Daryl Akutagawa: From Bullied Kid to Battle-Tested Leader, How martial arts rewired Daryl’s fear into focus, The lesson of wrestling against men twice his size—and why losing mattered more than winning

What does it take to rise from fear to fortitude?

In this raw and revealing episode, Daryl Akutagawa joins host Christian John Bradley to share the deeply personal journey from a timid, bullied child hiding behind a sandbox to an Air Force captain, martial arts master, and resilient competitor in every arena of life.

From martial arts dojos and wrestling mats to military boot camps and boardrooms, Daryl opens up about the mindset forged through hardship, the courage to embrace challenge, and the confidence built by showing up, again and again.

🔍 In this episode:

• How martial arts rewired Daryl’s fear into focus at age five

• The lesson of wrestling against men twice his size—and why losing mattered more than winning

• Life inside Air Force ROTC, boot camp, and military leadership

• Why preparation isn’t just about performance—it’s about identity

• Facing a rare brain condition, Moya Moya, and finding strength in the scar

• Choosing love over military rank—and starting over in the civilian world

Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or someone rebuilding confidence from the ground up, this episode will challenge your perspective on competition, failure, and what it really means to fight for yourself.

🎧 Tap play to hear how mental toughness is built, not born—and how setbacks shape the strongest warriors.