The Converse Cowboy

He grew up eating squirrel and rabbit, didn't taste his first steak until he was 22, and was once told that betting his future on horses was the dumbest thing he'd ever do. He went anyway. Today, Michael Cooper is an NCHA Hall of Famer, with more than six and a half million in lifetime earnings, and he's become one of the most respected cutting horse trainers in the industry.
But this conversation is about far more than the wins. It's about the mindset, the mentors, and the hard-earned principles that built a champion, a businessman, and a family man who never forgot where he came from.
He explains:
*Why your own adrenaline is the real reason you're losing, and how to slow it down when it matters most
*The single piece of advice that turned horse winnings into lasting wealth
*Why getting comfortable is the secret to winning at the highest level
*The brutal honesty with yourself that separates champions from everyone else
*What true success actually looks like once the money stops mattering
This episode is brought to you by Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs, Kimes Ranch, and Bluebonnet Feeds.
Enjoy the show!

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances—but the story you keep telling yourself?
In a unique role reversal, The Converse Cowboy steps into the guest seat, interviewed my none other that the Louis Vuitton Vaquero himself, to unpack the ideas behind his new book, "Perspective Is a Verb". What starts as a conversation about writing a book quickly becomes a deeper exploration of mindset, resilience, gratitude, manifestation, and the power of intentional thinking.
Mike shares the personal experiences that shaped his philosophy—from navigating divorce and rebuilding his identity to studying psychology, performance, and the habits that create a meaningful life. Along the way, he reveals the daily practices that transformed his perspective, why gratitude is more powerful than most people realize, and how the thoughts you repeat today quietly shape the life you experience tomorrow.
This episode is filled with practical wisdom, thought-provoking stories, lessons learned and earned secrets on overcoming adversity, cultivating awareness, and taking ownership of your future.
If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next step, this conversation might change the way you think about the challenges in front of you—and the opportunities hidden inside them.
This episode is brought to you by Kimes Ranch, Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs, and Bluebonnet Feeds. 
Enjoy the show!

The NCHA Super Stakes delivered unforgettable runs, breakout performances, and plenty of chaos inside the cowbox — I am joined by my good pal, 'The Louis Vuitton Vaquero' aka NCHA Hall of Famer, Jesse Lennox to break it all down.
From Kenny Platt's historic dominance in the 5/6 Open to Michael Cooper's clutch performances under pressure, this episode dives deep into the horses, the strategy, and the personalities shaping the future of cutting. Jesse gives a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens in the cowbox, how elite trainers read cattle, and why the next generation of riders like Cade Shepard, Colt Moore, Cooper Clark, and Ryan Rapp are changing the game.
They also unpack the rise of Metallic Rey Mink offspring, the evolution of modern horse training, and the subtle details—like "watching a cow's nostril" — that separate great horsemen from everyone else.
Along the way, things go completely off the rails with harmonica stories, busking on the Granbury square, Backstreet Boys encounters, celebrity cuttings, and the ongoing rise of the legendary band "Low Expectations." This episode is equal parts cutting horse masterclass and locker room comedy—and one of the most entertaining recaps yet.
Enjoy the show!
This episode is brought to you by Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs, Kimes Ranch and Bluebonnet Feeds.

Aaron Watson turned down Nashville at 22 — and spent the next 25 years proving he was right.
In this deeply honest conversation, Aaron opens up about building one of country music's most successful independent careers without compromising his identity, his songwriting, or his family. He shares the real cost of chasing music for a living, surviving two vocal cord surgeries that nearly ended his career, and why becoming a father changed the way he measures success forever.
This episode goes far beyond country music. It's about resilience, reinvention, creative obsession, faith, and learning what actually matters after decades in the spotlight. Aaron talks candidly about grief, losing a daughter, turning down opportunities most artists would kill for, and the dangerous freedom that comes when you stop caring about fame.
We also dive into songwriting, social media, legacy, independent artistry, and the mindset that's fueling what he believes may become the best chapter of his career.

In this episode of The Converse Cowboy, NFL veteran Davon Godchaux breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind success, discipline, and identity — after 10 years in a league where most careers barely last three.
 
"You've got athletes… and then you've got professional athletes." 
 
From LSU to the NFL, Davon shares the small, unglamorous habits that define longevity — the things no one sees, but everyone feels on game day. But this isn't just about football. It's about what happens when the dream becomes reality… and still isn't enough.
 
We talk about:
• Why the little things are everything (and why most people avoid them)
• The danger of tying your identity to what you do
• What success really looks like beyond money and fame
• How to handle adversity in a world that teaches you to quit
 
"Money comes and goes… but relationships last forever." 
 
Because when the game ends — for all of us — what's left is who you became along the way.
 
This episode is brought to you by Kimes Ranch, Bluebonnet Feeds and Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs. 
 
Enjoy the show!