Manalizing 37 Sean Van Brunt - Freedom Isn’t What You Think — Sean Van Brunt on Homelessness, Addiction, and Taking Back His Life

He was homeless, drunk, and ready to end it all — until he learned that real freedom isn’t doing whatever you want. It’s becoming who you’re meant to be.

At twenty-six, Sean Van Brent has already lived a lifetime.

Marine veteran, roofer, and entrepreneur, he’s been homeless, addicted, and suicidal. He’s also been sober, successful, and at peace — and the gap between those two worlds came down to one word: freedom.

In this raw conversation, Sean opens up about being kicked out of the Marines, losing his sense of worth, and spiraling into isolation and alcohol. He talks about the night he almost didn’t make it, the cops who showed up at just the right time, and how “extreme ownership” pulled him back from the edge.

This episode is a study in rebuilding — from rock bottom to redemption.

If you’ve ever wondered what keeps a man alive when everything’s gone, listen to this one.

⚠️ Content Warnings

Alcoholism, drug use, suicidal thoughts, military trauma, homelessness, recovery.

🧭 Highlights

• The Marine Corps and the moment everything fell apart
• Homeless in a Mitsubishi — and how he survived it
• Abandonment, betrayal, and the dark side of discipline
• “I drank so I wouldn’t dream.”
• Why taking away someone’s gun doesn’t fix the pain
• What does save a man: brotherhood and honesty
• From victim to ownership — how Sean found purpose again
• What freedom really means (and what it doesn’t)
• “I drank so I couldn’t dream.”
• “When the Corps kicked me out, it felt like the world did too.”
• “You can’t escape what’s in your head by changing your location.”
• “Freedom isn’t anarchy — it’s loving yourself enough to do good.”
• “Stop being the victim. Own it. Change it.”
• “Love what you’re doing, love the people around you, and truck forward.”

🔍 SEO / Keywords

Sean Van Brent, homelessness, addiction recovery, Marine veteran, military trauma, suicide prevention, men’s mental health, freedom, self-ownership, accountability, extreme ownership, vulnerability, abandonment issues, Garth Haslem, Manalizing podcast

🧠 Resources Mentioned

• Extreme Ownership — Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) — dial 988
• Local addiction-recovery or veteran-support groups
• Manalizing.com — where men talk about what men don’t talk about

If Sean’s story hit home, share this episode with a man who’s fighting alone.

Then visit Manalizing.com — join a tribe, find your brothers, and start living free.

No one climbs out of the dark alone.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/manalyzing/donations