The Chris Voss Show Podcast – The Man That I Would Become by Victor L Bretting

Victor L. Bredding, an eighth-generation Texan and construction executive, reveals in his new book *The Man That I Would Become* how losing his mother sparked a mission to preserve family legacy and help others through adversity. Raised without a father, Victor learned early that survival meant becoming the 'man of the family'—a role that hardened him but eventually cost him emotional connection. His journey from emotional isolation to leadership through compassion forms the core of the book. Now, through his B-Tex Ranch in Texas, Victor hosts veterans and at-risk men in outdoor hunts not for sport, but as a form of therapy—rebuilding brotherhood, reducing PTSD, and restoring purpose. He argues that modern men are suffering from a crisis of connection, with suicide rates soaring because they lack tribes. His solution? Reclaiming shared experiences in nature, where men can talk, laugh, and be present—free from the performance of masculinity. The ranch, which hosts corporate retreats and conservation-focused hunts, is a living testament to his belief: 'You're not put on this earth to take, you're put on this earth to give.' The episode is a raw, humorous, and deeply human exploration of masculinity, legacy, and healing. Victor’s blend of self-deprecating humor—like falling off a horse at five or joking about dating in Olney, Texas—underscores a serious message: men need safe spaces to be vulnerable.