From growing up in Saudi Arabia during a tense geopolitical era to graduating from the Air Force Academy, commanding special tactics teams across the globe, and navigating a grueling battle with stage 3 lymphoma, Ryan Del Grosso’s life is defined by a relentless pursuit of purpose and growth. Whether he is lifting others up through his various efforts, working with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), or building businesses aligned with authentic human values, Del Grosso embodies the true spirit of resilience, and he credits fitness and training in part for that.
“Fitness gives you something to draw on when life gets difficult: the experience of having worked through hard things before.”
Born Into Military Life
Del Grosso’s journey into the military lifestyle began with deep-seated roots. Being raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by parents who previously served in the Air Force, he was in fifth grade at the time of the events of September 11th, 2001, which he said played a part in his entry into service. He also cited being inspired by films such as Black Hawk Down, Annapolis, and Into the Wild, which made him want to go out west. Del Grosso pursued and eventually found his way to the Air Force Academy. Coming from a rural Ohio school with no prior service academy connections, he relied heavily on the support of prior-enlisted peers from day one.
He recalled, “Some of my classmates had already served, and I really admired the maturity and confidence they brought. 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.”
His journey soon led him to the elite special tactics career field, where he gutted out a grueling two-and-a-half-year training pipeline. Operating as a class leader and officer candidate, Del Grosso learned early on how to forge team cohesion under intense physical and mental pressure. When looking back at his military career, his proudest moments aren’t tied to tactical execution, but to leadership and legacy.
“For me, the pipeline was an education in how people become a team. 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.”
Operating within the special tactics career field, Del Grosso served across multiple high-stakes regions, including Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. He later commanded teams across three distinct deployments and participated in critical Joint Special Operation Command (JSOC) exercises.
Like any true leader, Del Grosso feels his best accomplishments were for others, such as writing and advocating for the upgrade of two Silver Star medals for a fellow operator over a multi-year process and mentoring a younger team member through rigorous planning to successfully lead a large, combined force operation.
“Those moments meant a lot to me. 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
Many service members believe that the oath they take has no expiration date, and they find ways to continue to serve others after they leave the military. Del Grosso is no exception, which is why the Harvard Business School grad has gone on to make differences both in the private sector and with multiple charities such as Huts for Vets, a non-profit organization based in Colorado that provides no-cost wilderness therapy retreats for U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members. Del Grosso served on their board and was even chairman at one time before stepping down as a way to elevate others and bring new members into the fold. He confirmed that his time with Huts for Vets did something for him as well.
“Huts for Vets helped me heal, too. Being part of that community gave me a different understanding of how I could support other veterans and continue to serve.”
Del Grosso also co-founded and is a partner of IMPCT Group, an agency and strategic advisory firm focused on blending commercial innovation, social impact, and brand growth. The concept behind IMPCT was a unique one, but it has also proved to be successful thus far.
“I wanted my work to reflect what I actually cared about. 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.”
He also worked with the USOPC as an MBA Fellowship during my time at HBS. After sports like distance running, wrestling, and training during his time in the military having served him so well, he wanted to do something to return that favor.
“Sports gave me a way to connect with people and find my place in a community. 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.”
He continued, “Sports changed the course of my 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 was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He underwent surgery, a port placement, and chemotherapy. Throughout his process, Del Grosso did his best to maintain training with support from a group called Be Fit, Be Well, which gave him access to a community, trainers, and tracked progress when he needed fitness to be a part of his cancer journey. He feels that thanks to their help, he was in a better position to overcome the adversity he was faced with; even if he admittedly may not have been in the best of moods some days.
“They were patient with me, even on the days I showed up frustrated, which seemed to be most days. 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.”
One month following completion of chemo, Del Grosso chose to test his fitness by climbing a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado. He would pass that test and felt proud of what he had done and was glad that his fitness continued to serve him.
Del Grosso stated, “That climb was about feeling like my body was mine again. 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
The husband and father is grateful but not satisfied. Del Grosso is forward-focused and is looking ahead to more challenges and doing what he can to make a difference. That is why he is involved in the upcoming Military World Games, set to take place in the summer of 2027. He sees this monumental event as an opportunity to amplify stories of strength and show the world how veterans are still able to serve and be a positive force.
Del Grosso can serve as a positive example of the capabilities veterans have. He advised that they don’t need to pressure themselves into having everything figured out immediately. Instead, he suggests veterans start by finding something they are passionate about and find a way to integrate that into their everyday lives.
“Take some time to think about what you want your life to be about. 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.”
You can follow Del Grosso on LinkedIn.
M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Fit to Serve article.
