Hi Reddit, I am Ryan (Birdman) Parrott a veteran Navy SEAL, health enthusiast, and adrenaline junkie. My next challenge is to run a marathon, take a plunge, and do a BASE/skydive jump on seven continents in seven consecutive days. AMA

Submitted by BirdmanActual t3_zmrzra in IAmA

Hi, my name is Ryan Parrott, I am a veteran Navy SEAL. In my post-military life I have dedicated my time to veteran health and first responder causes and have pursued extreme hobbies like base-jumping to push the limits of my physiology and gather data on how the body recovers from stress and adrenaline.

My next endeavor is a challenge to run a marathon, take a plunge, and perform a BASE jump/skydive on each of the seven continents in seven days. This project is called Human Performance Project 7X and will take research and data from our event to create a manual on how to live healthy and well in the most simplified form.

Ask me anything!

Topics of Interest:

  • Navy SEAL day in the life
  • 7-Day Challenge
  • Veterans Health
  • Mental and Physical Health
  • BASE jumping
  • Thrilling Seeking Activities

My Proof
My Story

I'lll be answering questions throughout today - ask me anything!

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Bigbird_Elephant t1_j0csflg wrote

How do you plan to get to Antarctica from anywhere within 24 hours and not be stuck there for months?

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BirdmanActual OP t1_j0ctivd wrote

A very big and powerful plane. Getting there is not the issue. It's getting finished with testing as fast as can be and getting out of there is what we are shooting for. Nothing is for certain until game day on location.

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trailerparksandrec t1_j0ctvuv wrote

Running long distances is part of SEAL training. How much more involved is a full marathon compared to the running and swimming done in SEAL training? I used to be a corpsman and that rate is a popular one for "Buds duds".

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BirdmanActual OP t1_j0curir wrote

Running a marathon is a long distance for the human body and most guys who go through BUD/s are in their early 20s so their body is very resilient. Our team is now in our 40s so the body doesn't want to recover as fast nor like the force to ground on the legs. Thank you for your service. I would imagine this testing event will be similar to our Hellweek but the goal is for all our athletes to finish without a washout rate due to injury.

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trailerparksandrec t1_j0cwkxe wrote

I have completed a couple marathons and many halfs. The full is quite the distance and proper training is the only thing to help with covering that distance while running the entire way. BUD/s training is a frequent topic for the duds and I've always wondered how I'd do. My swimming is mediocre but my running is pretty good. Fastest full - 4hr5min fastest half - 1hr35min

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Aspel t1_j0h6odb wrote

Trying to phrase this in a way that doesn't break Rule 7 but also clearly conveys my feelings on the matter.

I'm curious why you became a Navy SEAL in the first place when there is nothing benevolent or positive that the United States military does without ulterior motives. Was it a post-9/11 sense of naivete, or something more than that? Looking back on your accomplishments do you actually believe that the things you did for the government were beneficial to the world or do you understand how detrimental they were?

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fadufadu t1_j0xtzg7 wrote

Do you dislike him or the military in general?

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Aspel t1_j0ycpxu wrote

I dislike him because he chose to join the military, which I dislike. You cannot be a good person if you join an evil organization. Certainly not when the organization's only purpose is evil, before someone tries to go "but what about Walmart" as if that's equivalent.

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fadufadu t1_j1009z7 wrote

So all people who join the military according to you? Help me understand your thought process.

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GodofWar1234 t1_j1h2z7p wrote

TIL providing humanitarian aid around the world and killing motherfuckers who behead people for not being crazy enough to become a suicide bomber is “evil” /s

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DaemonAnguis t1_j0cst5h wrote

Hi Ryan, what is your advice for getting over failure? Especially failure where you put in effort, but still fall short.

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BirdmanActual OP t1_j0cu50z wrote

I really appreciate your question. I have failed several times in things that I was and still am very passionate about. The key for me is to learn from each of those going forward because most of my failures have given me the answers to my future quests and my future quests have been more fulfilling than what I had originally planned. Don't let that emotion hold you back from pursuing your dreams, as failure usually means, continuing your mission but do it a different way.

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A_California_Guy t1_j0fi6b7 wrote

Hey Ryan, what are your thoughts on the recent Navy investigation into BUD/S sessions that had a 93% failure rates and widespread instructor-student abuse?

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Tpazdernik1 t1_j0cs7jh wrote

What do you anticipate will be the biggest challenge to completing your 7 day challenge? What is the temperature expected to be in Antarctica?

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BirdmanActual OP t1_j0ctat9 wrote

Great question. Keeping the body fueled with the CORRECT amount of carbs and proteins and keeping as close to hydrated as possible. Using supplements from Thorne to ensure that our body is getting the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals along with each of our athletes being on different protocols designed specifically for their body based on their blood, sleep, gut, and stress testing. Sleep is going to be very hard to fully achieve and with 184 miles of running in 7 days from mostly non-runners, what could possibly go wrong? Antarctica could and should be in the negative. It will be closing their summer so we pray it stays around zero degrees.

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craiger_123 t1_j0e22yw wrote

Don't you have such a small ego to prove to yourself to damage the environment? You can do better than this.

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Truji11o t1_j0dii8w wrote

Worst day and best day as a Seal?

Thank you for your service.

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nkronck t1_j0dfto9 wrote

How do you recover from the dopamine drop/depression that occurs after doing big events? I often find it hard to get that same high that comes from performing a big strenuous accomplishment. Props for all you do!

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OkTea7227 t1_j0e6ku6 wrote

How does a noob go from ‘interest in BASE jumping’ To actually doing it? TY for your service as well, I hope America repays you with riches for ur rest of your life!

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PeanutSalsa t1_j0d2cd6 wrote

What is Navy SEAL training like? How difficult, types of exercises, etc?

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sensei8901 t1_j0fe4vu wrote

Is this a type of brothers in arms type scenario? Or each man for him self?

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Henri_is_back t1_j0ge7cd wrote

What exactly is the purpose of your seven continents in seven days action? I mean it sounds like a lot of fun that for some reason has to be justified with some "science" or stuff. Am I wrong?

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Cle_4eva_westside t1_j0h3uut wrote

How do you deal with YOU ARE A NAVY SEAL every day? You’re revered; is it accurate? Lot to live up to.

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NiceTea4 t1_j1nimr4 wrote

I smoke weed every day. I wouldn’t dream of swiping on someone like you on a dating app because I’d be afraid you’d judge me or think I’m not with your time. Is this accurate?

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CrikeyMeAhm t1_j0d3pj8 wrote

How many skydives and base jumps do you have?

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