Aaron Putze’s Journey as an Author, Speaker and Strategist Began with a Simple Question: ”Chuck, Where’s Your Book?”

It was a cold, dreary evening in November 2014 when Aaron Putze asked Iowa Hawkeyes’ great Chuck Long a simple question at a downtown Des Moines restaurant: “Chuck, where’s your book?”

The question was on point. After all, here was a beloved athlete who held every Hawkeyes passing record, played in five college bowl games, finished runner-up to Bo Jackson for the 1985 Heisman Trophy and was the 12th overall pick in the ‘86 NFL Draft. All this, despite playing for a running team at Wheaton North HS (he averaged less than a handful of passing attempts a game as a senior), being recruited by just three colleges (Iowa, Northern Illinois and Northwestern) and getting blown out in his first start for the Hawkeyes (42-7 vs. a loaded Nebraska Cornhuskers squad).

Now that’s a story of overcoming and persevering if there ever was one!

Yet no book.

Two-and-a-half years and 885 hours of researching, writing and editing later, Aaron published Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Football (on Nov. 6, 2017 to be exact!).

Needless to say, the story (and Chuck) were a hit with Hawkeyes fans across the country! Over the next three years, Aaron and Chuck participated in more than 200 book signings across Iowa, the Midwest and beyond… including one aboard a cruise ship sailing the Caribbean (see photos below!).

Destined for Greatness features numerous leadership themes and stories. And these testimonials spawned additional conversations with dozens of overachievers in all sorts of places... business, academia, philanthropic, elected office, agriculture, retail, media and sports... insights that were too good not to share!

So, in 2019, You Are Destined for Greatness was published and with it, a new journey began! Aaron brought those leadership themes to life in compelling keynotes presentation, small-and large-group leadership development workshops and strategic planning. Combined, these efforts are helping build better people and leaders and more effective companies and organizations throughout Iowa, the Midwest and beyond!

Aaron is dedicated to elevating the human spirit, making connections, boosting sales and the customer and client experience and raising the bar, personally and professionally.

There’s no doubt that combining Passion, Attitude and Effort will take you places!

For Aaron, the question, “Chuck, where’s your book?” served as a catalyst for an amazing journey as an author, speaker and strategist. What question will empower you to take the next step? How will you answer it?

Drop Aaron a note or follow along on Facebook (@PutzeInk) and let’s take the journey together as we live more, give more and achieve more!