Marine Veteran Brian Mendez takes us inside the brutal battles of Fallujah and Ramadi, sharing his experiences fighting through the Fallujah Mile, one of the deadliest combat zones of the Iraq War. 

In this episode of Urban Valor, Brian reflects on the mental and emotional toll of war, his battle with PTSD, and how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became his saving grace. From enlisting after 9/11 to becoming a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, Brian’s journey is one of resilience, survival, and redemption.

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Video Chapters: 
00:46 - Growing Up in California & Family Challenges
01:49 - Discovering Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Influence
03:27 - How 9/11 Inspired Him to Join the Marines
05:00 - Choosing the Infantry & Marine Corps Training
07:49 - Boot Camp & Martial Arts Testing in the Marines
14:50 - Deploying to Iraq: First Battle of Fallujah
17:00 - Surviving the Fallujah Mile – Intense Combat Stories
18:31 - Foreign Fighters in Fallujah & the Reality of War
20:33 - Ramadi’s Deadliest Streets & The IED Threat
27:52 - Coping with PTSD & Post-War Struggles
39:33 - Finding Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu After Combat
45:48 - Overcoming Alcoholism & The Road to Recovery
51:30 - Opening His Own Jiu-Jitsu Academy
53:29 - COVID-19 Setbacks & Rebuilding His Business

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