It’s been a few years since I’ve interviewed Nick LeBrun.

At the time, he was chasing down the Forrest Wood Cup, not long after posting an All-American win and seemingly on top of the world. A lot has changed.

By now, many fans of the sport have heard LeBrun’s story of desperation despite decoration, a man on the verge of self-destruction not long after reaching the pinnacle of his career. In a wonderful piece posted to the MLF website, veteran scribe Joe Sills described LeBrun’s battle with internal conflict, his contemplation of suicide and the victorious decisions that brought him back to life.

In short, LeBrun chose God.

Fast forward, and we’ve now witnessed LeBrun go back-to-back, completing a task that has occurred just twice before in Pro Circuit history. How did it happen? How do champion anglers get in a groove and become invincible? The odds of winning back-to-back events are astronomically small, yet LeBrun made it look easy. Was it God who was responsible?

I’ve never fully breeched this subject before. This, of course, has been a conscious decision on my part, always avoiding politics and religion when it comes to getting in a boat and having a good time. Yet time and again, we’ve been witness to successful professional anglers who give nearly all the credit to a higher power. Sometimes it’s each individual catch. Others, it’s in the winner’s circle.

My interview with Nick LeBrun dove in head first.

First, the fishing itself. What’s changed?

“Nowadays, I make sure I’m always fishing to win, and always fishing my strengths” he said. Sure. I’ve heard that before.

But LeBrun was careful to differentiate from the rhetoric. When researching for an upcoming event, LeBrun avoids any thoughts of getting outside of his comfort zone. Techniques are standard power-fishing, and will always be. There’s no temptation to experiment with local methods while on tour.

“It’s hard to learn at an event” LeBrun said, referring to taking on a new approach at each stop. “You need to try and do your learning when it’s not game day.”

So, for LeBrun, the game begins the same way each time. He lists cypress trees, heavy grass and offshore brush as his favorite primary patterns. Lures include big worms, jigs, cranks, ChatterBaits and punch rigs. Occasionally, a spinning rod comes out with a wacky-worm. “I know I’m not going to win throwing a dropshot.” LeBrun leaves that to the other guys.

But what about those fisheries that set up best for techniques LeBrun finds foreign? “I’m not afraid to go against the grain,” he stated. We’ve seen this before, and it often works. Sticking to your guns can be the biggest ally to a competitor, confidence already sewn in.

LeBrun also lists consistency as an important part of his plan. But not the way most of us think, in terms of finishes. For LeBrun, consistency is equally important in terms of process. Planning for a trip. Research. Rigging. Having a routine and not changing up what works for him. LeBrun focuses on the steps involved, each as important as the fishing itself, to center himself and create a winning strategy for the entirety of each event.

But the most important part of LeBrun’s strategy certainly lies within, and it’s a component we see little analytical discussion of.

When asked the most important aspects of his agenda – his blueprint for a successful career in fishing, mind you – LeBrun lists, in order:

1. Faith in Christ
2. Focus on Christ
3. Being in a good season in life, concentrating on his marriage and fatherhood
4. Finances
5. Health

Nowhere does he list developing new techniques, winning AOY or gaining YouTube subscribers. There’s nothing about sponsorships.

Don’t discount that for a lack of concern; LeBrun has built quite a successful fishing career. But in order to be successful in life as a whole, according to LeBrun, he just needs to continue to work on his list. “If every box is checked, it makes it easier to go out and win.”

Surely, though, looking back, LeBrun sees the change. He witnesses the ease in making decisions that comes after cashing a big check, having past success and a financial support system in place. Or maybe it’s knowledge of the fisheries; that increases each year, as does a reliable network of information.

“I’m fishing the same way I did two years ago (when the wheels were seemingly falling off). I wish I had some philosophical formula. But I don’t. If I had to guess, (the list) is what I’d guess (is responsible).”

What about three in a row? Nobody’s ever done that on the MLF side. Surely there’s a flicker in LeBrun’s eye about the possibility. “That would be great”, he said. “But I won’t be thinking about it”.

And I believe he won’t.

LeBrun doesn’t seem to consider worldly accomplishments when deciding his best move. What were once the most important particulars now seem trivial. “I use this (career) to share my story and encourage people. I’m blessed and highly favored, and that gives me the confidence that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

In everything, it seems. When talking with LeBrun, you get the feeling that he’s confident in his every move. His genuine persona literally brightens the day.

Now, I’ve been around this before. Many of you will immediately think of someone in your life who broadcasts this same personality. A deeper understanding of the important things in life. But can it truly be applied to the peace of mind and confidence we all recognize as internal parts of bass fishing success? Perhaps.

Analytically speaking, I’ve always felt that individuals secure in their place in the world are prone to perform better in competition and times of stress. There’s no second-guessing. I’m certainly not discounting LeBrun’s faith. In fact, I’m admiring it.

Whether part of the plan of the divine, or simply an outspoken fan, Nick LeBrun is winning bass tournaments. As he’s doing so, he’s reminding us all that anything is possible, and none of us are out of it.

“Nobody’s life is ever over. There’s always hope in Christ. God can change any circumstance,” he reminds us.

So which is it? If confidence wins bass tournaments, is the focus on a higher power simply an analytical way to become trusting, centered and, in fact, more confident? Or is that same trust being measured up and rewarded by a force greater than all of us, anxious to see his children on a path to a better way?

That one’s up to you.

(Joe Balog is the often-outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)