Andy Stumpf, born October 10th, 1979, is a former Navy SEAL and officer, former CrossFit employee, founder of Cleared Hot brand and podcast, record-holding skydiver, public speaker, pilot, Brazalian jiu-jitsu practicioner, and business ambassador for Kill Cliff, Black Rifle Coffee, and Origin USA.
Stumpf had a decorated 17-year military career, in which he was awarded many honors, including the Purple Heart from getting shot by an AK-47 at close range. After his service he moved to Montana to pursue a life more paralleled with nature.
Remarkably, Stumpf has found a tremendous amount of success in his post-military career using discipline, hard-work, toughness, leadership, and teamwork, which he frequently talks about on his Cleared Hot podcast.
Outside of work and family, Stumpf spends his time doing hobbies like jiu-jitsu, wild game hunting, and hanging out with buddies like Joe Rogan, John Dudley, and Jocko Willink.
Also see: Who is Truett Hanes? A Superstar in the Making
Stumpf’s Early Life & Education
Stumpf, born October 10th, 1979, was raised in Santa Cruz, California to a middle-class family. He described the city as a “great place to grow up.” Even at the early age of 11, Stumpf always knew he wanted to eventually become a Navy SEAL.
Although most people credit the characteristics of hard work, integrity, and discipline to being those of a SEAL, Stumpf credits working on a jobsite with his dad, a masonry contractor, at the age of 11 to being where it all started. He also spent parts of his youth being around water, serving as a lifeguard.
Stumpf went to Santa Cruz high school, graduating in 1996, and played for the water polo and baseball teams. During his junior year, he enrolled in the Navy through their Delayed Entry Program.
Interestingly, Stumpf’s experience with water polo would later take effect on the U.S. Men’s Water Polo Team, as he hosted them for a BUD/S training session when he was a Navy SEAL. The water polo team was all giggles until the session started, and Stumpf wiped the smiles off their faces.
Stumps Duty in the Navy SEALs
SEAL Team(s): 3, 5, 6
BUD/s Class: 212
Years served: 1996-2014 (17 years)
Upon joining the Navy in 1996, Stumpf completed the notorious Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, known as BUD/S, and went on to become a Navy SEAL. He was first assigned to SEAL team 5.
Also see: 8 Navy SEALs That Were on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
A few years later, in 2002, Stumpf was accepted to join SEAL team 6, known as the most elite special ops unit in human history. This was right after the September 11th attacks on New York City, when the SEALs were in full combat mode.
Stumpf Got Shot by an AK-47
While on deployment in Iraq, Stumpf was shot by an AK-47 in the hip, which set his career in a different direction, temporarily. The injury took a significant amount of rehabilitation and he was awarded a Purple Heart.
Stumpf returned to the Naval Special Warfare Center for 18 months, where BUD/S training takes place, to become a Petty Officer and lead instructors and SEAL applicants through the rigors of the BUD/S phases.
Again in 2008, Stumpf returned to active mission duty, this time joining SEAL team 3, and did his final combat tour in Afghanistan. He medically retired from the military in June of 2013, completing a decorated 17-year Navy SEAL career.
Did Stumpf Work With Jocko Willink?
Although Stumpf never worked with Jocko Willink directly in the SEALs, he did go through BUD/S with Jack Carr, a bestselling fiction author of The Terminal List. Carr didn’t make it through BUD/S that time around, however Stumpf did, and to this day they continue to give each other laughs about it.
Also see: Who is Echo Charles? Jocko’s Co-Host and BJJ Buddy
Military Awards:
- 5 Bronze Star Medals (Four with Valor)
- Purple Heart
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- The Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal with Valor
- Three Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals
- Two Combat Action Ribbons
- The Presidential Unit Citation
Source: Andy Stumpf’s Website
Cleared Hot Podcast
In 2019, Stumpf launched his podcast, Cleared Hot, and said that it was “born from curiosity.” He also wrote, “I have nothing but questions about the world around me. I constantly question what I think, and what I believe.” It turned out that podcasting is a great medium for doing just that.
