Your biggest opponent isn't the competition… it's the story in your head.

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast, Doug Champion sits down with cohost Paul Lloyd to talk about the Mental Rewrite... which is the process of identifying the negative self-talk and limiting beliefs that hold athletes back and learning how to replace them with a champion's mindset.

Every competitor faces mental blocks. The difference is learning how to recognize them, reset, and rewrite the script.

In this episode Doug & Paul cover:

• Why your mind can become your biggest enemy • How negative self-talk destroys performance • The simple mindset shift champions use under pressure • How to reset when things start going wrong

If you've ever felt like you're capable of more but something keeps holding you back, this episode will help you take control of the voice in your head.

Watch the full episode and start your Mental Rewrite today.

This episode is brought to you by RodeoNow. Stay up to date with rodeo athletes, rankings, and the latest rodeo news all in one place. Learn more at RodeoNow.com

This episode isn't about workouts or programming. It's about ownership.

If you're a rodeo athlete, competitor, entrepreneur, coach, or high achiever chasing excellence — this conversation will hit home.

Doug opens up about:

• Why physical discipline doesn't always translate to emotional or spiritual discipline

• The "loud" version of strength vs. the rooted version

• How high performers often build their identity around pushing — and why that can backfire

• The danger of being reactive instead of grounded

• Why slowing down may be the most elite skill you can develop

• Early morning routines, stillness, and building internal resilience

• Owning the lies we've believed about toughness

This episode challenges the traditional cowboy mindset of "just grind harder" and replaces it with something deeper — sustainable strength.

Because real strength isn't just built under a barbell. It's built in the quiet work no one sees.

• Rodeo athletes wanting to improve mental toughness

• Bull riders, ropers, and competitors chasing longevity

• Christian athletes navigating faith and performance

• High achievers feeling burned out despite "doing all the right things"

• Coaches and leaders who want to build strength beyond the physical

Where in your life are you disciplined… And where are you just reacting?

There's another level available to you — but it won't come from pushing harder.

It'll come from getting rooted.

If this episode resonates, share it with a teammate or someone in the rodeo world who needs to hear it.

And as always — if you want to become stronger, more resilient, and built for longevity in and out of the arena…

Train like a champion. Live like a champion.

What does it actually take to build a great athlete?

In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug sits down with JC Bird to talk about athlete development, coaching philosophy, and why playing the long game matters more than chasing hype.

JC shares his perspective on raising the standard in coaching and athletics, from building grit and work ethic to developing athletes the right way instead of rushing the process. They dive into what separates long-term success from short-term flashes and why doing things differently is sometimes exactly what the sport needs.

This conversation isn't about shortcuts. It's about foundation, discipline, and creating athletes who can sustain success at the highest level.

If you care about the future of athletes, rodeo and developing the next generation the right way, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Champion Living Podcast.

What if your performance issues aren't mental weakness… but brain function?

In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug sits down with neurofeedback specialist Becky Lauridsen to break down how brain mapping is changing the way we understand focus, self-talk, concussions, and athlete development—especially in the sport of rodeo.

They dive into:

• Why many athletes have frontal lobes stuck in "delta" (a suppressed brain state)

• The difference between motivation and discipline from a neurological perspective

• How upbringing and self-talk create real neural pathways

• What actually happens after a concussion—and what's missing from traditional protocol

• How neurofeedback works to ignite suppressed areas of the brain

• Why alpha waves are the key to calm, locked-in focus

This conversation bridges performance, brain health, and long-term athlete development in a way most rodeo athletes have never heard before.

If you're serious about competing at a high level—and protecting your brain while you do it—this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Champion Living Podcast.

A big thank you to our sponsors:

Rodeo Now App – Stay up to date with everything happening in the rodeo world.

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In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug sits down with his co-hosts for an honest conversation about what's happening behind the scenes at Champion Living Fitness and the Optimal Performance Academy (OPA)—one of the most elite development programs for rodeo athletes and roughstock competitors.

From surviving the "great freeze of 2026" to opening OPA registration and watching spots fill up almost instantly, this episode is a real look at momentum, athlete buy-in, and why the right culture, standards, and strength & conditioning environment attract the right people.

They break down why returning OPA athletes are the strongest signal of success, what it means when athletes are beating down the door to come back, and why OPA is expanding to include bullfighting and protection athletes for the first time ever. Doug also explains how combining roughstock athletes raises the energy and performance standard across the entire program—and why investing in long-term athlete development matters when the stakes are high.

This episode isn't about hype. It's about proof of concept, building elite performers, and creating a program athletes believe in enough to come back for round two.

If you're a rodeo athlete, coach, or competitor serious about performance, longevity, and doing things the right way, this conversation will hit home.

👉 Listen now, subscribe to the Champion Living Podcast, and share this episode with someone who's ready to level up.

Why are rodeo athletes tougher than ever — yet breaking down sooner?

