Andy 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.
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🌟 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.
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Andy's Resources:
➡︎ Website: https://designtoperform.org/

➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyriise/

➡︎ Skull Sessions Podcast: https://www.skullsessionspodcast.com/
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Subscribe and Listen to Passing The Torch Podcast

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/

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ᯤSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47ZwWTJWETz5SwEfcuPQwF?si=055366dec7154b3c
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Common Connections
06:18 The Impact of Special Education on Mental Strength
09:21 Understanding Identity and Transition
13:10 The Four Pillars of Mental Fitness
21:42 The Limits of Grit and the Need for Balance
25:18 Personal Failures and Living the Message
28:57 Legacy and Family First
33:32 The Pressure of Performance in the Arena
36:22 Playoff Tensions and Emotional Roller Coasters
37:10 The Feed Forward Process: Learning from Experience
39:43 The Importance of Reflection and Growth Mindset
40:37 Name Game: Insights from Influential Figures
45:01 The Legacy of Coaches and Mentors
47:08 Resilience and Personal Growth
47:56 Neutral Thinking: Balancing Emotions
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Full Audio episode with Chapters:
➡︎ https://www.buzzsprout.com/1946508/episodes/19091496
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Quotes to open episode:

“If peeing in your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.” – Billy Madison

“Measure of a life is in service to others”