Stumpf is man of integrity and his podcast serves as a phenomenal platform of self-growth for his listeners.
Also see: Will Goggins and Jocko Ever Do a Podcast Together?
Available on iTunes and YouTube, Stumpf’s podcast had some remarkable guests on it, including Joe Rogan (#126), Jocko Willink (#122), Cam Hanes (#116), John Dudley (#104), and Trevor Thompson (numerous).
On Cleared Hot Episode #98, titled “The Mother of All Podcasts”, Stumpf had the dream team of guests all together: Joe Rogan, Jocko Willink, John Dudley and Cameron Hanes. They were all together at camp during a bowhunting expedition in Northern Utah.
Other Podcasts Stumpf Has Been On
Stumpf was already doing cool stuff, but his public recognizance really exploded after he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast in episodes: #720, #1047, #1247, and #1445. Appearing on the JRE podcast gave Stumpf instant credibility with Rogan’s massive audience.
In addition, Stumpf has made appearances on several other podcasts:
- The Jocko Podcast (Jocko Willink)
- Nock On Podcast (John Dudley)
- The Fighter and The Kid (Bryan Callen and Brendan Schaub)
- Team Never Quit (Marcus Luttrell)
Also see: The 13 Best Joe Rogan Podcast Guests for Motivation
Stumpf Was With CrossFit In The Beginning
As a result of Stumpf’s hip injury from an AK-47 wound, he could not get back into his normal exercise routine of chest and triceps, back and biceps, abs, and running. That is when a friend suggested he look at CrossFit, which was still up-and-coming at the time.
Stumpf found a CrossFit gym close and went there, describing himself as “self-taught”. He said that CrossFit made him “physically and emotionally exhausted”, in a good way, and he was able to sleep well for the first time in a while.
Soon he ended up working for CrossFit Inc. and spent 4 years working directly with founder Greg Glassman.
Stumpf ended up worked for the company for a total of 8 years, managing Corporate Development and Licensing, but left to pursue other opportunities. For a duration of his time working for CrossFit, Stumpf got his Airline Transportation Pilot’s license and was CrossFit’s company pilot.
Stump Set Sky Jumping Records
Stumpf, a professional “gravity enthusiast”, is a skydiver, base jumper, military free fall instructor, and wingsuit flyer. He has set several skydiving records, including jumping from 36,500 feet and flying over 18 miles in a wingsuit.
Why does he do this? A skilled airman from his Navy SEAL days, now Stumpf raises money for the Navy SEAL foundation, which provides support for the SEAL community and their family members.
*Stumpf’s record breaking jump appeared to be jumping from nearly outer space, wearing a Kill Cliff sponsored wingsuit.
Stumpf is a Public Speaker
Public speaking and motivation are skills that Stumpf excels at, especially in front of large groups of people.
Stumpf is registered as a keynote speaker on the London Speaker Bureau, under the category of Leadership and Motivation. There he is available for hire to deliver keynote speeches at businesses, schools, and conferences.
Stumpf lists specialized categories that he speaks on:
- Decision making
- Mental Toughness and Resiliency
- Performance
- Contingency planning
- Military
- Leadership
- Goal Setting
- Accountability and Responsibility
- Motivation and Discipline
- Teamwork
Stumpf Practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
On Cleared Hot Episode #98, “The Mother of All Podcasts”, Stumpf told Rogan, Jocko, and friends that he recently got his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rogan and Jocko, accomplished BJJ practitioners themselves, were immensely proud of him.
In his first podcast of 2021, Stumpf laid out his goals for the New Year’s goals, with one of them being to compete in a BJJ tournament. He acknowledged that COVID-19 might affect his goal but wanted to train as if he will get the chance.
