A fat horse is not a healthy horse. Real cowboying happens outside the comments section.

In this high-energy episode of Keeping It Real, Jenn Godfrey sits down with TJ, the "Black Cowboy of Gilbert" and founder of the Copper State Riding Club. This isn't your trendy, festival-style country talk—this is a raw look at the discipline, values, and mental toughness required to live the cowboy lifestyle in the Arizona desert.

TJ shares his incredible journey from a 10-year hiatus from horses to finding redemption and healing on the ranch after life-altering challenges. From training green horses to navigating profound family loss, TJ explains how the "cowboy way" provided a foundation for his entrepreneurial spirit and personal growth.

Whether you're curious about the reality of bronc riding, the ethics of horse weight management, or how to build an unbreakable bond with a 1,300-pound animal, this episode delivers the "grit" behind the gear.

• The Reality of Horse Ownership: Why a "fat horse" is dangerous in the Arizona heat and the truth about muscle tone vs. weight.

• Cowboy Principles & Chivalry: How real cowboys carry themselves with respect, discipline, and a foundation of values that translate into every area of life.

• Building a Relationship with "Greener" Horses: Why TJ prefers training untouched horses and the dangers of creating bad habits early on.

• Redemption Through Horsemanship: TJ's powerful story of returning to the ranch after prison and using the Mustang program's philosophy to find his path.

• Grief and Strength: A vulnerable look at losing four family members in a single week and how the riding community literally pulled TJ back into the saddle.

• Arizona's Black Cowboy Legacy: Reclaiming the narrative of cowboys in Arizona and the influence of the Southwestern Riding Club.

👉 Follow TJ & Copper State Riding Club: [Insert Social Link]

👉 Watch for:

Youtube- www.youtube.com/@KeepingitRealwithJennGodfrey

Instagram- instagram.com/keepingitrealwithjenngodfrey

Facebook- facebook.com/share/18ezvFMkmq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

TikTok- tiktok.com/@realjenngodfrey

Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferplatt/

#KeepingItReal #BlackCowboys #ArizonaRodeo #HorseTraining #CopperStateRidingClub #WesternLifestyle #MustangProgram #MentalToughness #EntrepreneurSpirit #GilbertAZ

The pearl is made out of the irritation. We have to become more pearl-like.

In this inaugural episode of Keeping It Real, host Jenn Godfrey welcomes her longtime mentor and friend, Denise Wiesner. Denise is a renowned holistic Chinese acupuncturist, certified sex coach, and author of Conceiving with Love.

Together, they dive deep into the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the transformative power of holistic healing. From navigating the high-stress journey of fertility and IVF to managing modern-day anxiety without jumping straight to medication, Denise shares her wisdom on how to treat the body, mind, and spirit as one interconnected system.

Whether you are struggling with "situational anxiety," navigating the complexities of motherhood, or looking to move past judgment to find your authentic voice, this conversation is a grounded guide to staying centered in an overwhelming world.

Key Discussion Points:

The Path to Healing: Denise's journey from exercise physiology to becoming a doctor of Chinese Medicine and sex coach.

Fertility & Balance: How TCM looks at patterns of imbalance to help women and partners through the overwhelming journey of conception.

Anxiety in Modern Culture: Exploring natural alternatives—like acupuncture, herbs (Tranquil), and lifestyle changes—before turning to medication.

The "Grace" Mandate: Why Denise chose "Grace" as her word for 2026 and how it applies to self-forgiveness and growth.

Authenticity vs. The "Instagram Life": Moving past the fear of judgment and the pressure of social media to find true community and self-acceptance.

Trauma & Healing: How challenges and "irritations" in life ultimately create the pearls of our character.

Learn more about Denise Wiesner: Natural Healing & Acupuncture

Read Denise's Book: Conceiving with Love

Follow Jenn Godfrey: https://linktr.ee/RealJennGodfrey

#KeepingItReal #DeniseWiesner #ChineseMedicine #FertilityJourney #HolisticHealth #AnxietyRelief #Acupuncture #Grace #Authenticity #WomenEmpowerment #NaturalHealing

I knew how to move in that environment... I developed grit at an early age because I had to.

In this episode of Keeping It Real, Jenn Godfrey sits down with Rod Richard, a former coach for the New York Mets and a high-performance fitness expert. Rod shares his raw journey from growing up on the tough streets of the Bay Area to reaching the pinnacle of professional sports coaching, and why he eventually walked away to prioritize what matters most: his family.

Rod and Jenn explore the "Left Turn" theory—how life can change in an instant—and the discipline required to maintain a 20-year relationship while chasing elite professional goals. Whether you're a sports fan, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a parent trying to find balance, Rod's story of transition and resilience is a masterclass in staying true to your core values.

Key Discussion Points: The Bay Area Roots: Growing up in Oakland and Richmond during the 80s and 90s and how "head on a swivel" survival skills translated into professional success.

The Athlete's Hustle: Navigating the scholarship world, the Michigan Tech snow, and the pivotal moments that led from the football field to the MLB.

The Reality of Pro Sports: What it's really like coaching for a major organization like the Mets and the hidden sacrifices of the "grind."

Fatherhood & Presence: Why having "two dads but not a complete one" fueled Rod's mission to be a physically and emotionally present father.

The Modern Pivot: Transitioning from the corporate suit-and-tie world to running gyms and coaching men to find their own grit.

BioPro Plus Tech: Why both Rod and Jenn are passionate about high-level health optimization and natural recovery.

👉 Follow Rod Richard: https://www.4fitfatherhood.com/

👉 Watch for: https://linktr.ee/RealJennGodfrey

#RodRichard #NYMets #KeepingItReal #JennGodfrey #Coaching #Fatherhood #Grit #CareerPivot #FitnessMotivation #BayArea #MensHealth