The Antihero Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: From Rangers To DELTA FORCE (Josh Burton of Elevated Operator)
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: The Antihero Podcast
Guest: Josh Burton, founder of Elevated Operator, former Army Ranger, Delta Force operator

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the life and career of Josh Burton, tracing his journey from a troubled Ohio youth to Army Ranger, through Delta Force (“the Unit”), and ultimately into entrepreneurship and advocacy for operator wellness. The conversation is full of irreverent humor, soldierly candor, and honest reflections on military life, transition struggles, and personal growth. Josh shares war stories, lessons learned from elite units, the impact of plant medicines on mental health, why he left the military when he did, and his new life with Elevated Operator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life and Getting into the Rangers

• Troubled Youth to Ranger: Josh grew up in small-town Ohio, got in legal trouble (GTA), and joined the Army in 1994 via a Ranger contract with advice from his WWII vet grandfather:
  “Join the hardest outfit they'll let you get into.” [10:50]
• Narrow Escape: Almost ended up in jail but was sent to the Army thanks to a sympathetic judge and Marine detective. [12:06]

2. Ranger Regiment Experience

• From Basic to RIP:
  • Basic Training was chaotic — “This motherfucker's got the drill sergeants in this big drug ring.” [17:49]
  • RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program) was brutal; half the class dropped out.
    “It was three weeks of non-stop getting scuffed up, but it was what I needed.” [26:11]
• Ranger School:
  • Explained the three phases (Benning, Dahlonega/Mountain, Florida/Swamp).
  • “Sleep, sleep and inflammation in your body is the root cause of everything. It really is.” [106:47]
• Ranger Battalion Culture:
  • Not a “real” team member until earning the Ranger tab; harsh hazing stories (“Bowling for Privates”).
  • “Back before hazing was a bad thing.” [38:44]
• Leadership Lessons:
  • Was fired as a squad leader for letting hazing go too far, which helped him grow:
    “It was actually really good for me ... I'm the type of person needs a lot of change. Every few years.” [43:48]
  • Stint at LURS (Long Range Surveillance) broadened his network and skills. [44:39]

3. From Ranger Recon (RD/RRC) to Delta Force

• RD Selection & Elite Culture:
  • “You don't really know it until you've done both ... It's a respectable selection. Understatement of the day.” [46:27]
• Overseas Operations:
  • Worked closely with ST6 (SEAL Team 6). Realized respect and mission access required being in the Unit.
  • “The respect equals missions. I know my guys are just as, if not more, capable than half you.” [49:31]
• Transition to Delta/‘The Unit’:
  • First attempted Delta selection at 21; broke his foot and was too immature then. Came back years later, more seasoned and successful:
    “When I was 21 … I was a stud, but I wasn't mentally ready.” [59:00-59:21]
• Unit Culture:
  • Noted the “magic” of the Red House and differences even after high-level SOF experience. [75:32]
  • “There's no place like it; it's a magic place.” [75:34]

4. The Cost of Elite Service & Transition

• Burnout & Health Crisis:
  • Malaria nearly killed him; deployment stress, TBIs, sleep disruption.
  • “I was absolutely 100% ready to leave. ... my time as a team leader was probably my worst time in the Unit just because I was so mentally and physically [worn out].” [77:32]
• Leaving the Mission:
  • “We have got to save guys from themselves.... When it breaks, it's going to break quick, and it's going to be bad.” [82:37]
• Transition Struggles:
  • Post-retirement anxiety, depression, substance abuse (especially during business school in LA):
    “I'd sit in my beach house and drink a handle of vodka a night. ... I was just self-medicating.” [95:32, 96:21]
  • A critical turning point: “Next week will be my one year [sober] anniversary ... It's one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.” [96:24]

