Pete Scobell - SEAL Team 6 Operator Breaks Down the Hostage Rescue of Captain Phillips | SRS #242

Oct 6, 2025 Shawn Ryan Show
Pete Scobell is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant with 17 years of service, including six combat deployments, best known as the real-life member of the SEAL team that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009, inspiring the film Captain Phillips. Scobell served in the United States Navy as both an enlisted and officer in the SEAL Teams. He served at SEAL Team EIGHT, ONE, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE and Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Prior to the Navy, Pete was a ski racer in New York State and the Pennsylvania State Champion in the Pole Vault. While working as a lifeguard for the state of Pennsylvania, he was awarded the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Heroism Award for a rescue he made at Presque Isle State Park.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a BS in Political Science, he was the third (and last) enlisted SEAL selected to attend the United States Naval Academy. After a four-year hiatus from pole vaulting, he walked onto the Naval Academy Track Team (Division I), set the freshman record, and placed in the IC4As. He was also a starter on the A-side Naval Academy Rugby team.

Scobell suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an explosion in Afghanistan in 2010, which ended his active duty career. After rigorous rehabilitation at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, he transformed his experiences into advocacy for TBI and PTSD recovery, speaking to military audiences and veterans' groups. Transitioning to civilian life, Scobell pursued passions in music, releasing country-Americana albums like Wild (2015) as the Pete Scobell Band, acting in films such as Plane (2023) alongside Gerard Butler, and competing as a professional skier after a 17-year hiatus.

A father of three and husband, he consults on security, writes, and motivates others through resilience stories, emphasizing mental health and second chances.

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00:00 Introduction
01:06 Searching for Truth and Faith
18:41 Gifts and Gratitude
33:13 Pete’s Upbringing and Early Life
46:08 New Projects and Reflections
48:05 Music, Sports, and Mentorship
55:52 Family Dynamics and Personal Growth
01:16:44 Lifeguarding, Dreams, and Doubts
01:35:10 Joining the Navy SEALs
01:39:54 Bootcamp, Hell Week, and SEAL Training
02:24:23 Naval Academy Journey
02:46:45 Tragedy and Turning Points
03:00:23 Leadership and Deployments
03:13:19 Spiritual Experiences and Rome
03:23:21 Coping with Loss
03:46:19 Afghanistan and Personal Life
03:54:42 Baghdad and Combat Reflections
04:17:29 Coming Home and Career Shifts
04:46:44 Family, Birth, and Deployment
05:06:59 Captain Phillips Rescue Mission
05:32:23 Horn of Africa and New Assignments
05:39:31 Christmas Ambush and Disillusionment
06:02:05 TBI Recovery and NICO Treatment
06:22:28 Helping Veterans and Transitioning Out
06:40:19 Psychedelic Therapy and Mental Health
07:02:00 Supporting Family Dreams
07:09:34 Breaking into Acting
07:22:53 Percy Jackson and the Journey Ahead
07:31:58 Faith, Family, and Final Thoughts