Love God and love your neighbor, Judge not less be judged- but it’s OK to have accountability partners and that’s where we fail each other too much. We either don’t want that or are too afraid to give it because we’re not perfect.
My sermon yesterday was on peace! Philippians 4, Isaiah 26:3, and even in Matthew about do not worry. ❤ ✝️
I appreciate the prayer and you taking the time to listen. Much love , God Bless ✝️