Ephraim Mattos - Navy SEAL turned humanitarian rescue and relief agent

Ephraim Mattos graduated high school in 2010, joined the United States Navy, successfully graduated BUD/s (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, and became a member of a west coast SEAL Team.
After leaving the US Navy SEAL Teams in 2017, at the age of 24, he flew to Iraq and joined a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers. Until being shot by ISIS on a suicidal rescue mission, Mattos witnessed unexplainable acts of courage and sacrifice by the Free Burma Rangers, who, while under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, assaulted across ISIS minefields, used themselves as human shields, and sprinted down ISIS-infested streets-all to retrieve wounded civilians.
Ephraim founded Stronghold Rescue and Relief, a non-profit dedicated to sending highly trained former Special Operations personnel into the heart of violent conflicts around the world in order to find and help the families caught in the crossfire, as well as assist oppressed people in multiple countries facing genocide and human trafficking.
Today, Ephraim continues to conduct humanitarian rescue and relief operations around the world.
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#navyseal #veteran #humanitarian

[@lugnut705]

Ephraim is inspiring. I'm an absolute sucker for the 'war stories' from special ops guys. It's much more engaging to hear those who just tell the stories and not interject their ego. Obviously, Mr. Mattos is super humble and it's motivating for a regular guy with a regular job to just put my nose down and work!

[@andrewlynch9971]

I’m a civilian who has worked some awful jobs, had to make split second decisions that I regret, and always tried to do my best for the people around me. I have felt the profound effect of suddenly losing multiple loved ones at once. I have not always dealt with stress/grief/guilt the best and so I’ve always looked up to guys like you. It really strikes chord to hear you guys, who are basically Titans, say “Having a problem doesn’t make you a loser”. I wasn’t expecting that. Thanks guys. Seriously.

[@sway696]

You do the best you can. We are only men, none of us are perfect. Life humbles us all, every one of us no exceptions. Only validation you need from another man is from the one staring back at you in the mirror. Stand tall my friend. And keep moving forward.

[@andrewlynch9971]

@@sway696 I just saw this, but thanks brother

[@seanhastings4432]

Mattos’s book describing the Battle of Mosul is heart-wrenchingly brutal. Might be the best book ever written by a SEAL.

[@internet_internet]

Shout out to Ephraim’s brother Z (I can’t spell his name) for his humanitarian work having been a positive influence on Ephraim. What great men those two brothers are. I’m proud to know that Americans like them are out there doing good for humanity.

[@Minimalgypsywarrior]

I'm so blown away with this kind of service to humanity. I'm so grateful the people of Myanmar are not forgotten.

[@brandonsimkin4119]

I like his break down on our current state about logical thinkers and emotional thinkers.

[@123miketd]

I need Andy and Tom Segura on a podcast together to make fun of Steven Segal, it would be hilarious

[@samneedsanap7802]

This is the best idea I’ve ever heard.

[@gdt19871]

I am whole-heartedly in agreement with this idea!

[@alberttang6955]

Segal: "I've been negotiating peace treaties for 47 years"

[@paperbags1]

Tom deadpan Asking about the people Andy has killed would send me

[@Cosmicsurfpro]

That's not a good idea. Mr. seagal is a trained martial artist...

[@rapoteet43]

I donate monthly to stronghold and after seeing this video I feel even better about it than I did before. And I felt great about it before. Please support this group if you can.

[@jeeps_]

Excellent podcast…what a great mission this young man has! Let’s get on board!

[@tirtlesarecool4654]

How he keeps it together is amazing, im here on a Sunday in my truck listening to Babos story and I’m balling.

[@suzannesmith4513]

Andy, you are a brilliant interviewer. Thank you so much for getting the best out of your guests.

[@user-cd6lt6wl1m]

Andy. Thank you for having Ephraim on your show. Very inspiring for me.

[@nelson5612]

The last part message and advice that you gave to Ephraim. Hits home. Great job brother.

[@bradytallant5452]

I just got more from this episode than any other!!!!! Awesome,

[@billmorton6977]

Happy Monday everyone have a great week and stay safe and stay strong

[@samneedsanap7802]

You too!

[@billmorton6977]

​@Sam NeedsANap thank you girl

[@camron1501]

Thank you.

