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.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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