Ben UtechtEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Super Bowl XLI Champion. Successful Business Leader. Dove Award Nominee. Brain Injury Ambassador. Author. Speaker. Husband. Father. Christ Follower. Ben Utecht, Linda's guest in this episode, is an example for all of us on how to overcome adversity, handle fame and success, and live out our faith authentically. Linda and Ben discuss the importance of building healthy cultures in families, businesses, and communities and the need for leaders to create strong bonds of communication with those they lead. He challenges listeners to not allow organizational – or national - culture to happen by default, but to intentionally design it through pu...

Leadership through adversity is not about avoiding the valley. It is about building a foundation strong enough to keep you moving through it. Ben Utecht, former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion, speaker, author, and culture expert, joins Jaime Taets for a conversation about fear, failure, preparation, belief, identity, and the peaks and valleys that shape a meaningful life. Ben shares the story of going from a potential first-round NFL draft pick to an undrafted free agent after a devastating injury and then receiving an unexpected call from Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts. His journey ultimately led him to the NFL, a Super Bowl championship, a career in speaking and culture, and his book The Champion's Creed. But the real story is not the highlight reel. It is what happened in between. Jaime and Ben explore what it means to stay grounded when you are at the top, rebuild yourself when you are in the valley, and stop allowing achievements to define your identity. They discuss how preparation builds confidence, why surrender can be a catalyst for winning, and how leaders can build a foundation of beliefs they can return to in difficult seasons. Timestamped Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Ben Utecht 2:36 From Minnesota to the NFL with Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy 7:11 Discovering Purpose Beyond Achievement 9:56 Fear of Failure and the Voice of Self-Doubt 12:16 From Potential First-Round Pick to Undrafted Free Agent 14:58 The Unexpected Call from Tony Dungy 16:59 Finding Consistency Through Peaks and Valleys 18:36 Navigating Identity Shifts 22:56 Redefining Success and Letting Go of Materialism 25:22 Why Surrender Is a Catalyst for Winning 29:38 Building a Foundation You Can Return To Guest Bio Ben Utecht is a former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and culture expert. He played for the Indianapolis Colts, won Super Bowl XLI, and learned under legendary coach Tony Dungy. After football, Ben built a career focused on leadership, organizational culture, personal development, and transforming people. He is the author of The Champion's Creed: Transform Your Culture Through the Power of Belief. Ben's work centers on the idea that organizations will always have a culture, either by design or by default, and leaders have the opportunity to intentionally build one that transforms people. Quotes from the Episode "Find the consistency through the peaks and valleys." "Believe." "Surrender is actually the catalyst for winning." Leadership Insights What is leadership through adversity? Leadership through adversity is the ability to remain grounded, make purposeful decisions, and continue leading when circumstances become difficult. Ben Utecht's story shows how preparation, belief, values, and endurance can give leaders a foundation to rely on during uncertain or challenging seasons. Why is preparation important for overcoming adversity? Preparation creates confidence because it gives people something concrete to fall back on when fear and uncertainty appear. Ben explains that his preparation in sports, through film study, training, and repetition, helped quiet self-doubt and gave him confidence when facing difficult situations. How can leaders build a foundation for hard times? Leaders can build a foundation by clarifying what they believe, writing down their values, and creating a personal creed they can return to. Ben explains that when you are in the valley, having objective truths you have already defined can pull you out of fear and uncertainty. Resources Connect with Ben: ben@ben-utecht.com Follow Ben on LinkedIn for culture and leadership insights Book: <a href='https://benutechtspeaks.com/

