Ep. 129: Andy Riise - What It Really Takes to Win in Life and Leadership

Send us Fan MailAndy Riise (Reece) is an Army Veteran, West Point graduate, and former Army football fullback with 20+ years leading Soldiers in combat, earning two Bronze Stars. A pioneer in military mental fitness, he helped launch resilience programs and later coached MLB and NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears. With advanced training in sport and performance psychology, he now works with leaders across business, healthcare, and athletics. He’s a bestselling co-author, adjunct professor, and founder of Design to Perform, known for blending behavioral science, leadership experience, and practical tools to help people perform under pressure.-Quick Episode Summary:Andy Riise discusses mental fitness, leadership, resilience, and personal growth.-🌟 Torch Takeaways Include:Andy shares hard-earned lessons on:◼ Build on Character, Not Just Results: Your identity and values are the foundation for success, whether in athletics, the military, or any field. Stay anchored to your "why"—it fuels resilience during transitions and tough times.◼ Work Smart, Not Just Hard: Grit is important, but so is self-awareness. There’s a time for perseverance and a time to pivot—balance ambition with well-being, and don’t be afraid to adjust course when it serves your bigger purpose.◼ Commit to Service: The measure of a life is in its service to others. Whether you're leading a team, raising a family, or working with special needs students (shout-out to all the educators and military spouses), meaningful impact comes from showing up for people around you.-Podcast Chapters:00:00 Common connections06:59 Figuring out next career steps18:38 Finding clarity and growth23:44 Building a culture of excellence29:18 Understanding mental fitness components34:03 Discussing Ryan Leaf's NFL career40:53 Finding balance in perseverance42:58 Learning from personal setbacks48:55 Deciding on career sacrifices54:59 Reflecting on personal growth01:01:48 Recognizing an inspiring ambassador01:06:09 Billboard Message and moreSupport the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.