The 817 Podcast

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

“I Didn’t Know If I’d Ride Again…” | Lee Francois Testimony

“I Didn’t Know If I’d Ride Again…” | Lee Francois Testimony Kody Porterfield Lee Francois didn’t just build a $4 million career in the cutting pen…He nearly walked away from it all. After years of grinding, winning, and chasing success at the highest level, burnout hit. Then came the moment that changed everything… he was in a hospital bed, unsure if he’d ever ride again. In this episode of The 817 Podcast, Lee shares the full, unfiltered story behind his journey, from a young kid who knew he was called to train horses… to becoming one of the most respected names in the cutting horse industry… to facing the reality of losing it all. From early days watching legends in Augusta… To working for top trainers and finding his edge… From the rise of a once-in-a-lifetime horse to winning at the highest level… To the moment that forced him to slow down, refocus, and rediscover his purpose… This is deeper than a horse story. It’s about identity, burnout, faith, and realizing success means nothing if it costs you your life. You’ll hear: • The moment he knew he was called to be a horse trainer • Why “great horses make great trainers” is more true than people realize • The hidden cost of success in the cutting horse industry • What happened in the hospital that changed his perspective forever • How faith reshaped his career, family, and future • The truth about balance, purpose, and longevity in the sport Lee opens up about pressure, purpose, family, and the reality of chasing greatness — and what it takes to keep going when everything in you wants to quit. If you’re in the cutting horse world, chasing a dream, battling burnout, or searching for purpose in what you do — this episode is for you. This is the story of what happens when everything you built is put on the line… and you’re forced to decide what really matters. #CuttingHorse #CowboyLife #FaithStory