Organisational strategy and culture in action – In this bite-size clip, Ben Utecht, NFL Super Bowl Champion, Chief Culture Officer, and award-winning global speaker, shares how companies can hire for culture and embed organisational strategy so it actually works. If you're an SME or B2B leader looking to align your people with your company's vision, this episode gives actionable steps to ensure new hires live your values from day one and reinforce them as the business grows. 🚀 ELEVATE FOUNDING COHORT NOW OPEN 🚀 Stop gathering ideas and start installing structure. We have just opened enrollment for Elevate, our 12-month implementation program for founders generating £500k–£3m in revenue. For the month of April, we are offering our biggest discount ever—starting from just £3,000 (discounted from £7,100). This promotional pricing is only available through the end of April. 👉 Apply now and secure your founding rate: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=elevate_april&utm_content=2026-04-08 Ben explains the full process: from sharing a 30-page culture creed during pre-screening, to interview questions designed to assess alignment with your organisational strategy, and a structured onboarding curriculum that educates employees on your company's principles. He highlights why knowing the "why" of your culture is essential, but how ongoing action and practice are the real drivers of cultural alignment, trust, and high performance. Key Takeaways: Hire for cultural alignment: Send candidates your culture creed and use strategic interview questions to ensure alignment with your organisational strategy. Embed values through onboarding: Develop a learning programme where new team members explore and apply your organisational beliefs before starting their role. Practise culture consistently: Establish weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins to reinforce behaviours that reflect your organisational strategy. Develop leaders through culture: Use the culture creed as a leadership development tool to scale alignment across teams. Move beyond annual reviews: Maintain an ongoing rhythm of practices that keep employees aligned to your organisational strategy and values. By embedding these practices, leaders can transform organisational strategy from a theoretical plan into a lived culture that drives performance and trust across the company. ABOUT BEN UTECHT: Ben Utecht is a former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion turned Chief Culture Officer and global keynote speaker. He helps organisations build high-performance company culture through belief-driven leadership, combining lessons from elite sport with practical business strategy. Ben is also the author of The Champion's Creed, where he shares his proven approach to creating scalable, purpose-led cultures that drive trust, performance, and long-term success. CONNECT WITH BEN: Website: https://benutechtspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benutecht/ Book: <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Champions-Creed-Transform-Cultur

Organisational strategy for leaders – In this clip, Ben Utecht, former NFL Super Bowl Champion and Chief Culture Officer, shares the powerful story behind the FAMILY acronym and how it shapes high-performance teams. If you're an SME or B2B leader looking to strengthen team trust, collaboration, and culture, this episode is packed with actionable lessons. 🚀 ELEVATE FOUNDING COHORT NOW OPEN 🚀 Stop gathering ideas and start installing structure. We have just opened enrollment for Elevate, our 12-month implementation program for founders generating £500k–£3m in revenue. For the month of April, we are offering our biggest discount ever—starting from just £3,000 (discounted from £7,100). This promotional pricing is only available through the end of April. 👉 Apply now and secure your founding rate: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=elevate_april&utm_content=2026-04-08 Ben recalls his first NFL team meeting with Tony Dungy, where the legendary coach emphasised that identity should extend beyond sport. Dungy introduced FAMILY – Forget About Me, I Love You, a principle that fosters selflessness, humility, and mutual respect among top-performing teams. Ben explains how applying this mindset to organisational strategy transforms businesses by building trust, transparency, and a culture that drives performance — proving that even the smallest, most diverse team can outperform larger competitors. Key Takeaways: Organisational strategy is people-first: Prioritise trust, transparency, and shared values over ego and size. FAMILY principle: Forget About Me, I Love You – foster selflessness, respect, and collaboration. Strength over size: The most effective teams succeed through alignment, culture, and mutual belief, not just raw talent. Culture drives performance: A unified, value-driven culture strengthens team impact and business outcomes. Clarity and transparency matter: Open communication among trusted team members maximises influence and efficiency. ABOUT BEN UTECHT: Ben Utecht is a former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion turned Chief Culture Officer and global keynote speaker. He helps organisations build high-performance company culture through belief-driven leadership, combining lessons from elite sport with practical business strategy. Ben is also the author of The Champion's Creed, where he shares his proven approach to creating scalable, purpose-led cultures that drive trust, performance, and long-term success. CONNECT WITH BEN: Website: https://benutechtspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benutecht/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Champions-Creed-Transform-Culture-Through/dp/1394331231 ABOUT SIMPLE SCALING 📘 Book: Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10x Your Business 🚀 ScaleX Elevate (under £3M revenue): https://simplescaling.com/s

