Dwight Hargett
Martial arts entrepreneur | Parowan, Utah
Dwight Hargett built his life around discipline, resilience, and service. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps with a desire to test his limits and contribute to something greater than himself. His years in the Marine infantry shaped his identity and taught him how to remain calm under pressure, lead when others look for direction, and push through challenges that would overwhelm most.
When his Marine Corps service concluded, rather than stepping away from a life of physical and mental excellence, he doubled down on it. Taking advantage of the close quarters combat skills he had gained as a member of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), he immersed himself in martial arts and spent nearly two decades mastering a wide range of disciplines including judo, Vinh Xuan Kung Fu, Muay Thai, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Today, he is a competitive athlete with medals earned at major national events and a respected brown belt under the Atos Las Vegas club.
With a vision of building a stronger, more confident community, Hargett founded Patriot Jiu Jitsu in Parowan, Utah. His academy provides a supportive environment where beginners and experienced athletes alike can develop physically and mentally. He believes martial arts training is not only about technique, but about cultivating character, leadership, and a sense of belonging, similar to his Marine Corps experience.
Hargett is especially passionate about empowering young people. “Children are our future,” he says. “If we care about changing the future, it starts with our children.” With this philosophy in mind, he created the Winter Ready Kids Camp which teaches wilderness survival skills, self-aid, counter-bullying strategies, and practical self-defense techniques. By strengthening his students’ resilience and teaching them how to protect themselves and others, Hargett hopes to inspire a generation that is both capable and compassionate.
He also works directly with local schools, university programs, and regional law enforcement to ensure that his community has access to reliable training and mentorship. Whether he is leading a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class for adults, teaching personal protection skills to college students, or helping a young athlete navigate life challenges, he carries the Marine Corps spirit with him. His goal is always the same: build people up, make them stronger, and never leave anyone behind.
For Dwight Hargett, service did not stop when he left the military. It transformed into a new mission. He continues to dedicate his life to the values he learned in the Marine Corps and channels his experience into training confident leaders, responsible citizens, and athletes who push themselves with purpose. Through his ongoing community engagement, he is proving that the Marine Corps ethos of service remains a lifelong calling.
Annika Hutsler
Accomplished Paralympian | Salt Lake City, Utah
Annika Hutsler’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and strength. She joined the Marine Corps with a desire to be a part of something bigger than herself and a dream of serving 20 years or more as a career Marine. A year into her time as a Marine, a tumor in her right foot required her to undergo a below-the-knee amputation. Assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion-West during her recovery, she faced not only the physical challenges of healing but also the daunting task of rebuilding her identity and sense of purpose.
Hutsler refused to let her new reality limit her ambition. Only eight weeks after her amputation, she competed in the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games where she earned two silver medals. From there, she continued to expand her reach in sports, competing in alpine skiing, track and field, and snowboarding. She has since set her sights on representing the United States at the 2026 Paralympic Games, a goal she hopes to achieve with the U.S. Alpine Ski team.
The state of Utah has become both a training ground and second home for Hutsler. She works closely with the National Ability Center in Park City, a facility that supports adaptive athletes. Utah’s Wasatch Range has provided opportunities to train in the same terrain as many of the world’s greatest athletes.
Hutsler’s focus, dedication, and drive in the world of adaptive sports echo the Marine ethos that was instilled in her, and so does her commitment to serving her community. Through her involvement with the Sisters in Sports Foundation, she has become a mentor and advocate for other women with disabilities, creating spaces that foster inclusion and empowerment. She inspires others through her social media presence, documenting her training and daily life with honesty and humor.
As a living reminder of how setbacks can also serve as starting points, Annika Hutsler continues to inspire fellow veterans, athletes, and anyone else who has also faced the challenges of starting over.