About this episode
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices