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Episode 14 | Marni Porath | Riding Together with Special Needs

In this episode, Marni tells us her story of raising a child with special needs. After finding out she was pregnant with twins, Marni and her husband were ecstatic. However, things quickly changed when the twins were born 14 weeks early and their daughter had complications resulting in cerebral palsy and blindness. The world Marni was used to was changed in a moment, but she didn't let that stop her from creating an incredibly beautiful life-for her, her children, and her community as she used her experience to start a therapeutic riding program-Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center. Marni and her team have now helped hundreds of children, their families, and remains a beacon of light to her community.

*If you'd like to learn more about Rising Stars Therapeutic Center, donate, volunteer, or learn how you can help please visit their website: Therapeutic Horseback Riding Programs | Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center, Twin Falls, ID.

We also encourage you to check out this video of Hannah, one of their program participants: Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center: Meet Hannah

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Episode 13 | Nikki Nelson | Kegels No More for a Stronger Pelvic Floor

In this episode, Nikki walks us through her story of pelvic floor dysfunction; specifically pelvic organ prolapse. In it, she tells us about the devastating news she received from her Obgyn, how it impacted her mental health, her riding, and what she did about it. After several years of research and experience, Nikki not only learned how to handle her own pelvic floor dysfunction issues, but also became certified to help others. And well-she ditched the kegels too, because it turns out-they aren't all that helpful for most-even though they are prescribed by almost every women's health professional. This is a story of trial, error, and hope.

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Episode 12 | Kitanna Barnes | Gone but Always Remembered

Grab the tissues. In this episode, Kitanna Barnes shares her tragic story of losing her mom at just 15 years old. She shares her experience with all of the challenges that came with caring for a sick parent, growing up too fast, saying goodbye far too soon, moving in with her grandma, and battling with her own mental health through it all. In this episode, Kitanna graciously shares her story and how she's kept going, so that her mom, Kandise, will never be forgotten.

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Episode 11 | LaDonna Pierce | Leave It At the Door

In the last episode LaDonna Pierce, shared an amazing story of her young mare that she trained and became the Reserve World Champion Barrel Racer and Pole Bender. In this short episode, she tells us what happened after her year of rodeo. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but if LaDonna has learned to "leave it at the door" when challenges come her way.

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Episode 10 | LaDonna Pierce | Divided but United in Purpose

From a harrowing success story about her start to rodeo on a cool little mare that she trained herself, to an unexpected divorce when her son was young-there’s a lot to learn from LaDonna Pierce in our short time together. She not only proves that you can do anything that you put your mind to, but she also shows that happy coparenting is possible-even in a crazy rodeo world where things get expensive, jumbled on the calendar, and lots of travel exists.

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Episode 9 | Nanci Carlton | The Dream and a White Picket Fence

This episode is with none other than Nanci Carlton. From a rodeo act to motherhood- her story is unique, complete with a divorce, 3 older children, a new thriving marriage and 2 younger kids who have taken the rodeo world by storm. Like everyone, she’s faced heartbreak, setbacks and had an unimaginable work ethic that’s given her their current life. Which is, of course, filled with daily rodeo practice, roping hundreds of steers, and chasing her kids' dreams. If you ask her-she’s literally living her dream, complete with a white picket fence.

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Episode 8 | Kayla Merritt | Working Through the Hard

Kayla Merritt is no stranger to hard things. She grew up in a small town in a blended family, and has always run full speed ahead despite the challenges of life. But last year she lost her youngest brother, which was like a punch to the heart that nothing could have ever prepared her for. In that same time frame, she also became the primary caretaker for her dad when he started having health issues. All of it was hard-really hard. Kayla isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and that’s one of the things I love about her. She lives life fiercely, but recognizes that it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and won't try to tell you otherwise. From the heaviness of losing her brother, to caring for her dad-rodeo is what brings her family back together and gives them some joy amongst the hard.

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Episode 7 | Roanie Kasel | Finding Gratitude for the Little Things

In this episode, all-around cowgirl, Roanie Kasel, tells us her life story as she begins to tackle her second year of college. Her story is one of grit, determination and a whole lot of support from her parents with a special appreciation for her mom who has always been by her side. She's faced injuries in huge moments, horse emergencies when she needed them most, and everything else that comes with living the rodeo lifestyle. From junior rodeos to college rodeos, Roanie's biggest piece of advice is to never give up and always find the joy in the little things; because one day, it'll all be nothing but a memory.