Why Trusting God Is the Secret to Managing Chaos as a Busy Mom: A Conversation with Sami Jo Smith

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Most women in high-achievement careers feel guilty about leaving their families behind — but what if motherhood and ambition could thrive together? Sami Jo Smith, a trailblazer in rodeo and a dedicated mom, shares how she balances a high-stakes career, farming life, and raising two young kids—without losing herself in the process.In this inspiring conversation, Sami Jo takes us behind the scenes of her extraordinary life—from growing up in Wyoming's rodeo scene to leading women's rodeo at the industry’s forefront. She reveals how she navigates the chaos of a busy farm, traveling 22 days a year, and managing her well-being as a type-one diabetic—all while staying deeply connected to her faith, family, and purpose. You'll discover:

• How a third-generation minister’s daughter found her passion in the rodeo industry and turned childhood dreams into a thriving career.

• Concrete strategies for juggling motherhood, career, and farm life without sacrificing your mental health or relationships.

• The importance of faith and community in overcoming mom guilt, stress, and the unique challenges women face in male-dominated industries.

• Why celebrating the small moments—from birthday parties to family stories—creates lasting legacies and deepens family bonds.

• How embracing vulnerability, honesty, and support system can empower women to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Whether you're a busy mom chasing big dreams, navigating a demanding career, or looking for motivation to prioritize yourself, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom and practical tips. Sami Jo's blend of authenticity, faith, and resilience will leave you inspired to chase your own cows—figuratively and literally.Perfect for women in agriculture, rodeo, sports leadership, or any woman managing the delicate dance of career and family. If you're feeling overwhelmed, this episode reminds you that success isn’t about perfection—it's about survival, support, and savoring every moment.Join us to hear how faith, family, and fierce ambition can coexist. Grab your headphones—your next dose of inspiration is just a play away.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:01

Hey guys, welcome back to the Saddle Up Mama podcast. Today's episode is one that I think so many of you are gonna feel seen in because we're talking about something that doesn't get talked about enough. And that's what it actually looks like to juggle motherhood and building a life or career that you care about at the same time. Because from the outside, it can look really beautiful, it can look like women are doing it all and doing it well, but behind the scenes, there's a lot of tension, there's a lot of sacrifice, there's a lot of questioning and stretching and trying to figure out how to show up for your kids while also not losing yourself in the process. And that's exactly what we're getting into today. I'm sitting down with Sammy Joe Smith and we're having a really honest conversation about what this season of life looks like for her. Not just what she's doing, but how she's navigating it, the balance, the pressure, the identity shifts, and the real everyday moments that don't always make it online. This episode isn't about having it all figured out, it's about being in it. It's about learning as you go, and I think you're gonna walk away from this feeling a little less alone in whatever you're carrying right now. So wherever you are, whether you're in the car doing chores or just needing a minute for yourself, I'm really glad you're here. Let's get into it.

SPEAKER_02 1:09

You don't have an intro in the whole thing. I'm ready for it.

SPEAKER_03 1:13

Oh man, I do that separately because I don't think that I am qualified to be on live video.

SPEAKER_04 1:21

I should not be on live ever because there's so many things that need to be edited out.

SPEAKER_02 1:29

Well, let's just have a fun conversation. I do have to say, I just feel like kindred sister to you of some. I don't know. I feel like we're connected in some way. It's weird.

SPEAKER_03 1:41

The feeling is mutual. Truthfully, this is I'm kind of a weirdo. But like last year at Cowgirl 30 under 30, I was I didn't really know you, but for some reason I was like, there's something about Sammy Joe that's just that I'm like, I'm like, there's like a you know, soul sisters, so the feeling's mutual, you know.

SPEAKER_01 2:01

Yes, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 2:03

Okay, well, Sammy Joe, my girl.

SPEAKER_01 2:07

Notice that let's do this, let's do this, okay.

SPEAKER_03 2:11

Just in case someone in some crazy scenario might not know who you are. Can you give a little backstory on like who you are, what you do, and just life right now.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

So I'm Sammy Joe Smith, and I live in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming. Uh Farson, Wyoming. We're like two hours south of Jackson Hole. But if you've been to the high school finals, you know where Rock Springs, Wyoming is, and we're 30 minutes north of there. But most people know Jackson Hole better than Rock Springs.

SPEAKER_03 2:49

So that's true. I actually kind of know both, and I don't know why, but anyway.