Organisational culture strategy is the difference between companies that stall and those that scale. In this episode, we unpack a powerful organisational culture strategy for SMEs and B2B leaders, exploring how belief-driven leadership creates trust, alignment, and high-performance teams. If you're a founder, CEO or leader trying to scale, this organisational culture strategy will challenge how you think about values, behaviours, and performance. Most businesses talk about culture. Very few actually build a repeatable organisational culture strategy that drives results. Former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion and Chief Culture Officer Ben Utecht shares how elite sport principles translate into a scalable organisational culture strategy for SMEs and B2B organisations. You'll discover why culture is not a "nice to have", but the core organisational culture strategy behind growth, retention, and performance. We explore: Why every SME already has an organisational culture strategy (by design or default) The difference between beliefs, values, and behaviours in your organisational culture strategy How to build a repeatable organisational culture strategy that scales across teams Why most B2B leaders fail to implement organisational culture strategy effectively The "pebble vs boulder" approach to embedding organisational culture strategy How to turn culture into a system, not just a statement The role of leadership in scaling organisational culture strategy in SMEs This conversation reframes organisational culture strategy as a performance driver, not a soft skill. If you're serious about scaling your business, your organisational culture strategy must become your competitive advantage. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why organisational culture strategy matters 03:20 From NFL to business leadership 08:45 Beliefs vs values in organisational culture strategy 15:30 Culture by design vs default 24:10 Hiring and onboarding for culture 33:40 The practice gap in SMEs 41:20 Leadership and scaling organisational culture strategy 50:10 The power of suffering and purpose 58:30 Three timeless takeaways ABOUT BEN UTECHT: Ben Utecht is a former Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion turned Chief Culture Officer and global keynote speaker. He helps organisations build high-performance company culture through belief-driven leadership, combining lessons from elite sport with practical business strategy. Ben is also the author of The Champion's Creed, where he shares his proven approach to creating scalable, purpose-led cultures that drive trust, performance, and long-term success. CONNECT WITH BEN: Website: https://benutechtspeaks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benutecht/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Champions-Creed-Transform-Culture-Through/dp/1394331231 SCALEX: ScaleX Elevate: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZLMC0yR1NlM2FidWZUS08xTjNweUc3WFhDd3xBQ3Jtc0tsZkdVckx0LVFoVWVuZndTUVVsVzlkNG93Z1ZtdnVrRm1mN

What if the community you’re longing for requires courage to pursue? In this episode of the Everyday Faith Podcast, we continue our conversation with Super Bowl champion, speaker, and author Ben Utecht as we explore Pillar Four: Pursue Community. From the locker room to everyday life, Ben shares how his years in team sports shaped his understanding of relationships, collaboration, and the power of doing life together. But biblical community goes even deeper. Throughout Scripture, we see that faith was never meant to be lived in isolation—Jesus built a community of disciples, Paul strengthened communities of believers, and even creation itself reflects the power of relationship. Together, we unpack why pursuing community requires intentionality, vulnerability, and resilience. Whether it’s making the first call, stepping outside your comfort zone, or leaning on trusted friends during difficult seasons, meaningful relationships don’t happen by accident—they’re built through action and faith. If you’ve ever felt isolated, struggled to maintain relationships, or wondered how to build deeper connections in your faith journey, this conversation will remind you that God designed us for community—and that sometimes the most powerful step is simply choosing to reach out. Because when we pursue people with the love of Christ, we open the door for lives to be transformed. Join us online! 🧡 askaboutmyfaith.com 💙 facebook.com/askaboutmyfaith 💜 instagram.com/askaboutmyfaith Wherever you are in your faith journey, you’re welcome here! Subscribe and find encouragement for the everyday moments that matter most!

What does your obedience say about your love for Jesus? In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Super Bowl champion and speaker Ben Utecht to explore Pillar Three: Commit to Obedience . Together, we unpack a powerful truth — that the original sin was an act of disobedience, and ever since, humanity has wrestled with choosing self over surrender. But obedience was never meant to feel like control or restriction. It’s meant to be the evidence of love. Ben shares a defining moment from his college football career when pride, injury, and identity collided — and how a bold, Spirit-led confrontation brought him back to surrender. What followed wasn’t shame, but transformation. You won’t get it right every time. But every day is another opportunity to choose surrender, deepen your love for Christ, and build your life on the rock. Join us online! 🧡 askaboutmyfaith.com 💙 facebook.com/askaboutmyfaith 💜 instagram.com/askaboutmyfaith Wherever you are in your faith journey, you’re welcome here! Subscribe and find encouragement for the everyday moments that matter most!

