Elias Kfoury was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and immigrated to the United States at an early age in search of a brighter, safer future. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 21½ years before his medical retirement. Beginning as a Hospital Corpsman supporting the U.S. Marine Corps, he soon entered the Special Operations community as a Deep Sea Diving Medical Technician and completed advanced medical training to support Naval Special Warfare units. Following his service in Little Creek, Virginia, he successfully screened for Naval Special Warfare Development Group, where he spent the majority of his career as a Squadron Medic in multiple roles. After retiring, Elias transitioned into the business world, but soon recognized the deeper need to heal himself and his family. Today, he dedicates his life to supporting others on their own journeys while cherishing time with his family.
Eli's Book Recommendations for special operations candidates (aside from Building the Elite):
Breath – James Nestor
The Way of the SEAL – Mark Divine
Peak Performance – Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
The Talent Code – Daniel Coyle
The Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan Holiday
With Winning in Mind – Lanny Bassham
Deep Survival – Laurence Gonzales
Call Sign Chaos – Jim Mattis & Bing West
Legacy – James Kerr
Timestamps:
00:00:21 Introduction to Eli Khoury
00:00:52 Where Did Eli Khoury Grow Up?
00:01:36 Experience of Growing Up in a War Zone
00:05:54 How "Real Mortal Danger" Shapes Your Mental Health
00:08:59 How Many Children Currently Don't Have Physical "Third Spaces"
00:12:05 Formative Moments That Clarified "Who Eli Is"
00:18:20 Eli's Educational Background
00:24:43 The Goal of Coaching
00:27:48 Common Things People Struggle to Let Go of
00:29:43 Improving the Coaching Process for the Future
00:32:04 Coaching Families
00:34:04 Utilizing Tools like Psychedelics
00:36:18 Teaching How to Give Up Control While Using Psychedelics
00:40:40 Teaching How to Let Go Without Psychedelics
00:48:20 The Skill of "Sitting With Stillness"
00:52:48 What Military Skills Transfer to the Rest of the World?
00:58:04 Teaching Resilience to People Early in Their Career
01:13:45 Advice for Someone Trying to Enter BUDS
01:14:49 Advice for Someone in a Special Operations Medical Path
01:16:33 Advice for Someone Who Wants to Screen for a Tier 1 Unit
01:18:20 One Book that Everyone Should Read
01:18:37 Sponsor Note - Our Book, "Building the Elite"
01:19:05 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received
01:21:48 Outro