SPEAKER_02 2:56

So I grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and uh I'm actually a third-generation minister's daughter. So love the Lord and love, you know, definitely give all the glory to God. But um growing up in Cheyenne, I just knew that the Western industry and horses and then rodeo is kind of where my career evolved. But um, I always wanted to be a part of the ag industry, so I um it's kind of a funny story, but when I was five, my mom took me to Cheyenne Frontier Days, and I saw Miss Frontier, the rodeo queen, fly by on her horse and looked at my mom and was like, How do I do that? That's what I want to do. Um, so members of our church had horses, and the horses became my babysitter, and then I got super involved in 4-H and FFA and became very competitive in all the speaking events. I um was a part of a national champion FFA team in ag issues and competed at state and went on to nationals in prepared public speaking, and so FFA is close to my heart, bleed, you know, golden blue, and um, but then from there I started working in well, I did become Miss Frontier in 2012. Dreams come true, wore the white bucksk, and my parents supported me through that whole journey. They became volunteers for Cheyenne Frontier Days and still consider Frontier Days kind of our home rodeo. Um, but then from there I graduated at the University of Wyoming in Ag Communications with a minor in marketing communications, and um went on and worked for RFD TV, and I was in their events department for a few years and helped put the American on. Um, pride myself of kind of being the first behind athlete communications, where I created Google Sheets and forms and tried to turn things more digital than pen and paper. Um look where they are now. Yeah. Um, from there, you know, I helped put on several first year events, the all-in-barrel race. My husband and I helped run the stall lot and I helped with a lot of their marketing. Um, Days of 47 Rodeo, Tommy Joe Lucia. He employed me and kept me busy, helped with sponsorship fulfillment, and then um worked for WCRA since day one and was with WCRA. And then a few years ago, they brought Lindsay Rosser Sumter in as our commissioner and made me the director of operations for what was Women's Rodeo World Championship. Uh, WCRA closed their doors in August, and um then I became a contractor for the PBR and am still the director of operations for Premier Women's Rodeo whoop whoop. But in the midst of my career, um, I married my college sweetheart, Thomas, and he's from Farson. So he uh ended up after his mom unexpectedly passed away about uh six years ago. We're on the 400-acre farm. We raise hay, we raise cows, and we're now raising two children. And we have our son who will be seven this Thursday, and our daughter who's four, and our dogs and cows and horses, and yeah, we're running a crazy farm out here, dude.

SPEAKER_03 6:46

I feel like I feel like I didn't understand all that you do and have done. And so when we talked the other day, I was like, holy cow, who is Sammy Joe Smith? Like, and she's a mom and she lives on this big old ranch or farm, whatever we're calling it. But um how do you juggle it all? You know, that as a working mom, I know that there's a juggle, and so I can imagine, you know, adding the farm and all the things that you do. How how do you juggle it all?

SPEAKER_02 7:23

Well, I know that you're into TikTok too, and I love the TikTok that's out there right now that's like, I don't, I just but also, you know, I truly do believe and lead my life every day of putting my trust in God, and He doesn't put more on your plate than you can handle. And you know, you ask a busy person to do something because you know it's gonna get done right, and so yeah, I mean it's chaotic at times, and I um also I've been type one diabetic since I was four, and have juggled my own personal health and prioritizing that, which is moms. We can all relate that it's hard to take care of yourself because you're worried about everybody else around you. And um, but yeah, I would say just every day prioritize what has to get done that day. And I've always led with my heart when it comes to my career too. Like, I just have such a love and a passion for what I do, and there are times my husband's like, you've got to turn your laptop off. It's 11 o'clock at night, like turn it off. But I am blessed, and I know you can relate to this too, where as long as the work gets done, it may get done from eight o'clock to 11 o'clock while the kids are sleeping. But um, to have that balance is such a blessing, to have the ability to try to balance it is a blessing, and uh it's not always easy. There it comes with tears and a little bit of anxiety and depression and stress. Yes, but I understand this. No, I just moms are superheroes, and moms that you know, whether you have a career or you don't have a career. But I actually I had I heard uh my husband's a huge NASCAR fan. Okay, and he loves Dale or Earnhardt Jr., who also has a podcast. And Dale was talking the other day about how kids have to have the balance of a mother and a father, and the moms build these beautiful bubbles around their kids and take such great care of them, and then it's the dad's job to come pop that bubble and make their kids feel uncomfortable and push them to be hard workers, and so there's a balance in my marriage in that way, too. That uh, you know, our kids are well-rounded and well balanced because of that, dude.

SPEAKER_03 9:55

That's like such a good analogy because I feel literally the other day. I was my husband was like, I think we should challenge our daughter to do this. I'm like, okay. Been trying to like keep her feeling safe, but all right, let's do it.

