From Special Forces a Hollywood

Chapter 113-114-115

Chapter 113 - Interview on the Podcast

Gustavo arrives at the recording studio for the Shawn Ryan Podcast. He is warmly welcomed by Shawn Ryan, who is looking forward to the recording.

Shawn Ryan: "Gustavo! It's great to see you again. I remember the missions we did together. What year was it again and what operation?"

Gustavo: "It was in 2010, on a hostage rescue operation in a combat zone. It was a complicated mission, but we managed to complete the objective."

The recording begins and Shawn begins the interview with questions about Gustavo's childhood.

Shawn Ryan: "Let's start from the beginning. Tell us a little about your childhood in Brazil."

Gustavo: "I grew up in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. It was a difficult childhood, marked by many hardships and challenges. Life was not easy, but I learned to be resilient."

Shawn pauses, listening attentively before continuing with the next question.

Shawn Ryan: "What motivated you to join the military and how was that transition?"

Gustavo: "My father was in the military, and I admired his work since I was a child. I also always liked action movies, which inspired me even more. I entered AMAN, the Agulhas Negras Military Academy, and then went on to join the commandos. It was a challenging but rewarding path."

Shawn asks questions about Gustavo's military career and experiences.

Shawn Ryan: "What was your final rank in the special forces and what was the training like?"

Gustavo: "I reached the rank of captain. The training was extremely rigorous. I remember we started with 12 candidates and only 4 managed to complete it. The hardest part was the evasion, survival, escape and torture training. It took a lot out of us."

Shawn is interested in Gustavo's international collaborations.

Shawn Ryan: "Which special forces around the world have you trained or operated with?"

Gustavo: "I worked with the Green Berets, Delta Force, Mossad, GSG9, DGSE, DEVGRU, among others. It was an enriching experience."

Shawn touches on a more sensitive topic about Gustavo's departure from the military.

Shawn Ryan: "You mentioned that you decided to leave the military. What motivated that decision?"

Gustavo: "The missions were becoming increasingly demanding, both physically and mentally. In a moment of desperation, I had a serious episode. During one night, I had many nightmares and, unable to bear it any longer, I put my service weapon in my mouth. I don't know what exactly happened, but it seemed like I didn't have the strength to pull the trigger."

Shawn is visibly emotional, but maintains his composure.

Shawn Ryan: "That's profound and courageous. It's hard to hear that. How did you deal with that situation?"

Gustavo: "I sought professional help, and that was essential to my recovery. It's crucial to seek help when you're facing these challenges."

Shawn asks about Gustavo's transition to Hollywood.

Shawn Ryan: "How did you find your way to Hollywood?"

Gustavo: "After everything I've been through, I wanted a fresh start. That's when my agent got a call from a director from the movie 'The Gray Man,' who was looking for someone with military training for the role of Sierra 6. I took the chance and ended up getting the part."

Shawn concludes the interview with thanks and reflections.

Shawn Ryan: "Gustavo, it was a pleasure to have you here. Your story is inspiring and your courage is admirable. Thank you for sharing all of this with us."