IMPROVE YOUR POSITION
When you hear Rudy Reyes talk about his 47 years of existence, it makes you wonder why he isn’t being passed around like a hot potato among VA hospitals or slamming heroin under a bridge somewhere. He was the product of a father he never really knew. He was raised in a big city surrounded by gangs, crime, and drug abuse. He was shuffled around between relatives, abused mercilessly, and ultimately ended up in a boys’ home. He’s been in warzones where the worst aspects of human nature are seething and raw, leaving an indelible imprint on the souls of those who live through it. The odds didn’t favor him living long enough to tell his story, but odds are something that Rudy’s understood how to control and use to his advantage. The hallmarks of a reluctant but self-admitted warrior.
He isn’t some self-aggrandizing personality putting his own interests above everyone else so he can make money off his own name. Quite the opposite. Everyone else comes first for Rudy. He’s one of those guys whom after knowing him 20 minutes you feel like you’ve known him 20 years. It’s a personality that can only be described as incandescent; the big brother you never had and always wanted. He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He’s living proof of what you can do if you have the tenacity to rise above what’s thrown at you and be there for others who need you.
Martial artist, Recon Marine team leader and scout sniper, DoD consultant, actor, motivational speaker, environmentalist, brand ambassador, father — the list just keeps growing. We spoke with Rudy about what’s kept him going in the face of adversity, his experiences in the military, his work to rebuild our planet, and what’s really at the core of a true survivor. If we could bottle and sell Rudy’s motivation and infectious enthusiasm, we could make Warren Buffett look destitute. Until we figure out a way to do that, we’ll give you some insight into what makes him tick and his advice to survive whatever you encounter in life.
RECOIL OFFGRID: It sounds like you learned about survival from a young age. Tell us how you came into this world.
So I was taught very early that the world’s designed to kill you, and it wouldn’t be doing its job if it were anything but. How