SPEAKER_01 10:11

So seriously, it is.

SPEAKER_03 10:13

Do you travel a lot with your job? I feel like you do, don't you?

SPEAKER_02 10:16

I travel about four times a year. I'm actually in the process right now of packing for about 22 days from our PWR last chance qualifier to the championship and then to the Cowgirl 30 under 30 festivities. It turned into pretty much a three-week trip for me. And you'll laugh last night, I was building a huge calendar and word doc. I'm blessed for my parents. My parents come and help my husband because it's also farming season and we're three weeks away from water getting turned on, and pivots need service, and fields need drug. We did get fertilizer on, but we're getting ready to brand the end of the month. So, anyway, between my husband focusing on the farm things that need done, me traveling, my parents are a huge blessing to come help us. But yeah, I was building the Google Sheet last night of soccer and what colored jerseys to wear, and don't forget library books on Wednesdays, and this is a real thing.

SPEAKER_04 11:18

Like when I go out of town, it is a whole schedule.

SPEAKER_02 11:26

Like, don't forget that. That's a must.

SPEAKER_04 11:29

Dude, it's so real. But is it hard for you to leave, or do you get excited?

SPEAKER_02 11:34

Are you like, this is fun? And I know I've been doing it since the kids were infants. Um, my parents, when the our kids were babies, would actually take our kids to Florida for two weeks, and that's where my parents live, is outside of Orlando. And so um, it's hard. It definitely, you know, distance and time away makes you appreciate what you have when you get home. So I do enjoy that balance of getting to travel, the kids learning that they can survive without mom for a couple weeks.

SPEAKER_05 12:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:08

My husband realizing the appreciation he has for almost.

SPEAKER_04 12:16

It's true. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

SPEAKER_02 12:21

So, and I I grew up in Cheyenne. My husband calls me the city girl of Wyoming. Um, but I did out of college, I lived in Nashville for a year. I lived in Omaha for a little bit, spent a lot of time in Colorado, like those city life just gives me some excitement. And so, but I do very much enjoy that we have no neighbors and my kids just run free out here. Um, so having that balance between getting to travel, getting to go see the city, go shop at Double D, go do the things, and then come home and go back into my jogging outfit and no makeup for months at a time, and the cows don't care what I look like.

SPEAKER_04 13:07

So especially when you were telling me about your meeting that you're like in the middle of and the cows got out.

unknown 13:15

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_02 13:17

No, that is a real like my conference call schedule is very synchronized, and I usually give myself a 30-minute window at lunch to go feed the cows. But that day it was cool, and our 30 heifers in the corral saw that gate open and they were gone. And I'm in the ranger chasing after them. It had been raining, so the ranger gets stuck. So now a mile from home on foot, chasing them back to the yard, and our other neighbor's gate is open to go out to their pivot. So I am running as fast as I can to go shut that gate. And I'm on a conference call at this point because my 30 minutes were up, and uh my breathing heavy as you're running. Yeah, he's like, Sammy, why does it sound like you're running? Because it wasn't just a call that I could listen, I was leading the call. And I'm like, because I am running.

SPEAKER_04 14:14

Dude. This is a prime example of like mom just getting it all done at the same time.

SPEAKER_02 14:25

But I am happy to report I shoved myself into my son's little fight Ranger 500 and got the cows put away, got all the gates reopened, and made it back in for my last two conference calls of the day.

SPEAKER_04 14:42

A little more relaxed setting.

SPEAKER_03 14:44

Oh my gosh. So funny. That story got me laughing so hard the other day when you were telling me that.

SPEAKER_02 14:52

It's still this day like to repeat the part of like, because I am running. They think it's so funny.

SPEAKER_04 14:59

Well, and if it was rainy, I imagine you're in like muck boots and stuff, and so I'm just like easy to run. Oh man.

SPEAKER_03 15:10

Okay, well, uh, I love it. I'm honestly, I was like hesitant to think of questions for this call because I was like, I just knew talking to you was gonna go off on so many different tangents. So I'm gonna try and lead this discussion. But if it goes somewhere else, it just goes somewhere else, and that's okay.

SPEAKER_04 15:32

So it's meant to go there.

SPEAKER_03 15:34

Um, do you ever get, you know, we talked about you traveling a lot. Um, do you ever deal with any mom guilt over your job or leaving your kids, or for you, is it like you said, you know, a good opportunity for them to spend time together, spend time with their dad, or spend time with um your parents. I know for myself, whenever I leave, there's an element of a little bit of mom guilt, even though I have incredible support with my husband and everything. There's just a part of me that's like, ooh, sorry, that's a lot.

