Grit Rising

Ryan Peddycord is the CEO and Founder of Tide Rock, an evergreen holding company built on an unlevered approach to private equity: permanent capital, no bank debt, and a focus on economically resilient B2B businesses. Before Tide Rock, he built his reputation as an operator, leading Business.com as CEO and Chairman and growing a string of B2B companies to double-digit growth year over year. He holds a degree from UC Santa Barbara and furthered his business education through Harvard Business School's Executive Education program. In this episode of Grit Rising, Ryan opens up about what actually separates successful CEOs from the rest, the core principles he's built his career around, and the private equity strategy most firms keep close to the vest. It's a rare, unfiltered look at radical transparency in an industry known for anything but. You will not want to miss this episode!

He's the Lights Out XF Welterweight Champion. And on May 16th, he'll be fighting in front of the world as part of a Netflix MMA fighting main event. Jake Babian is the real deal and he's one of our own. Grit Rising host Trent Bryson sits down with the Bryson sponsored fighter to dig into the mindset, sacrifice, and relentless grit it takes to rise to the top of MMA. Because the same discipline that builds a champion in the cage is often the same discipline that builds winners in the business world too. If you've ever wondered what separates elite performers from everyone else, whether in sports or in business, this conversation answers that question.

This special episode of the Grit Rising podcast features host Trent Bryson in conversation with his daughter, Alexa Bryson. A current student at UC Santa Barbara and a standout runner on the cross country and track teams, Alexa brings curiosity and a fresh perspective as she interviews her father about the path that shaped his career. Trent reflects on starting his career at Merrill Lynch before returning to Bryson to help grow the family business in new directions, expanding beyond its insurance roots into areas such as private equity. The conversation centers on grit, resilience, and the mindset of finding a way when the path forward is not always clear. Alexa asks thoughtful questions about the risks, decisions, and lessons that shaped her father's journey. The episode also serves as a tribute to Trent's father, Rick, whose example of determination and perseverance continues to guide the Bryson family. It is a conversation about legacy, grit, and the responsibility each generation carries to keep moving forward and find its own way.

Thomas Flohr is a Swiss entrepreneur and visionary in private aviation, best known as the founder and chairman of VistaJet. After building a successful career in asset finance, he launched VistaJet in 2004 to redefine business aviation with a global fleet and a pioneering subscription model. Today, VistaJet serves leaders, innovators, and changemakers in over 180 countries, offering seamless travel without aircraft ownership. A true disruptor, Flohr has combined Swiss precision with bold innovation to create one of the world's most influential aviation companies, while continuing to expand Vista Global's footprint across mobility and luxury services worldwide. In this episode of Grit Rising, Trent and Thomas discuss the importance of listening to the customer. Don't miss this episode full of lessons on how to build a massively successful company.

Ron Earley is a distinguished entrepreneur and sales expert celebrated for building multiple million-dollar companies and generating over $1.4 billion in revenue through ventures like Greywolfe Investing. Known as the "Salesgod," he has closed more than $40 million in high-ticket sales and distilled his winning sales strategies into the best-selling book Closer, a trusted guide for sales professionals worldwide. Beyond business, Ron earned the key to the city of Sarasota, Florida, for his courageous efforts delivering life-saving supplies during a devastating hurricane, showcasing his unwavering commitment to community and leadership under pressure. In this episode of Grit Rising, Ron shares how he relentlessly optimizes for success, builds rapport in networking, and reveals key insights for achieving big goals. This is an episode you won't want to miss!