#102 - Denny Giamazzo - Wired for Action

Denny Giamazzo graduated from UMASS, Dartmouth with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard for seven years. 

He is also the founder and co-host of the Be The Standard podcast. By sharing his story, his mission is to enable others to set aside their self-imposed limitations to become a person they admire through the implementation of four key principles:

1. Setting Standards
2. Creating Unbreakable Habits
3. Execution
4. Accountability

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Quick Episode Summary:

Denny Giamazzo shares his powerful story of overcoming adversity, resilience.

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SEO Description:

Discover Denny Giamazzo’s journey from a tough upbringing to author, veteran, and podcast host on Passing The Torch. Inspiration, resilience, and leadership insights.

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🌟 Torch Takeaways:

• The Power of Story: Denny Giamazzo opens up about why sharing your story matters, even if you think it’s “not special.” His reflections might have you thinking twice about your own journey—and motivate you to tell it.
• No More Imposter Syndrome: Whether or not you have an elite background, every experience counts. Denny reminds us that relatability and authenticity are what really connect us.
• Resilience Lessons: From being born at two pounds to overcoming family instability and finding purpose in the military, Denny’s story is a lesson in perseverance and not letting your past define your future.
• Action Over Adversity: His advice is simple but profound: There’s always someone who’s had it worse and come back stronger. Every obstacle is an opportunity for growth—and for helping others do the same.
• Book Launch & New Projects: Denny’s book, Wired for Action, is out now! Plus, he shares exciting updates about the Be the Standard podcast and upcoming speaking engagements.

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Denny's Resources:

➡︎ Website: https://www.bethestandardpodcast.com/ 

➡︎ Instagram:

• Personal: https://www.instagram.com/dennygiamazzo/ 
• Be The Standard Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/bethestandardpodcast/ 

➡︎ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheStandardPodcast 

➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denny-giamazzo-a45047113/ 

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Episode Mentions:

His book Wired for Action: https://amzn.to/3X3cVnQ 

Mike Burnes

Gail Kerzner

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Quote to open episode:

“A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed at some indefinite time in the future.” – General George S. Patton  

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

04:35 Sharing Story to Connect

07:11 Shared Struggles and Relatability

11:18 Romanticizing Special Operations

14:45 Childhood Neglect and Foster Care

16:32 Discovering Normal

21:49 Unbreakable Mindset Inspired by Michael Jordan

26:01 Surviving Medical Crisis in Training

28:16 Driven to Win: A Question

30:45 Leadership Lessons from Books

34:04 Impact Changes the Game

35:00 Billboard Message

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Full Podcast Summary: Passing The Torch featuring Denny Giamazzo:

Host Martin Foster welcomes Denny Giamazzo, an Army National Guard veteran, founder and co-host of the "Be the Standard" podcast, and author of the upcoming book “Wired for Action.” The conversation opens with a lighthearted hometown debate about Worcester’s food scene, and quickly transitions into deeper topics surrounding Denny’s personal story.

Denny shares openly about his challenging upbringing—growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, experiencing foster care, the loss of his mother to AIDS, and navigating life without a father figure. He reflects on how these hardships taught him resilience, perspective, and the value of setting his own standards, lessons that drive his personal mission and professional work. Rather than succumbing to self-pity, Denny explains how he chose to take action and work towards a life he could be proud of, emphasizing the importance of not seeing oneself as a victim but instead recognizing one’s power to change.

Throughout the episode, Denny discusses the process of writing his book “Wired for Action,” highlighting the struggles and rewards of telling a personal story. He talks about overcoming imposter syndrome—feeling less worthy of sharing his experience compared to Special Operations veterans—and ultimately realizing that authentic stories resonate with a broader audience.

Denny details his military service, including deployment to Afghanistan with Provincial Reconstruction Teams alongside Navy SEALs, and underscores how both conventional and special operations soldiers play valuable roles in defense and service. He also touches on how his difficult childhood shaped his mindset and grit, helping him relate to others and serve as a leader and motivator.

Additional topics covered include:

• The impact of father figures and coping mechanisms developed as a child.
• How to respond to adversity and advice for those feeling like victims of their circumstances.
• The role of mentorship, friendship, and influential books (like “Extreme Ownership” and works by Nick Lavery).
• His love of public speaking and making an impact by connecting with people in person.
• What he’d ask Michael Jordan given the chance, and the value of leadership across different arenas.
• The message he’d put on a billboard: “There’s always somebody that’s had it worse, they’ve come back stronger, and they’re doing more with less,” emphasizing gratitude and action.

The episode closes with ways to find Denny’s work, including the "Be the Standard" podcast and his book “Wired for Action,” and a reminder from Martin Foster to support and share impactful conversations.

Overall, this episode is a sincere and motivating exploration of hardship, action, and helping others find strength in vulnerability and authenticity.

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I appreciate all of you. — MF