SPEAKER_04 16:07

Like you said, got a whole spreadsheet of information.

SPEAKER_02 16:12

So yeah, no, I think it comes with the territory being a mom, day one they come out, and now you have this guilt of prioritizing your own needs and prioritizing your marriage. And you know, I think my husband and I are not good of making sure we're going on dates and taking care of our marriage, you know, that's really tough. And then to add two, three-week trips at a time on top of that, when you know, especially this time of year, because um the I'm missing our son's music program that he two days a week goes and practices for, and um, my parents traveling all the way from Florida and being selfless to spend this much time with us. I have two older brothers that have other kids too, and so sharing grandparent time. Um, you you worry about it. Like, and I've always been a pretty empathetic and also just selfless. That's how I'm wired. So, probably to a fault where I'm not just feeling guilty about being gone, but feeling guilty of all the sacrifices everybody else has to make around me to allow me to do that. But again, I come from a very strong religious foundational family that has I've become the way I am because of it, but they're all so loving and supportive, and um it's it's such a you know, this is a unique thing to have a career like this and to get to go do these things, and it may not last forever. And so to take that opportunity to go and I mean, just the Cowgirl magazine leadership summit and meeting the incredible women that can all relate to this topic, you know, you're you're so feeling so blessed to be there and be in the room with these amazing people, but it comes with the cost of sacrificing your time at home. And and I also wish that uh, you know, the homeschool life is interesting where your kids can come with you and you can do those things, but that comes with the price too. So there's no um perfect, the grass is greener on the other side, this is the way I should do it. Like I've with time am learning, and I still struggle with it sometimes that nobody's life is perfect, nobody has it figured out. You gotta make the decision of what's best for your situation and also take advantage of the moment while you have it. And so I have to pretty much do a daily meditation and remind myself in my prayers in the morning and at night that God has me where I am for a reason. And even though you know my kids are sad to see me go, I'm not here on my son's birthday, but we did the birth, you know, I did the things to make it feel okay by having a birthday party for him before I left. And you know, um did you get your RC car thing? Oh, yeah, the RC car party was so fun.

SPEAKER_03 19:19

I can't believe you said that up.

SPEAKER_04 19:21

Uh you're a cool mom.

SPEAKER_02 19:24

I went way over the top, but I did have two moms compliment me with asking if I would plan their kids' birthday parties. See, that's a business plan if you did.

SPEAKER_04 19:36

Sammy Joe does all the things.

SPEAKER_02 19:40

Oh yeah. Again, ask a busy person to do something, right?

SPEAKER_05 19:44

Oh, for sure.

unknown 19:45

For sure.

SPEAKER_02 19:46

So, yes, short answer a hundred percent every day. Struggle with the mom guilt, even dropping my daughter off at, you know, what daycare, Miss Emily's is what we call it. But um, she cries every day. She does not like it when mom leaves, and of course, that guilt in the back of your mind of like, is this what I'm supposed to be doing, or should I be at home with my kiddo, you know? And so, um, but God again has me in the right place at the right moment, and it might not last forever. So just trying to enjoy it while I can.

SPEAKER_03 20:19

Yeah, I love that. And you're a good example of faith, you know, and I think it's easy to overthink a lot of things and um think, oh, because there's um what's the word? Because there's frustration or there's hardship, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. But I I think God gives us opportunities to grow and it looks like challenges, you know?

SPEAKER_02 20:49

Yeah, and I I mean, I've never really talked about this, but again, I think we all have our demons, we all have our struggles. Um, I try to live a very outwardly positive life, and social media is misleading in that way, where it's it every life is not perfect. Satan and sin is a real thing, and we all have our demons we have to deal with, but um especially over time, my husband and I are celebrating our 10-year anniversary this September, and you know, I think that as you learn how to overcome those trials together, and even with your kids, and um I think that it does make you stronger, and to find the love and the beauty or even around the turmoil, um, is what gets you through it. So leaning heavily on your loved ones. I call my my mom's, you know, one of my best friends, call her daily, cry to her, get all the frustrations of my stupid husband out on her. I love you, Thomas, but yeah, that's not perfect either. But you know, um, and haven't like Lindsay is my coworker, but also boss, and has become one of my best friends, my work wife is what Thomas calls her, because we talk multiple times a day, and to have those people in your circle to lean heavily on and be brutally honest with and work through your struggles with, I think is what allows you to get through life, and that's why I'm grateful that you and I are creating this friendship too, because I know you've recently gone through some major trials and tribulate tribulations with losing your mom, and um, I want to be here for you too. We all we need each other, we need to lean on each other and support each other through the hard times because life is gonna throw them at you, and you gotta get through it with the loved ones around you. So I'm here for you. You're so sweet, making me cry.

