| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Sean Ryan Palmisano |
| Subscribers: | 5.7M |
| Views: | 1,937,468,053 |
| YouTube Revenue: | $1.9M - $13.6M |
| Videos: | 2296 |
| Channel Created: | February 2017 |
Overview
Sean Ryan Palmisano is an American former Navy SEAL, CIA Global Response Staff contractor, entrepreneur, and podcast host, recognized for his extensive deployments to conflict zones, founding Vigilance Elite (which provided tactical training for the John Wick film series), and hosting The Shawn Ryan Show while advocating for veterans, professionally using ‘Shawn Ryan’ for identity protection.
Latest News (Feb 4, 2026): The *Shawn Ryan Show* recently released episode #276 featuring highly decorated MACV-SOG veteran Nick Brokhausen, which garnered over 177,000 views within its first day by detailing deadly reconnaissance missions and hand-to-hand combat during the Vietnam War. Additionally, Ryan uploaded a high-engagement "Immediate Release" video addressing legal threats he is facing for "protecting children," a follow-up to his recent coverage of systemic issues and advocacy regarding child safety institutions.
Early Life and Background
Sean Ryan Palmisano was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in the town of Chillicothe, Missouri. His father served as a military pharmacist, exposing Palmisano to military life from a young age. He is of partial Japanese heritage and has spoken about facing racial slurs during his childhood. After his academic performance declined in high school, his parents informed him they would not pay for his college education. This led to his decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18, prior to the events of September 11, 2001, with the specific goal of becoming a Navy SEAL.
Military and Intelligence Career
Upon entering the Navy, Palmisano successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training to become a Navy SEAL. He was assigned to SEAL Teams 2 and 8. His service included deployments to various conflict zones, including Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
After leaving the Navy in 2006, Palmisano transitioned to a career as a contractor for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In this role, he served with the Global Response Staff (GRS), a paramilitary security wing of the agency. His work as both a Navy SEAL and CIA contractor spanned 14 years and included numerous deployments.
Post-Service Ventures
In December 2015, Palmisano founded Vigilance Elite, a company that provides tactical and firearms training to civilians and law enforcement. He has stated he was motivated to start the company after observing the lack of preparedness of bystanders in active shooter incidents and terror attacks. His company was also involved in training actor Keanu Reeves for the John Wick film series.
Palmisano is the host of the The Shawn Ryan Show podcast. The show features long-form interviews with a variety of guests, including military veterans, intelligence operatives, and other public figures, discussing their experiences and perspectives. The program’s mission has expanded to assist veterans in transitioning to entrepreneurship.
Public Profile
Through his company and podcast, Sean Ryan Palmisano remains an active public figure. His work focuses on sharing the stories of veterans and individuals from the special operations community. He is also an advocate for veterans’ issues and has participated in fundraising efforts to support them. Palmisano has adopted the name ‘Shawn Ryan’ professionally to protect his identity and his family due to his past service.