Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend... Family First
Brett Penager is a former elite athlete, coach, and entrepreneur with over 40 years of remarkable success. From earning a full-ride wrestling scholarship to building multi hundred-million-dollar healthcare companies, his journey is defined by perseverance, vision, and impact. As the author of LARGER THAN LIFE, Brett travels worldwide to touch, move, and inspire others to discover their full potential.
My primary mission in life is to be a man of total integrity, love and excellence in every area of my life and share freely the universal laws of success that God has granted me the wisdom to learn and use in creating extraordinary success for myself and others.
Brett Penager is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who has dedicated his life to helping others unlock their full potential and achieve success, even in the face of immense adversity. His journey, as chronicled in his book LARGER THAN LIFE – In Pursuit of Discovering Your Full Potential, is a testament to the idea that true success is not about avoiding failure, but learning to overcome it.
From his early days as a top-tier athlete—achieving a 563-89 record, Hall of Fame status, and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison—Penager experienced both triumph and disappointment, never reaching the ultimate pinnacle of his sport despite his accomplishments. That blend of victory and setback would become a recurring theme in his life.
Professionally, Penager’s path has been marked by striking contrasts. While he now ranks among the top 1% of income earners in the United States, he has also faced near bankruptcy, car repossession, and eviction. His leadership journey began with coaching wrestling at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he helped transform a struggling team into a powerhouse. Later, as USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program Coordinator, he authored the Coaches Guide to Excellence and built the program into a flagship initiative for the U.S. Olympic Committee.
He has also endured painful personal challenges, including two divorces and multiple failed engagements. Today, he is happily married to his wife, Stephanie, and together they have a daughter, Mikayla. These experiences have shaped his conviction that to reach the highest highs, one must be willing to endure the lowest lows.
As the founder and CEO of Be Larger Than, Penager empowers individuals through speaking, teaching, and coaching. His book LARGER THAN LIFE serves as both a guide and an inspiration for those seeking to overcome obstacles and pursue excellence. Dedicated to giving back, he serves on boards including Camp Hope For Kids, Logan’s Heart and Smiles, and Beat the Streets Chicago.
Born and raised in Ohio, Brett now calls Chicago home, where he continues to live out his mission of helping others realize their true potential.
Order your copy today to experience the insights that can change your life forever. Take the first step toward becoming LARGER THAN LIFE!
Coming October 2025. First 200 books will be personally autographed by Author and 30% off.
