The Mental Game of Rodeo: Staying Confident in the Face of Setbacks

The Rich Outdoors

EP 663: Doug Champion

In this episode, Cody sits down with Doug Champion, the founder of Champion Living Fitness, a business that trains rodeo athletes in strength and conditioning. Doug shares his fascinating journey from a professional rodeo career to running a fitness business, focusing on what it takes to excel in rodeo and in life. He dives deep into the intersection of fitness, mindset, and personal growth, discussing how staying strong physically and mentally helped him recover from a life-changing injury and pivot into a successful career. We also explore the evolution of rodeo as an industry, the importance of fundamentals, and the lessons he learned from his own experiences that can apply to everything from business to hunting.

Time Stamp Chapters:

• 0:00 – Intro and setting the stage for the conversation

• 2:30 – Doug’s rodeo background and the injury that changed his life

• 8:30 – Doug’s journey into fitness and founding Champion Living Fitness

• 13:00 – Overcoming adversity and mindset shifts after a serious injury

• 22:00 – The role of fitness and recovery in rodeo and personal life

• 35:00 – Rodeo athletes’ mindset and the importance of confidence

• 46:00 – Insights on how rodeo is evolving with fitness and the importance of training

• 55:00 – Doug’s take on success, gratitude, and building a business from scratch

• 1:10:00 – The crossover between rodeo, business, and life lessons for hunters

• 1:20:00 – Advice for athletes and newcomers looking to succeed in competitive environments

• 1:30:00 – Conclusion and Doug’s final thoughts on health, fitness, and success

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Mindset is Everything: In rodeo, hunting, and business, confidence and the ability to shake off failure are critical. Doug emphasizes the importance of a “goldfish memory” to stay mentally resilient after setbacks.

2. The Power of Fundamentals: Success in high-performance sports like rodeo or elk hunting often comes down to executing basic skills consistently. Whether it’s setting your feet properly in bull riding or maintaining a disciplined hunting approach, the small actions compound to big results.

3. Pressure is a Privilege: Doug shares how embracing pressure and stress is essential for growth and success, whether it’s in the rodeo arena, business, or personal life. The hard times often lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

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