Ben Utecht has experienced traumatic brain injuries. He's shared his story on television, at conferences and conventions. He's also shared his story on this podcast. Today he discusses the need for research into brain health and curing brain diseases.

What a journey Ben Utecht is on! An NFL Super Bowl champ, a man who shares the Gospel through song, a brain injury survivor, a husband, a dad...and now a fierce advocate for creating healthy organizational cultures. Listen and learn more...

There’s a new book that’s already on the best sellers list. It’s about transforming organizational culture. The book is The Champion’s Creed: Transform Your Culture Through the Power of Belief. The author, Ben Utecht, is today's guest. He was an Indianapolis Colt. who was with the team when they won the Super Bowl. He had a deep desire to sing and enjoyed a short career as a singer. But neither of those endeavors were his endgame. He has a deep interest in organizational change through the power of belief. That’s how this book came to be. He will share insights drawn from multiple areas of his life.

Today, Ben Utecht joins Alec for an absolute banger of an episode! Ben is a Super Bowl-winning former NFL tight end turned award-winning singer, author, and keynote speaker. After retiring from football due to concussions, he became a passionate advocate for brain health and memory preservation. Now a corporate culture strategist, Utecht shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and life after the game. Him and Alec talk about the power to choose courage, difficult moments, and more - Do not miss this episode! Welcome back to the Forged Ingold Podcast! If you like the show please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating - that and texting it to a friend are the easiest ways you can help us grow. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ForgedIngold and email the show at forgedingoldpodcast@gmail.com Alec Ingold is an author, speaker, philanthropist, and professional football player. Learn more at alecingold.com

In this episode of the Southern Gentlemen Podcast , Chris Thomas and Winston Cruze sit down with former NFL tight end, Super Bowl Champion, and one of Winston's closest friends - Ben Utecht. The conversation kicks off with a powerful story about how Coach Tony Dungy's belief in Ben changed the course of his life and led to him becoming a key part of the Super Bowl-winning Indianapolis Colts. The guys then dive into Ben's deeply personal journey following his football career - his battle with CTE, memory loss, and the emotional toll of life after the NFL. Ben shares how those challenges became fuel for his second act as a speaker and author. They unpack his latest book, The Champion's Creed , and how he's using it to inspire teams, businesses, and individuals to live with purpose and conviction. And to lighten things up, the episode wraps with a fun little showdown game: Minneapolis vs. Nashville . Spoiler alert - things get competitive. Pull up a chair, pour something good, and join us for a conversation that's honest, moving, and full of heart. Watch the video version on YouTube! To learn more about Ben, visit https://benutechtspeaks.com. Connect with Chris and Winston online at https://thesoutherngentlemen.com. 📲 Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Patreon

In this premiere episode of the Sapphire Platform Podcast, Dr. Emmanuel Ziga sits down with Super Bowl champion and motivational speaker Ben Utecht. From growing up as a pastor’s kid to standing on the NFL’s biggest stage, Ben shares how faith, family, and mindset shaped his journey - and how purpose still drives him beyond the game.