SPEAKER_03 23:01

Which is not easy, it's not that hard to do these days. I'm a crier. Um, but I do love that, you know, as you were talking, I was just thinking, it really matters who you surround yourself with, I feel like. Um and I know you mentioned your husband lost his mom unexpectedly a few years ago, and and I just think it matters. I think I think a big game changer for people who are in situations like this where they're working or they're pursuing something, a big game changer, I feel like, is who you've married or who you've surrounded yourself with, you know, who's your support system because the challenges are gonna come. And if you don't have that support, you know, that's where you might crumble. And so, you know, I think about your husband and you kind of have the opposite side where m my husband, bless his heart, has just kind of patiently allowed me to cry the last few months all the time, but um, I can't imagine it from that perspective of being being the one who's like supporting and holding it together. I'd love to hear your thoughts on you know supporting your husband through that season. And maybe, you know, everybody always tells me it never really goes away. But um just being the person that's uh on the other side of things, where you know, being the stable one or the one that helps through a season of hardship, I guess.

SPEAKER_02 24:39

Yeah, I think so. A little background on my husband, he's an only child. Um, his parents were never married. He primarily was with his mom. Um he would spend a couple weeks at a time in the summer with his dad. Um, his dad actually passed away about 12 years ago from cancer. And Thomas and I started dating just a couple months after his dad had passed. Um and then fast forward uh I think I think it was about eight years after we had been married that his mom ended up passing away and she had some major health complications. So um he's pretty much an adult orphan with a 400-acre farm, um, cows, bills. Uh and so, you know, we number again being that, you know, on that side of the support system, um, I'm most thankful for my parents because they in no way have tried to step in and fill that role for Thomas, but also have tried to call him at random moments throughout the days and check in and just give him an ear to talk to. And, you know, Cindy Thomas's mom today is actually her birthday. Um, but she was the one to just call Thomas and they would talk for hours. They'd be in a tractor, they'd both be driving in circles, and they would just visit about any and all things. And with how busy life is right now, sometimes I have to remind myself the importance of just calling him and just talking and hearing about the podcast from Dale Earnhardt he listened to the other day, or the frustrations Thomas has a full-time job in the oil and gas industry as well. And you know, just being that companion to just talk to. And I think as a parent, that's your main role that you serve with your kids is just being that ear to hear the frustrations, the good days, the sad days, the excitement. Um, and so really trying to slow down and even sit at the dinner table, not have the distraction of phones. Um, you know, even at bedtime, we're bad about having our cell phones out and just talking, you know, scrolling till you fall asleep, but trying to prioritize really putting our phone down and talking and um just letting him say whatever is on his heart and mind that day. And, you know, they're as the holidays come up, I feel the emotions of missing them. And um again, you can't replace them, but just being that ear and that heart, you know, person for my husband to talk to and know that he's not alone, and these kids are always gonna be there for us too, and we've got to um teach them the importance of being there for each other, you know, each other as well as life moves forward. But yeah, you can't replace those loved ones that you lose. Um, and Thomas has a stepmom, his dad was married for 10 years, and she lives about three hours from us, and she's very involved. But uh something that we've turned into a tradition every year is on both of their birthdays. We get the photo albums out. We look through old photos of Granny Smith and Grandpa Ken and um Thomas' stepmom on every birthday has family members write memories and stories about Thomas' parents and uh one this year because my son just celebrated his birthday this weekend. Thomas's cousin wrote a story about how her dad took them on like a weekend trip randomly, and they were used to having popcorn as a bedtime snack, and he didn't have popcorn, but they were at a hotel, so he went and filled the ice bucket up with ice and told them it was popcorn. And they sat in the hotel room and ate a bucket of ice and pretended it was popcorn.

SPEAKER_03 28:57

That's adorable.

SPEAKER_02 28:59

Uncle Ken could get away with that. So I have a binder full of all these awesome photos and stories of the grandparents and you know, just keeping their memory and legacy alive with our kids. And at night, when we say our bedtime prayers, we keep Grandpa Ken and Granny Cindy in our prayers and just talking about them and and yeah, keeping their memory alive. I think it gives Thomas a lot of um, you know, love and appreciation for his parents and all the things they did for us and him.

