Stepping Into the Ring at 41: Grit, Growth, and Going Bare Knuckle | LLBD #53

What drives a 41-year-old husband, father of three, and CSO of a $300M brand to willingly get punched in the face—on purpose?In this raw and riveting episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Dan Gardner, Chief Sales Officer of Bucked Up, to unpack his decision to enter a professional bare knuckle boxing match. From the blood, stitches, and mental battles to the business lessons and parenting insights, Dan shares why this fight wasn’t about victory in the ring—but triumph over complacency.This one’s about showing up for your goals, leading by example, and becoming your best self—even when it hurts.This episode is a masterclass in mindset, legacy, and leading with action.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & Dan’s fight aftermath01:30 - Why bare knuckle boxing at 41?06:24 - Training, diet, and mental prep10:22 - Doers vs critics mindset14:12 - Bucked Up’s $300M growth story23:14 - Will Dan fight again?29:15 - Mental battles & defining moments34:04 - Becoming a better father and leader38:26 - Sales mindset & hospital bed closing story44:12 - Final advice on excuses & legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.