X Factor Roping Podcast

Fresh off winning the  PRCA Announcer of the Year for the third straight year , Anthony Lucia joins us to share the journey behind the voice. From growing up trick roping on rodeo’s biggest stages to discovering his passion for announcing, Anthony opens up about identity, setbacks, faith, and fully committing to your calling. He talks about heartbreak, breakthrough moments, mentors who shaped...

World Champion heeler  Wesley Thorp  joins the show to break down the mindset, fundamentals, and turning points that shaped his career. From preparing for the Timed Event Championship to managing pressure one run at a time, Wesley shares how control, consistency, and disciplined practice have kept him at the top of the sport. He talks about the influence of his grandpa, lessons learned a...

In this episode,  Clay Logan  breaks down the huge growth of his ropings— 2,450 entries and nearly $1.5 million paid out —and the changes that made this year’s event the best yet. He talks about the importance of great cattle, the addition of the big scoreboard, and what makes the 377 arena so roper-friendly. Clay shares how his ropings began, how rising cattle prices affect producers, a...

In this podcast episode, Trey Yates  dives into the craft of elite heeling—from rodeo vs. horse-show style to mental strategy, 4th-quarter pressure, and the role of faith in competing at the highest level.

In this inspiring episode, Trey Johnson shares his journey of faith, growth, and discovering true purpose. He challenges us to look beyond success and ask, “If you take the money out of the equation, would you still do it?” — a powerful reminder to align our time and gifts with what truly matters.

Wyatt Cox joins the show to talk about chasing dreams, discipline, and the road from California to Texas. From pivotal misses to major wins, Wyatt shares lessons on staying calm under pressure, evolving as a student of the game, and why there’s  no backup plan — this is it.

X Factor Team Roping  presents a powerful conversation with  Kyle Stull —team roper, coach, and expert in human performance with a graduate degree in  Rehabilitative Science  and a  Doctorate in Behavior . In this episode, we explore the intersection of science and sport: how muscle memory, natural talent, and deliberate practice come together to create elite-level roping....

In this episode of the X Factor Roping Podcast, we sit down with NFR qualifier Cole Davison as he shares his journey from growing up in Oklahoma to making a name for himself in the world of team roping. Cole opens up about how he got started in the sport, the importance of surrounding yourself with business-minded people, and his goals with the Gold Buckle Futurities. He also dives into life after...

In this episode, we sit down with  John Dowdy , the driving force behind  Equinety , to explore the story behind the company and its game-changing equine supplement. John takes us through Equinety’s origins, its mission to enhance horse health and performance, and the science behind its unique amino acid formula. We also dive into the business side—discussing the challenges and successes of growin...

In this episode, we sit down with two of the biggest names in team roping: Tyler Wade, a 2x World Champion from Terrell, TX, and Wesley Thorp, a 3x World Champion from Stephenville, TX. These two champions open up about their unforgettable season and the key factors that helped them secure their second world title together. Tyler and Wesley also dive into their passion project, the  World Youth Te...

Dive into the World Youth Team Roping Championship with Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. Find out why this event is so special to them, how they came up with the idea, and what you can expect on this bonus episode! The World Youth Team Roping Championship is March 22-24th at 377 arena in Stephenville, TX. You can find more info on the roping on their facebook page!

The ride to the 2023 NFR was a roller coaster for team roping World Champions, Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. A win in the first round of Reno, Nevada in the beginning of June was shortly followed by a slump. Tyler and Wesley discuss how they stayed mentally strong even though an NFR qualification was slipping from their hands. During the third week in July, Tyler and Wesley were able to turn their...

The 2024 Reliance Ranches Clay Logan Open will be one that Brandon Gonzales remembers forever. The enter one, draw one format allowed Gonzales to be partnered up with World Champion Header, Erich Rogers. Together they walked away the Champions and $42,000 richer. After his cancer diagnosis, Gonzales wasn’t sure what his future would look like. He went from not knowing if he was going to be a...

Nick Dowers is the definition of a real life cowboy. The Million Dollar Rider, 2x Road to the Horse Champion and 2013 NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion trains out of Dyer, NV where he also operates a ranch. Dowers has trained under Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Bill Van Norman, Andrea Fappani and Annie Reynolds. These people were so influential in his life that he decided to create “Cowb...

Jessica Wahlert is the marketing manager for CINCH Jeans and Shirts where she oversees the marketing department. She shares her journey to this career path and how her upbringing played a vital role in her success. She also discusses her thoughts on branding, marketing, and the process that her CINCH team uses to make these decisions. Listen to the end to hear about the CINCH Playoff Series Champi...

The X Factor Roping Podcast is going to feature a series of mental game episodes the Lyman Tenny. Episode 1 in this podcast series will feature discussions including optimal mental performance, belief in self, self-assessment, visualization, and muscle memory. Lyman Tenny is a mental game coach at Tenny Training. It is believed that upwards of 80% of success is attributed to one’s mental game. Ten...

Jake Cooper has been a member of the PRCA since 2004 and has qualified for the NFR three times. He recently made the decision to try his hand in the rope horse futurity world with the purchase of a stallion named Reys of Pep. In this podcast, he discusses the changes he has made to be successful in the futurity world and his plans for the future.

This summer looked different for the 2014 Resistol Rookie of the Year Header, Billy Bob Brown. He and his partner, Kirby Blankenship decided to rodeo for about a month to see how it would go. They captured the coveted 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Team Roping Championship and Billy Bob finds himself inside the top 30 headers in the world. Listen as he discusses his summer and how his mental game has...

Billy Myers is the founder of the Platinum Metal Rope Horse Futurity and Sale. August 31- September 2 will be the very first event with the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma being the host. In this podcast, Billy dives in the idea behind this even, details about the event, breeding/raising horses and building a successful horse program.

Professional rodeo athletes are headed into the final quarter of the 2023 regular season. Paden Bray was recently crowned the California Rodeo Salinas All-Around Champion, the Days of ’47 Champion Heeler, and is currently ranked 9th in the Heeling World Standings. In this podcast he shares about making adjustments on the road, the hardest part of being on the road, trusting the process, finding ba...

It’s no secret that your mental game plays a huge role in the roping arena. 23 year old, Jared Fillmore, from Payson, Utah shares his perspective on life and rodeo. This is a deep dive into the relationship between winning and self worth.

The 2023 Cowboy Christmas run has officially wrapped up and we got the opportunity to catch up with two PRCA rookies. Cutter Thomison and Chet Weitz shared their experience of the Fourth of July. They discuss the struggles on the road, staying mentally strong, and the importance of having friends that they can count on for advice.

J.C. Yeahquo started his professional rodeo career in 2020 with his brother, L.J. Yeahquo. Throughout the past couple of years, he has learned that he must do HIS job and stay true to the run they like to make as a team. J.C. and his brother have had a strong start to the 2023 season and he is looking forward to the summer run.

L.J. Yeahquo and his brother, J.C., have taken the team roping world by storm this winter with big wins at Rapid City, South Dakota; Jackson, Mississippi; Austin, Texas; and San Angelo, Texas. L.J., the heeler in this brother partnership, shares his thoughts on winning and losing, competing at a professional level, and staying true to your run.