JP Dinnell Podcast #126

Episode Title: Rebound, Rally, Reinvent | US Navy SEAL (Ret.) Ty Smith
Release Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts: JP Dinnell, Lucas Pinckard
Guest: Ty Smith (Retired US Navy SEAL, CEO, Leadership Consultant, Podcaster)

Overview

In this deep and candid episode, JP Dinnell welcomes back his longtime friend and fellow SEAL, Ty Smith, for the second time (see Ep. 124 for part one). This conversation explores Ty’s journey of faith, resilience, rebuilding life after massive personal and professional setbacks, and his evolution as a father and business leader. Ty shares how faith and intentional relationships carried him through overwhelming adversity, and how lessons from the SEAL Teams, jiu jitsu, and spiritual discipline now shape his leadership, parenting, and business approach.

The episode is striking for its vulnerability, actionable insights, spiritual depth—and the mutual respect and camaraderie among elite warriors navigating life’s hardest fights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ty Smith’s Faith Journey

[02:24–14:52]

Ty grew up in a Southern Baptist church, but during the darkness of his first SEAL deployment, he began to distance himself from God due to the trauma he experienced.
“It’s never the other way around, ever. Right? It was me that turned my back.” (Ty, 02:40)
Hit rock bottom two to three years after retiring from the Navy as PTSD and TBI symptoms peaked. Found himself on the edge, contemplating suicide, but experienced rescue and guidance through faith.
Ty now makes a clear distinction: “I am not religious. I don’t even subscribe to religion. I don’t think Jesus taught religion… I think he taught anti-religion.” (Ty, 09:05)
He sees spirituality as a direct, non-institutional relationship with the Creator, prioritizing time in prayer, meditation, and seeking “aligned frequency” with God’s will.

Spiritual Practices: Prayer, Meditation, and Surrender

[11:17–18:14]

Ty emphasizes that belief is insufficient—a relationship requires real communication and invested time, not just ritual or routine.
JP likens spiritual discipline to pursuing a loved one: “If you’re just opening the Bible app and reading the verse of the day… you can’t actually build a relationship that way.” (JP, 13:04)
Meditation is central: “I try to do it at least a couple times a day… because you have to invest in building that relationship.” (Ty, 14:52)
Ty describes his spiritual “hibernation” during three years of intense adversity; he lost businesses, went through divorce and custody battles, and nearly lost everything except faith. This period deepened his dependence on God and his gratitude for basic blessings.

Navigating Personal Crisis: Seclusion, Support, and Communication

[21:15–24:29]

Ty purposely withdrew into seclusion to manage spiritual warfare—communicating proactively with a few trusted allies, but also responding honestly to others’ outreach.
“I was very communicative with a small, tight knit group… There were people I hadn't communicated with, and they were starting to pick up the phone… so it was a little bit of both.” (Ty, 22:26)

Rebuilding Confidence and Identity After Loss

[24:29–38:06]

Asked about rekindling self-confidence for a comeback, Ty says the process began with recognizing the true, spiritual nature of his struggle, seeking divine rather than worldly support.
He set aside ego by “purposely spending a significant amount of the day in prayer, meditation, reading the Word, educating myself...”
“[My confidence comes from] being fully fluent and in belief of whose you are, that you belong to our Creator in Heaven, you are his and he is yours, you are one—then why would you ever doubt yourself?” (Ty, 32:26)
Ty equates “pressing the easy button” in life with surrendering everything—big and small—to God first and not leaning on his own understanding.

The “Comeback”: Letting Go and Letting Opportunity Find You

[38:06–46:17]

Ty describes how, after exiting two big ventures (Vigilance Risk Solutions, CommSafe AI), he stopped forcing outcomes and let new business opportunities—consulting, a watch company, firearms, stealth tech startups, a new podcast—come to him.
“I had to stop searching for results and outcomes, and I had to start seeking alignment.” (Ty, 43:24)
The theme: stop striving and start flowing, trusting that faith and alignment—not willpower—lead to the right doors opening.

Flow State: Lessons from Jiu Jitsu, SEAL Teams, and Life

[46:53–59:11]

JP draws the parallel between “flow” in business, faith, life, and elite jiu jitsu—how the greatest don’t force, but create openings and move with the opponent.
Ty recounts how a recent spiritual retreat and psychedelic journey (Ibogaine, DMT, Native sweat lodge) deepened his confidence and sense of “flow,” making him lighter and more effective in jiu jitsu, healing anxieties of performance, and letting peace seep into all aspects.
“As soon as I got that confidence in my discernment from God, I found I didn’t resist—I simply flowed.” (Ty, 59:10)

Surrender, Release, and the Power of Christian Community

[59:11–73:08]

JP relates his own experience of breakthrough in jiu jitsu (and life) after surrender and vulnerable prayer with friends: “That shift came from a release of this burden that I was carrying because I surrendered something to God, which gave me confidence through that peace…” (JP, 65:00)
Conversation highlights the impact of inviting others into your struggle and the unique support found in strong, faith-based community.
Lucas likens the “source-first” approach to Martin Luther, noting how time spent with God creates efficiency and peace in all endeavors.

