Chris Irwin

Chris Irwin is a retired Navy SEAL Commander who endured years of severe mental and physical chronic illness following his military career. For more than a decade, he struggled with panic attacks, fatigue, brain fog, and depression, reaching a point in 2019 where he nearly took his own life. Through an extensive journey of self-discovery, he committed himself to recovery and transformation, ultimately finding a path to healing. His personal experience led him to create RARE SENSE, a platform dedicated to teaching mind fitness and reframing the conversation around mental health. Through a Substack newsletter, podcast, speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching, he now works to change stigmas, shift paradigms, and help others move from merely surviving to truly thriving.

In addition to his work with RARE SENSE, Irwin serves as the host of On the X, the weekly IRONCLAD Original podcast of the Navy SEAL Foundation, where he leads conversations with thought leaders across mental health, fitness, relationships, and business. He also holds the role of Communications Director for the Navy SEAL Foundation, further extending his influence in supporting the veteran community and advancing discussions around resilience and well-being.

Irwin’s career outside the military has been diverse. He co-founded the first CrossFit gym in the Virgin Islands and later served as president of Kill Cliff, a beverage brand that rose to national recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. As a musician, he co-wrote the score and song “Sacrifice” for the documentary Murph: The Protector, which honored fallen Navy SEAL Michael Murphy and made the shortlist for the Academy Awards in 2013. His creative and entrepreneurial pursuits reflect a deep commitment to both performance and purpose.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge in England, Irwin has lived and worked in more than 40 countries, bringing a global perspective to his work and storytelling. Today, he lives in Montana with his wife, Jennifer, also a retired Navy Commander, and their three sons. His life and career continue to demonstrate resilience, service, and a relentless pursuit of growth, both for himself and for the communities he serves.