The Code To Winning

Ryan Gardner founded Bucked Up in 2016 and has been the managing partner and CEO ever since. Under his supervision, Bucked Up has gone from a local supplement brand to the #1 best-selling pre-workout, available in over 100,000 stores worldwide.   Back in 2001, Ryan and his twin brother Jeff built a successful internet marketing company, promoting everything from supplements to biz opp to lead generation. By 2010, their affiliate network (with only 3 other employees) was earning over $25M+ annually in revenue. In 2015, they saw that social media was the future and decided to start their own social media agency. After over a decade of promoting other people's products, Ryan and Jeff realized it was finally time to put their talents to work promoting their own.   Ryan purchased the domain name DeerAntlerSpray.com in 2013. Not long after, Ray Lewis made headline news when he was accused of taking the spray before the Super Bowl. Sales exploded overnight. Sure, he was in the "Right Time...Right Place," but without Ryan's smart, hard work, he would've missed out on all that success. Shortly after the Super Bowl, he managed to get Deer Antler Spray into GNC and sold thousands of bottles a week for the next two years. Ryan, with the help of a GNC franchise owner, came up with the idea to launch a pre-workout. Despite some skepticism from family, he purchased BUCKEDUP.com for $1500 and named the first pre-workout "Bucked Up." With a great logo, flavor profile, the right ingredients, and a non-proprietary blend, the company started making waves in the supplement industry and never looked back.   This episode Ryan talks about his journey and the start of Bucked Up how the business structure works, affiliates and partners and the vision for the next 10 years. Timestamps00:00 Introduction 03:37 How The Journey Begun08:06 Brand Name Challenges ️10:48 Athlete Selection13:20 Ambassador Payments17:14 Company Growth21:17 Networking Importance24:13 CEO Involvement ‍27:32 Learning From Failure30:03 Intuition in Business32:50 Bucked Up Future38:43 Next Athlete Partner?42:06 Soccer/NFL/ NBA45:35 Brand Equity Focus48:47 Affiliate Program

Catherine Bennett, Executive Editor of Utah Business, joins us for a deep dive into what truly makes Utah one of the best places for entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. With a background in print journalism, she began her career in marketing as a global communications leader, managing a team of 10 translators before stepping into entrepreneurship and launching Backpack Marketing, an agency focused on helping small businesses grow. She later moved into an executive marketing role working across industries including manufacturing, aerospace, and health sciences. In this episode, we explore why Utah stands out from other states when it comes to business culture. We break down how collaboration, accessibility, and a strong community mindset create the perfect environment for solopreneurs, startups, and growing companies. Catherine also shares insights into networking, events, and key resources available in Utah—and how Utah Business serves as a powerful platform to celebrate, connect, and elevate everyday entrepreneurs. If you’re building a business or looking to tap into a thriving ecosystem, this conversation is packed with valuable perspective and practical takeaways. Chapters00:00 Utah Business History03:03 Utah Business Mission05:49 Entrepreneur Journey10:20 Executive Editor Role13:29 Utah Business Advisory17:03 Collaborative Workforce20:41 Utah's Accessibility24:31 Journalistic Integrity27:16 Mission: Celebrate & Elevate30:11 Founder's Struggle ️32:53 Utah Industry Growth41:08 Networking Advice ️45:03 Utah Executive Talk ️50:39 Customer Obsession53:37 Connect with Utah Biz

