Podcast 002 | SAS Operator Melvyn Downes on Leading Elite Teams

[@barryhamilton7845]

Melvyn is the epitome of a mixed race SAS Blade if ever there was one. As another former SAS blade said, Melvyn was the first SAS guy he had ever seen and was the type of guy that he expected to be one. A true out and out soldier in persona and one of the toughest, humblest guys to were that famous beret. The guy is a legend,and personally, i couldn't care less if he's mixed race,he's an out and out British warrior, and he proved it.🇬🇧

[@YARROWS9]

Lyndsey Bruce i believe. He is no slouch either.

[@rtg0616]

Mel is a great guy. I worked with him in Baghdad, 2004 to 2007. What a laugh! I used to go to his gym sessions too. Has some fantastic stories to tell. I think I heard most of them over the four years. The nutter from the Big Smoke!

[@phillhodges5237]

Fascinating guy , has a lovely manner about him , utter professional

[@pooltableportal]

On the outside, he seems friendly and calm, if I walked past him in the street I would never have guessed he was SAS. He has that grey man down to a T. Great podcast.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Challenges perceptions doesn’t it! Thanks for the comment

[@joysboy6588]

Your spot on. This is the ultimate "grey man". Look @ him & just listen to him. You'd just never think it. Mind blowing🇬🇧

[@markgaffney9574]

I could listen to Mel all night long, what an unassuming guy but think about the life he has lead.

[@DarrenRobertson-yf2do]

Met melvyn at the boxing last Saturday with his pal Billy proper gentlemen it was a pleasure to meet and thank them for their service 👏👏👏

[@neilingham4897]

Melvyn is a national treasure! He even makes me want Stoke to stay up. This is the man young kids need to look up to.

[@ellaarchbold8683]

What a fantastic human being,

[@RAF1998-l3c]

Melvyn is an amazing guy, I remember seeing him on the TV show and immediately recognising his accent as a fellow Stokie, a great guy from Stoke. Makes me proud to be from the potteries. One thing about people from Stoke is that they are warm and good hearted and Melvyn embodies this.

[@aaron1143]

Well worth listening. Great interview and easy and comfortable to follow. I'll be buying the book when Melvyn releases it. 👍

[@waynesouthall8088]

Melvyn was my corporal whist stationed in fallingbostal Germany serving with the Staffordshire regiment he guided me to be a good person so much respect for him always new he would be SAS x

[@doncorleone482]

Love this guys attitude and mindset

[@shaundavenport621]

I had heard aboutMelvyn from other Regiment guys,always with admiration and respect!They couldn't have been more right,I've never heard such straight forward good common sense.He just sounds and explains things like someone you could trust!Possibly the best podcast from any SAS/SBS soldier that I've seen and I've seen a few!!

[@WaveyDynamics]

😁

[@craighutton7414]

What an interview!!! Man’s a legend

[@WaveyDynamics]

Can’t say that about many..!

[@Mike-br8zt]

Greetings from Sydney - another ex-Stokie/Cheshire lad here. Love to hear Melvyn's accent. My father grew up on the Kidsgrove Miner's estate (mixed English/Polish background). My God father was mixed race.

[@12354andyb]

Love the pod cast of my good friend melvyn served with this guy

[@Northerngrit86]

I absolutely love this guy. Brilliant inspiration for so many demographics of society. So likable. Great interview style too - let him crack on with the stories and minimal interpretations. Great podcast.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Thanks for your words mate. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stenevin8774]

Been lookin forward to this ! What an amazing bloke. Followed Melvyn for a while now, brings so much positivity and is making me want to join the military.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Definitely a very inspirational and charismatic guy! Hope you enjoy it!

[@e.tphone9039]

Thank you for your service 🙏

[@joysboy6588]

I got to say one of the most inspirational things I've ever heard was when he said & during the 1st gulf war, that in an armoured vehicle, the commander is supposed to sit at the back of the vehicle. This is so, if anyone refused to leave the safety of the armoured vehicle & while bullets are flying around, as the commander you can & will "push them out", if some are scared. He went onto say (& long the lines of), "I did it differently. I was at the front and said to my men, when I go out the door you all better be with me. If anyone stays in the vehicle, I'll come back & shoot you. " Before I continue, please note personally, I don't think he's joking & something tells me & during the heat of the moment he would have done it, regardless of the consequences. He goes to say, "and when i saw all my men with me, that sense of pride".........😢 What a story, what a memory, what a man🇬🇧

[@ThatGuy-sc5rx]

Real leaders lead by example and from the front. Best wishes from America

[@jamesgriffin9985]

Wot an Amazing Gentleman.👍🇬🇧

[@neil5006]

Would love to read his book. He comes across as a great guy 👍

[@johndillon5290]

What a gentleman. Such a quiet and humble guy. The ultimate grey man. So true what he says about the mentality of British compared to American attitudes.

