Brandon Smith

Husband to @JoyAnnElizabeth. Dad. Friend. Follower of Jesus. EVP of @glidewell_pro Host of the @missoulapodcast. Public speaker. Author of #happyhippobook 🦛

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

So, there I was, dreaming of inspiring others with my words…hoping to speak on big stages and share my insights with the world. Of course, the journey wasn’t without its bumps. People had doubts and questioned if I had what it took.

Then one day, I got invited to speak at an event that felt like a turning point. I was fired up, already picturing myself motivating the audience and making an impact. It felt like everything I’d worked for was finally happening.

But, as these things go, there was a twist. Someone decided they weren’t too thrilled about my success. They sent an email to the event organizer, throwing shade and trying to discredit me. I remember the email saying something like, "I’m not sure Brandon has the experience...I don’t think he’s really a motivational speaker." Yeah, that hurt.

But instead of letting it get to me, I used it as fuel. I wasn’t going to let someone’s negativity stop me. I kept speaking, honing my craft, whether it was for a small group or a big crowd. Each opportunity made me better, and each connection reminded me why I was doing this.

Fast forward a few years, and all the hard work started to pay off. I found myself speaking in front of thousands, sharing stories, lessons, and hopefully leaving people with something meaningful. My name was showing up in places I never expected, and it felt like I was finally where I belonged.

Then came the moment I’d been dreaming of…the invitation to speak at TEDx. That was it, the big one. Standing on that stage, under the lights, in the red circle, talking to a room full of people, I couldn’t help but think of how far I’d come.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. It wasn’t the doubts of others that defined my path…it was believing in myself and pushing through. And as I wrapped up that talk, I knew I had proven them wrong.

Sure, they said I didn’t have the experience. But I used that to grow, and now here I am, in the red circle and living my dream. So, to anyone facing doubts or roadblocks, keep going. Believe in your vision, because when you push through, you might just surprise yourself…and everyone else too.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Hotel check-in should be at 11 am and check-out at 3 pm. 🚿 #showerthoughts

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

When your wife sees the group chat

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Tinder, but for nearby people that have a printer you can use.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

One of my pet peeves is when people misuse "less." It makes me think fewer of you.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Doctor’s Office: You’re overdue for a physical.

Me: Okay.

Doctor’s Office: We recommended you get one as soon as possible.

Me: Do I have to?

Doctor’s Office: You really should get one, it’s been a couple years.

Me: Alright, let’s get it on the calendar.

Doctor’s Office: Perfect. The earliest appointment we have is 6 months out. Is that okay?

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

What if we’ve been wearing the wrong symbol?

Or maybe not wrong…just incomplete.

The cross matters. It always will. It represents sacrifice, love, and the cost of it all. It’s a powerful reminder of what was given. But here’s the thought I keep having: thousands of people were crucified. As brutal and significant as it was, crucifixion itself wasn’t unique.

What was unique was the empty tomb.

And yet, so much of what we see, wear, and talk about centers on the cross, while the tomb quietly sits in the background.

What if the defining symbol of our faith isn’t just death, but life? Not just suffering, but restoration. Not just “it is finished,” but the deeper truth that it wasn’t the end of the story.

And if that’s true, it changes how we live.

It pulls us away from feeling like we need to prove something and moves us toward bringing things back to life. It shifts the focus. Dead hope can be restored. Broken relationships can be rebuilt. People who feel unseen can be noticed again. What felt final suddenly isn’t.

Maybe the world doesn’t need more people simply wearing crosses around their necks. Maybe it needs more people who actually live like the tomb is empty.

That’s the part that changes everything. Not just that He died, but that He got up.

And maybe, in more ways than we realize, we can too.

Happy Easter!

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Her - You ate all of the @reeses eggs?!?

Me - You left them out in the open on the top shelf under the shirts in the back of the closet.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@chasehen35 Proud of you. Go get em 2.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

One of the things I love most about the @missoulapodcast is getting to sit across from people with unique stories…and this one was no exception.

Honored to record with the @GovGianforte. #montana

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@blakeahssports Competition builds great teams. Development builds great players. The best programs do both.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Big Sky wins it at the buzzer!

Absolute chaos in the AA State Tournament as @EliKasberg buries the game-winner to beat Hellgate.

March basketball at its best. #mtscores

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@nw_C21 The Vandals are on an absolute heater

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

1:51 a.m.

Laying here in the dark thinking about how the night ended.

It didn’t end the way we hoped. But that’s sports. And if we’re honest, that’s life too.

You show up. You believe. You cheer. And when it’s over, you sit with that quiet feeling for a while.

But a week like this was never just about the final score. It was about sitting courtside with my wife and my son. It was about the people, the energy, and being part of a community that actually cares.

Those are the moments you remember.

Credit where it’s due. @VandalHoops ending a 30+ year drought says a lot. Seasons change. Stories change. Sometimes the long wait is exactly what makes the moment so powerful.

Grateful for the memories and the reminder that sports have a funny way of bringing people together.

And to @MontanaGrizBB…thank you for a great season.

Go Griz.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Airplane: We offer FREE wifi

Me: Yes…that’s amazing…and it works?

Airplane: No

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@SkylineSportsMT @VandalHoops The Vandals are on a heater

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

Congrats to the Idaho Vandals on winning the Big Sky Conference Tournament for the first time since 1990.

From a Griz fan…it’s never fun congratulating a rival, but ending a 30+ year drought is legit.

Enjoy it. Well earned. 👏🏀

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@JonRothstein Maybe the fourth try is the charm.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@WordsByBartlett Adjust? They’ve had three chances now.

Montana just beat them again. At some point it’s not about adjustments…it’s just the better team winning.

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@Montanamic74289 @1BigSkyFan1 #notinterested

[Brandon Smith @Brandon5mith]

@Montanamic74289 @1BigSkyFan1 “Difference maker if he’s interested” might be the most accurate scouting report I’ve heard all season.