Stumpf Went Wild Game Hunting w/ Rogan, Jocko, Dudley, & Hanes
Stumpf went on a bowhunting expedition in Northern Utah with the dream-team: Joe Rogan, John Dudley, Cam Hanes, and Jocko Willink.
Now that Stumpf lives in Montana he gets to hunt as much as he can, with it being one of his favorite hobbies. Also, Stumpf has a partnership with Christensen Arms which sells quality hunting equipment.
View this post on Instagram
5 Products Stumpf Loves (available on Amazon)
Stumpf is a connoisseur of cool products, being an ambassador for products that are quality, of U.S.A. origin, and backed by fellow military comrades.
#1: Black Rifle Coffee
You can frequently see Stumpf wearing Black Rifle Coffee Company apparel like hats and t-shirts, and drinking their coffee. Black Rifle sells delicious coffee, also frequently seen on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
I’m no expert on coffee, but I do enjoy it. If you are looking for an awesome brand to source your daily coffee needs from, here is what I recommend. https://t.co/2rwCRNOfPd
— Andy Stumpf (@AndyStumpf77) October 31, 2018
You can buy Black Rifle Coffee on Amazon. Here is their “supply drop” variety pack of 4 different blends.
#2: Kill Cliff Energy Drinks
Listed as one of their “Badassadors”, Stumpf’s first podcast sponsor was Kill Cliff Energy Drinks. Kill Cliff is founded by Todd Ehrlich, a former Navy SEAL.
Stumpf wore a Kill Cliff sponsored wingsuit on his record-breaking skydiving jumps.
You can buy Kill Cliff energy drinks on Amazon for a very reasonable price (variety pack).
#3: Jocko Go Energy Drink
Stumpf’s close friend Jocko Willink released a delicious energy drink that he drinks on a regular basis.
Available on Amazon, this delicious drink will have you ready to “get some.”
View this post on Instagram
#4: Jack Carr Books
Stumpf went through BUD/S with former Navy SEAL and close friend Jack Carr, although Carr did not make it through in the same round. Check out this friendly jab Stumpf put on him:
View this post on Instagram
Available on Amazon – Savage Son, written by Jack Carr.
#5: Gatorz Eyewear
After seeing a military friend wear Gatorz sunglasses, Stumpf got a pair and has been wearing Gatorz for over 17 years.
Stumpf needs quality, comfort, and reliability when it comes to sunglasses, especially for what he does outdoors and in the sky. Gatorz meet those needs.
Gatorz are available on Amazon, check it out.
Andy Stumpf Merch
If you are looking for official Andy Stumpf or Cleared Hot podcast merch, check out his website shop. The site features awesome t-shirts, sweatshirts, apparel, and accessories.
Website: AndyStumpf.com
Podcast Website: ClearedHotPodcast.com
Instagram: @andystumpf212
Twitter: @andystumpf77
Best Andy Stumpf Quotes
“Life at full volume to me is about getting outside of your comfort levels, figuring out what it is that you love to do, and then pursuing it with every ounce of your energy and heart.”
– Andy Stumpf
“There is leadership by position and then there is leadership by example. You have the option of one of those or both at all times in your life.”
– Andy Stumpf
Also see: The 15 Best Jocko Willink Quotes on Discipline
“I think the #1 determining factor is why people want to be there in the first place. If they’re driven to serve, if they feel like it’s a purposeful driven career, your odds are ok…If you’re coming there for notoriety, because you want to write a book, because you want to get Instagram followers – you are going down the wrong path.”
– Andy Stumpf, on if people should try to become a Navy SEAL
Stumpf believes in making your bed, not that it itself is huge accomplishment, but it is the first opportunity of his day to show discipline and build momentum.
– Andy Stumpf
On being a BUD/S instructor, Stumpf always knew the ones he could get to quit, the ones that think about how far away the finish line is. On the contrary, the guys that are hard to break are the ones who set mini goals, focusing on the next foot, the next task, the next hour.
– Andy Stumpf
*****
Thanks for reading!
