Grit Rising

Ryan Peddycord is the CEO and Founder of Tide Rock, an evergreen holding company built on an unlevered approach to private equity: permanent capital, no bank debt, and a focus on economically resilient B2B businesses. Before Tide Rock, he built his reputation as an operator, leading Business.com as CEO and Chairman and growing a string of B2B companies to double-digit growth year over year. He holds a degree from UC Santa Barbara and furthered his business education through Harvard Business School's Executive Education program.

In this episode of Grit Rising, Ryan opens up about what actually separates successful CEOs from the rest, the core principles he's built his career around, and the private equity strategy most firms keep close to the vest. It's a rare, unfiltered look at radical transparency in an industry known for anything but. You will not want to miss this episode!

He's the Lights Out XF Welterweight Champion. And on May 16th, he'll be fighting in front of the world as part of a Netflix MMA fighting main event. Jake Babian is the real deal and he's one of our own. Grit Rising host Trent Bryson sits down with the Bryson sponsored fighter to dig into the mindset, sacrifice, and relentless grit it takes to rise to the top of MMA. Because the same discipline that builds a champion in the cage is often the same discipline that builds winners in the business world too. If you've ever wondered what separates elite performers from everyone else, whether in sports or in business, this conversation answers that question.

This special episode of the Grit Rising podcast features host Trent Bryson in conversation with his daughter, Alexa Bryson. A current student at UC Santa Barbara and a standout runner on the cross country and track teams, Alexa brings curiosity and a fresh perspective as she interviews her father about the path that shaped his career. Trent reflects on starting his career at Merrill Lynch before returning to Bryson to help grow the family business in new directions, expanding beyond its insurance roots into areas such as private equity.

The conversation centers on grit, resilience, and the mindset of finding a way when the path forward is not always clear. Alexa asks thoughtful questions about the risks, decisions, and lessons that shaped her father's journey. The episode also serves as a tribute to Trent's father, Rick, whose example of determination and perseverance continues to guide the Bryson family. It is a conversation about legacy, grit, and the responsibility each generation carries to keep moving forward and find its own way.

Thomas Flohr is a Swiss entrepreneur and visionary in private aviation, best known as the founder and chairman of VistaJet. After building a successful career in asset finance, he launched VistaJet in 2004 to redefine business aviation with a global fleet and a pioneering subscription model. Today, VistaJet serves leaders, innovators, and changemakers in over 180 countries, offering seamless travel without aircraft ownership.

A true disruptor, Flohr has combined Swiss precision with bold innovation to create one of the world's most influential aviation companies, while continuing to expand Vista Global's footprint across mobility and luxury services worldwide. In this episode of Grit Rising, Trent and Thomas discuss the importance of listening to the customer. Don't miss this episode full of lessons on how to build a massively successful company.

Ron Earley is a distinguished entrepreneur and sales expert celebrated for building multiple million-dollar companies and generating over $1.4 billion in revenue through ventures like Greywolfe Investing. Known as the "Salesgod," he has closed more than $40 million in high-ticket sales and distilled his winning sales strategies into the best-selling book Closer, a trusted guide for sales professionals worldwide. Beyond business, Ron earned the key to the city of Sarasota, Florida, for his courageous efforts delivering life-saving supplies during a devastating hurricane, showcasing his unwavering commitment to community and leadership under pressure.

In this episode of Grit Rising, Ron shares how he relentlessly optimizes for success, builds rapport in networking, and reveals key insights for achieving big goals. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

This special Father's Day edition of the Grit Rising podcast features Richard Bryson, whom Trent calls "the greatest salesman he has ever met." Richard is the president and founder of Bryson Financial Group, one of the nation's largest independent insurance brokerages. A former All-American athlete at CSULB, he is also a dedicated community leader and philanthropist. His numerous honors include the Junior Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and the National Boys and Girls Foundation Golden Boy Award. Bryson remains deeply connected to both his alma mater and the Long Beach community. Don't miss this heartfelt episode, as a father reflects on his life and the lessons he's learned and shared with his son.

Adam Nelson is a three-time Olympian and the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the shot put but that's not how the story began. He originally left Athens with a silver medal, only to be named the true gold medalist eight years later after the winner was disqualified for doping. His long-awaited medal ceremony? It happened at the Atlanta airport, next to a Burger King.

In this episode, Adam shares the remarkable journey behind that medal, how the silver shaped his drive for excellence, and what it meant to finally be recognized years after the moment had passed. Don't miss this unforgettable story about perseverance, purpose, and measuring success differently.

Jamie Elias has been a cornerstone of Trivest Partners for nearly 30 years, bringing deep expertise to every aspect of private equity. From sourcing investment opportunities and leading acquisitions to managing fundraising, portfolio oversight, and firm operations, Jamie has seen it all. As a member of the Investment Committee and a board member for numerous portfolio companies, his insights into business growth are invaluable.

In this episode of Grit Rising, Jamie pulls back the curtain on the private equity world, sharing what firms look for in entrepreneurs, how they operate after investing, and offering key insights into how the process works. If you've ever been curious about private equity and how it can shape your business, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode of Grit Rising, host Trent Bryson sits down with Paralympic legend Chris Waddell to discuss resilience, overcoming obstacles, and pushing limits. From winning 13 Paralympic medals to becoming the first paraplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted, Chris shares his journey of grit, determination and redefining success.

The first live recording of the Grit Rising podcast features Tom O'Leary and is proudly sponsored by Entrepreneur Magazine. Tom is the CEO and co-founder of Jet Zero, where he's leading the charge in revolutionizing aviation with a mission-driven mindset. Prior to this, Tom played a pivotal role at Tesla as an early senior executive, serving as Director of Sales and Marketing, and was instrumental in building the innovative market-facing infrastructure that helped the company become a trailblazer. With a career that spans multiple pioneering companies, including Autoweb.com, eBay Motors, and other industry disruptors, Tom has mastered the art of taking startups from their early stages to transformative success.

At Jet Zero, Tom and his team are tackling one of the most ambitious challenges in aviation—designing an ultra-efficient Blended Wing Body jet that promises to reshape the future of air travel. Partnering with the US Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, they're on track for an entry-into-service by 2030. The Jet Zero Blended Wing will be the biggest leap in commercial aircraft design since the start of the jet age, with 100% SAF compatibility and the capacity to eventually support zero-carbon hydrogen. It's a testament to Tom's unwavering grit and determination to push the boundaries of what's possible, aiming for a future where aviation is fully sustainable.