Nathan U. Wheeler: Building Legacies Through Service-First Leadership

Early Life and Military Foundation
Nathan's journey begins with an independent spirit that led him to leave home at 14. Despite initially resisting the idea of following his father's military path, he joined the Army at 18, planning for a brief three-year stint. Instead, this decision launched an eleven-year career that would fundamentally shape his leadership philosophy and business approach. His military career was marked by significant achievements, including becoming an Army Ranger and jump master. After active duty, he continued serving through various roles, from working with special operations joint task forces in Afghanistan to helping establish senior leader courses for the Space Force. This experience at the highest levels of military leadership provided him with invaluable insights into organizational structure and mission-focused execution.

Transition to Entrepreneurship
The pivot to financial services came after a brief stint at Deloitte, where Nathan made a defining character decision. Despite his wife being seven months pregnant and Deloitte offering 16 weeks of paid family leave, he chose to leave before taking the benefit, feeling it would be unethical to accept it knowing he planned to depart. "It was the best professional decision I ever made," he reflects. This transition wasn't driven by a lifelong dream of financial services, but rather by a realization about personal autonomy. A pivotal moment came while driving to his children's school event: "I remember thinking to myself, like why am I asking somebody for permission to spend time with my family? Life is not a practice run, it's the big leagues."

Building Business
Nathan's approach to building Strategic Ascent was shaped by his military background and commitment to ethical service. As an independent, non-captive professional, he secured direct contracts with approximately 190 top companies, allowing him to offer clients truly comprehensive solutions rather than being limited to a single provider's products. His business model stands out through what he calls "mission before commission." This philosophy, adapted from his military experience, emphasizes that if you need someone else to tell you to act in the client's best interest, "then this is not the industry for you."

Leadership Philosophy
Nathan's leadership style is deeply rooted in service and personal development. He focuses on four key pillars of identity development:

1. Associations - Understanding that the people you spend time with shape who you become
2. Habits - Recognizing that consistent actions form character
3. Affirmations - Acknowledging the power of self-talk
4. Faith - Connecting with something greater than oneself

Challenges and Growth
One of the biggest challenges Nathan faces isn't personal fear or doubt, but rather witnessing potential go unrealized. He expresses particular frustration when clients or team members don't take advantage of opportunities for growth and wealth building, often due to societal conditioning or limiting beliefs. "We live in a society that conditions people to stay in a box," he observes. "People are taught to be employees. In a lot of cases, people are taught that wealth is bad... And that's a limiting mind frame."

Lessons Learned
Through his journey, Nathan has learned crucial lessons about identity and growth. He emphasizes the importance of shaping one's identity around future goals rather than current circumstances: "If they were already who they needed to be to become who they want to be, then they would already be that."

Future Vision
Nathan is currently writing a book titled "Strategic Ascent: Shaping Your Identity," which will outline his philosophy on personal development and maintaining alignment with one's goals. His vision extends beyond individual success to creating generational impact and helping others break free from limiting beliefs about wealth and potential.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nathan's primary advice centers on identity formation and maintaining focus despite external pressures. "All successful entrepreneurs I know, they don't allow all of the noise that will come because everybody else is going to try to keep you in the box that they put you in," he shares. He emphasizes the importance of staying positive while remaining steadfast in pursuing your vision.

Legacy and Impact
For Nathan, success isn't measured in traditional metrics but in impact and transformation. His goal is to be "rated as a 10 out of 10" in every crucial role - father, husband, leader, and professional. This holistic approach to success drives his mission to help others build not just wealth, but lasting legacies that benefit future generations.