Application to Fatherhood: Grace, Ownership, Growth

[73:08–83:47]

Ty shares with deep honesty the mistakes made as a father, especially with his oldest son, and how guilt can be debilitating.
“The coolest thing about God’s grace is that when He was writing my story, He already took into account all my stupidity… and wrote forgiveness into my story anyway.” (Ty, 75:32)
Discovering divine grace led Ty to forgive himself, become less insecure, and have honest, healing conversations with his adult son and children.
“If I’m not forgiving myself, that’s me saying I don’t believe God.” (Ty, 78:35)
JP adds: “Your ability to forgive is a reflection of your maturity as a leader… You can forgive people, but you can still set boundaries.” (JP, 82:32)

Closing Moments: Competition, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

[87:10–90:51]

Ty discusses shifting his competitive focus from jiu jitsu (years of knee surgeries) to the shooting sports (3-gun competitions), eager to represent his firearms company.
The camaraderie shines as JP invites Ty to train and compete together again: “I got some awesome ranges we have access to here in Texas… You, Leif, and I getting on the gun together again.” (JP, 90:04)
In the final moments, Ty teases two upcoming books:
- Don’t Ring the Bell (autobiography; awaiting Pentagon approval)
- The Modern: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Mastery, Meaning, and Mission (leadership for men)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Spirituality vs. Religion:
“I have come to my own conclusion that I’m not religious… I think religion is something man created to control other men. I think that we need a spiritual connection directly to our Creator. I don’t seek results anymore—I seek alignment with God’s frequency and His will for me.” (Ty, 09:05)
On Surviving the Valley:
“There’s nothing like standing in a pool full of gasoline and watching somebody drop the matches in there… to bring you closer to your Creator.” (Ty, 18:31)
Advice for Building Confidence After Loss:
“Once you realize you’re not strong enough to carry that cross on your own, you better run to your Father in heaven just as fast as you can.” (Ty, 27:50)
On Surrendering to God’s Flow:
“I don’t resist in life anymore. I don’t fight. I simply flow.” (Ty, 39:10)
On God’s Grace and Fatherhood:
“When He was writing my story thousands of years before I even got to this planet, He had already taken into account all of my stupidity… He wrote His forgiveness into my story anyway.” (Ty, 75:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[02:24] – Ty’s faith journey and distancing from God during deployment
[09:00] – Why he rejects religion and seeks spiritual alignment
[14:52] – Meditation and prayer as survival and growth tools
[18:31] – Surviving three years of profound loss and darkness
[22:26] – Managing seclusion and staying connected to allies
[24:29] – Rebuilding confidence; spiritual tools for adversity
[38:06] – Letting divine alignment—not ambition—drive opportunities
[49:44] – Integrating faith and flow state in jiu jitsu
[59:11] – JP's breakthrough via surrender and prayer with friends
[73:08] – Application of grace, forgiveness, and growth in fatherhood
[87:10] – New focus: competitive shooting over jiu jitsu
[95:13] – Announcement of Ty’s upcoming books (“Don’t Ring the Bell” and “The Modern”)

Themes and Takeaways

Resilience is forged in the fire, but survival depends on humility, surrender, and trusted relationships.
You cannot out-muscle spiritual adversity; what got you through the battlefield won’t get you through the “valley of the shadow.”
Confidence and wisdom come through seeking alignment with God, not controlling outcomes.
Forgiveness—including self-forgiveness—is essential for depth in leadership, parenting, and personal growth.
True strength requires vulnerability, honest self-assessment, and a willingness to lean on others—and God—in hard times.

Final Thoughts

Ty closes by encouraging listeners to look out for his books, emphasizing his mission to shine light and positive attention on men’s struggles and mastery. JP highlights: “Find a way to allow peace to enter all areas of our lives,” and issues a challenge to put in the effort to build your legacy without settling.

“I don’t fight. I flow.”
—Ty Smith (theme quote)

To connect with Ty Smith:

Instagram: @coach.ty.smith
Listen to The Hero Chronicles podcast

For more from JP Dinnell and Echelon Front:

IG: @jp_dinnell
Echelon Front Extreme Ownership Academy: echelonfront.com

This episode offers both raw honesty and practical wisdom for anyone leading in the arena—whether at home, in business, or on the battlefield.

