Navy Veteran Jesse Swalley shares his story of survival after a brutal knife attack left him paralyzed. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Navy seeking a better life and served as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate from 1980 to 1986. 

After navigating the dangers of the flight deck and the challenges of military life, Jesse faced his greatest battle on U.S. soil—stabbed multiple times trying to break up a fight. Despite a severed spinal cord, Jesse refused to let paralysis define him. Teaching himself how to skateboard again, he proves that resilience knows no limits. 

In this episode of Urban Valor, Jesse opens up about life at sea, overcoming addiction, surviving near-death, and reclaiming his spirit.

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Video Chapters: 
00:00 — Jesse Swalley’s Near-Death Stabbing Incident
00:42 — Growing Up Poor in San Fernando Valley
02:16 — Choosing the Navy Over the Marines
05:18 — Life on the Flight Deck: High-Risk Navy Jobs
19:49 — Shipboard Accidents and Realities of Naval Life
22:20 — Hazing Rituals and Crossing the Equator
26:53 — Life After Service: Struggles and Addiction
38:28 — Fighting to Protect a Friend
43:27 — Stabbing Attack and Spinal Cord Injury
55:18 — Learning to Walk Again and Rediscovering Purpose
1:00:21 — Adaptive Skateboarding and Marathons
1:10:02 — Finding Community and Healing Through Sports
1:17:51 — Reflections on Resilience and Inspiration

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