From Bull Riding to Executive Coaching: How CEOs Build Real Leadership Grit with Brandon Denmon

What does bull riding have to do with executive leadership? More than you think.In the very first episode under the With Hat and Cattle rebrand, Dani sits down with Brandon Denmon, former COO, endurance athlete, and newly appointed Vistage Chair, to talk about courage, community, and what it really takes to be a leader at the highest level.Before he was coaching CEOs, Brandon was riding 2,000-pound bulls at 13 years old. That early exposure to risk, resilience, and responsibility shaped the way he approaches business, leadership development, and high-performance teams today. Now the founder of Peak Executive Solutions and a Vistage Chair serving middle-market CEOs, Brandon helps leaders grow their companies with less stress, more clarity, and stronger community.In this episode, we cover allllll of the following:• Why CEOs and high performers still need coaches• How executive peer groups like Vistage reduce leadership isolation• The power of vulnerability in business leadership• Building high-performance teams rooted in trust• The “Five Dysfunctions of a Team” in real-world application• Why leaders with ranching or blue-collar backgrounds often excel• Margin vs. burnout (and how to engineer culture intentionally)• Entrepreneurship after corporate life• The Go-Giver mindset in business networking• How endurance sports shape mental resilience and business growthSee, With Hat and Cattle is about leaders who are walking the walk they're talking.📚 Books on Brandon's shelf:– The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni– The Go-Giver by Bob Burg– The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz– The 10X Mentor by Grant Cardone– The Triathlete’s Training Bible by Joe FrielBe sure you're subscribed for more conversations with people who walk the walk, from Texas boardrooms to endurance finish lines.And you can find Brandon here on LinkedIn.Connect with Dani Raschel Chou on Instagram @withhatandcattle or via email at [email protected]. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more conversations that leave you better off for listening: With Hat and Cattle I Hosted by Dani Raschel Chou - YouTube! Go to www.withhatandcattle.com to sign up for our mailing list so you don't miss weekly insights. Be sure to check out our affiliate links!