What can a former CIA officer teach us about leadership, legacy, and getting things done — in life and in business?

In this episode of Diehard Entrepreneur Stories, I sit down with my friend and mentor Ric Prado, author of Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior. Ric spent 24 years with the CIA, served as Vice President at Blackwater, and now runs his own company while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

From escaping Cuba as an orphan to leading high-risk covert operations around the world, Ric’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and service. We dive into what it means to lead with integrity, how to build trust in high-stakes environments, and why understanding people — not just systems — is the real secret to success.

Whether you’re growing a team, scaling a company, or just trying to become a better leader, Ric’s insights on intentionality, recruitment, and legacy are powerful and deeply applicable to everyday life and business.

💡 If you care about leadership that actually lasts — and impact that goes far beyond titles — this conversation will hit home.

I’m on a MISSION to help entrepreneurs build strong, successful businesses.

Get on board at: 🤝

https://www.devinramos.com

Learn more about Ric Prado’s journey and grab his book:

🌐 https://www.ricprado.com/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

02:03 Ric Prado Early Life and the Impact of Trauma

05:36 Military Training and the Path to CIA

10:13 Experiences in Nicaragua and Black Ops

12:38 Intentionality in Operations

18:30 The Importance of Relationships

30:26 Recruitment Strategies and Business Parallels

31:53 The Whiffem Principle

34:11 Leadership and Mentorship

38:36 Legacy and Impact of Leadership

41:50 Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics

50:46 Missed Opportunities in Counterterrorism

55:03 The Importance of Diplomacy in Operations

58:54 Building Effective Teams

1:04:51 Navigating Transition and Identity

1:15:19 Ric Prado Current Ventures and What’s in his Horizon

1:20:38 Ric Prado’s Book

1:25:27 Ric Prado’s Definition to Wealth and Legacy

1:29:00 Ric Prado’s Message to You

1:30:12 Black Ops: Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior & Connect with Rico Prado

🎬Watch this on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/DCdoQ1enOXk

⚡ Let's stay in touch:

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🎬Produced by:

https://daretopodcast.com/

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