What happens when you refuse to let the world put you in a box?
US Marine Corps Officer Riley Compton reveals the extraordinary journey that unfolded when she decided to pursue every passion without limitation.
Riley’s story begins in the Midwest, where she never saw women serving in the military while growing up. After earning a Division I softball scholarship, a chance encounter with a Marine recruiter opened doors she never knew existed. What followed was a remarkable balancing act — commissioning as a Marine officer while simultaneously pursuing a spot on Team USA’s bobsled team.
For five years, Riley competed internationally in bobsled, achieving a world ranking of 14th and winning a North American Cup gold medal, all while maintaining her active duty status. When a deployment opportunity to Baghdad arose, she volunteered for a billet typically filled by officers ranking above her. Upon returning from deployment, she went straight from the combat zone to competing on the world’s fastest bobsled track in Canada — a testament to her unwavering dedication and resilience.
The conversation explores Riley’s difficult decision to step away from bobsledding to focus on her Marine Corps career, her upcoming marriage to a Royal Marine, and her bestselling children’s book “If You Can Dream It, Be It.” With refreshing candor, she shares the behind-the-scenes struggles of publishing, including countless rejections, while maintaining her “never quit” mentality.
What makes Riley’s perspective particularly valuable is her humility. Despite her achievements across multiple domains, she emphasizes that anyone can follow a similar path with enough courage and persistence. As she puts it, “Your job, the things you do, is what you do. It’s not who you are.” Her definition of wealth—measured in relationships, experiences, and discipline rather than financial gain—offers a refreshing counterpoint to conventional success metrics.
Ready to break out of your own self-imposed limitations? Listen now to discover how one Marine officer’s story might just inspire you to dream bigger than you ever thought possible
