Wyatt Waldron

Wyatt Waldron is a decorated veteran and a dedicated sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Born on November 28, 1983, in Lancaster, California, he grew up in Lancaster, engaging in sports and community activities. Inspired by the events of 9/11 and following in the footsteps of his Marine father, Waldron enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving with distinction in Iraq and receiving several medals of valor for his bravery in combat. After his honorable discharge, he furthered his education with degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Phoenix. Waldron’s career in law enforcement and his involvement in veterans’ mental health advocacy reflect his unwavering commitment to service. An avid outdoorsman, he also contributes to his community by coaching youth sports and supporting agricultural education through the 4H program, embodying the values of leadership and resilience.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

Usually my day starts before sunrise, which is a habit I picked up from my time in the Marines. It begins with some form of physical activity, either a run or some time at the gym, to get the blood flowing and clear my mind for the day ahead. My productivity comes from a structured approach to my tasks and responsibilities, prioritizing what needs to be done and managing my time effectively. I try to spend quality time with my family outdoors, either hunting, fishing, or working with our animals, which helps me decompress and stay grounded.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I bring ideas to life through discipline, planning, and execution. Whether it’s a strategy at work or a personal project, I start with thorough planning, setting clear goals and deadlines. Then, I take decisive action, adapting as necessary based on the situation or feedback. My military background has taught me the importance of adaptability and perseverance, which are key to realizing any idea.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The increasing awareness and support for mental health, especially among veterans and first responders, is a trend that truly excites me. Having been involved with several veteran organizations advocating for mental health, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that awareness and support can have. It’s heartening to see these conversations becoming more mainstream and less stigmatized. Research is starting to show how the outdoors can help Veterans with many types of mental illness including PTSD.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

Waking up early and doing some form of physical activity has been instrumental in my productivity. It sets the tone for my entire day, allowing me to tackle the days challenges and tasks first with a clear head.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’d tell my younger self that life is short, too short to sweat the small things. Life has a way of working things out. Be strong in your faith and your convictions, keep your circle tight and take care of the people that matter in your life. Stay in your three foot world and control what you can, which is immediately in front of you. Don’t worry about the things outside your control as there isn’t anything you can do to change those things.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?

I believe that physical discomfort, to a reasonable degree, is essential for personal growth. Many shy away from physical challenges or discomfort, but I’ve found that pushing your physical limits, be it through rigorous exercise, enduring the elements while hunting, pain through sacrifice can lead to significant mental and emotional growth.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

I recommend everyone spend some time in service to others, whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, or any form of giving back. It provides perspective, builds character, and fosters a sense of community and connectivity that’s incredibly rewarding.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

I try and tackle large projects or tasks one piece at a time. Oftentimes if you look at the entirety of a problem it can get overwhelming. If you take the same problem and you start to piece it out into manageable tasks, you can accomplish one mission at a time. Hopefully as you push through each piece, it will get you one step closer to the overall mission success.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

The ability to communicate effectively, listen, and offer help when needed has opened many doors and opportunities that would otherwise have been unavailable. Being a good leader without trying to be a leader, if that makes sense. Oftentimes when people try too hard to lead, it falls short. I learned many valuable traits from my time in the Marine Corps, most of all, what leadership styles are effective and which ones are not. In the military or my current line of work, If I have to physically order a subordinate to do something, I already failed as a leader.

What is one failure in your career,  how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

Losing the best warriors on the planet in war. Not bringing all my guys home from my time overseas is my biggest failure in life. There were many lessons I learned from this failure, too many to list here but there are a few that stick out immediately. War is not pretty, it’s very ugly. It’s extremely difficult to describe as I had some of the best times in my life during some of the worst times. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the loss of my guys is, everyone has an expiration date. When it’s your time to go, it’s your time. You can’t “what if ” every scenario and hold onto the guilt that if you would have done something different, the outcome would have changed. Sometimes the only explanation is “it just is”. Hopefully you have made peace with your creator and are strong in your faith.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

A community-based platform that connects veterans with young people for mentorship and skill-building. Many veterans have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, and many young people are in need of guidance and role models.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Google calendar allows me to schedule my day when and stay on top of all my work and personal tasks.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?

I enjoy podcasts and books that focus on personal development and leadership. One book that stands out is “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Its lessons on leadership, responsibility, and discipline have been incredibly impactful in both my personal and professional life.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I recently enjoyed watching “Band of Brothers.” Its portrayal of brotherhood, sacrifice, and leadership under extreme conditions resonates with my own experiences and serves as a powerful reminder of the values I hold dear.