Send us Fan Mail Leaders, brace yourselves for an enlightening Spartan Leadership Podcast episode that will revolutionize your approach to organizational culture. Our guest is Ben Utecht, NFL Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts and an expert in his role as a chief culture officer. In this episode, you'll gain invaluable insights as Ben shares the stark contrast between conformative and transformative approaches to culture-building. You'll understand the profound impact of creating a movement that inspires belief and alignment among employees, rather than merely implementing programs. Additionally, you'll discover how to seamlessly incorporate faith and personal values into your cultural strategies, enabling an inclusive and equitable environment that celebrates diversity. Stay tuned as Ben also shares his remarkable journey of regaining cognitive health after an NFL career riddled with injuries, offering inspiration for personal growth and resilience. Tune in NOW and take your culture building to the next level! Here are the timestamps… 01:41 Intro 03:50 The Chief Culture Officer's Role 06:05 Conformative vs. Transformative Approach 10:10 The Power of Words 15:28 The Inspiration Culture Development 22:08 Creating a Movement Towards Organizational Belief 30:55 The Power of Story 35:32 Incorporating Faith in Culture Building 45:50 Injury-Riddled NFL Career 48:28 How Ben Regained His Cognitive Health Back 55:02 Surrender is the Key to Victory CONNECT WITH BEN UTECHT HERE: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benutecht Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benutecht/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/benutecht?lang=en Culture Operating Strategy: https://cultureoperatingstrategy.com/ CONNECT WITH ME HERE: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok YouTube SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

Today I am honored to welcome Ben Utecht as a guest on the show and today we are talking about championship mindset, leadership, and unshakable culture! Ben is not only a celebrated Super Bowl champion but also stands out for his remarkable leadership qualities which earned him the "Uncommon Leader Award" from the esteemed NFL Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy. After an injury ended his NFL career, Ben pivoted into the corporate world as a sought-after speaker within the Fortune 500 arena, becoming the Chief Culture Officer for True North Private Equity, a family of companies whose portfolio currently includes 28 companies across 5 industries. Utecht is also an owner in the top US Ninja Fitness/Entertainment Franchise, Conquer Ninja Gyms, where he oversees all culture systems that impact every location. Key Takeaways: The things that break us are the things that make us : every challenge, every injury, and every transition is an opportunity for growth and surrender to a higher purpose. The Foundation of Belief: Whether in sports, business, or personal life, what we fundamentally believe guides our path and influences our success. Championship Language : Ben emphasizes the critical importance of every word we speak, drawing from his NFL experience with Peyton Manning. Clear, intentional communication, defined by content, purpose, and delivery, changes the game - every time! Ask Better Questions: Why Fostering a culture that celebrates the pursuit of knowledge is key. Normalizing the quest for understanding within teams leads to profound clarity and alignment Culture by Design : Why you need an ‘organizational creed' and what it is. Notable Quotes: "Who I have placed my hands upon, let no man put asunder." - Reflecting on divine favor and the path it carves out for us. "Vulnerability is opening yourself up to be emotionally wounded." - Highlighting the strength and connection that comes from being open and authentic. "You will always have a culture by design or by default." - A reminder that every action and decision contributes to the overarching culture of an organization or family. Next Steps for Leaders: Get CLEAR and Reflect on your core beliefs. How are they represented in your daily walk as a leader? For team meetings: Normalize asking challenging questions and require your team to bring them to the table! Consider developing an 'organizational creed' that encapsulates the non-negotiable beliefs that guide your team's actions and organizations behaviors. Connect with Ben Online: https://cultureoperatingstrategy.com Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benutecht/ Instagram - @BenUtecht, X - @BenUtecht Get the Book: Counting The Days While My Mind Slips Away To learn more about private or group coaching, apply here. https://linktr.ee/christinejewell Connect with Christine! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristinejewell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechristinejewell LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/christine-jewell-9361612a YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCauEds9jbgKCbJMZHjwEMug Website: https://thechristinejewell.com/

One of the most effective approaches to cultural transformation is helping a team identify their non-negotiable beliefs that guide people’s behaviors and actions. This is where Ben Utecht focuses his strategies in guiding leaders in cultivating better environments, be it in a business or sports setting. In this episode, the former NFL football player and championship culture expert talks about his organizational culture creed. Ben explains how he helps create highly productive teams that put their core values and beliefs into effective action. He also opens up about the influence of his family and sports career in becoming a culture-centered individual who takes integrity and trust seriously.

Christina Brown Fisher, journalist and traumatic brain injury survivor, talks to brain health advocate and former NFL player Ben Utecht. By the time Utecht was 30-years-old he’d suffered at least five diagnosed concussions and was already experiencing memory loss. The former Super Bowl champion discusses his road to recovery, how the game has evolved and life after football, and TBI.