In this roundtable episode, Doug sits down with the Champion Living coaching staff to unpack the real reasons behind the rodeo athlete development gap. The conversation explores why many athletes work hard but still struggle to stay healthy, consistent, and competitive over long seasons.

We talk about the difference between toughness and preparation, why being busy doesn't equal being ready, and how common development paths like rodeo schools often fail to provide lasting structure or accountability. The coaches also share what athletes should actually be focusing on right now, and what long-term athlete development needs to look like if rodeo is going to evolve.

This is an honest, practical discussion aimed at helping athletes think differently about training, recovery, and longevity.

In this solo episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug Champion breaks down a problem that's quietly costing rodeo athletes careers, consistency, and longevity — the rodeo athlete development gap.

Rodeo has never lacked tough athletes. What it lacks is structured development that prepares athletes to last.

Drawing from his experience as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and years of coaching rodeo athletes at every level — from high school competitors to NFR qualifiers and world champions — Doug explains why toughness alone is no longer enough in modern rodeo.

This episode covers:

• What the "rodeo athlete development gap" actually is

• Why rodeo has professionalized financially but not developmentally

• How load vs capacity explains most common rodeo injuries

• Why being "gym strong" doesn't always transfer to rodeo performance

• The role of nervous system fatigue, recovery, and travel stress

• Why random workouts and grinding harder often backfire

• How poor preparation shortens careers and limits earning potential

• What real athlete development should look like in rodeo

Doug challenges long-held assumptions in rodeo culture while respecting the grit and toughness the sport was built on — making the case that better preparation, not more suffering, is the future of rodeo performance.

If you're a rodeo athlete, parent, or coach who wants to:

• Stay healthier through long seasons

• Improve consistency

• Extend competitive longevity

• Understand how to train smarter, not just harder

this episode will change how you think about rodeo training and athlete development.

Because talent gets you noticed — preparation keeps you in the game.

This episode of the Champion Living Podcast is supported by:

Hooey Official partner supporting rodeo athletes and western culture 🔗 https://www.hooeybrands.com

Discount Code: Championliving

Rodeo Now App Watch live rodeos, replays, and exclusive rodeo content 🔗 https://www.rodeonow.com

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast, we sit down with Kincade Henry, one of the most thoughtful young athletes in rodeo today.

At just 23 years old, Kincade brings a level of perspective, maturity, and self-awareness that's rare at any age. We talk about competing at a high level early in your career, handling pressure, learning from experience, and why mindset and discipline matter just as much as talent.

This conversation goes deeper than results. It's about growth, decision-making, and building a foundation that allows you to last — not just show up.

Whether you're a young athlete finding your way, or a veteran looking to sharpen your approach, there's a lot to take away from this one.

In this episode, we cover:

• Competing at a high level at a young age

• Developing maturity and perspective early

• Mindset, discipline, and consistency

• Lessons learned from the road and the arena

• What Kincade is focused on next

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Champion Living Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 📲 Download the Rodeo Now App for everything happening in the rodeo world. 🤠 Powered by Hooey.

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast, we sit down with Chancey Williams and Wade Sankey for a conversation that's equal parts fun, honest, and deeply rooted in western culture.

These two grew up together, took different paths — one into music, one into stock contracting — and both went on to leave a real mark on the rodeo world. We talk about where they came from, how growing up together shaped their mindset, and what it takes to build something that lasts in an industry that doesn't hand anything out.

This episode covers the realities behind the scenes — the grind, the business side, the responsibility that comes with success, and the importance of staying true to who you are as the sport and the world around it continue to change.

Plenty of laughs, plenty of stories, and a lot of perspective from two guys who've lived it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Growing up together and choosing different paths

• Music, rodeo, and the culture that connects them

• The business side of western industries

• Longevity, legacy, and staying relevant

• Advice for young people coming up in rodeo and western culture.

Listen to the full episode of The Champion Living Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Download the Rodeo Now App for real-time rodeo news and updates. Powered by Hooey — built for the western way of life.

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast, we sit down with Jake Lees to talk about the realities of building a career in professional rodeo — from choosing the right path early on to staying competitive as the level keeps rising.

Jake breaks down how today's athletes don't all follow the same roadmap anymore. We talk high school rodeo, college rodeo, going straight to the pros, and how intentional decisions early in your career can set you up for long-term success. He also shares what it takes to keep improving year after year, why fundamentals matter more than chasing wins, and how mindset, preparation, and accountability separate those who last from those who fade out.

This conversation is honest, practical, and full of lessons for young athletes trying to figure out their next move — and veterans looking to stay sharp in a constantly evolving sport.

In this episode, we cover:

• Different paths to the professional level in rodeo

• The role of college rodeo and long-term planning

• Why fundamentals matter more than focusing on wins

• Staying competitive as the talent pool gets deeper

• Advice for young athletes entering the pro ranks

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Champion Living Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. 📲 Download the HooeyFit app and train with a plan built specifically for rodeo athletes.