The trajectory of a life is rarely a straight line; instead, it is often forged through a series of crucible moments that test an individual’s resolve, adaptability, and core values. For Ryan Del Grosso, that journey spans from the geopolitical tensions of growing up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the rigorous halls of the Air Force Academy, across global deployments commanding elite special tactics teams, and through a harrowing personal battle with stage 3 lymphoma. Today, Del Grosso channels that hard-earned resilience into a multifaceted life defined by purpose, commercial leadership, and dedicated advocacy for veterans and athletes alike. Whether he is collaborating with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, driving social impact through business ventures, or conquering physical milestones, Del Grosso embodies a relentless pursuit of growth. Central to this journey, he maintains, is the foundational role of physical training.
"Fitness gives you something to draw on when life gets difficult," Del Grosso reflects, "the experience of having worked through hard things before."
Born Into Military Life
Del Grosso’s path to military service was shaped early by family background and historical turning points. Raised in Riyadh by parents who had both served in the Air Force, he was in the fifth grade when the events of September 11th, 2001, unfolded. That seismic global shift left a permanent impression, planting the seeds for his eventual entry into the armed forces. Along the way, he was heavily inspired by cinematic depictions of service and adventure, including films like Black Hawk Down, Annapolis, and Into the Wild, which sparked a desire to head west and pursue a challenging path.
This ambition ultimately guided him to the Air Force Academy. Hailing from a rural Ohio school district with no prior connections to service academies, Del Grosso faced a steep learning curve. He credits his early survival and integration to the support of prior-enlisted peers from day one.
"Some of my classmates had already served, and I really admired the maturity and confidence they brought," he recalls. "I learned a lot by following their lead and working alongside them. That respect for the experience other people bring to a team has stayed with me."
That foundational respect paved the way for an even more demanding challenge: selection into the elite special tactics career field. Del Grosso endured a grueling, two-and-a-half-year training pipeline. Operating as a class leader and officer candidate, he learned firsthand how to forge deep team cohesion under intense physical and mental pressure. Looking back on his extensive military career, his proudest milestones are not defined by tactical execution or operational checklists, but rather by leadership, mentorship, and legacy.
"For me, the pipeline was an education in how people become a team," Del Grosso explains. "I was learning to recognize individual strengths, help people develop, and bring those strengths together to accomplish something difficult. I was learning how to help the team succeed while working through the same challenges myself."
As an operator within the special tactics community, Del Grosso deployed across multiple high-stakes regions, including Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. He ultimately commanded teams across three distinct deployments and participated in critical Joint Special Operation Command (JSOC) exercises. Yet, true to the ethos of servant leadership, his most cherished memories center on lifting up those around him. Over a multi-year process, he wrote and successfully advocated for the upgrade of two Silver Star medals for a fellow operator. In another instance, he dedicated himself to mentoring a younger team member through rigorous planning so that the junior officer could successfully lead a large, combined-force operation.
"Those moments meant a lot to me," Del Grosso says. "I could help a teammate get the recognition they’d earned or help someone prepare to lead and then see them succeed. That’s work I’m proud of."
Service Continues After the Uniform Comes Off
For many veterans, the oath of service does not expire when the uniform is hung up for the last time; instead, it evolves into new avenues of community impact. Del Grosso, a Harvard Business School graduate, has seamlessly translated his military discipline into the private and non-profit sectors. His post-military civic involvement includes significant leadership with Huts for Vets, a Colorado-based non-profit organization that provides no-cost wilderness therapy retreats for U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members. Having served on the organization’s board and previously as its chairman before stepping down to welcome fresh leadership, Del Grosso notes that the organization’s mission offered profound personal benefits as well.
"Huts for Vets helped me heal, too," he shares. "Being part of that community gave me a different understanding of how I could support other veterans and continue to serve."
Driven by a desire to align his career with his core values, Del Grosso also co-founded and serves as a partner at IMPCT Group, an agency and strategic advisory firm dedicated to blending commercial innovation, social impact, and brand growth. The enterprise reflects his philosophy that modern business must be driven by a clear sense of purpose.
"I wanted my work to reflect what I actually cared about," Del Grosso explains. "IMPCT grew out of that same belief: a business’s purpose should shape both what it sets out to achieve and how it goes about achieving it."
His commitment to community and human potential also led him to an MBA Fellowship with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee during his time at Harvard Business School. Having relied heavily on sports—ranging from distance running and wrestling to military physical training—throughout his life, the fellowship offered a unique opportunity to give back.
"Sports gave me a way to connect with people and find my place in a community," he says. "I was drawn to the competition, too—the chance to stand out, see how I measured up, and push myself to get stronger and faster. Sports changed the course of life. It opened doors that might otherwise have stayed closed and gave me a platform for so much of what I went on to do. When I thought about how much that had given me, I wanted to help create those possibilities for other people. That’s what drew me to the fellowship with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee."
Surviving Another Battle: Against Cancer
In March 2026, Del Grosso confronted an entirely different kind of adversary when he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The diagnosis necessitated surgery, port placement, and intensive chemotherapy. Throughout the grueling medical treatments, Del Grosso sought to maintain a connection to physical training through "Be Fit, Be Well," a specialized program that provided him with access to a supportive community, expert trainers, and structured progress tracking. For Del Grosso, maintaining this fitness lifeline was essential to navigating his cancer journey, even on days when the physical and emotional toll left him deeply frustrated.
"They were patient with me, even on the days I showed up frustrated, which seemed to be most days," Del Grosso admits. "Sometimes I just needed to push a sled and work some of that out. They understood that and created the space for me to find peace."
True to his relentless mindset, just one month after completing chemotherapy, Del Grosso put his recovery to the ultimate test by climbing a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado. Completing the grueling ascent provided a powerful psychological and physical victory.
"That climb was about feeling like my body was mine again," he says. "It wasn’t easy or pretty. It took me forever, and there were moments I wanted to quit. But I had chosen that challenge, and finding my way through it helped me reclaim a sense of agency. I needed that to begin moving forward from cancer and chemo and feel that I could shape what came next."
What Lies Ahead and Advice for Veterans
As a husband and father, Del Grosso remains deeply grateful yet firmly forward-focused. Looking ahead, he is preparing for new challenges and seeking additional avenues to create meaningful change, including involvement in the upcoming Military World Games scheduled for the summer of 2027. He views the high-profile international event as an ideal platform to amplify stories of strength and demonstrate how veterans continue to serve as a positive, driving force in society long after leaving active duty.
Reflecting on his own winding path, Del Grosso offers grounded advice for fellow veterans navigating the transition back to civilian life. He emphasizes that individuals do not need to pressure themselves into having their entire futures mapped out immediately. Instead, he encourages them to identify what they are truly passionate about and find practical ways to weave those interests into their daily routines.
"Take some time to think about what you want your life to be about," Del Grosso advises. "What do you care about? Where would you like to make a contribution? Then find people doing things you believe in and get involved. You bring a lot with you from the military, and that experience can be valuable in places you might never have considered. Give yourself the chance to find work and a community that means something to you."
