Beyond the Chutes

In Episode 3 of Quiet Enough to Ride , Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen dive into the powerful mental strategies that separate the good from the great in rodeo. From mastering self-image and visualization to adopting a championship mindset, they share personal stories, practical tools, and timeless wisdom passed down by rodeo’s greatest mentors. 💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode: Insights from Dr....

Join Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen in Episode 2 of Quiet Enough to Ride as they explore the mental game of rodeo—what it truly takes to compete at the highest levels. From building unshakable confidence and self-belief to mastering focus and managing fear, this episode dives deep into the mindset and resilience required to thrive in the arena. Doug and Sam break down the essential components of m...

Quiet Enough to Ride is about more than just 8 seconds or a clean run. It’s about mastering the mental side of rodeo—handling nerves, overcoming setbacks, and staying focused under pressure. This series focuses on mental practices that you can use every day to build toughness and create the mental muscle needed to compete at your best. Doug and Sam draw from decades of experience to share practica...

In this inaugural episode, hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen introduce their groundbreaking series, Quiet Enough to Ride , focused on mastering the mental side of the 3Rs: rodeo, racing, and wrestling. Recorded just past Thanksgiving in Taylorsville, Kentucky, Doug and Sam share over 100 years of combined experience, diving into the pillars of family, faith, and finances while building a mental...

In this episode of BTC, join Doug and Sam as they catch up with wrestling coach Marv Shimmel, a 2013 New York Section 5 Hall of Fame inductee. Marv is a legendary figure with decades of dedication to wrestling and building champions in Western New York. Marv coached Sam back in high school, and in this episode, he shares stories of lessons learned on and off the mat, reflecting on everything from...

BTC hits the road once more. Broadcasting from BTC Studio North, Doug and Sam catch up with rodeo friends, share stories from the road, and relive BTC’s origins with the New York State Rodeo Museum Facebook group. Special guest Kelly Page—bareback bronc riding extraordinaire and champion—takes us back to his beginnings, his passion for horses, and his storied rodeo career. From his early days atte...

This episode of Beyond the Chutes brings listeners to the heart of the 10th Annual Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion with stories of grit, tradition, and the spirit of rodeo. From Marlon's mic check to hearing firsthand from award winners and legends, Doug sits down, in the Show Barn, with a lineup of incredible personalities, each with their unique connections to the rodeo world. Marlon Harris and Bill...

In this episode of Beyond the Chutes, Doug takes us to the 10th Annual Mountain Cove Rodeo Reunion in Georgia, in North Georgia. Recording in the BTC bus, Doug shares stories from the show barn, where rodeo legends gather for this special event organized by Marlin Harris. In this episode, Doug interviews Ernie Roberts, a bull riding legend who grew up in North Georgia and calls Friendship, Tenness...

In this episode host Doug Simcox sits down with renowned Western artist and calf roper, The Big Show from Bristow - Bradley Chance Hays, in his studio in Saratoga, New York. They dive deep into Bradley’s unique journey, discussing everything from growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, to balancing his passion for rodeo with his thriving career as a Western artist. Discover how college rodeo shape...

Welcome to this Short Go Episode of Beyond the Chutes , presented by Parasite Systems. In this episode, we're sitting with Marlon Harris up on Mountain Cove in Chickamauga, Georgia, on a laid-back Labor Day weekend in 2024. Marlon shares hilarious and wild tales about his unforgettable horse, Bar Mona Sam—a true character who kept everyone on their toes, from running off during parades to wreaking...

In this episode of Beyond the Chutes , host Doug Simcox talks with Merrily Steffen, an accomplished rodeo entertainer, now living in Heiko, Texas. Join us as Marilee shares her captivating journey from her first horse purchase in Wheeling, Illinois, to performing unforgettable contract acts like riding a bull named Jambalaya, roman riding and creating a famous dog and monkey duo, Cisco and Poncho....

Join us on a wild ride through the life and times of legendary IPRA Cowboy Randy Steffens. Randy's stories span decades of rodeo adventures, from heart-pounding moments like a skydiver crash-landing on his pickup horse to the everyday challenges and triumphs of life on the road. In this series, we also meet Buck, his remarkable pickup horse, who became a true partner in the arena, helping Randy th...

In this BTC Short Go Episode, join host Doug Simcox as he takes you into the heart of Western culture, rodeo, and the cowboy lifestyle. In this special episode, Doug connects with Georgia Rodeo Cowboy Marlon Harris, who was on his way back from a remarkable event—the 6666 Ranch Remuda Horse Sale in Guthrie, Texas. Marlon shares his experiences from this prestigious sale, offering insight into the...

