Meet Darrell Utt

We recently connected with Darrell Utt and have shared our conversation below.

Darrell, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from the foundation of my upbringing in West Virginia, where hard work, grit, and perseverance were essential values. Coming from humble beginnings and raised by two parents who never graduated high school, I learned early on the importance of hard work and doing what needs to be done, no matter the obstacles.

This was only reinforced during my time in the U.S. Army Special Forces, where discipline, accountability, and possessing an extreme work ethic were non-negotiable. In the Green Berets, the success of the team depends on every individual pulling their weight and then some. What makes Green Berets so exceptional is simple; they know that true greatness isn’t found in flashy shortcuts but in the day-to-day grind of putting in the work. That mindset—of giving everything you’ve got and pushing beyond limits—is a key theme in my new book, ‘Grit to Glory: A Green Beret’s Journey from West Virginia to the Streets of Baghdad’. Whether in combat or in life, I’ve always believed that excellence is the product of consistent, focused effort, and the determination to never quit, no matter how tough things get.

This approach has shaped not only my military career but also my post-service work, from being a Chief of Operations (COO) to writing this book to doing speaking engagements. Simply put; to be successful, you have to put the work in. You must possess an extreme work ethic.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m excited to announce the release of my new book, ‘Grit to Glory: A Green Beret’s Journey from West Virginia to the Streets of Baghdad’, and the beginning of my journey on both the speaking circuit and podcast circuit. I’m eager to share my message that elite success is not reserved for a select few. It’s open to anyone willing to put in the work and strive for greatness.

In terms of what I do, my focus has always been on resilience, leadership, and excellence—values I developed throughout my military career and continue to apply in my professional life. After serving as a Green Beret, I transitioned into roles that required operational leadership and strategic thinking, which helped me build a diverse skill set.

What excites me the most right now is the opportunity to connect with broader audiences—through my book, speaking engagements, and podcasts. I believe the principles of perseverance, discipline, and tenacity that guided me on the battlefield can be applied to anyone’s personal and professional life. My goal is to inspire others to realize that their potential for success is limitless, as long as they’re willing to put in the effort.

In terms of what’s new, aside from my book launch, I have several upcoming speaking engagements, Q&A sessions, and podcasts, where I’ll be sharing my experiences and insights on leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. It’s a new chapter for me, and I couldn’t be more excited to help others unlock their own potential.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been:

1. Work Hard – This is foundational. No matter the situation, the willingness to put in the effort—day after day—is what separates those who achieve from those who don’t. Hard work is what drives progress, and the simple truth is, if you outwork the people around you, you’ll consistently find yourself ahead.

2. Be Humble – Humility is essential, especially when facing challenges. It allows you to learn from others, acknowledge mistakes, and continuously improve. There’s always someone with more experience or knowledge and being humble enough to recognize that is key to growth. I’ve found that staying grounded, even in success, has allowed me to keep learning and evolving.

3. Don’t Quit – This is the difference-maker. There will be times when everything seems stacked against you, but the key is to keep pushing forward. If you refuse to quit, you’ve already won half the battle. Staying committed and not self-selecting out when things get tough has served me well throughout my military career and beyond.

For those early in their journey, my advice is simple: remember that everyone is a work in progress. Stay after it, and put the time in. Develop the habit of working harder than those around you, be open to learning and correction, and when things get difficult, don’t quit. If you can do that, you’ll be ahead of 90% of your peers. Guaranteed!

These principles have guided me in combat, leadership, and life, and they’re universal—anyone can apply them to their own path toward success.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone who is looking for powerful, authentic insights on leadership, resilience, and perseverance, whether in a corporate setting, on a podcast, or in front of an audience. Typically, these are organizations, event planners, podcast hosts, or corporate leaders who want to inspire their teams or audiences to reach their full potential by hearing about real-life experiences from someone who’s been tested at the highest levels. They might be in industries where leadership, teamwork, and overcoming adversity are crucial—such as the military, first responders, sports teams, or even fast-paced corporate environments.

An ideal client is also someone who seeks a speaker with a unique perspective, combining the experiences of a Green Beret to a Chief Operations Officer with practical strategies that can be applied in everyday life. I offer them a message of elite success that is achievable by anyone willing to work hard, stay humble, and never quit. Whether it’s a keynote address, a leadership workshop, or an engaging podcast episode, I bring valuable lessons on how to push through challenges and achieve greatness, no matter the odds.

For podcasts, the ideal platform would have a large, engaged audience that resonates with themes of personal growth, leadership, military service, or perseverance, offering the chance to share my journey from Grit to Glory and inspire listeners to apply those principles in their own lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: Preorder Grit to Glory: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/grit-to-glory/
• Instagram: @Darrell.Utt
• Facebook: @DUttRowdy7
• Linkedin: @Darrell-Utt
• Twitter: @DarrellUtt
• Youtube: @DarrellUtt

Image Credits

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