[@brage714gaming9]

Thanks for the consistent content. Always great. Love the show. Keep up the great work. Makes Monday’s exciting.

[@edwardebroome8]

Thank you for your service! All righteous adventures. I went into Burma in mid 90s alone. Villages & monsoons. It felt like anything could happen at anytime. I have an Inland M1A1 30 combine from WWII.

[@kurtgeorge5022]

You're a badass! Kudos to you bro! Semperfi!

[@jasons4882]

this was a great podcast, made me interested to go back and listen to the first iteration. Ephraim is wild and tame all at the same time.

[@esssee9386]

Thanks for this.

[@Mark-we7mn]

👍 for getting Ritland on the podcast

[@michaelallen6946]

when I was kid I would run like Steven Seagal because I thought it was cool 😂😂

[@dforgash]

In the Top 10 of episodes, a great wealth of knowledge and experience. How does Ephraim not have the most amazing tan?

[@moonrooster7160]

Ephraim. I just heard your story from mr ballen. Then saw that footage. You are a legend. I was literally crying bro. Chuck norris got nothing on ya.

[@joe_a_photo]

Stronghold Rescue is one of the most incredible organizations. It’s so cool.

[@aaronchan4698]

I read Ephraim's book "City of Death". This guy is brave, and selfless but humble and has a heart of gold. I donate to Stronghold Rescue and Relief to support people like him to fight the good fight.

[@kalnaidoo]

Holy shit. Andy and Ephraim sound so similar i thought Andy was doing most of the talking because i was just listening. Crazy. Awesome podcast and Ephraim is unreal. If we all aspire to be like him and Andy the world would be a better place for sure

[@kimjansson7179]

Amazing.

[@taylorwinters5543]

Awesome podcast!!

[@kyle80hockey]

Awesome episode Andy!

[@crystalchandler6742]

I understand Ephraim's depression eating. you eat, gain weight, become very sad b/c you are and gained weight, so then you eat bc you are sad and just continues. I always very much appreciate how you mentor the youngster so maybe they miss a few hurdles in life because someone has done it the wrong way and it can be avoided.

[@dalefritts7876]

Awesome

[@ReallyFarFarAway]

Wow - What a dude !!! 👉 ... " Inspiration " ... 👈

[@erinndantracy80]

As usual, great conversation. Thanks, Andy, for briefly speaking truth about our former president. Much appreciated.

[@NYC98]

33:25 Just a friendly suggestion, when showing the monitor screen on the video on upper right-hand corner it’s very small, especially on a phone, and it’s very difficult to read. It would help if it were about 1.5 - 2x larger. Just a suggestion. Thanks! :)

[@tinyl9599]

I watched a story on Ephraim about him ( along with video rescue) and was amazed at his selflessness, so I came to watch him talk. I thought he felt he should go and it was meant to be. Isn't it amazing how people end up where we are needed most when they follow their instincts, or path they feel they should be on. Life is dark and cruel at times, but good people make all the difference. Ok the story of the guys playing Navy seals had me rolling 😂. It's bad I shouldn't be laughing so much, but I can't help it ( the accent ya we know they aren't seals 😂).

[@southernmostrebel]

If that's one thing, these fake "free Burma Rangers" at it's faking "selflessness of course they're rolling in the money and have lied extensively, but nobody seems to care about that. Their leader is a Marxist cult leader and they have been helping Islamic and Marxist, as well as narco terrorist organizations, prosper, and hurting many innocent people

[@20xclean]

“You got to 320# eating fucking burritos “ Priceless. Another great show and a really great follow up for a worthy cause.

[@internet_internet]

I really hope that the jungle ambulance service is named after Babo. May god bless y’all.

[@infoperang4054]

This guy is the real life Captain America 🔥🔥🔥 Gob Bless you Sir 🙏🙏🙏

[@MiguelGonzalez-ei9og]

My fave Tropic Thunder quote is, “I’m a lead farmer, MOTHER F***ER!”

[@squatch2461]

🍻Ephraim, Good on ya for fuckin' everything. Also, what you said about being addicted to "carb's" (my word) rang very true for me. Thanks for sharing how you deal with it.

