You know how some people just seem to have it all figured out? They’ve got the cool job, the impressive resume, the world travels, and somehow, they still manage to be genuinely nice people? Well, I found one.

I love to interview folks who have either lived in Key West or have that deep-rooted Key West connection. That’s actually how our book club started—we wanted to highlight all these amazing island ties. I am beyond excited because I was able to interview somebody who isn’t just “connected” to Key West—he is the real deal. Born and raised, multi-generational Conch, the whole nine yards.

Meet Donzel Leggett.

He’s written an amazing book, Make Your Destiny Happen, that I honestly think will change the game for your next chapter. It’s that time of year where everyone is starting to think about what they’re going to be doing next year (scary, I know), the goals they’re going to set, and the life they’re going to have. And after chatting with Donzel, I’m convinced he is the absolute best person to set us up for success.

Grab a copy of his book here

(As an Amazon Affiliate, I will earn a commission on qualified purchases – which goes to support us – so thank you so much!)

So, grab a café con leche (or a margarita, no judgment here), get comfy, and let’s dive into the wisdom of a man who went from playing on the streets of Bahama Village to leading international organizations—without ever forgetting where he came from.

The Real Deal: A True Conch Story

Okay, let’s clear something up first. A lot of people claim to be “locals” after living in Key West for two winters. But Donzel? He traces his roots back to the mid-1800s.

“I am a real Conch,” Donzel told us. “My family immigrated, most of them from The Bahamas in the mid-1800s. We still have family in The Bahamas and I have a lot of family in Key West and across Florida.”

Growing up in Key West back in the day—before the internet, before smartphones, before everyone and their mother was posting sunset pics on Instagram—was a different world. He grew up in the heart of it, right between Duval Street and the Hemingway House.

“I grew up not too far from the Green Parrot,” he reminisced. “I mean, my grandmother used to walk me to Fausto’s every day. All this stuff is like right there.”

It sounds idyllic, right? But for Donzel, it was just… life. He didn’t realize until he left for college just how unique his childhood was.

From Island Life to the Midwest Freeze

Donzel left the island to attend Purdue University in the late 80s. (Pause for a second: imagine going from tropical paradise to Indiana winters. That alone deserves an award.) He played college football, grabbed his bachelor’s in ’90, his master’s in ’92, and then? He took the corporate world by storm.

For 32 years, Donzel climbed the ladder, spending most of his career as a Vice President leading massive international organizations. We’re talking about leading teams of up to 10,000 people across 40 countries.

“I traveled a lot, really expanded my perspective, and really had a chance to lead and help people across many different geographies, cultures, languages,” he explained.

But here’s the kicker: he attributes his success in navigating these diverse cultures directly back to his Key West upbringing.

Why Key West Shaped a Global Leader

“Key West is one of the most unique places in the world,” Donzel said. “You’re gonna see people of many different shades, many different lifestyles, many different perspectives. And if that doesn’t teach you what the true value of diversity is all about, you’ll never really see it.”

This is the stuff you can’t learn in a textbook. Growing up in Key West teaches you not to judge someone by how they sound or look. You get to know them as a person because, well, on an island, you have to get along.

Donzel shared a story about going off to college and realizing people didn’t really understand his hometown. They’d ask, “Do people really live there? Does Jimmy Buffett walk down the street singing songs?” (If only, right?)

But beyond the tourist myths, he found himself explaining the unique open-mindedness of the island.

“I tell people… we’re the southernmost point of the United States. You would think it’s a very conservative part of the country the further south you go, but Key West has always been different,” he noted. He pointed out moments like the election of Richard Heyman, one of the first openly gay mayors in the U.S., and the formation of the Conch Republic as examples of the island’s unique spirit.

“We do things differently. Yes, it’s a slow pace… but if you ever want to go somewhere where really you’re surrounded by people who are very open-minded—there’s a saying… One Human Family. It truly is, at least feels that way to me.”

The “Make Your Destiny Happen” Mindset

So, how does a kid from Key West end up writing a book about transforming your life?

It turns out, Donzel has been planning this book for about 35 years. No joke.

In his early twenties, facing impending fatherhood and the weight of adulthood, he decided he couldn’t just “wing it.” He sat down with a piece of paper, drew a line, and mapped out his life from that moment until age 65.

“I’m gonna fast forward and look in a crystal ball,” he recalled thinking. “Where would I want my family to be at that time? Where would I wanna be financially? How would I wanna be looked at by my peers and by others? What’s my legacy?”

