Fighting for Impact: How Eliot Marshall is Redefining Success, One Step at a Time

When you first meet Eliot Marshall, his physical presence commands attention—standing 6’2”, a former UFC fighter who once cut from 230 lbs. to 205 for competition, he’s every bit the warrior you’d expect from a champion martial artist. But what strikes you more than his stature or accolades is his humility, his introspection, and his mission: to help every individual he encounters find their power, harness it, and give it back to the world.

Eliot joined me on C-Suite Success to unpack what success really means, not in the currency of trophies or titles, but in the currency of personal growth, resilience, and transformation. As someone who has spent her career working with top executive leaders across industries, I often say: real success is defined not by metrics others give you, but by the impact you’re creating and the disruption you’re willing to own. Eliot is the embodiment of that principle.

 

Redefining Success Beyond the Spotlight

When I asked Eliot when he first understood what success meant to him, his honesty was refreshing. “At first, it was money and fame,” he admitted, reflecting on his days as a professional MMA fighter. “But I’ve moved on to John Wooden’s definition: success is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you did your best to become the best you’re capable of becoming.”

That shift — from external validation to internal alignment — is a journey many high performers wrestle with. Eliot’s transformation didn’t happen in the octagon, but in the quiet, daily rituals that now define his mornings: waking up early, reading, journaling, meditating, and exercising before the chaos of life kicks in. “If I can take care of me first,” he said, “then I can show up for others.”

That’s not just good advice; it’s a masterclass in sustainable leadership.

 

Success is an Inside Job

What struck me most was Eliot’s emphasis on progress over perfection. He doesn’t chase yesterday’s wins; he wakes up each day with one goal: to be a little more skillful than the day before. That mindset, the relentless pursuit of growth, is a hallmark of every elite leader I’ve worked with. But Eliot makes it deeply personal. “Did I help someone today?” he asked. “Did I move them an inch forward?”

And it’s not about big gestures. In his world, even an inch can mean the difference between self-doubt and self-belief.

 

Learning from the Least Expected

Here’s where the story took a very unexpected and surprising turn. Despite his size, background, and experience, the athlete who has taught Eliot the most is a young, female student he began training when she was just sixteen. “She’s brilliant, athletic—and didn’t believe in herself,” Eliot shared.

That dynamic challenged him in ways he didn’t expect. She saw the world differently. She responded differently. And in learning how to lead her, he had to stretch himself. “It made me better everywhere,” he said—better with his employees, his students, even with his own children.

That is what the best leaders do. They grow by growing others.

 

Confidence: The Ultimate Performance Enhancer

I had to smile when Eliot said, “In the sports world, everyone talks about performance-enhancing drugs. But the best one? Confidence and belief.” It’s true. Confidence is what allows you to walk into a boardroom — or a fight — and own the moment. It’s what lets you take a risk, share your voice, and keep showing up when the world says no.

Our C-SUITE NETWORK ™ Chairman, Jeffrey Hayzlett, would call that “walking with swagger.” Eliot calls it believing in yourself enough to help others do the same.

 

Disruption Meets Impact

If you define success as disruption and impact, as I do, then Eliot Marshall is definitely succeeding. He’s not just teaching people how to fight—he’s helping them fight for their best lives.

With seven martial arts schools across Denver, Eliot’s classes attract 80 students a night. That’s disruption. But the impact? That’s in the transformation. “Most of them will never get in a real fight,” he said. “But what they’re learning is how to face hard things, how to work together—even when it feels like you’re trying to destroy each other.”

That paradox, learning how to fight with care, is profound. It’s emotional resilience training disguised as martial arts.

“When you leave the mat,” he said, “you just tend to do your life better.”

 

The Long Game of Becoming

Perhaps the most powerful insight Eliot offered was about the long game. In martial arts, as in business and leadership, mastery doesn’t happen overnight. It takes five years just to get decent. “It’s this journey of constantly not being successful,” Eliot said. “But going toward it each day.”

And isn’t that the truth for all of us?

Success isn’t a destination. It’s a practice. A set of choices. A daily commitment to show up, improve, and give back.

Eliot Marshall doesn’t just wear a black belt—he lives the principles that earned it.

He’s not fighting for fame anymore. He’s fighting for impact. And in doing so, he’s helping thousands find the power they didn’t know they had.

Now that is C-Suite Success.

 

Listen to the full interview with Eliot on C-Suite Radio or watch it on C-Suite TV.