Handling Pressure When Everyone Is Watching

Why “Just Have Fun” Is Harder Than It Sounds

People always say: “Just relax.” “Just enjoy it.” “Just have fun.” But when your dreams matter deeply to you, it’s rarely that simple. In this episode, I talk about the emotional pressure behind rodeo, competition, and ambition — and why so many athletes struggle to enjoy the thing they love most. We discuss: • How passion slowly turns into pressure • The fear of wasting potential or falling behind • Why perfectionism steals joy from the process • The emotional weight athletes carry quietly • Learning how to be present instead of constantly chasing the next goal • Reconnecting with the reason you started in the first place Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t working harder. Sometimes it’s allowing yourself to enjoy where you already are. Links & Resources: * Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content * also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

Learning to Ride for Yourself, Not the Crowd

In a world full of opinions, social media, pressure, and competition, it’s easy to forget why you started riding in the first place. This episode is about learning how to stop performing for everyone else and reconnect with riding for yourself again. Links & Resources: * Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content * also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

Rebuilding Confidence After a Setback

Sometimes one moment changes the way you see yourself. And suddenly something that once felt natural starts feeling terrifying. In this episode, I talk about the emotional side of rebuilding confidence after setbacks, because losing confidence doesn’t always happen loudly. Sometimes it happens quietly in hesitation, overthinking, and fear nobody else notices. We discuss: • How setbacks affect your identity as a rider • The silent fear that follows difficult experiences • Why confidence is not the absence of fear • Rebuilding trust in yourself one small moment at a time • Learning to stop punishing yourself for being human • Carrying lessons forward without letting them control your future Confidence rarely returns all at once. Links & Resources: * Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content * also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo, Rocket Donkey and Bucked Up using code RachelF10, and Swingin9t using code RachelFenske14

The Role of Nutrition in Barrel Racing Performance & Longevity

Nutrition is one of the most overlooked parts of the horse world, but it impacts everything from stamina and recovery to soundness and longevity. In this episode of Riding Against the Odds, I dive into: • How nutrition affects barrel racing performance • Why forage and hydration matter more than people realize • The connection between feeding, injury prevention, and recovery • Why more supplements doesn’t always mean better • The importance of individualized feeding programs • How nutrition supports long-term equine health and soundness Links & Resources: * Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content * also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo, Rocket Donkey and Bucked Up using code RachelF10, and Swingin9t using code RachelFenske14 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

Performance-Enhancing Drugs in the Horse World- Where Do We Draw The Line?

From Lasix and pain-masking medications to the pressure to stay competitive, this episode dives into the ethical side of equine sports and why conditioning, horsemanship, and long-term horse welfare should matter more than quick fixes. In this episode I discuss: • The difference between veterinary care and performance enhancement • How drugs can compromise fair competition • Why conditioning matters more than people realize • The “pipe” analogy that changed how I view fitness vs medication • The long-term consequences of pushing horses past their limits • Why protecting the horse should always come first Links & Resources: * Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content * also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo, Rocket Donkey and Bucked Up using code RachelF10, and Swingin9t using code RachelFenske14 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!