Man in The Arena: My Visit With John Wayne Walding @Rough Creek
Theodore Roosevelt delivered this speech entitled “Citizenship in a Republic” at the Sorbonne in Paris on April 23, 1910. The speech is popularly known as “The Man in the Arena.” Courtesy of The Theodore Roosevelt Center
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Shame on the man of cultivated taste who permits refinement to develop into fastidiousness that unfits him for doing the rough work of a workaday world. Among the free peoples who govern themselves there is but a small field of usefulness open for the men of cloistered life who shrink from contact with their fellows. Still less room is there for those who deride or slight what is done by those who actually bear the brunt of the day; nor yet for those others who always profess that they would like to take action, if only the conditions of life were not exactly what they actually are. The man who does nothing cuts the same sordid figure in the pages of history, whether he be cynic, or fop, or voluptuary.
There is little use for the being whose tepid soul knows nothing of the great and generous emotion, of the high pride, the stern belief, the lofty enthusiasm, of the men who quell the storm and ride the thunder. Well for these men if they succeed; well also, though not so well, if they fail, given only that they have nobly ventured, and have put forth all their heart and strength. It is war-worn Hotspur, spent with hard fighting, he of the many errors and the valiant end, over whose memory we love to linger, not over the memory of the young lord who “but for the vile guns would have been a valiant soldier.”
I usually only see that first paragraph quoted in reference to President Theodore Roosevelt’s speech known as the “Man in the Arena”. I included the next two paragraphs as I think they are quite important to elaborate on his meaning as I had the privilege of getting to know a true American Hero, John Wayne Walding.
Background: Last weekend my Young Presidents Chapter, Pacific One Integrated (in which I currently serve as Chair) and the Global One Chapter put on an incredible joint event at Rough Creek about 92 miles outside of Dallas / Fort Worth, TX. This 3-day event was action packed and open to family members with a little under 100 attendees from around the world. Rough Creek Lodge is a resort and conference center located in Glen Rose, Texas, that offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and shooting. It is also the site of the Rough Creek Tactical Training Center, which provides firearms and tactical training for law enforcement and military personnel.
I wrote this while at Rough Creek: Texas Prairie, Roaming Soul
John Wayne Walding is involved with the Rough Creek Tactical Training Center and serves as an instructor for their training programs. We had the good fortune to receive training from John and his equally esteemed colleagues (also heroes of America and the UK special forces). It was a memorable experience for all involved, from youth to experienced members, but what I enjoyed the most was getting to know John and the others, hanging out at the Lodge and the talk John gave to our group.
First for those who don’t yet know of John, here is a small bit on his service:
John Wayne Walding is a retired United States Army Special Forces soldier who is known for his heroic actions during the War in Afghanistan. Walding was born in Groesbeck, Texas, in 1981, and he grew up in a military family. He enlisted in the Army in 2001 and served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During a mission in Afghanistan in 2008, Walding and his team were ambushed by Taliban fighters. Walding was shot in the leg and lost his lower leg, but he continued to fight alongside his team. He climbed a cliff with one leg and engaged the enemy, providing cover fire for his team to evacuate. He fought for four hours before being rescued by a helicopter.
For his actions during the mission, Walding was awarded the Silver Star, one of the highest military honors. He retired from the Army in 2013 and has since become an advocate for veterans' issues and a motivational speaker. He founded a charity, Live to Give, which supports veterans and their families. Walding is an inspiration to many, both for his bravery in combat and his dedication to serving others. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his service, including being inducted into the U.S. Army Special Forces Hall of Fame in 2019.
One powerful and unexpected thing we quietly learned was that John Wayne Walding and Chris Kyle worked together after their military service. In 2013, Walding and Kyle founded a company called Craft International, which provided firearms and tactical training to law enforcement and military personnel. The company's mission was to promote professionalism and safety in the use of firearms and other tactical equipment. Unfortunately, Kyle was killed later that year while assisting a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, and Craft International was subsequently dissolved.
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."
- "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemmingway
Walding continues to honor and promote veterans' issues through his work with Live to Give and other organizations. The organization partners with a variety of veteran-focused organizations and initiatives, including the Green Beret Foundation, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Raider Project, and more. Live to Give hosts a range of fundraising events and activities, such as golf tournaments, motorcycle rides, and auctions, to raise funds for these organizations and support their programs. I was truly inspired by this group and their ethos of giving back. They have committed 50% of profits as give back. Live to Give bottled water is now available throughout HEB and soon to be other major retailers across the USA.
John is an excellent speaker and storyteller. His story is compelling as is, but his delivery takes one to the moment in the helicopter, waiting to take off while not knowing if this would be their last day, last sunrise, last moment on earth. It was riveting and emotional and made me grateful to be alive and to remember to apprec
iate all the little things we often take for granted in everyday life.
Some of the key messages he emphasized were:
Overcoming adversity: John Wayne Walding shared his personal story of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, including the loss of his leg in combat and having to fight on the rest of the day to get back. He set the bar for all of us to never give up in the face of challenges and to find the strength to push through difficult times.
Leadership: John’s extensive experience both as a Special Forces soldier and as an entrepreneur provide insights on effective leadership and teamwork, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, trust, and accountability.
Patriotism: As a proud American and veteran, John spoke of the importance of patriotism and his love for country. He expressed his gratitude to all of us and to America.
Mental health: John is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness, particularly among veterans. He encouraged through his example to all of us to prioritize mental health and seek help if struggling with PTSD, depression, or other mental health challenges.
The importance of service: He encouraged audiences to find ways to serve others, whether through military service, volunteer work, or other forms of community involvement. Giving back is a core value of John’s and he lives his life in support of others.
John Wayne Walding's life story is a testament to his resilience, determination, and commitment to service, and it serves as an inspiration to many. I know it resonated with our whole YPO group and certainly to me personally. I’m forever grateful to John and his colleagues for their service and example they set for all of us. I can’t think of anyone who better represents what Teddy Roosevelt was referring in his famous talk. John you are truly the Man in the Arena and I salute you 🙏🏽.