THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST

By: U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
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  • Summary

  • Leadership stories told by the leaders who live them.
    © 2025-2026 | U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation | All Rights Reserved
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Personal Development Personal Success
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Episodes
  • 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 - Leadership on and Off the Mat

    2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 - Leadership on and Off the Mat
    Apr 15 2025
    A view of leadership and character development through the eyes and actions of a world-class athlete. SUMMARY For NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion and newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24, what happens on the mat informs how he manages conflict, planning, strategy and tactics, and most importantly, his development as a leader. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK WYATT'S TAKEAWAYS - Wyatt's journey exemplifies leadership and perseverance. - The Air Force Academy provided a strong foundation for Wyatt. - Pivotal moments can change the trajectory of one's life. - Tattoos can tell a personal story and hold deep meaning. - Winning the NCAA title was a culmination of hard work and strategy. - Mindset and planning are crucial in wrestling and leadership. - Family support plays a significant role in personal success. - Mastering the basics is essential for excellence in any field. - Call signs reflect identity and values in the military. - God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways. Adversity can lead to personal growth and resilience. - Mental strength is crucial in competitive sports. - Reaching out for help is essential for overcoming challenges. - Building a strong foundation in skills is vital for success. - Wrestling teaches valuable life lessons about failure and perseverance. - Enjoying the journey is as important as achieving goals. - Hard work is the only path to success; there are no shortcuts. - Self-motivation is key to personal and professional growth. - Doing little things right builds good habits and character. - Faith and gratitude play a significant role in success. CHAPTERS 00:00: Introduction to Leadership and Perseverance 02:07: The Journey to the Air Force Academy 05:56: Defining Moments and Personal Growth 09:57: Tattoos and Their Significance 14:03: The NCAA Championship Experience 18:03: Mindset and Training in Wrestling 22:05: Call Signs and Identity 26:00: Family Background and Support 27:06: Overcoming Adversity in Wrestling 30:40: The Mental Game of Wrestling 35:15: Building a Strong Foundation 38:01: Lessons from Wrestling and Military 40:34: Training for the 2028 Olympics 42:08: Finding Joy in the Journey 44:42: Navigating Sponsorships and NIL 47:03: The Importance of Doing Little Things Right 50:48: Self-Motivation and Purpose 54:02: Closing Thoughts and Gratitude ABOUT WYATT HENDRICKSON BIO 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 is a wrestler known for his remarkable collegiate career and service in the United States Air Force. He gained national attention in 2025 by winning the NCAA heavyweight championship, defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in a dramatic upset. Early Life and High School Career Hendrickson comes from Newton, Kansas, and is the son of Todd and Lynnette Hendrickson. At Newton High School, he was a standout wrestler, becoming a two-time Kansas state champion and a three-time finalist. He earned All-American honors in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle wrestling, and won national titles at the NHSCA Senior Nationals and FloNationals. Collegiate Wrestling Career Air Force Academy Initially hesitant about a military path, Wyatt was persuaded by his father to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. There, he became one of the most dominant heavyweight wrestlers in NCAA history. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier, two-time Big 12 champion, and two-time NCAA All-American, finishing third nationally in both 2023 and 2024. He led the nation in pins for three consecutive seasons and was twice named the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler. He concluded his Air Force career with a 103–11 record, becoming the program’s all-time leader in pins.​ Oklahoma State University Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyatt had an extra year of eligibility. As a member of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program, he was allowed to delay active-duty service to pursue Olympic training. This enabled him to transfer to Oklahoma State University for the 2024–25 season. Fulfilling a childhood dream, he joined the Cowboys and went undefeated (27–0), culminating in his victory over Gable Steveson in the NCAA finals. Personal Life and Military Service Wyatt holds the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and is pursuing an MBA at Oklahoma State University. His unique journey from a small-town Kansas wrestler to NCAA champion and military officer exemplifies dedication and perseverance.​ MORE ON WYATT HERE: CONNECT WITH WYATT INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS: Guest, 2nd. Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 KEYWORDS Leadership, perseverance, Air Force Academy, wrestling, NCAA champion, personal growth, mindset, tattoos, family support, call signs, wrestling, ...
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    53 mins
  • Jake DeRuyter ’15 - A Leader's Ups and Downs

