Valor Provisions is excited to announce a collaboration with Matt Bissonnette.
The former Navy SEAL turned cattle rancher is building a new chapter rooted in purpose and sustainability to deliver Wagyu beef directly to customers. Bissonnette is also slated to release his third book No Easy Way, but more info on that later.
Who Is Matt Bissonnette? Former Navy SEAL and Bestselling Author
Former Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette has spent his life operating in demanding environments — from snowmobiling to school in rural Alaska to high-risk combat deployments and now the disciplined rhythms of American ranch life.
Bissonnette served in the US Navy for 14 years. He was a member of SEAL Team 5, and later served with Naval Special Warfare Development Group. All together, he completed 13 combat deployments during the Global War on Terror.
He is also the NY-Times Best-Selling author of three books, including his upcoming release of No Easy Way slated for 2026.
From Navy SEAL to Author: The Books of Matt Bissonnette
Matt Bissonnette first gained national attention as the author of No Easy Day, the 2012 memoir detailing his experiences in the SEAL Teams, including the historic raid to eliminate Osama Bin Laden.
Published under the pseudonym Mark Owen, the name was chosen partly for simplicity — shorter to sign and easier to manage during a time when anonymity felt necessary. While the book offered readers an inside look at special operations, Matt Bissonnette has always been clear that it was meant to credit the broader SEAL community rather than focus solely on himself.
When No Easy Day was released, there were already films like Zero Dark Thirty in development about the mission. Still, Matt Bissonnette’s account stood out for its firsthand perspective and authenticity. The reaction within the SEAL community was mixed, as might be expected with any high-profile publication from such a tight-knit and private profession.
His second book, No Hero, published in 2015, expanded beyond combat to explore leadership, resilience, and the personal cost of war. Like many military memoirs, it required careful navigation of clearances and sensitivities, but it also reflected a growing willingness to examine the emotional and psychological realities of service.
Readers will take away from Matt Bissonnette’s concept of his “3-foot world” and empathize with the lesson.
No Easy Way: Matt Bissonnette’s Next Chapter
Now, with his third book, No Easy Way, Matt Bissonnette is turning his focus to the aftermath of his military career. The forthcoming work explores his transition out of the SEAL Teams, the legal and professional challenges that followed No Easy Day, and the personal journey that unfolded as he rebuilt his life.
More than a continuation of earlier stories, No Easy Way examines what happens after the headlines fade; how veterans navigate identity, community, and purpose when the structure of military life falls away.
For Bissonnette, writing No Easy Way has been both reflective and therapeutic. It offers a chance to confront the realities of leaving the Teams and to share lessons learned along the way.
At its core, the message is simple but powerful: life rarely follows an easy path. Everyone faces challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty. What matters is how those moments are met and the communities that help people through them.
From Combat to Cattle: Matt Bissonnette’s North Carolina Ranch
That search for purpose has taken tangible form on a cattle ranch in North Carolina.
Nearly a decade ago, Matt Bissonnette purchased a run-down cattle farm and commercial chicken operation. What began as an investment gradually evolved into something more meaningful. Today, the 150-acre property produces its own hay and supports a growing agricultural operation centered on quality and sustainability.
For Bissonnette, ranching has become both a business and a form of therapy. The physical work and connection to the land provide a mental reset from the intensity of his earlier career. Tending cattle, maintaining the property, and producing high-quality beef offer a sense of stability and purpose that mirrors the discipline and responsibility of military life.
Community remains central to Bissonnette’s life. Many of his closest relationships today stem from both his time in service and the networks he has built since. Trusted friendships, including those within the veteran entrepreneur community, continue to shape his post-military mission.
Matt Bissonnette and Valor Provisions
The ranch supplies Wagyu beef to Valor Provisions, connecting small-scale agriculture with customersFr who care about where their food comes from.
Through this partnership, Bissonnette delivers 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef directly to consumers while supporting a broader network of small farms. Valor Provisions sources beef from operations that prioritize quality, humane practices, and sustainability rather than relying solely on industrial-scale agriculture.
More than 50 friends and colleagues have acquired Valor Provisions memberships, reinforcing the sense of community that underpins the venture. Matt Bissonnette produces beef not only for his own family and friends but also for customers seeking a reliable, premium product rooted in transparency and trust.
Why Wagyu Beef and Veteran Ranching Matter
Learning the intricacies of Wagyu production has been another rewarding challenge. With guidance from trusted partners and fellow ranchers, Bissonnette has developed a deep appreciation for the craft of raising high-quality cattle and producing premium beef.
The result is a product that reflects careful stewardship of the land and a commitment to excellence — values that echo the standards he upheld in the SEAL Teams.
Even his family has felt the impact. Matt Bissonnette’s wife once avoided meat due to concerns about the industrial food system but now eats beef raised on their own farm, a testament to the transparency and quality of their operation. Alongside cattle, the ranch maintains chickens and egg production, emphasizing sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Matt Bissonnette’s next mission is rooted in purpose and sustainability. After years serving as a Navy SEAL, Bissonnette transitioned into ranching and producing high-quality 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef.
“No Easy Way” explores life after military service. The upcoming book focuses on transition, identity, resilience, and rebuilding purpose after leaving the SEAL Teams.
Ranching has become both meaningful work and therapy. Working the land, raising cattle, and producing food with transparency and care has given Bissonnette a new sense of stability and fulfillment
Matt Fratus is a professional writer and founder of Late Night History, a storytelling project and podcast that explores history through the experiences of world-class guests. He serves as the Social Media Director for One More Wave, a veteran surfing nonprofit, and was one of the original writers for Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine. His expertise has also been featured on Fox Nation’s Secret History of WWII and Shawn Ryan’s Target Intelligence: PSYOP. When he’s not writing, Matt can be found surfing the California coast or rooting for Boston sports teams.
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Matt Bissonnette: FAQ
Who is Matt Bissonnette?
Matt Bissonnette is a former Navy SEAL, bestselling author, and rancher. He served 14 years in the U.S. Navy, including time with SEAL Team 5 and Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
What is “No Easy Way” about?
No Easy Way focuses on Matt Bissonnette’s transition out of the military, the challenges that followed his earlier books, and his journey toward rebuilding purpose through ranching and community.
What books has Matt Bissonnette written?
Matt Bissonnette is best known for No Easy Day and No Hero. His upcoming release, “No Easy Way,” continues the story of life after military service.
Why did Matt Bissonnette start ranching?
Ranching offered Bissonnette a new mission after leaving the SEAL Teams. The physical work, responsibility, and connection to the land provided structure, purpose, and a healthier lifestyle centered around sustainability and quality food production.
What themes are explored in “No Easy Way”?
The book explores resilience, identity after military service, community, personal growth, and the reality that meaningful transitions in life rarely come through an “easy way.”
Why are veteran-owned ranches gaining attention?
Veteran-owned ranches often emphasize discipline, stewardship, hard work, and community. Many consumers appreciate supporting businesses that prioritize transparency, sustainability, and American agriculture.