5. Healing, Reinvention, and Elevated Operator

• Academic & Corporate Foray:
  • Finished his undergrad, then earned a Duke MBA with a focus on international business:
    "I went to Duke because they had the best international business program ... [and] because of all the traveling we did in the military." [98:17]
  • Briefly worked at Tesla: “Monday morning I’m signing out of the unit. The next Monday morning I’m signing into Tesla.”
    Experienced intense culture shock and realized he didn't fit corporate life.
• Love and Plant Medicine:
  • Met his wife—in his words, life-saving; started exploring and advocating for plant medicine (psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine).
  • “I really got into plant medicine then. It’s changed my life for the better ... and saved my life.” [102:12]
• Elevated Operator Mission:
  • Founded Elevated Operator to promote holistic wellness—focusing on sleep, diet, and especially plant-based solutions for operator health (e.g., mushroom teas).
  • “I eat a lot of mushrooms for just my own sanity and dealing with society ... I’m gonna be 48 years old next week, and here I am a year later and I am in the best shape of my life.” [106:21]
  • Gave props to Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F), supporting alternative treatment funding:
    “They are truly saving lives.” [118:28]
• Moderation and Extremes:
  • “There's no moderation in our world ... We're all extremists. Everything we do, we're extremists.” [108:37]
• Product Plug:
  • Night Ops mushroom tea—aids sleep; new day and travel versions now available.
  • “If you're having problems sleeping: Night Ops. The old one-two punch, if you will.” [120:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Join the hardest outfit they'll let you get into." — Josh Burton quoting his grandfather [10:50]
• “You’re not really a fully qualified member of the team. And they might let you know it.” — On Ranger Regiment's unique gatekeeping [32:09]
• “Back before hazing was a bad thing.” [38:44]
• "It was actually really good for me, but I'd spent almost six years there, and I'm the type of person who needs a lot of change. Every few years. Ask my ex-wives.” [43:57]
• “The respect equals missions. And so it equals me.” [49:24]
• “I was ready [physically]. But you weren't mentally ready.” [59:20]
• “We have got to save guys from themselves ... When it breaks, it's going to break quick, and it's going to be bad.” [82:37]
• “Drinking is borrowing happiness from tomorrow.” — Host [96:09]
• “Sleep, sleep and inflammation in your body is the root cause of everything.” [106:47]
• “There's no moderation in our world ... Everything we do, we're extremists.” [108:37]
• “You learn, you earn, and then you return.” — Quoting Denzel Washington on life philosophy [117:38]

Timed Breakdown of Important Segments

• 00:00–09:00 – Banter, sponsor mentions, and guest introduction.
• 09:21–13:31 – Josh's route to the Army and the Rangers—teen rebellion, his grandfather's advice, and near-miss with jail.
• 14:01–27:36 – Basic, RIP, and early Ranger experiences; adapting to military life.
• 27:53–44:39 – Ranger School, battalion life, hazing, and leadership challenges; moving around within the Army.
• 44:39–56:12 – RD/RRC selection; the drive to excel; transition to Delta Force; first failed Delta selection attempt and lessons.
• 56:12–77:32 – Getting into Delta/the Unit; OTC challenges; unit culture; career satisfaction and burnout.
• 77:32–84:23 – Health crisis (malaria, TBIs) leads to retirement; mental health in transition.
• 84:23–90:49 – Post-military journey: undergrad, Duke MBA, work at Tesla, and the mismatch with civilian/corporate life.
• 91:05–102:12 – Coping with transition; substance abuse, loneliness, and finding purpose.
• 102:12–113:38 – Discovering plant medicine, healing, meeting his wife, and founding Elevated Operator.
• 113:39–120:39 – Details on Elevated Operator products, philosophy, and support for veteran-focused nonprofits.
• 120:47–126:36 – Closing story: Josh’s encounter with small-town police after accidentally running over a cat (with a punchline twist).

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, darkly humorous, and raw—full of friendly ball-busting, explicit language, and vulnerable reflections. The tone oscillates from laughter about military hijinks to sober admissions of pain, trauma, and the drive for personal transformation.

Further Listening

• For more on post-military wellness and operator transition, check out Josh Burton’s work at Elevated Operator.
• Learn about alternative therapies for veterans at Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F).

This summary was created to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the episode. All key themes, personal stories, and product mentions are included for your engagement and context.