He worked backward from age 65, creating five-year milestones to get him there. And guess what? It worked. He operationalized his own life.

Life Happening To You vs. Happening For You

One of the biggest takeaways from our chat was this concept of control. We all have those moments where we feel like life is just dragging us along, right? We’re tired, burnt out, and just trying to survive the week.

Donzel’s advice? Stop acting like a victim of circumstance.

“The question is, do you really think you can control those things [storms, circumstances]? You can’t,” he said. “But you can control something. You can control your reaction. You can control your pro-action. You can control your development.”

He dropped a statistic that was shocking.

The average American spends two and a half hours a day on social media.

Meanwhile, the average American spends about 15 minutes a day on self-development or reading.

“What if you reverse those two things?” Donzel asked. “What if you spent hours a day developing yourself and minimized your social media to 30 minutes? … You’re gonna create a competitive advantage for yourself because everyone else is wasting their time.”

Oof. Called out. But he’s right. Time is the one thing we can’t buy back. Not even Elon Musk can buy back the 15 minutes you spent scrolling through TikToks of cats (even if they were really cute cats).

Why Most Resolutions Fail (and How Yours Won’t)

We’re approaching that time of year—New Year’s Resolution season. And let’s be honest, by mid-January, most of us have already ditched the gym membership and are back to ordering takeout.

Donzel says the failure rate is huge—about 90% fail in the first two weeks. Why?

1. They don’t know what they really want. They’re chasing someone else’s definition of success.
2. They can’t sustain the “activation.” They give up the second an obstacle appears because they aren’t truly passionate about the goal.

“If you’re doing something just because someone said to do it… the first time an obstacle comes up, you’re gonna give up,” he explained. “But if it’s something you’re truly passionate about… you’re gonna look at yourself in a higher level and you’re gonna say, I’m holding myself accountable to make that happen.”

The Donzel Leggett Guide to Getting Unstuck

If you’re sitting there thinking, “Okay, great, but I have no idea what I want,” don’t panic. You are not alone. Donzel has asked over 10,000 people where they want to be in 10 years, and 90% of them had no clue.

Here is his cheat sheet for figuring it out:

1. Get Authentic: Spend time with yourself. Know your warts, your strengths, and what actually makes you happy (not what makes your Instagram look good).
2. Define Success: Maybe it’s money. Maybe it’s freedom. Maybe it’s living in a shack on the beach. It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s yours.
3. Make a Plan: Don’t just dream. Write it down. Work backward.
4. Develop Yourself: Read, learn, grow. Create that competitive advantage.

“Everyone is the CEO of their life,” Donzel reminded us. “If you don’t step up and start transforming your own leadership to take charge of your life… this feeling of depression [will] weigh you down.”

Coming Home: A Full Circle Moment

Donzel is currently on a book tour, and yes, he brought it back to where it all started. He did a book signing at Books & Books in Key West on December 11, 2025.

For him, it’s emotional. He’s coming back to the place that built him—the place where his grandmother walked him to the grocery store and where he learned the value of community.

“To be in Books & Books… knowing that Judy Blume started the store… it’s a very prideful moment for me,” he said. “I want to inspire people to believe that and to take action… You can make your destiny happen.”

The Crucial Question: Where to Eat?

Okay, I couldn’t let a true local go without asking the most important question of the interview. When he lands in Key West, where is the first place he goes for food?

(Aside from his mom’s house, obviously. You can’t beat mom’s cooking.)

His answer? A tie between El Siboney on Stock Island (solid choice for that yellowtail snapper) and Virgilio’s for Italian.

“I think it’s some of the best Italian food I’ve had anywhere, including Chicago,” he claimed. High praise! He also gave a shoutout to his nephew, Daniel Clark, a local drummer who introduced him to the spot.

See? Even when talking about life-changing destiny and corporate leadership, it always comes back to family and good food in Key West.

Ready to Make Your Destiny Happen?

If you’re feeling a little inspired (or maybe just guilty about your screen time), that’s a good thing. It means you’re ready for more. Donzel’s book is packed with the actual tools—not just the fluff—to help you build a life plan that sticks.

You can grab a copy of Make Your Destiny Happen right here.

Donzel Leggett is proof that you can come from a small island and do massive things, all while keeping your feet on the ground and your heart in the right place. So, stop letting life happen to you. Go out there and make it happen for you.

Check out the full interview –