Mike Ritland spent 12 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL before building an entirely different kind of mission back home. He joined Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour to talk through what that service actually looked like, and how it shaped the discipline he now brings to entrepreneurship.
The conversation moves from the realities of life as a SEAL into Mike Ritland's current focus: rebuilding standards in an industry most people never think twice about — pet food.
About Mike Ritland
Mike Ritland served 12 years as a Navy SEAL, an experience that demanded a level of discipline, preparation, and mission focus most careers never require. That background didn't stay confined to the military; it became the foundation for how he approaches every project since.
Since transitioning out of the SEAL teams, he has directed that same intensity toward the pet food industry, driven by a mission to raise the standard for how pets are fed and cared for.
What Mike Ritland and Sean Kelly Talked About
- What 12 years as a Navy SEAL taught Mike Ritland about discipline and mission focus
- Why he chose to build his post-military career around the pet food industry
- What he sees as broken in how most commercial pet food is made today
- How his military training shaped his approach to entrepreneurship
- The connection between his SEAL background and his current mission
- What it takes to walk away from military service and build something entirely new
- His long-term goal of raising the standard for how pets are fed
Why This Conversation Matters
Mike Ritland's story is a rare combination — genuine military service paired with a second career built on a clear mission. His conversation with Sean Kelly gives listeners both an honest look at life as a SEAL and a case study in redirecting that discipline toward solving a real, overlooked problem.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube
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About Sean Kelly & the Digital Social Hour
Sean Kelly is an entrepreneur and the host of the Digital Social Hour, one of the fastest-growing interview podcasts in the world, where he sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and cultural voices for candid, long-form conversations. The show draws over 100 million views a month across platforms. Explore more guest features on SeanKelly.io.
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