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Zach Arend

BUSINESS & LIFE HAPPEN IN THE ARENA: Guiding executives, entrepreneurs, and sales pros to champion themselves and their team to Lead in the Arena™

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Fee Range: Contact Speaker Exchange Agency

  • Former 2x State Champion Saddle Bronc Rider
  • Former VP of Sales of a $300 million logistics company
  • TEDx Speaker 2024 – Saddle Your Own Horse™
  • 20 years of training thousands of sales pros, leaders, and their executive teams
  • Professionally trained Storyteller
  • Certified Professional Coach

*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.

Zach’s journey from the rodeo arena to the boardroom is packed with grit, growth, and the kind of no BS leadership wisdom we all need more of.

He’s spent the last 20 years helping entrepreneurs, executives, and sales pros “Saddle Their Own Horse” a modern leadership mindset built on clarity, confidence, and purpose.

If you’re ready for fresh ideas, real connection, and the kind of energy that’ll fuel your next big move, you’re going to love Zach!

Unbridled: Leadership Starts with You

2X Saddle Bronc Riding Champion Zach Arend challenges executives, sales professionals, and change-makers to rethink what leadership demands in today’s world.

Too often, even the most loyal, hardworking leaders fall into what he calls the “Good Soldier Dilemma”—caught in cycles of doing, fixing, and rescuing instead of truly leading.

Through powerful storytelling and raw lessons from his years in competitive rodeo, Zach inspires audiences to saddle their own horse and reclaim their leadership potential—with radical responsibility, presence, and personal power.

  • Break the Good Soldier Cycle: Spot the signs of busyness, quiet resignation, or frustration—and learn how to shift into leadership marked by clarity and courage.
  • Saddle Your Own Horse: Uncover the hidden stories driving ineffective behavior, stress, or self-doubt—and rewrite them in service of confidence, character, and clarity.
  • Unbridled Leadership Defined: Learn the subtle art of leading yourself first—so you can empower others, speak with influence, and create change that matters.
The Wild Ride: Living Life in the Arena

What would change if you stopped sitting in the grandstands—and started leading from the arena of your own life?

In this powerful keynote, 2X Saddle Bronc Riding Champion turned leadership coach Zach Arend shares his hard-earned lessons from 8-second rides on the bronc to everyday leadership challenges in the office. This is not just a talk about leadership—it’s a call to get off autopilot, lean into discomfort, and ride with clarity and conviction.

You’ll discover three transformational shifts that will help you stop drifting, start leading, and show up where it matters most—no matter how hard life bucks.

  • Eyes on the Bronc: 
    Lead with vision. Focus on what’s possible, not just what’s wrong.
  • Raise High & Lift: 
    Let go of control. Lead with courage, character, and presence.
  • Put People in the Arena: 
    Stop rescuing. Start leading in a way that calls others to rise.

You won’t just leave inspired—you’ll leave changed. More committed. More present. More ready to lead from the arena. Get ready for a wild ride!

Luck of the Draw: The Myth of Leadership Development

In this powerful and engaging session, Zach Arend helps leaders shift their focus from fixing problems to developing people. Straight from his Saddle Your Own Horse™ playbook, this experience equips leaders to build a culture where everyone shows up, steps up, and owns their role.

  • Coach Over Control: 
    Empower your team to engage with you—not lean on you—using simple, practical coaching techniques.
  • Feedback That Moves People: 
    Deliver honest, actionable feedback that drives growth—not defensiveness.
  • Lead Through the Tough Stuff: 
    Stay present and effective when things get hard—without losing your people (or yourself).

This session will challenge how you lead—and transform how your team shows up.

VP Human Resources, PBI Gordon Companies
“Zach is not your typical corporate coach…”
Director, Thayer County Hospital
“This was NOT fluff!”
CEO, WarehouseQuote
“…raise the level of responsibility in the business.”
Applications Learning Lead, The University of Kansas Health System
“…literally moved me forward in my profession.”
President, SHRM-KC, Chief People Officer, Lettermen’s Energy
“...may cause discomfort, but in a very inspiring way!”
Director of Professional Development, BLD Connection
“…sparked meaningful conversations after the session ended.”
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