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Our Mission:

At our events, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling. By sharing compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, we create an environment that fosters the opportunity for deep connections. Our showcases, whether self-organized or curated upon request, feature a diverse range of powerful stories that highlight the human experience.

Each tale is from the operator’s life experience and genuine, to not only entertain but also inspire and engage, encouraging openness and dialogue among attendees. Through these events, Warriorside aims to build an venue where stories serve as bridges, connecting people from various backgrounds and experiences to see each other again as countrymen and humans. Join us in celebrating the art of storytelling and discover the power it brings to our lives.

Diego Ugalde

Diego Ugalde is a retired Navy SEAL, Leadership Expert, storyteller, and author of Leading from the Deep.

With decades of experience in high-stakes environments, Diego now coaches top executives to lead with emotional intelligence and purpose. His transformational approach blends SEAL leadership with spiritual depth, helping clients unlock new levels of success and fulfillment. He is also the creator of Warriorside, an immersive storytelling experience that reconnects people to their humanity through powerful, vulnerable stories. Diego’s work has been praised for its deep impact, with clients such as Google X and elite leaders across industries.

Andre Gomez

Andre, a California native, dedicated over 20 years to the U.S. Navy SEAL teams, embarking on a journey that took him from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to a profound path of personal growth. Through deployments and the intensity of special operations, he honed not only tactical skills but a resilient spirit forged by struggle and hardship. These experiences have given Andre a powerful perspective on leadership, inspiring him to pursue

James Byrne

James Byrne, a former Navy SEAL officer with 26 years in Special Operations, has built a career centered on deep connections with his teammates and the extended family of his profession. His lifelong commitment to high-performance, trust-driven teams has shaped his focus on what truly matters. Driven by a desire to foster purpose and impact, James emphasizes integrity, unity, and continuous growth, empowering those around him to find meaningful paths both on and off the field.

Ben Durbin

Ben Durbin’s journey spans 26 years of military service, including 19 years with Naval Special Warfare. As a Tactical Electronic Warfare Operator with the Navy SEALs, he operated in hundreds of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, using his skills as a cryptologic linguist to track adversaries and protect his teammates. But it was a profound moment with a dying enemy fighter that would ultimately transform his understanding of humanity and his own path to healing.