SPEAKER_03 29:34

Well, that's cool. Honestly, you're talking about like the photo albums on their birthday, and I don't know, there's a lot of new ideas that I'm that I'm like wanting to implement now, you know. It's a whole world that you don't really ever want to be a part of, and then you're a part of it, and it's like, oh man, this is not ready for this. Yeah, your heart kind of goes out to people in a whole new way for that. So anyway, I think it's cool, and like I said, it's all about who you surround yourself with, and and even vice versa, you know, who him having your support and your parents' support and his stepmom's support. I we all need support in life, you know. Nobody goes through with doing it on their own, which I think social media can be so misleading and thinking like, oh, this person does all of this with no help, you know. And actually, we all have a lot of help.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

Yeah, seriously, it's so true. But you're right, it definitely gives you a whole new appreciation for how precious life is. And I've also really appreciated some of the messages you're sharing out there of um not always chasing the big salary jobs and the limelight uh gives you the you know blessings of life that you're looking for. And so slowing down and stepping back and just spending time with your kids and your family and taking the vacations or spending, you know, the money on the birthday parties or whatever it may be, those are moments and memories that you'll never get back. And um, I think that it's really such a profound message that especially in the world we live in today, everybody's moving so fast and chasing the next promotion, or um and you get caught up in that stress and anxiety that yeah, the your kids start watching iPad and TV more than they should.

SPEAKER_03 31:40

But um no, it's so true though. I you know, I think life, yeah. Yeah, you chase something, and and there's nothing wrong in pursuing goals and things like that, but it definitely losing my mom definitely put a lot of perspective on simplicity, I think for me. And I'm like, I'd like to keep things simple and grounded. So moving forward, I'm mad. Um, what drives you to keep pursuing your work in you know this busy season of life? Um, I feel like it really lights you up. And whenever I talk to you about work, or we've hopped on a few calls with Cowgirl, and I'm like, I can tell you love what you do. What is the drive that that keeps you to pursuing um your work?

SPEAKER_02 32:30

Yeah, I'm I'm now 14 years in this industry and have been so blessed with a great team of people that I've gotten to work with, mentors that I've been able to learn from. And it just seems like every stage of life for me, um this opportunity has been handed where what I'm doing in that moment just it does. It gives me such fire and passion. Like I feel like I'm really helping the industry. And rodeo is interesting in the sense of the lack of evolution, but also the try for evolution.

SPEAKER_04 33:06

And that's a really good way of putting it, actually.

SPEAKER_02 33:10

Um, I I have been a part of several teams that are pushing towards that evolution part of it, and um, not everybody has willingly accepted it with open arms, but the the industry is changing. There's much larger events with more added money, seeing women's rodeo especially evolve to where breakaway is a part of so many more events now, and included in equality across the American and what WCRA did, and now my job specifically with Premier Women's Rodeo, every nobody can deny what PBR has done. They're a gorilla and have really pushed the industry forward, and now they're a part of WWE and TKO, who has UFC and um watching the show and the fan base and the entertainment, and till now be a part of these meetings with their creative teams of like that's their thought and where they want to go with rodeo and specifically women's rodeo because they own PWR. Um I've kind of worn this hat of uh feeling like a master of none, but but have been a part of so many pieces within, you know, I I have a huge knowledge base with marketing, but then the rodeo administration and kind of the overall operations of every piece of what happens within the rodeo, I have some kind of involvement with. Um, but it it really my day-to-day drive just comes from the love of the sport and the love of the people. And you know, I get to work with these athletes who this industry would not happen right now if it weren't for the money that the athletes put up in entry fees and to travel, to go, the stalls, the hotels, like the economy impact isn't immense, right? And it's just so aspiring, especially now with having kids and looking at the commitment it takes to have the horses at home, to ride every day, to rope, to practice, to get to the local youth rodeos, like it is hard and it is a commitment. And these people every single day wake up before you know the sun comes up and they're feeding their animals and they're making sure to ride, and it comes from a love of the sport. So if they're putting that much passion and effort into it, I feel like I want to put that much passion and effort into putting these events on and giving them the best product when they come to these championship events. So I don't know what the next 10 years is gonna hold for my career. I hope you know I get to stay involved with PWR and the evolution with PBR, but um, regardless, I know that my love for the industry is gonna last a lifetime, and um I hope to continue to make a positive impact in the evolution and just see the industry continue to grow and aspire, and yeah, I just love it.