[@Ange1ofD4rkness]

After hearing Tropic Thunder, all I can think is how I watched it WAY too much when it first came out. M1 Garands shoot 30-06 (and Carbines as you saw, following suite)

[@barbararichardson3323]

Great podcast. But have to say we can’t see the video when it’s this tiny corner window 😞

[@militarygird]

A Rhino horn is made from the same things that you finger nails are made of so that is why they can grow there horns back. Elphants tusks are like bones so when they break of they can't grow back. I'm South African. Its also not Rhino tusks but Rhino horns and the diffrence between white and black rhinos is the white is bigger and the lips from a straight line and they can't lift their heads high so they can only eat grass and plants that are low on the groud. Black rhinos are smaller it is also why they are alot more scared than white rhinos, their lips are also not a straight line but from a tip in the middle. Their necks can also go higher that white rhinos and they can eat big bush and stuff

[@caroleowens9589]

I have been following Ephraim for a couple years. he is the perfect humanitarian. I saw him initially on a podcast not sure who but a dog trainer.. He is an amazing Christian and his story is truly amazing.. thank you for doing what you do. Thank you Andy you always have interesting guest.. but this guy is super. I enjoy his honesty.

[@wes3527]

Mike Ritland podcast

[@markwurz8577]

Mike ritland was a navy seal dude. Not just a dog trainer.

[@SONofLIBERTY]

I think decaf might be something he needs to explore. Either that or Ridellan

[@Jonbbad2]

If you have a higher power like he does, suicide isn’t an option

[@user-ge7nd4yn4o]

I'm a retired combat Army veteran....does Stronghold need my help?

[@zachman1419]

Andy, where is the “Comfort Ephraim” thumbnail pic? Must be Michael’s fault! Great show!

[@swivel63]

the last half hour or so was pretty heavy.

[@AhHereWeGo]

M1 carbine is chambered in 30 carbine M1 Garand is chambered for 30-06, and some were later re-chambered for .308winchester/7.62x51 NATO

[@NinjaofApathy]

Anyone know what video they were watching at the start?

[@TheFloresj23]

I wanna know how he worded his Leave Request Chit and the thoughts of the squad leader/LPO when they saw Respectfully request to take leave to Iraq 😂😂😂😂😂

[@internet_internet]

Would be hilarious, but he left that out. He explained on another podcast what he said he was doing, but I don’t remember what it was.

[@TheLastRivian]

Ephraim is my hero

[@amie6424]

OMG…Peanut Butter M&M’s!!! It’s crazy, I can eat a 2 pound bag!

[@echosierra2869]

So funny that he did not drink out of the coffee for nearly three hours.

[@xcesarxramosx]

Seems like a totally cool self aware dude

[@stephbrandenburg9957]

Since the invention of the mechanical bull.

[@southbound141]

I wish I knew the reason for my obsession, with hearing stories of basically wannabes having interactions with the real McCoys. I just don’t understand why people do that anyway, just was another great podcast

[@donk4979]

Can I watch the movie about his life?

[@boatymcboatface4865]

Good lord, that story of running into "Team guys" in Odessa was painful to listen to. I just don't get it, but kudos to them (I guess) for being there to help the Ukrainians.

[@josechung7713]

This is random, but a M1 Carbine shoots a .30 carbine (7.62x33mm) 110 grains bullet at ~1,990 fps.

[@patricelajoie2383]

What about the weed A-K7!!??😂

[@r_cubafornia3406]

Please book BRC Kalispell Karen! Thanks.

[@booksbikes4953]

The rhino story....😢😢

[@patricelajoie2383]

Robert Junior did the mexican, too😂

[@cerealport2726]

Australian volunteers went to fight ISIS etc. As far as I know, they had to "prove" which side they were on, but never faced any repercussions aside from an interview on arrival back in the country. People who went to support ISIS have, naturally faced some problems if they try to return, or in some cases, if they are reported before they try to leave Australia. We also have some Aussie women who married ISIS idiots, went to Syria or Iraq with them, etc, and when their husbands inevitably got killed, started demanding that Australia should help them and their kids.

[@gunsnart2472]

Bring on Mike Ritland !