Welcome to Beyond the Chutes, your gateway to the fascinating world of rodeo, hosted by Doug Simcox. In this episode, we dive into the IRA Rodeo News story "Eight in a Van," written by Wisconsin rodeo cowboy Marty Martins. This tale highlights the adventures of eight cowboys crammed into a Dodge van – the Rob McDonald “Crew”, as they traverse the country during the 4th of July - "Cowboy Christmas"...

In this episode, host Doug Simcox sits down with the legendary Randy Steffens, a rodeo veteran who now calls Hico, Texas, home. Randy’s journey began in Lake Forest, Illinois, as a bronc rider and bull dogger, but it’s his incredible career as a pickup man that took him to the heights of Professional Rodeo. Randy shares captivating tales of his time with the Rafter M Rodeo Company, The Latting Rod...

Welcome to Beyond the Chutes , where we take a deep dive into the thrilling world of professional rodeo. Hosted by Doug Simcox, this episode brings you conversations from the recording studio at the legendary Western Festival de St. Tite in Quebec, celebrating 56 years of rodeo excellence! Doug is joined by Dale Yerigan, 11-time steer wrestling champion and president of the International Professio...

Host Doug Simcox takes us to the heart of Quebec rodeo, broadcasting from the Western Festival de Saint-Tite recording studio. Doug sits down with rodeo cowboy legend Roger Lacasse, who shares his incredible journey from growing up in Quebec and discovering his passion for horses, to moving to Western Canada to kickstart his professional rodeo career. Roger's impressive achievements include winnin...

In this episode of Beyond the Chutes , host Doug Simcox takes you deep into the 56th annual Western Festival des St. Tite. Nestled in the small town of St. Tite, Quebec—home to just 3,800 residents—this 10-day festival draws an incredible 650,000 visitors each year. Doug is joined by special guest Christian LaFrance, who shares the festival's journey from promoting the local leather industry to be...

Beyond the Chutes is on the road again! Join BTC at the Mountain Cove Cowboy Reunion for a special 10th-anniversary celebration put on by Marlon Harris. In this episode, Doug sits down with singer-songwriter and true cowgirl Nikki McLeod, who shares her incredible journey from growing up on a cow-calf operation in North Dakota to making music that celebrates her cowgirl roots. Nikki started writin...

Hosts Doug Simcox and Sam Swearingen take you to Clare, Michigan, to sit down with Jim and Maggie Zinser of the J Bar J Rodeo Company. Join them around the kitchen table as Jim and Maggie share the incredible journey that led them to build one of the most influential rodeo companies in America. From their humble beginnings in Michigan to creating a legendary bloodline with their famous bronc, Nigh...

Join us on a special episode of Beyond the Chutes as we hit the road to McBain, Michigan, for an in-depth conversation at the legendary Cow Camp, home of the 2023 IPRA Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. Hosts Doug and Sam are joined by Star and Kari Hughston to explore the rich history of the Hughston family's deep roots in rodeo. From the early days of their 500-acre Cow Camp to the present, discover how...

Doug and Sam journey to Big Rapids, Michigan, to the 5C Ranch for an exclusive interview with the legendary Bobby "Toad" Cook. With a career spanning decades in bullfighting and rodeo entertainment, Toad Cook has left an indelible mark on the sport - fighting bulls in Mexico City and Calgary, Alberta on the same day. As a 13th-generation descendant of Mayflower signer Francis Cooke, Toad's life is...

Join Doug and Sam as they hit the road again, this time heading to McBain, Michigan, home of the 2023 IPRA Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. In this episode, they reminisce about Eli Herzberger's wedding and catch up with some old friends. They also dive into the rich history of the Houston family's Cow Camp Rodeo, which takes place every Labor Day weekend. Special guests Kenny and Deb Vaughn share their...

Join host Doug Simcox as we celebrate the 66th anniversary of the legendary and historic Attica Rodeo in Attica, New York. In this special episode, we take a trip down memory lane with heartfelt stories and reflections from those who have been part of this incredible journey. Hear from Miss Ginny Kerr, Peggy Spade, Anita Brown, John McCormick, Chuck Muscolino, Rob Wright, Kelly Page, and Sam Swear...

In this Short Go Episode, Doug sits down with Josie Brewer, a third-generation Attica Rodeo Club member and granddaughter of one of the original founders, Dave Wheeler, one of the "boys in the white shirts." As the Attica Rodeo celebrates its 66th year, Josie shares her memories and cowgirl wisdom, recounting her experiences growing up in the rodeo community and the life lessons she learned along...