JP Dinnell Podcast #126

Overview

The episode is striking for its vulnerability, actionable insights, spiritual depth—and the mutual respect and camaraderie among elite warriors navigating life’s hardest fights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ty Smith’s Faith Journey

[02:24–14:52]

Ty grew up in a Southern Baptist church, but during the darkness of his first SEAL deployment, he began to distance himself from God due to the trauma he experienced.
“It’s never the other way around, ever. Right? It was me that turned my back.” (Ty, 02:40)
Hit rock bottom two to three years after retiring from the Navy as PTSD and TBI symptoms peaked. Found himself on the edge, contemplating suicide, but experienced rescue and guidance through faith.
Ty now makes a clear distinction: “I am not religious. I don’t even subscribe to religion. I don’t think Jesus taught religion… I think he taught anti-religion.” (Ty, 09:05)
He sees spirituality as a direct, non-institutional relationship with the Creator, prioritizing time in prayer, meditation, and seeking “aligned frequency” with God’s will.

Spiritual Practices: Prayer, Meditation, and Surrender

[11:17–18:14]

Ty emphasizes that belief is insufficient—a relationship requires real communication and invested time, not just ritual or routine.
JP likens spiritual discipline to pursuing a loved one: “If you’re just opening the Bible app and reading the verse of the day… you can’t actually build a relationship that way.” (JP, 13:04)
Meditation is central: “I try to do it at least a couple times a day… because you have to invest in building that relationship.” (Ty, 14:52)
Ty describes his spiritual “hibernation” during three years of intense adversity; he lost businesses, went through divorce and custody battles, and nearly lost everything except faith. This period deepened his dependence on God and his gratitude for basic blessings.

Navigating Personal Crisis: Seclusion, Support, and Communication

[21:15–24:29]

Ty purposely withdrew into seclusion to manage spiritual warfare—communicating proactively with a few trusted allies, but also responding honestly to others’ outreach.
“I was very communicative with a small, tight knit group… There were people I hadn't communicated with, and they were starting to pick up the phone… so it was a little bit of both.” (Ty, 22:26)

Rebuilding Confidence and Identity After Loss

[24:29–38:06]

Asked about rekindling self-confidence for a comeback, Ty says the process began with recognizing the true, spiritual nature of his struggle, seeking divine rather than worldly support.
He set aside ego by “purposely spending a significant amount of the day in prayer, meditation, reading the Word, educating myself...”
“[My confidence comes from] being fully fluent and in belief of whose you are, that you belong to our Creator in Heaven, you are his and he is yours, you are one—then why would you ever doubt yourself?” (Ty, 32:26)
Ty equates “pressing the easy button” in life with surrendering everything—big and small—to God first and not leaning on his own understanding.

The “Comeback”: Letting Go and Letting Opportunity Find You

[38:06–46:17]

Ty describes how, after exiting two big ventures (Vigilance Risk Solutions, CommSafe AI), he stopped forcing outcomes and let new business opportunities—consulting, a watch company, firearms, stealth tech startups, a new podcast—come to him.
“I had to stop searching for results and outcomes, and I had to start seeking alignment.” (Ty, 43:24)
The theme: stop striving and start flowing, trusting that faith and alignment—not willpower—lead to the right doors opening.

Flow State: Lessons from Jiu Jitsu, SEAL Teams, and Life

[46:53–59:11]

JP draws the parallel between “flow” in business, faith, life, and elite jiu jitsu—how the greatest don’t force, but create openings and move with the opponent.
Ty recounts how a recent spiritual retreat and psychedelic journey (Ibogaine, DMT, Native sweat lodge) deepened his confidence and sense of “flow,” making him lighter and more effective in jiu jitsu, healing anxieties of performance, and letting peace seep into all aspects.
“As soon as I got that confidence in my discernment from God, I found I didn’t resist—I simply flowed.” (Ty, 59:10)

Surrender, Release, and the Power of Christian Community

[59:11–73:08]

JP relates his own experience of breakthrough in jiu jitsu (and life) after surrender and vulnerable prayer with friends: “That shift came from a release of this burden that I was carrying because I surrendered something to God, which gave me confidence through that peace…” (JP, 65:00)
Conversation highlights the impact of inviting others into your struggle and the unique support found in strong, faith-based community.
Lucas likens the “source-first” approach to Martin Luther, noting how time spent with God creates efficiency and peace in all endeavors.