[@markfullbrighton5070]

I disagree. This guy embarrassed himself quite badly in this interview. His claim about the difference between mentalities between the British and Americans is laughable. No disrespect, but his claim about the council estate kids and their "difficulties" was absolutely comical. No disrespect, but majority of British and American kids have not suffered such hardships that give them their cocky attitude. His claim about British kids and certain hardships was unbelievably embarrassing. If you live in and have grown up in a Westernized country, I can assure you that you haven't had enough hardships to warrant such a cocky mentality. In fact, if you are a kid in either the UK or the USA, you are more than likely living a far more privileged existence than 99% of the people that have ever been on this planet.

[@fatbob785]

Great podcast . mels a top bloke from stoke

[@englishjoe5198]

Listened to this like 3 times now..my favourite sf podcast so far, i hope you can get part 2 with melvyn

[@WaveyDynamics]

Amazing. Thats really nice to read and I’m glad it connected with you. I’m sure we will make that happen 👍🏾 - Jahee

[@kickingmustang]

Listening now, excited for this…

[@Giantist]

Same !!

[@WaveyDynamics]

Hope you liked it..!

[@pauljames5593]

What a great interview Thank you for your service

[@joesupport441]

Good interview, I like the approach of letting MD talk.😊 looking forward to MDs book.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Thanks..!

[@Andy-dg5st]

Awesome Soldier I was on a course and he was an Instructor on in Brecon on section commanders battle course he was SAS then I had very little contact with him as I had a different instructor I remember being a three mile assessment with 55 pounds with helmet and rifle we started at the bottom of a hill that was known as the travelator a series of switchbacks to the top on the course were some really fit lads he was carrying a small rucksack so some idiot asked him how much he was carrying so instead of punishing the individual or course for a lack of respect he just weighed his kit in front of us and he had close to 80 pounds in his rucksack this was an individual assessment we started and the fastest soldiers were only half way up and he was already gone never seen anything like that so fast with all that weight just so humble but lead by example

[@WaveyDynamics]

😂 sounds on brand. Check his Instagram for daily 20k runs 💫.

[@stephenshw2262]

He was the Sgt Major of the SAS no less. You dont get there without near superhuman abilities

[@Nofixedabode859]

@@WaveyDynamicshi there do you have any information on how he trains day to day thx?

[@na-dk9vm]

​@@WaveyDynamicswhat Instagram is it ??

[@WaveyDynamics]

@@Nofixedabode859 check out his Instagram. He posts regular updates - you can find a link in the video description

[@JohnAdams-vb9yv]

Got a lot in common with Melvyn , same age also from staffs council estate , joined up at 16 , JLR RAC , didn’t go the same route ie SAS, but had a great time in the army, so could relate to what he says and thoroughly enjoyed your chat mate, if I see you around I’ll shake your hand mate maybe a beer 🍺

[@danielmalthouse4429]

Absolutely brilliant interview

[@equaliser2265]

Nice to hear from a new guy and not the same old faces, well done opo, your same as me 1964, cheers.

[@shaundavenport621]

So this is Lyndsey Bruce,s buddy!From my neck of the woods too,😊😊

[@larryclevelandUSMC]

Dude is LEGEND!!!

[@ghostofcato3052]

SAS has never been short of humor! I have met several SAS operators and they are some of the funniest people I have ever met! Love the SAS! Good shipmates all!! God Bless the SAS! Semper Fidelis Bruce USMC

[@neil-mv3it]

thanks for what you have done for are country melvyn true hero

[@translunar1]

Excellent discussion!

[@Mrd1_j6665]

With the right mindset, a person can overcome anything.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Shout that one a little louder..! 💪🏾

[@simoncorreia5686]

Lovely humble guy.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Yep..!

[@alexkerr8770]

Great interview very honest

[@shaundavenport621]

Watching this for the second time its that good on both sides,interviewer and interviewee!Superb.😁👍👍

[@WaveyDynamics]

Love to hear it..! Thanks for taking the time.

[@markjameswilkes]

If u find the right role it isn't work its u. Solid man...

[@Franklin22sas]

Great podcast craig david 👏

[@WaveyDynamics]

🤣🤣🤣🤣.. you lot have got jokes. I’ll take that sir. - Jahee

[@jonnygiom]

What a guy. Seems a lovely man.

[@stevemagoo1980]

Great podcast chaps. Melvyn reminds me of a guy called Scotty Mills RM another outstanding soldier and man!

[@mikechedzoy4866]

That's who I thought it was when I seen the image on the video.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Thanks..!

[@chrisloweth3395]

i know melyn personally i went school with this guy what a warrior melyvn his god bless

[@jerryoshea3116]

A very impressive individual! Even if u were unaware of his background&Professional life,u would still pi/up a really good vibe from the ' Dude' And my parents are Irish &could be as narrow minded& ignorant as the nxt person but they always stated how they had immense respect for the Caribbean Immigrants,because they had the same crap to deal with as themselves! And i would imagine he inherited much of his positive mindedness from them!

[@Whitie47]

Great posative attitude to have 🙌

[@PrestigedFuture]

It’s crazy how similar I am to him and my life story. It’s also crazy to me how both of them are older than me and yet I’ve also faced the same forms of racial discrimination and hate.

