Trevor Brazile: The Business Of Being The Best

One of the world’s most famous cowboys took time to chat with COWGIRL about his passion for roping, the pressure to win, and his relentless climb to the top of the rodeo record books.

COWGIRL: COWGIRL magazine is about having a passion for life, for getting up in the morning and being excited about what you’re going to do that day. It seems like you’re the same way, and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to put you on our cover (November/December 2012 issue).

TB: I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. I wake up every day and get to do what I love for a living. I have the same passion for roping as an adult that I had when I was a kid!

COWGIRL: What advice do you have for others who are trying to be successful in rodeo or other areas of their life?

TB: Have fun no matter what. I try not to lose sight that. I do what I love and am able to make a living that way. Also, be willing to finish what you start. It’s easy to start stuff; it’s not always easy to finish. Try to surround yourself with successful people.

COWGIRL: Do you feel more or less pressure to win after receiving so many All-Around Championships?

TB: Before having won “The World,” I thought it might take the pressure off but, after having won it seems to add pressure. There’s another level of expectations that’s stacked on top of you. People expect to see you win when you come to a rodeo in their town.

COWGIRL: Rodeo requires frequent traveling. How do you keep your marriage strong?

TB: Travel can become tedious but it’s partnered with getting to do what you love so it’s worth it. Shada and the kids travel with me as much as possible. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Having my family around is one of greatest benefits to this crazy lifestyle. It’s amazing to share my success with them and when I’ve had a bad day, there’s nothing that helps more than their support.

COWGIRL: How do you balance rodeo, business, and family obligations?

TB: You work really hard to have opportunities like going to the [Wrangler National] Finals. My schedule is jam packed with obligations but it’s all part of the package. Sponsors, business partners, and fans are all an important part of the rodeo business and I try really hard not to let anyone down.

COWGIRL: Like the superstars of many sports, you’ve become a business unto yourself; you’re not only one of the best cowboys in the world, you are a marketable brand.

TB: You have to treat every aspect of rodeo as a business. A horse business, an endorsement business… One of the biggest benefits of my success has been the doorway to partnerships with some of the industry’s top companies. I am using the products daily and out there talking with fellow competitors and consumers every day. Now I am able to use these relationships and help guide product development to improve upon the things I use on a daily basis. We have created some cutting edge products for today’s cowboy.

COWGIRL: Trevor, what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

TB: Shada says I’m the most spontaneous man she’s ever met. I don’t need structure (laughs). I guess that’s a result of living the rodeo life. I am up for whatever, whenever! People think that I am really disciplined but I’m not. I might rope daylight to dark but I don’t find that to be disciplined, I just call it taking advantage of the situation.

(Originally published in the November/December 2012 issue of Cowgirl Magazine).