[@mattpicardi2806]

Andy should start Black Rifle Chiropractic. We suggest the AK -47 package. It'll blow your back out 😂

[@sentfromdaniel]

Hypothetically, if I were with a border patrol agent scouting out a new property along the border for coues deer and old sheds. If we saw a number of military aged Chinese males coming across our border around February and March. Would Andy’s “Red Dawn” scenario be a possible future endeavor?!?! Hypothetically of course…… 😂🤙🤣

[@elizabethdayrit4733]

Rhino horns is suppose to be like Viagra.

[@zachcravens4620]

M1 garand 30-06 M1 Carbine 30 carbine

[@texasdogg8498]

2:22:58 Andy "Poo Poo Picasso" Stumpf

[@Beehighfive]

This is my first time watching your show. I came to listen to Ephraim Mattos to get to know him better. You trashing President Trump at a little more then 13 minutes in has me signing out. I would have shared your video had it not been for that.

[@ClearedHotPodcast]

I think you and I would agree on what the term “bashing” means. The president is not above criticism, and if you are not able to see the flaws that Trump presents then I would say you are likely not paying attention.

[@Misdby1]

If he cut back on all those types of food, the hell does he eat?

[@Misdby1]

I know, the entire interview and this is what hangs me up, but really?!

[@BirdDogey1]

Let's do a deep dive into ethnomusicology..

[@HisRoyalHighnessKingOfIsrael]

😂 Ephraim what's up

[@mitchelllambaiso9746]

Shawn Ryan needs to do a ep with him

[@patricelajoie2383]

Was nice talk until you plugged Trump

[@ramonburgos6351]

1st rule of the military poser: never say what you really did (i.e. cook, pay clerk)

[@Truckincarnivore]

On the Steven Seagal running like a girl thing look at how straight his back is, his posture is straight up and down perfect nobody runs like that, except a lifelong martial artist who is trained in old school aikido or Daito ryu , aikido comes from the samurai art of Daito ryu aikibujutsu, very early aikido was just Daito ryu with the deadly stuff taken out so they did not hurt or kill people, they are taught to move in a certain way, the shoulder hip and heel are always in line with each other, whether walking running turning around, etc, it becomes part of you, and I agree the guy is a weirdo and a tool

[@vivec1077]

I can see andy trying his hardest not to make a black rhino, white rhino joke when they were talking about them 😂😂

[@Potatodude223]

You would get in trouble in the USA if you grab an AK and use it to try and save someone. unfortunately.

[@schrecksekunde2118]

is there some special reason why only the usa uses chiropractors ? any religious rules against using orthopedicians ? are they too educated? 🤔 that question is torturing me for years 🤨

[@robertwildes7550]

Nicholas cage runs like a pansy also.

[@Patrick_Bateman____]

57:27 If you’re having back issues don’t go to a chiropractor. They might call themselves doctors but they’re not really. Go get an mri from a real doctor and do physical therapy. Absolute last resort surgery. This dude was out of commission for years because he went to a witch doctor to treat his back pain.

[@djelliott4524]

I think Mr Ballen did an episode on Ephram..I guess the did Phase 2 together? Same guy?

[@jarrodbrown6546]

Correct

[@marlonsalvador5900]

mr ballen episode, navy seal gone rogue. this episode helped ephram raise money for his cause.

[@djelliott4524]

@@marlonsalvador5900 🙏🙏🙏

[@gman52712]

Ephraim is so willing to give Steven Seagal a chance lol

[@hswing11]

BLA BLA BLA

[@drcrazytom]

Hippos are the biggest killers in Africa, but they do not kill indiscriminately. They will attack like Rhinos usually close to water if you walk between them and their young. Got chased by Black Rhino in South Africa.. was on a 250cc honda quad..baaaaarelllyyyy made it out.. they can RUUUUN.. I will never get on a quad of less than 500cc again..and happy to never see a rhino again.. lol

[@mbsly1]

WHEN YOU'RE SHOWING A VIDEO MAKE IT BIGGER WE CANT SEE....

[@patricelajoie2383]

I saw that in Ukraine, some guys go back with death wishes, and some like me helping people.. i think going back soon for rebuilding, if someone knows organisation, feel free to drop it🇨🇦🫡