Champion Living with Doug Champion

Back from the greatest outdoor show on earth. Straight out of the locker room at Calgary Stampede, I sat down with  Brandon Thome , Executive Director of Canadian Sports Medicine for Rodeo, to talk about what's really going on with rodeo injuries and how to keep your body in the game. We break down: Injury trends — timed-event overuse vs roughstock acute injuries Why pec tears, biceps strains, and...

In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug Champion breaks down why the summer run is really a 90-day stress test. Long miles, late nights, heat, pressure, poor recovery, inconsistent nutrition, and repeated exposure to competition all create a level of cumulative fatigue that most athletes never account for.  Why competing is not the same as being physically prepared The hidden cost of...

What happens when you willingly sign up to do something that seems impossible? In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug Champion welcomes JR back to the show to relive their recent Spartan Race experience—a challenge that tested far more than physical fitness. From brutal carries and slippery climbs to deep mud bogs, barbed wire crawls, and a dramatic finish through the fire pit, this...

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast, Doug sits down with Eric Lore of Lore Fitness to break down the truth behind peptides, GLP-1 medications, recovery protocols, blood work, gut health, and real performance optimization. The fitness industry is flooded with misinformation around compounds like BPC-157, TB500, semaglutide, and GLP-based therapies. Eric explains what these compounds actu...

In this solo Champion Living Podcast episode, host Doug Champion explains why high performers aren't more motivated—they're more structured. He breaks down how motivation is an emotion that fades when life gets chaotic, and why athletes (especially in rodeo) often live reactively based on how they feel, creating inconsistency and burnout. Doug argues that structure creates freedom by removing dail...

There's a pattern most athletes know all too well. You miss a day. Maybe two. Life gets busy, travel stacks up, something throws you off your routine. And somewhere in that moment, a decision gets made—whether you realize it or not. "I'll start again Monday." "I need to get back on track." "I messed it up." And just like that, one missed day turns into a full reset. In this episode of the Champion...

If you've ever felt like pressure, nerves, or expectations are holding you back in competition… this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Doug Champion breaks down one of the most overlooked aspects of rodeo performance: how your mindset, expectations, and internal narrative directly impact your results. Most athletes think it's a physical issue, but more often than not, it's how they're  int...

This one was a damn good conversation. We finally linked up with the JR Vezain, and in person, and it went exactly where it needed to... talking about the stuff most guys avoid. Why they're not winning. Why they stay stuck. And what it actually takes to change that. We got into mindset, preparation, and the reality that just "working hard" isn't enough if you're not honest about where you're at. T...

If you want to understand what it actually takes to win at the highest level in rodeo, THIS episode is it. We sit down with Rodeo Houston Champion and Elite Steer Wrestler Holden Meyers to break down the real work behind the scenes : how he prepares, how he trains around injury, and how his faith shapes everything from competition to life decisions. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why high-quali...

This week we are cross-posting with our good buddies at Squatch Juice!  In this episode, we sit down with Doug Champion, founder of Champion Living, to talk about the critical role of mental and physical health in the professional rodeo world. Doug shares how he became the first to develop a program specifically designed for rodeo athletes; especially those competing at the NFR level. From perform...

In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, we dive into the role that discipline and the right equipment play in rodeo performance and why both matter more than most athletes realize. From behind-the-chutes conversations to real-world insight, we break down how your approach to training, preparation, and gear can directly impact how you show up when it's time to compete. We also introduce one...

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 b...

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 thei...

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 inste...

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 i...

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 f...

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 tough...

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)...

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 j...

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 togethe...

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 inte...

Live from the National Finals Rodeo , this episode of The Champion Living Podcast features a powerful conversation with Caleb Bennett and Sam Peterson . Two athletes. Two different chapters. One shared pursuit of excellence. Caleb reflects on the lessons that come with years in the sport — leadership, resilience, and perspective. Sam opens up about his rise, the pressure of competing at a high lev...

What happens after rodeo—and who do you become when the arena lights turn off? In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast , Doug Champion sits down live at the NFR with Jerrod Johnston , former pro rodeo athlete and current lead contact for PRCA Youth Camps , to talk about the evolution of rodeo, developing the next generation of athletes, and the identity shift that every competitor eventuall...

In this episode of The Champion Living Podcast , we sit down with Jordan Jo Hollobaugh — professional breakaway roper, entrepreneur, and one of the most driven athletes in the sport. Jordan Jo opens up about her journey through rodeo, the sacrifices it's taken to compete at a high level, and what it really means to build a career inside and outside the arena. We talk mindset, discipline, confidenc...

Technology threw a curveball this week — but the show goes on. In today's episode, Doug breaks down what's coming at this year's NFR , shares updates on the Champion Living × Hooey Fit App , and walks you through every new feature, track, and program inside the platform. From roughstock and timed-event training to beyond-the-arena fitness, Doug lays out exactly how rodeo athletes can finally train...