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James E. Dixon, widely known as SupermanIs4Real, for a deeply moving and powerful conversation on resilience, faith, and purpose. After experiencing a life-altering tragedy that resulted in the loss of his leg, Dr. Dixon made a decision that would define the rest of his life—he refused to be defined by what he lost. Instead, he chose to step fully into his purpose. What many would see as a setback, he transformed into a calling. Recorded around his impactful message at the Little Lambs Fundraiser, Dr. Dixon shares how his journey as an amputee became a platform to inspire, serve, and uplift others. His story is not about limitation—it’s about identity, belief, and the power of perspective. He speaks on how physical loss does not cancel divine purpose, and how mindset can override circumstances. At the core of this conversation is a powerful belief: he never saw himself as broken—he saw himself as Superman. “You may not walk the same—but you still have somewhere to go.” We dive into the lessons that shaped him, the faith that carried him, and the responsibility he feels to impact others through his story. This episode will challenge you to rise above your circumstances, to serve with intention, and to move forward with conviction—no matter what you’re facing. If you’re looking for a reminder of what true strength, purpose, and transformation look like, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Early Life Challenges04:28 Intimidation Factor08:29 Why Me? Question12:18 Overcoming Challenges17:36 Pain to Passion22:40 Grandma's Lifeline27:30 Questioning God33:29 Identity & Purpose37:39 Survivor Mindset ️41:42 YouTube Growth Tips46:15 Avoid Remoras51:06 Perception vs. Truth54:51 Integrity Matters59:23 Authentic Speaking ️01:03:18 The Power of the Core01:07:39 Resilience and Legacy01:11:21 The Meaning of Winning

In this episode, I sit down with Azure Calder, a seasoned mortgage expert with over 20 years of experience in the real estate and lending industry. From processing and management to ownership, Azure has built a career defined by consistency, leadership, and results—personally contributing to over $1 billion in real estate transactions and earning recognition as a top producer and President’s Club winner. But this conversation goes far beyond traditional real estate. Azure breaks down how he helps clients build true generational wealth, whether it’s guiding first-time homebuyers into their first property or helping seasoned investors scale through residential loans, portfolio lending, bridge financing, and commercial deals. His approach is rooted in strategy, mentorship, and understanding how to structure deals that actually work in today’s market. We also dive into topics most people aren’t talking about—aviation ownership, trusts, and business funding strategies that can open doors to entirely new levels of opportunity. Azure shares insights on how entrepreneurs are securing $500K to $750K in funding in as little as four months, along with the systems, positioning, and mindset required to make it happen. This episode is packed with practical game from both a lending and business perspective, including:• How to leverage real estate to build long-term wealth• The role of trusts in protecting and scaling assets• Creative ways to access capital in today’s economy• Inside strategies behind aviation ownership• What it really takes to win in business in 2026 If you’re serious about real estate, funding, and scaling your financial future, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 05:32 The Failure of My First Brokerage08:01 Venture Capital (60% APY) 11:14 What Separates Us ? 12:30 How to Obtain Business Funding?20:03 Aviation: Get Ownership of a Jet? 25:11 The One Investment You Should Do29:39 Trusts: The Hidden Secret to Wealth 34:25 The Importance of Coaching 37:07 The Secret to winning 

Kylie Brenning has been active in the real estate industry since 2018, starting her career in commercial real estate development before transitioning into lending in 2022. That foundation gives her a unique, well-rounded perspective on both the building and financing side of real estate. As a Mortgage Broker, Kylie works across both residential and commercial lending, leveraging strong relationships with a wide network of banks and lending institutions. Her approach is solution-focused—no matter how niche the deal or complex the situation, she believes there is always a loan product or strategy that can make it work. Beyond her work in lending, Kylie serves as the President of E.P.I.C.C. (Empowering Professionals In Clark County), a nonprofit dedicated to giving back through meaningful networking, community-driven events, and supporting local charities and small businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. In this episode, we break down the realities of lending in today’s market—from creative financing strategies to how AI is shaping the future of mortgage brokering. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical insights on navigating credit, income, and opportunity in real estate. 🎙️ Episode Timestamps  0:00 Introduction 3:45 What is Creative Finance? 7:32 DSCR loan , 0 Income Documentation? 12:34 How important is credit score? 16:41 Income vs Credit score 19:50 AI integration as Mortgage Broker 21:35 No Credit vs Bad Credit ? 26:15 Interests Rates & When To Buy ?