SPEAKER_03 36:26

I think that's awesome. How for you right now? Um, well, first before that, I feel like, like you said, rodeo is both super outdated, but also trying to not be outdated. Yeah. And I can imagine there's a there's a trick to pushing in that, you know, and you know, there's so much push for a breakaway in NFR right now. Um, and even just some things that my kids are involved in right now, and I'm like, this seems really outdated, and I don't know why we do it this way still, but okay, we're doing it this way. And um, what does it look like for you, you know, trying to push for change and push for evolution in this sport?

SPEAKER_02 37:14

Right now, what I'm seeing is learning from the industries that are thriving. And uh, we sent Fallon Forbes, she's one of our professional barrel racers, to the WWE SmackDown in Fort Worth the other day and like sold out Dickie's arena. I mean, WWE is a sight to see with the choreography and it makes you laugh, but you're also inspired by the athleticism. But you cannot deny that they have built a fan base, people love to go. Um, and that's what rodeo needs. Like the Savannah Bananas and the you know, owner and founder behind the Savannah Bananas is I love every time I stumble across his videos because he's like, I don't care about the media deals, I don't care about you know, the money that these networks want to pay me. I care about the fans, and the fans is the heart of our business, and without them, we wouldn't have what we have, and so I love that to learn from the people that are doing it differently, but thriving in that way is it's hard. Like I've sat in so many meetings and had a drink at the bar with several people and talked over this topic, and there's a lot that plays into what's gonna happen with the breakaway in the NFR, and what's gonna happen with the WPRA, and how does PB PWR fall into that? And we've got these new associations being created in breakaway that wanna make an impact in growing the sport. Like every time something like that happens, we continue to evolve and we continue to get closer to that goal. So it's a great thing. I it's hard because there are times where the wrong minds or the wrong business agendas are behind it, and that's scary, especially when you're in a role like I am, where it's kind of just trusting the leadership and hoping that they make the right decision. Uh, but then there's also the fear of like what happens when the opportunity comes that I'm the leader and I'm the one making those decisions, and I don't want to screw it up. Um so I know it it comes, it's hard. It's this whole industry, money drives everything. Um, but the love of the sport and the fan base is what should be driving it and controlling it. And so yeah, I just again not sure exactly how it's gonna evolve, but I hope to be a positive part of it and lead it in the right direction.

SPEAKER_03 39:51

Yeah, I definitely feel like you are being both of those things. How would you define what success means to you right now in your life, you know, as you're juggling all these different hats?

SPEAKER_01 40:02

Survival. Surviving each day.

SPEAKER_04 40:06

I am keeping the cows in. That's literally how I feel.

SPEAKER_02 40:15

I'll be honest, these past six months have been an extremely humbling experience for me. Um, I was employed by the WCRA for six years and was just pushing every day to find the promotion, feel like I was like encouraging and leading the staff to create this best rodeo, but my passion turned into people hating me. Oh, can't imagine that and and turned into my coworkers feeling like I was a micromanager and the the typical you're an emotional woman, you need to calm down, you know. But if a man pushed as hard as I would, they would be encouraged as a great leader and doing an awesome job. And so it was um, and I don't the other thing was we were getting to a very fragile point of that business, and it's no secret, WCRA's not in business anymore. They did what they came to do, they helped the sport, but they weren't making money, and so they are not in business anymore. And when you get to that volatile point, everybody is just adding it. Everybody's on edge. And yeah, so it wasn't personal by any means, but um, I do think that especially being a woman in any industry, you're juggling that balance of being a great leader, being a good um advocate, and you know, supporter of those around you, but also expecting excellence and pushing people to do better. And Lindsay and I had an invite. We went to this Power Players, Women Power Players panel at the Mountain West conference in Las Vegas this year, and there were it was all women on this panel. There was a VP um with the Oakland or the Las Vegas Raiders, so the NFL team. There was a marketing gal with the Las Vegas Aces, the WNBA team, and then there were some other people with UNLV and Lindsay, and so really amazing, powerful women. And all of them agreed and had in common that balance of being badass great leaders pushing your team to thrive, but also not being labeled as this emotional micromanaging woman. And it, you know, it's so frustrating when you want to see a product that you're working on and consider yourself the work you're doing a success, but you have to juggle being this great in control, emotionally stable woman. And it's frustrating at times, you know. So I think putting out all of that out the window and just focusing on you have a job at hand, this is what needs done, being a good person while doing it too, and um, that's what I would consider being successful.

SPEAKER_03 43:21

Yeah, I feel like it's such a it just is what our world is, you know, women working in a male-dominated industry. Um, but I feel like doors are starting to open more, and people are starting to be more open to viewing things in a different way, you know, and and seeing the women's side of it a little bit more. And um, like you were saying, you know, being surrounded by those other companies that um it's not so much like emotional stress. I don't know. I it's a it's a blessing. Blessing to be a woman in the workforce, but it it it it comes with a with a little bit of struggle sometimes for sure.

