EARLY LIFE & RISE IN RODEO

• Born September 23, 1944 in Santa Maria, California. Initially a motorcycle enthusiast, he didn’t saddle his first bull until age 20—prompted by his father’s advice .

• After a year of self-training on steers and practice bulls, he quit his job and hit the rodeo circuit in 1964, earning his place at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) by 1966, finishing 10th in the world .

Championship & Competitive Accomplishments

1970: Won PRCA World Championship in bull riding, along with NFR Aggregate, riding 9/10 bulls . Out of the top 25 Paying rodeos in the world Gary won 19 of them.  Qualified for the NFR seven times, secured numerous rodeo titles across Calgary, Clovis, Cody, Reno, San Antonio, Pendleton, and more .

A legendary figure in the world of professional rodeo, Gary Leffew has earned widespread recognition for his contributions to the sport of bull riding. His exceptional career and influence have been honored with multiple prestigious accolades:

·       Inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame in 2002

·       Inducted into the Bull Riders Hall of Fame in 2012

·       Received the PBR Ring of Honor in 2018

Mental Game Breakthrough: Psycho‑Cybernetics

·       In 1967, early in his career, Leffew faced a major turning point—a mental slump that caused him to buck off bulls for six straight months. This difficult period led him to explore the power of the mind in competition, sparking a lifelong focus on mental preparation and visualization.

·        Then he discovered Psycho‑Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz—transforming his approach through visualization and positive thinking .

·       He mentally rehearsed rides extensively: “Anything you run through your mind over and over, you will start to believe it” .

 Legacy: Coaching & Cultural Impact

·       Opened the Gary Leffew Bull Riding School in 1969. His methods—which emphasize visualization, straight‑arm technique, meditation, and film study—have produced over 17 PRCA world champions, including stars like 7x world champion Sage Kimzey and 14 other world championships  .

·       Widely credited as the “Bull Guru”

·       Gary Leffew operates the #1 bull riding school in the country—and the world—renowned for producing top-tier riders and setting the gold standard in bull riding education.

Beyond the Arena

·       Transitioned to TV, film, and commercials: served as stunt coordinator, technical advisor, and actor. Produced and acted in over 200 television commercials. Worked on projects like 8 Seconds, HBO’s Deadwood, Pink Cadillac, all films with Jackass, and music videos for artists like Katy Perry, John Mayer and rock band “Korn”.

·       Served as the announcer for the first televised bull riding series, ‘Bull Riders Only,’ for seven years.”

·       Featured in the short documentary The Bull Rider (2015), which highlights his life’s wisdom. ( New York Times)

In Summary

Gary Lee Leffew exemplifies the integration of mental mastery with physical skill. His 1970 championship was enabled not just by technique, but by pioneering positive visualization. That legacy continues through his school, media contributions, and enduring influence on riders for generations.

                                                                    Social Media                                                                               

                                                        Facebook: Gary Lee Leffew

                                                           Instagram: TheBullGuru

                                                                  TikTok:@Bull_Guru 

                                              Podcast: Dare to be Great (coming soon)