[@mejpark]

Great stuff both, really insightful and inspiring. Excellent work! 👍🏼

[@WaveyDynamics]

Thanks! 🎉

[@jimshuff4349]

Big respect melv, scfc forever. Say Aup to del for us

[@OAKROADSKETCHES]

Inspirational guy 👍

[@2779rs]

unbelievable bloke x

[@markdennis930]

Awesome bloke.

[@dewiroberts579]

what a very intelligent guy

[@joysboy6588]

If you're ex-sas, it's a given & NOT in relation to academics.

[@scoobydoo12ism]

What a fucking cracking bloke, REspect mate💯

[@gwynellis7702]

What a top dude 👌🙏

[@lanceburgess3181]

Makes me proud to be a fellow stokie.

[@thecodfather4425]

What a Top Bloke.

[@HappyBear376]

I'm mixed too. Catholic and prodestant. My family hated us. I went to prody school and had to fight daily.

[@ektrolleyboy]

Awesome!

[@WaveyDynamics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jodyburrows1253]

Very good

[@MartynSharman-t9k]

one word LEDGEND

[@Toe_M]

I will be getting Mel

[@derekrushton1705]

I grew up in Stoke by the old Victoria Ground with a lot of people who came over from the West Indies. Doug Brown later became first black Lord Mayor. Know Shelton Etruria Cobridge really well. All multi cultural areas but blacks were charged more to rent than whites so there was a lot of overcrowding & insanitary households amongst immigrants through absolutely no fault of their own. Could tell this fellas accent straightaway. At the time Bentilee was the biggest council estate in Europe. My grandad who fought in the Korean War lived there. Full of decent hard working people. After the 1980s the pottery industry, coal mines & steelworks all shut down and drugs took over. First posting to Bandit Country in 1984. Covert operations. My mate was in Sat Comms & used to climb the masts there being shot at by Republicans. Many farms in South Armagh straddled the border with NI and the Republic. Republican ASUs could go into a farm cross over into the Republic & become untouchable. British Soldiers were not allowed to go over & get them although some covertly did, allegedly. Belfast Londonderry & South Armagh were the main Army bases (Crossmaglen) but South Armagh was the most dangerous. Great to see Melvyn do so well with his life. A Real Stoke on Trent Hero. Should be supplied with oatcakes cheese & bacon for the rest of his life. Well done Sir. Great podcast. 4:25

[@Mike-br8zt]

"Should be supplied with oatcakes cheese & bacon for the rest of his life." - Wow, that really is a real honour for a Stokie.

[@alexkerr8770]

Was in 2 para in cross mcglenn in a small recce platoon for 8 hours same stuff mate cannon camera etc I know

[@davidjohns4745]

I had a Gollywog when I was a kid. Because of it I got used to the idea of black people even though there were none in my town. Since then I have always had black friends, playing in bands etc.

[@As.11.11]

Very good information and to be honest one of the very best podcasts I’ve heard from ex special forces personal more off the emotional side

[@WaveyDynamics]

Thank you!

[@DAN13LS70NE]

1:28:50 Great advice.

[@charlottelynchofficial]

🙌

[@WaveyDynamics]

💫

[@markfullbrighton5070]

It was funny listening about how the SAS selection is the hardest in the world and the British "mentality" makes people pass. HAHAHA. Firstly, please don't suggest that SAS selection is the toughest in the world. There have been people who have passed SAS selection that didn't even train for it. So, no disrespect, but if you have people that can pass selection without even training for it, it's not that difficult. Also, I would actually argue that Delta Force's selection is the toughest in the world. You have to take into account that there have been several Army Rangers that have passed SAS selection. Mind you, the Army Rangers are not even close to being a tier 1 American unit, and if they can pass SAS selection, just imagine how easily Delta Force soldiers would pass. Lastly, please DO NOT suggest that British mentality is what helps them pass SAS selection. No disrespect, but majority of the kids in Britain have not had hard lives by even Western standards. Sure, you may have a couple of them who experienced some troubles in their lives, but so has every other person on the planet. Believe it or not, but British kids are some of the most privileged kids in the world.

[@WaveyDynamics]

Have you attempted SAS or Delta force selection and speaking from experience?

[@nigelbase1196]

Mark full Brighton you talk absolute shite!!!!

[@mineblock9024]

Tool 😂

[@markfullbrighton5070]

@@WaveyDynamics No, I have not passed SAS or Delta Force selection myself. I just thought I would comment on a post in which an SAS soldier has intellectually embarrassed himself completely. The fact of the matter is that when an SAS soldier suggests that "British mentality" helps create SAS soldiers; I thought I would comment because British people arguably live some of the most privileged lives in human history. The fact of the matter is that the idiot you were interviewing has lived one of the most privileged lives in human history.

[@Mike-br8zt]

I don't know why but I picture you drooling from your mouth with your tongue sticking while you draw with your crayons.

[@As.11.11]

He has the best way to power through just always learning love it

[@ghostofcato3052]

SAS has never been short of humor! I have met several SAS operators and they are some of the funniest people I have ever met! Love the SAS! Good shipmates all!! God Bless the SAS! Semper Fidelis Bruce USMC

[@Toe_M]

I will be getting Mel