Enrique Acosta Gonzalez wins Podcaster of the Year at Influencer Magazine Awards 2026

Enrique Acosta Gonzalez was named Podcaster of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards on Oct. 25, 2026, recognizing his podcasting, leadership development and mentoring work. The award also spotlights his broader platform across veteran service, executive coaching, publishing and leadership media.

Why it matters: - Enrique Acosta Gonzalez’s win puts a veteran-led leadership voice in the spotlight at a global influencer awards program. - The recognition reflects the growing overlap between podcasting, executive coaching and personal branding as channels for leadership and community impact. - The award also elevates the profile of a creator who uses media to reach leaders, veterans and emerging podcasters.

What happened: - Enrique Acosta Gonzalez won Podcaster of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards (E3) on Oct. 25, 2026. - The awards were held in London, United Kingdom. - The honor recognizes his work in podcasting, leadership development and helping others find their voice. - Acosta Gonzalez is based in Orlando, Florida. - He is the founder and executive leadership coach of Triad Leadership Solutions.

The details: - Triad Leadership Solutions works with senior leaders and executives seeking greater clarity, confidence and sustainable impact. - Acosta Gonzalez’s coaching approach focuses on how leaders think, decide, communicate and lead under pressure. - Acosta Gonzalez said the award is meaningful because it reflects a lifetime of service in uniform and in the podcasting and leadership community. - He served 26 years in the U.S. Navy’s Meteorology and Oceanography Command. - His Navy career included roles as Observer, Master Forecaster and Command Senior Enlisted Leader. - He served as Command Senior Enlisted Leader for three commands. - He became a Certified Master Forecaster in Surface, Aviation, Anti Submarine Warfare, Special Operations and Hydrography. - His service included deployments across South America, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Atlantic. - He served aboard USS Vincennes, USCGC Jarvis, USS Essex, USS Kitty Hawk, JS Kirishima and USS Iwo Jima. - As CEO of VFR Publishing, Acosta Gonzalez has contributed to books focused on leadership, transformation and Latino advancement. - His books include Latinas100: Leaving Our Legacy & Inspiring the Next Generation, Volume 3; Voice Your Vibe: The Power of Authentic Connection; and The Business Behind the Business: Real Entrepreneurs Share Real Struggles, Real Success. - He also authored or contributed to A Lion's Pride: The Scars That Silenced Kings, Voices for Leadership, The Latino Leadership Playbook and LEADERS100 Eight Leadership Styles That Empower: A Guide to Transformative Collaboration. - Through Developing The Leader Within Podcast, Acosta Gonzalez built a platform centered on leadership, management, career development and personal growth. - The podcast has been recognized as one of the top leadership platforms. - Acosta Gonzalez has been named a Top 50 Leadership Podcast, MVA Best Interview Podcast and Media Professional of the Year. - He co-hosted The Leadership Void Podcast, a veteran-centered leadership show. - He hosts the American Valor Podcast, which shares stories of Major League and Hall of Fame baseball players who served in the armed forces or support their communities. - His current roles include Managing Board Member for the Global Chamber of Business Leaders, board director for The Leadership Crucible Foundation, board advisor for Wise Leadership Solutions and content creator for Purpose Place Network. - He has also held leadership roles with Bunker Labs, the Navy League of the United States, Stealth Performance Communication, FEMA, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Sonobi and other organizations. - His education includes certificates from Harvard University, Texas A&M University, the University of Central Florida and Syracuse University, plus a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from Thomas Edison State University. - His honors include the 2017 Top 10 Veterati Mentors Award, the Oceanographer of the Navy John Dungan Jr. Award, the Arnold Fletcher Award, SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society recognition and Excellence in Federal Government Mentor of the Year honors in 2013 and 2014.

Between the lines: - The award signals that podcasting is becoming a serious channel for professional influence, not just entertainment. - Acosta Gonzalez’s mix of military service, coaching and media gives the recognition a cross-sector reach that can appeal to veterans, executives and creators. - The release positions his work as community-building as much as content creation, especially through mentoring and leadership development.

What's next: - Acosta Gonzalez is likely to continue using his podcasting and coaching platforms to expand his audience among leaders, veterans and creators. - His ongoing roles across publishing, advisory boards and media projects suggest continued activity across leadership, storytelling and mentorship. - The recognition may help amplify his existing podcasts and speaking work within the leadership community.

The bottom line: - Enrique Acosta Gonzalez’s Podcaster of the Year win recognizes a career built on service, leadership and helping others speak with clarity and purpose.