SPEAKER_02 44:08

Well, and when you when you are a part of a team that all has the same goal in mind, and you really feel like your team, everybody has each other's back, magic happens. Like I've always said that. And when I worked for The American, we had an incredible team of people. We were led by Randy Bernard, which, if anybody knows Randy, he demands excellence and it doesn't always come with a smile. But he does a damn good job at what he does. And then, you know, Riley Lambert is who I worked with, Jenna Daly, um Raquel, what, gotch, Kohler. Um, but it was incredible the things that we accomplished, and everybody did it with the support and faith in each other, and you were excited to go to work every day because you knew your team had your back. Like it's the best feeling to work with a company and having you know, coworkers and uh bosses that you just love being around and are excited to work with, and it may not be easy and it may suck, and you may be running on two hours of sleep, but you're excited to do it because you know you're getting somewhere, you're reaching that goal. And I remember um I was a part of the second American, but when that opening ceremony started and the opening video hit that huge screen and the tears were just running down our faces because we did it, like it was the best feeling ever. So uh when you can be a part of a team like that, that you trust your bosses, you have full support in your bosses, like you know, magic is about to happen.

SPEAKER_03 45:46

Absolutely. There's so much to be said for a good team environment and just having a good objective together. So all right. Well, last question here, but um, what's something that you wish more women were honest about when it comes to motherhood and working?

SPEAKER_02 46:07

So many things. The first thing that came to mind for me was just how ugly it can be and how hard it is to prioritize yourself. Um, you know, exercise for me is something that I've always struggled with since the first day my kids were born. By the time I have the energy to want to, it's bedtime, you know, or I don't even want to anymore. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 46:36

Like I want to go to bed now.

SPEAKER_02 46:39

Um, and so like I love the motto you have right now of saddle up, mama. Like, I love riding horses, and that's what I grew up doing. And I can't tell you the last time I got on the back of a horse because there's, you know, either I'm on the ground helping my kids ride, or I'm too busy doing the hundred other things that need done during the day. But um, I'm really trying to focus my attention this year on prioritizing my health and really putting myself first. Because guess what? We're not gonna live a long, beautiful life with our kids if we don't prioritize taking care of ourselves and having that loving support system in a husband to say, go get your hair done, go get your eyebrows done. Those are important, okay. I know it really, you know, go have a drink with your friend or go get lunch. Like, we have got to take time to balance and prioritize ourselves, and it's the last thing we want to do because nothing else will get done if we take the time to do that. So I do wish moms one just talked about it more because I feel like once you say it out loud, then you're more likely to prioritize it and do it. And um you feel guilty, here comes the mom guilty. So, yeah, and I am staring myself in the mirror right now, saying that of Sammy, get on the treadmill, go outside and take a walk, go chase some cows, go chase some cows, go saddle the horse, do something each day for 30 minutes, read your book, you know, meditate, whatever you love to do, prioritize it because if you don't take care of yourself, yeah, you won't get to live that long, beautiful life with your family. And you may not any anyway, so you might as well just enjoy it.

SPEAKER_03 48:30

Never promised anything. No, but um, I that's uh that's a good point, though, of uh in order to wear all these hats, in order to put forth effort with your family or put forth effort with work or personal things you can't fill from an empty cup, you know. And sometimes it like you said, it feels like if I take time to go work out, or like sometimes even like do I really have time to make that nutritious meal? I'll just like shove a few quick bites, but it just plays out in the rest of your day and weeks and months and you know, longevity of your life and and happiness of your life, I think, as well. So filling your cup before giving to others, which is hard for women for some reason. But it's good. Okay, well, Sammy, where can people find you online? Oh, if they want to follow along.

SPEAKER_02 49:32

Uh Sammy Joe Smith on Facebook and Insta. I am on TikTok, YOCOGirl something. I have to find it.

SPEAKER_03 49:41

I don't know. I don't know my TikTok one. I know it's different.

SPEAKER_02 49:44

Let's look at Sammy Joe Smith, but YO Cowgirl, you'll find me. Um, but definitely do me a favor, like Premier Women's Rodeo as well, because that's job security for me and I appreciate it.

SPEAKER_04 49:56

Love it.

SPEAKER_03 49:57

We'll leave a link in the show notes for all this, especially Premier Premier Women's. So anyway, good luck with your traveling next week and everything. I'm excited for you. That will be fun.