    Jake DeRuyter ’15 - A Leader's Ups and Downs
    Apr 1 2025
    Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. ----more---- SUMMARY Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK JAKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS - Always be willing to adapt and stay resilient when unexpected challenges arise, like Jake did when he couldn't become a pilot and had to quickly choose a new career path. - Build and maintain a strong network of connections, as these relationships can help you navigate career transitions and provide support. - Focus on developing the people around you, not just your own career advancement. A great leader lifts up their team and helps others grow. - Stay proactive in reaching out to people, checking in, and genuinely listening to their stories and experiences. - Be willing to take risks on talented individuals, especially those from similar backgrounds or networks, like how Jake was given an opportunity by fellow graduates. - Maintain a competitive spirit and drive, but channel it into continuous self-improvement and supporting others. - Give back to your community, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or leading local chapters and organizations. - Be prepared to put in consistent daily effort, understanding that success comes from habits and persistent hard work. - Stay open to unexpected opportunities and be willing to pivot when your initial career path doesn't work out. - Prioritize relationships and connections over individual achievements, recognizing that your success is often measured by the people you've helped develop. JAKE'S TOP 5 LEADERSHIP LESSONS Here are the 5 best leadership lessons from Jake DeRuyter's interview: Build Others Up, Not Just Yourself Jake emphasized that true leadership is about developing the people around you. As he said, "Don't just worry about your own career and life" - great leaders are judged by the success of those they mentor and support. Stay Adaptable and Resilient When Jake's pilot career was unexpectedly derailed, he demonstrated the critical leadership skill of staying calm under pressure and quickly pivoting. He chose to focus on what he could control rather than getting stuck on what he couldn't change. Maintain Genuine Connections Jake consistently stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in with people, and truly listening. He makes time to connect with classmates, colleagues, and fellow graduates, understanding that relationships are the foundation of effective leadership. Take Calculated Risks and Support Others Jake's career trajectory shows the importance of being willing to take risks - both for yourself and for others. He was given a chance by fellow graduates and now pays it forward by helping other transitioning military members. Give Back Consistently Leadership isn't just about personal achievement, but about contributing to your community. Jake exemplifies this through his role as chapter president, mentoring cadets, and always being available to help fellow Air Force Academy graduates. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys 05:31 Navigating Life's Crossroads 12:01 The Role of Mentorship and Family 17:31 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 20:48 Motivation and Personal Drive 22:02 The Daily Grind: A Shift in Focus 24:31 Building Community: Chapter Leadership 27:29 Challenges of Leadership and Engagement 29:00 Giving Back: The Importance of Community 31:12 Leadership Lessons: Daily Practices 32:53 Advice for Aspiring Leaders 34:25 Reflections on Involvement and Connection 36:40 Final Thoughts and Gratitude ABOUT JAKE BIO As a 2015 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Jake spent six years on active duty serving as an Intel Officer and ROTC Instructor. Having left the service, he now am an Account Executive on the Air Force team at IMPRES Technology Solutions providing active duty units with the tech they need to accomplish the mission. - Copy courtesy of Jake DeRuyter and LinkedIn CONNECT WITH JAKE LINKEDIN | ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES - CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS GUEST, JAKE DERUYTER ’15 | HOST, LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ ’99 Naviere Walkewicz 00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership ...
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    38 mins
  • Christian Evans ’08 - A Leader's Exceptional Spirit

    Christian Evans ’08 - A Leader's Exceptional Spirit
    Mar 18 2025
    In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Christian Evans shares his journey from a jovial cadet to a dedicated leader focused on uplifting others. SUMMARY Christian reflects on transformative experiences during his time at the Air Force Academy, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of community engagement. Christian discusses navigating career transitions, the power of giving back, and the significance of leading with love. He emphasizes resilience, personal growth, and the need to engage the next generation of leaders. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK TAKEAWAYS Christian emphasizes the importance of humor in leadership.Transformative experiences can lead to personal growth and leadership development.Mentorship plays a crucial role in guiding younger generations.Navigating career transitions requires building a supportive network.Giving back to the community enhances personal fulfillment.Engaging the next generation is vital for sustaining leadership values.Resilience is key to overcoming failures and learning from them.Leading with love fosters a supportive environment.Personal growth is a continuous journey influenced by experiences.Finding avenues to contribute to the community is essential for leadership. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys 02:56 Transformative Experiences in Cadet Life 06:10 The Impact of Mentorship and Community 08:52 Navigating Career Transitions 11:49 The Power of Giving Back 14:50 Engaging the Next Generation 17:55 Lessons in Resilience and Growth 21:00 Leading with Love 23:55 Reflections on Personal Growth 26:59 Conclusion and Future Aspirations ABOUT CHRISTIAN EVANS BIO Christian Evans is a Business Development Executive at Olsson where he leads sales and growth efforts in Texas and Colorado. Christian previously worked as Managing Partner of Greenwood Capital lower middle market PE firm, Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Capital Markets Sales Manager at Highland Capital Management. Prior to joining Highland, he worked as an associate on the Banking, Investing, and Lending team at Goldman Sachs. Christian started his professional career in the United States Air Force as a space operations officer at Cape Cod AFS, MA and an acquisitions program manager at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, CA. Christian is an active leader in the Dallas community sitting on the Visiting Nurses Association of Texas Board of Directors on the finance and development committees and on the Friends Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy on the Development committee. Christian is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and The Real Estate Council. Christian is a 2008 Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he majored in Management. As a Cadet, he competed on the Fighting Falcon football team, served as President of the Tuskegee Airmen Club, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated. He completed his MBA at the SMU Cox School of Business in 2017. Christian is married to Dr. Candace Evans and they enjoy their time with their son, Cash. - Copy courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates CONNECT WITH CHRISTIAN LINKEDIN | ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest: CHRISTIAN EVANS ’08 | Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 Naviere Walkewicz 00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of ’99. For Christian Evans, USAFA Class of 2008, the journey was arduous, and even now, though he's dedicated himself to a life of lifting others up, he still thinks of himself as a work in progress, becoming the model for grace, giving back and leadership that he is today. Christian, thanks for being here today. Christian Evans 00:28 Thank you so much for having me. Truly honored and flattered to be here. Naviere Walkewicz 00:34 What were you like growing up? — I guess maybe is the first question. Christian Evans 00:38 I've always been a jovial person. I've always had a sense of humor, and I've always kind of been a strategic thinker, if that makes sense. So, while I was somewhat the life of the party to a certain extent, or someone on the team that would galvanize the teammates, it was mostly through humor or engaging outside of anything serious, because everything's so serious, right? Naviere Walkewicz Right. Christian Evans So, growing up and even at the Academy, I always kind of used humor as a way to put myself out there, so to speak, right? To kind of get people's moods to calm down. Yeah, I just always was more focused on what I was doing, and never focused on “I should be leading in this space,” outside of just knowing if you do well in school, get ...
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    29 mins
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