Sam Sheridan

After graduating from high school, Sam joined the U.S. Merchant Marines, serving in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1993 to 1994. Upon his discharge, he embarked on a remarkable journey of personal growth, earning a degree in environmental studies from Harvard University in 1998 and studying art at the Slade School in London.

Sam’s insatiable hunger for adventure led him to some of the most remote corners of the world. He crewed yachts in Australia, constructed buildings for Raytheon in Antarctica, worked as a ranch hand on Montana’s largest cattle ranch, and fought wildfires as a Forest Service firefighter in New Mexico. But it was a trip to Thailand that introduced him to Muay Thai martial arts, sparking a lifelong fascination with fighting. After months of intense training at Bangkok’s celebrated Fairtex gym, Sam won his first Muay Thai match, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of combat sports.

His passion for pugilism led to travels across the globe—training with Brazilian jiu-jitsu champions in Rio, UFC fighters in Iowa, and boxing legend Andre Ward in California. These experiences culminated in his bestselling debut book, A Fighter’s Heart: One Man's Journey Through the World of Fighting (2007), described by Sports Illustrated as “a self-discovery journal, blood-stained travelogue, and thoughtful essays on age-old themes: violence, combat, pain, masculinity.”

Sam’s second book, The Fighter’s Mind (2009), delved into the mental strategies of top fighters, featuring interviews with champions across disciplines. His third book, The Disaster Diaries (2013), chronicled his quest to master survival skills necessary for apocalyptic scenarios.

The success of Sam’s books opened doors in television and film. He played himself in Gavin O’Connor’s boxing drama Warrior (2012) and lent his insights as an on-screen expert for Discovery Channel documentaries like Mankind: The Story of All of Us and Mankind Decoded. Sam’s storytelling prowess transitioned seamlessly into narrative television, where he worked as a writer for CBS’s SEAL Team and later created, wrote, and served as executive producer for I Am the Night (2019), a gripping limited series inspired by the Black Dahlia murder case.

Beyond his literary and television accomplishments, Sam’s experiences have granted him profound insights into human nature. Reflecting on his journey, he says: "I know a lot more about myself, and about the nature of striving, pain, aggression, dominance, and endurance. Fighting in particular teaches you a lot about yourself. It changes you—for the better."

Today, Sam resides in Los Angeles, where he continues to craft compelling stories for TV, film, and audiences worldwide. From his global adventures to his work in Hollywood, Sam Sheridan embodies the spirit of exploration and storytelling, inviting us all to join him on his quest for truth and meaning.