I Quit College to Learn From Horse Legends

The Difference Between Winners and Losers? One More Try. | Shane Carlon's Success Story

The Difference Between Winners and Losers? One More Try. | Shane Carlon's Success Story Kody Porterfield Shane Carlon's story is proof that success isn't built overnight—it's earned through years of hard work, sacrifice, resilience, and refusing to quit when things get tough. From moving to Texas as a teenager and learning under some of the best horsemen in the industry to becoming one of the leading trainers and sellers of elite cutting horses, Shane shares the lessons, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped his journey. This conversation dives into the mindset required to succeed at a high level, the value of preparation, the importance of surrounding yourself with great people, and why the grind is often where the biggest growth happens. You'll Also Hear: * How Shane built his business from the ground up * The sacrifices required to pursue a dream * Lessons learned from top trainers in the cutting horse industry * The importance of preparation and confidence in competition * The role family and support systems play in long-term success * Why simplicity wins when the pressure is highest * The mental habits that separate winners from everyone else * Advice for young trainers looking to make it in the horse industry Whether you're involved in the horse industry, building a business, or chasing a goal of your own, this episode offers valuable lessons on persistence, discipline, and what it really takes to win. This story will inspire you and transform your mindset. #CuttingHorses #HorseTrainer #The817Podcast

I Quit College to Learn From Horse Legends

I Quit College to Learn From Horse Legends Kody Porterfield Frank Merrill's Incredible Journey of quitting college to learn everything he could from Horse Legends. What would make someone walk away from college with only two semesters left? For Frank Merrill, the answer was simple: he wanted an education that couldn't be found in a classroom. In this episode of The 817 Podcast, Frank shares the story of chasing a dream, buying the legendary mare Miss Jim 45, and learning directly from some of the most respected horsemen in Quarter Horse history. From his first horse at five years old to building Winward Stud and eventually serving as President of AQHA, Frank reveals the lessons, risks, relationships, and life-changing decisions that shaped his remarkable career in the horse industry. This is a masterclass in horsemanship, mentorship, leadership, and following a vision when everyone else thinks you're crazy. 🐴 You'll also hear: • The story behind paying $25,000 for a horse when that was almost unheard of • How Miss Jim 45 became one of the most legendary mares in Quarter Horse history • Why mentorship mattered more than formal education • The lesson that helped build Winward Stud • The importance of putting the horse first in every decision • Stories from the golden era of the Quarter Horse industry Subscribe to The 817 Podcast for more conversations with ranchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and the people preserving the traditions that built Texas and the American West. #QuarterHorses #HorseIndustry #Ranching

The INSANE Mental Pressure of Being a Million-Dollar Horse Vet

The INSANE Mental Pressure of Being a Million-Dollar Horse Vet Kody Porterfield What’s it really like carrying the pressure of million-dollar horses, high-stakes decisions, and the emotional weight of doing what’s best for the horse every single day? This week on the 817 Podcast, Dr. Scott Strosniter joins us for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had yet. We dive into: * The mental pressure behind elite equine veterinary medicine * Million-dollar pre-purchase exams * Failure, stress, and learning through hard moments * The explosive growth of the horse industry in Texas * Family, mentorship, and legacy * The emotional reality of caring for horses and the people behind them * The INSANE future of horse medicine with MRI and CT technology From hilarious stories to deep life lessons, this episode goes far beyond horses. Discover the pressure, purpose, leadership, and building required to reach greatness. Dr. Scott Strosniter also shares powerful insight on fatherhood, mentorship, and why communication matters more than most people realize in the horse industry. If you’re a competitor, trainer, business owner, veterinarian, or just someone chasing excellence... this episode is for you. #CuttingHorses #HorseIndustry #817Podcast

From Firefighter to Horse Trainer… You Won’t Believe This Story

From Firefighter to Horse Trainer… You Won’t Believe This Story Kody Porterfield WOULD YOU WALK AWAY? What would it take for you to leave everything behind… Your career. Your identity. Your security. In this episode of the 817 Podcast, we sit down with a man who did exactly that — walking away from a life as a firefighter to chase something completely different… all while discovering a deeper purpose along the way. This isn’t just a career change story. This conversation is about: * Facing real pressure in life-or-death situations * Wrestling with identity, fear, and uncertainty * Seeing how God shows up in the moments you don’t understand * Learning why winning and losing don’t define who you are * Developing the mindset to keep going when everything tells you to quit You’ll also hear: * The raw realities of being a firefighter, including moments that will stay with you * The internal shift that changed everything * How one decision redirected the entire course of his life * Why chasing purpose is harder, but always worth it * The truth about resilience, faith, and starting over * This episode will challenge you big time. It will make you ask: What am I doing that I know I shouldn’t be? What am I holding onto that I need to let go of? Is fear the only thing keeping me where I am? And maybe most importantly… Would you walk away? If this episode hit you, share it with someone who needs this message. #RealMenTalk #LifeChange #PurposeDriven

This Couple Built an Empire Starting With $150 Rent & Pure Grit

This Couple Built an Empire Starting With $150 Rent & Pure Grit Kody Porterfield Michael and Jenny Cooper started with $150 rent… rats in the house… and no real plan for the future. What happened next?A journey built on grit, faith, and relentless work that you can apply in your life today! This is the kind of story that you feel in your bones. In this NEW episode of The 817 Podcast, Kody Porterfield sits down with Michael and Jenny Cooper to unpack how they went from surviving day-to-day… to building a life and legacy most only dream about. This conversation goes way beyond horses or business…It’s about resilience, partnership, and what happens when you refuse to quit, no matter how hard life in the cutting world gets. YOU’LL ALSO HEAR: * What it was really like living on $150 rent with nothing to fall back on * The moment everything could’ve fallen apart… but didn’t * How Michael and Jenny built a business from scratch with zero connections * The role faith and family played in their toughest seasons * Why most people would’ve quit early (and why they didn’t) * The mindset shift that drastically changed everything and led to $6m in earnings * Gems on what real success looks like after the struggle If you need hope, encouragement, and inspiration today, this one is for you! Share this with someone who needs a reminder to keep going. #EntrepreneurStory #SuccessStory #RanchLife