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.

Redfin Polarized – Premium eyewear built for athletes and life outdoors.
Use code CHAMPION to save on your order.

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.