Application to Fatherhood: Grace, Ownership, Growth

[73:08–83:47]

Ty shares with deep honesty the mistakes made as a father, especially with his oldest son, and how guilt can be debilitating.
“The coolest thing about God’s grace is that when He was writing my story, He already took into account all my stupidity… and wrote forgiveness into my story anyway.” (Ty, 75:32)
Discovering divine grace led Ty to forgive himself, become less insecure, and have honest, healing conversations with his adult son and children.
“If I’m not forgiving myself, that’s me saying I don’t believe God.” (Ty, 78:35)
JP adds: “Your ability to forgive is a reflection of your maturity as a leader… You can forgive people, but you can still set boundaries.” (JP, 82:32)

Closing Moments: Competition, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

[87:10–90:51]

Ty discusses shifting his competitive focus from jiu jitsu (years of knee surgeries) to the shooting sports (3-gun competitions), eager to represent his firearms company.
The camaraderie shines as JP invites Ty to train and compete together again: “I got some awesome ranges we have access to here in Texas… You, Leif, and I getting on the gun together again.” (JP, 90:04)
In the final moments, Ty teases two upcoming books:
- Don’t Ring the Bell (autobiography; awaiting Pentagon approval)
- The Modern: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Mastery, Meaning, and Mission (leadership for men)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Spirituality vs. Religion:
“I have come to my own conclusion that I’m not religious… I think religion is something man created to control other men. I think that we need a spiritual connection directly to our Creator. I don’t seek results anymore—I seek alignment with God’s frequency and His will for me.” (Ty, 09:05)
On Surviving the Valley:
“There’s nothing like standing in a pool full of gasoline and watching somebody drop the matches in there… to bring you closer to your Creator.” (Ty, 18:31)
Advice for Building Confidence After Loss:
“Once you realize you’re not strong enough to carry that cross on your own, you better run to your Father in heaven just as fast as you can.” (Ty, 27:50)
On Surrendering to God’s Flow:
“I don’t resist in life anymore. I don’t fight. I simply flow.” (Ty, 39:10)
On God’s Grace and Fatherhood:
“When He was writing my story thousands of years before I even got to this planet, He had already taken into account all of my stupidity… He wrote His forgiveness into my story anyway.” (Ty, 75:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[02:24] – Ty’s faith journey and distancing from God during deployment
[09:00] – Why he rejects religion and seeks spiritual alignment
[14:52] – Meditation and prayer as survival and growth tools
[18:31] – Surviving three years of profound loss and darkness
[22:26] – Managing seclusion and staying connected to allies
[24:29] – Rebuilding confidence; spiritual tools for adversity
[38:06] – Letting divine alignment—not ambition—drive opportunities
[49:44] – Integrating faith and flow state in jiu jitsu
[59:11] – JP's breakthrough via surrender and prayer with friends
[73:08] – Application of grace, forgiveness, and growth in fatherhood
[87:10] – New focus: competitive shooting over jiu jitsu
[95:13] – Announcement of Ty’s upcoming books (“Don’t Ring the Bell” and “The Modern”)

Themes and Takeaways

Resilience is forged in the fire, but survival depends on humility, surrender, and trusted relationships.
You cannot out-muscle spiritual adversity; what got you through the battlefield won’t get you through the “valley of the shadow.”
Confidence and wisdom come through seeking alignment with God, not controlling outcomes.
Forgiveness—including self-forgiveness—is essential for depth in leadership, parenting, and personal growth.
True strength requires vulnerability, honest self-assessment, and a willingness to lean on others—and God—in hard times.

Final Thoughts

“I don’t fight. I flow.”
—Ty Smith (theme quote)

To connect with Ty Smith:

Instagram: @coach.ty.smith
Listen to The Hero Chronicles podcast

For more from JP Dinnell and Echelon Front:

IG: @jp_dinnell
Echelon Front Extreme Ownership Academy: echelonfront.com

This episode offers both raw honesty and practical wisdom for anyone leading in the arena—whether at home, in business, or on the battlefield.

Rebound, Rally, Reinvent | US Navy SEAL Ret. Ty Smith | JP Dinnell Podcast 126

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Summary

JP Dinnell Podcast #126

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ty Smith’s Faith Journey

Spiritual Practices: Prayer, Meditation, and Surrender

Navigating Personal Crisis: Seclusion, Support, and Communication

Rebuilding Confidence and Identity After Loss

The “Comeback”: Letting Go and Letting Opportunity Find You

Flow State: Lessons from Jiu Jitsu, SEAL Teams, and Life

Surrender, Release, and the Power of Christian Community

Application to Fatherhood: Grace, Ownership, Growth

Closing Moments: Competition, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Themes and Takeaways

Final Thoughts

To connect with Ty Smith:

For more from JP Dinnell and Echelon Front:

Summary

JP Dinnell Podcast #126

Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ty Smith’s Faith Journey

Spiritual Practices: Prayer, Meditation, and Surrender

Navigating Personal Crisis: Seclusion, Support, and Communication

Rebuilding Confidence and Identity After Loss

The “Comeback”: Letting Go and Letting Opportunity Find You

Flow State: Lessons from Jiu Jitsu, SEAL Teams, and Life

Surrender, Release, and the Power of Christian Community

Application to Fatherhood: Grace, Ownership, Growth

Closing Moments: Competition, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Themes and Takeaways

Final Thoughts

To connect with Ty Smith:

For more from JP Dinnell and Echelon Front: