Test Don’t Guess: Functional Medicine for Rodeo & Ranch Life (w/ Dr. Victor Carsrud, Breather Mae)
Champion Living with Doug Champion
Release Date: 10/27/2025
Why Rodeo Is Producing Tough Athletes — But Not Prepared Ones
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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 toughness and preparation, why being busy doesn’t equal being ready, and how common development paths like rodeo schools often fail to provide lasting structure or accountability. The coaches also...
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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 just as much as talent. This conversation goes deeper than results. It’s about growth, decision-making, and building a foundation that allows you to last — not just show up. Whether you’re a...
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Chancey Williams & Wade Sankey: What Most People Don’t Understand About Rodeo, Music & the Western World
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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 together shaped their mindset, and what it takes to build something that lasts in an industry that doesn’t hand anything out. This episode covers the realities behind the scenes — the grind, the...
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Jake Lees | NFR Round 6 2025 | Choosing the Right Path in Pro Rodeo
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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 intentional decisions early in your career can set you up for long-term success. He also shares what it takes to keep improving year after year, why fundamentals matter more than chasing wins, and...
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What It Takes to Last in Pro Rodeo | Caleb Bennett & Sam Peterson
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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 level, and what he’s learning as his career continues to grow. Together, they give listeners an inside look at what it really takes to survive — and thrive — in professional rodeo. This episode is...
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The Next Generation & The Man You Become After Rodeo | Jerrod Johnston
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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 eventually faces. Jerrod shares powerful stories from the road, lessons learned the hard way, and why today’s athletes need a different approach than generations before them. From youth camps and athlete...
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Jordan Jo Hollobaugh: Mindset, Pressure & Building a Career Beyond the Arena
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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, confidence, and how she’s learned to navigate pressure, expectations, and growth as both an athlete and a businesswoman. This conversation goes beyond wins and losses. It’s about identity, longevity,...
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Inside the New Hooey Fit App + NFR Week Preview
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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 with purpose instead of guessing in the gym. We’re also gearing up for nine straight days of live podcast episodes at the NFR, hosted from the Fenoglio Boot Booth inside Cowboy...
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Peptides, NAD & LactiGo for Real-World Recovery (w/ Dr. Willie Villarreal)
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In this episode of the Champion Living Podcast, Doug sits down with Dr. Willie Villarreal to unpack what’s real and what’s hype around peptides, NAD, hormone therapy, and a breakthrough recovery gel called LactiGo. They dive deep into real-world recovery for rodeo athletes, ranchers, and outdoorsmen — breaking down what actually works to heal faster, move better, and perform longer. You’ll learn: Peptides 101 — BPC-157 & TB-500 explained (when to use, oral vs injection). NAD for energy & longevity — how delivery method impacts results. LactiGo — the patented...
info_outlineDoug sits down with Dr. Victor Carsrud, Head of Functional Medicine & Health Innovation at Breather Mae, to map a no-fluff health playbook for high-demand performers—rodeo athletes, ranchers, farmers, and anyone who works hard.
We dig into why “test, don’t guess” matters, how a simple Gut Check unlocks better hormone balance and recovery, and the panels most annual physicals miss (full thyroid with antibodies, prolactin for pituitary stress, micronutrients, organic acids). We also get real on environmental toxins (mold, microplastics, PFAS), what to eat on the road, and why 30g protein within 30 minutes of waking changes your day.
What you’ll learn
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Why TSH alone isn’t enough: add Free T3/T4 + TPO/TG antibodies
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How gut → brain → hormones all connect (and why it’s step one)
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When prolactin flags pituitary stress (think head hits/endocrine disruptors)
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“Test don’t guess” supplements (yes, vitamin D can be too high)
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Tiered testing: Baseline → Tier 1/2 → Tier 3 → Olympiad
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Real-world fueling for the road: protein-first wins for energy & focus.
Chapters
00:00 Intro & access-anywhere functional medicine
02:15 What basic labs miss (TSH ≠ full thyroid picture)
08:40 Coaching model: from “doctor knows best” to partnership
10:45 Gut ↔ brain ↔ hormones—no more silos
15:00 You can’t out-supplement bad data
21:00 Why proactive labs matter in dangerous sports & work
27:10 Low T in roughstock? Stress, sleep, hits & gut links
28:20 Breather Mae tiers (Baseline → Olympiad)
49:30 Protein timing: the 30/30 rule
54:00 Recovery & oxidative stress markers
59:00 Making 80-page labs actionable (not pill-pushing)
1:03:00 Pricing, installments, and ROI for athletes
Brought to you by our partners:
🤠 Rodeo Now App — the all-in-one platform for rodeo athletes to track entries, standings, and schedules in one place. If you rodeo, you need Rodeo Now. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
🧬 Breather Mae — Use code CLF100 for a discount on testing tiers at https://breathermae.com/registration -
Connect
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Train with us: Champion Living Fitness App
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IG: @champion.living
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Guest: Dr. Victor Carsrud — Breather Mae
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