“CZ’s extraordinary journey from poverty to the Pentagon is a master class in leadership and resilience.”

—William H. McRaven, Admiral, US Navy (Retired), New York Times bestselling author

“From the moment I met ‘CZ’ Colón- López, I knew he was someone I wanted on my team. He has such a deep knowledge of so many subjects, but he is blessed with a humility that belies his vast life experience—experience that took him from some of the most dangerous combat zones on earth to the very highest corridors of power. In other words, CZ is not the kind of person who will ever tell you that he knows more than you or has done more than you. He doesn’t have to. That’s the thing about great leaders who have walked the walk. For men like CZ, boasting is pointless. Men like this communicate with such surety and clarity that their capabilities are self- evident. So when CZ told me he was writing a leadership book, my expectations were sky-high. Carnivore Leadership, naturally, exceeds all of them and offers readers the chance to do the very same and very wise thing that I did some years ago: welcome CZ into your life and heed his advice. It’s made me a better person and can do the same for you.”

—Chef Robert Irvine, entrepreneur and philanthropist

“Carnivore Leadership is a great and easy read for anyone serious about self- improvement and the art of leadership. I’ve known CZ for years, working with him during the toughest of times at the Pentagon. The stories he tells are not just insightful ; they reflect the leader he is—interesting, authentic, and inspiring.”

—Dr. Mark T. Esper, twenty-seventh US Secretary of Defense

“I was blessed with great leaders in both pararescue and the CIA, and I learned by their example. However, most readers will not have access to this mentorship I enjoyed. That is why I highly recommend Carnivore Leadership. CZ has led several generations of warfighters and groomed them for success—and survival. Whether in a kinetic mission or clinching a corporate contract, CZ would be my go- to guy. Even now, I learned a bit more via this wonderful book.”

—Ric Prado, New York Times bestselling author of Black Ops, CIA Senior Operations Officer, and Chief of Operations at CIA’s Counterterrorist Center (Retired)

“SEAC Ramón Colón-López embodies leadership in every sense of the word. In a world crowded with leadership buzzwords and empty slogans, CZ delivers the real thing: raw, honest, and forged through decades of experience where lives, missions, and trust were on the line. This isn’t theory—it’s battle-tested truth with hard-earned lessons that apply whether you lead on the battlefield, in the boardroom, or anywhere in between. If you’re serious about leading with purpose, resilience, and clarity, this book will challenge you to take charge—and get to work.”

—Matthew O. Williams, Medal of Honor recipient