Charly Crawford Podcast

Jake Long is headed back to Las Vegas for his fifteenth NFR qualification as a heeler. It was great to sit down and talk with him about a year that was full of ups and downs. Jake has a unique ability to break roping down in a way that’s both relatable and easy to understand, making this episode full of great stories and valuable advice from one of the top heelers in the game.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

The Charly Crawford Podcast is proud to be a partner with NRS. They are a one-stop shop for everything Western. Shop in-store at their locations in Decatur, Texas, Granbury, Texas, and Wickenburg, Arizona, or online at ⁠nrsworld.com⁠. 

Happy to have my good friend Brian Bolick back on the podcast this week to talk about his recent move from North Carolina to Texas, what he thought of his experiences this summer out on the rodeo trail, and how much his roping has progressed from when he first came to the Horns and Heroes Clinic in 2021.

To hear all of Brian's story, check out episode 42!

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

If you're in need of a top-tier metal building, check out Cowboy Steel on their Facebook or Instagram Page, call the owner Trey Norris at 903-348-4611, or send them an email at [email protected] to see what they can do for you!

Go to https://libertyandloyaltyfoundation.com/ to get all the information on the upcoming American Hero Celebration, November 7-9, 2025.

Honored to have Sergeant John Kelly on the podcast this week to reflect on how far the American Hero Celebration has come since its early days. John was with us one of the first years we hosted the clinic at my house — and in 2023, he walked out of Cowtown Coliseum as the Champion Heeler.

John served our country across multiple theaters during his time with the U.S. Army. His story is one of courage, perseverance, and true heroism — and I’m proud to call him a friend.

Go to https://libertyandloyaltyfoundation.com/ to get all the information on the upcoming American Hero Celebration, November 7-9, 2025.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

I sat down with Billie Jack to talk about the world of team roping and futurity horses. We dive into Billie Jack’s journey from amateur rodeos to the NFR and his transition into horse training. We also discuss breeding, training young horses, and the business side of the futurity world. Most importantly, we talk about the bond between horse and rider, building relationships in the roping community, and why riding good horses is key to staying motivated and avoiding burnout.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

In this episode, Joel and I have an incredible conversation about what has made the Calgary Stampede a true bucket-list rodeo — not just for contestants, but for fans from around the world. We talk about how the Stampede tailors its rodeo experience to engage a predominantly urban audience, and we dive into the thought process behind adding breakaway roping to their main event — including the key factors that influenced that decision.

And finally, Joel tackles the question team roping fans everywhere have been asking for years… will team roping ever be part of the Calgary Stampede?

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

The Charly Crawford Podcast is proud to be a partner with NRS. They are a one-stop shop for everything Western. Shop in-store at their locations in Decatur, Texas, Granbury, Texas, and Wickenburg, Arizona, or online at ⁠nrsworld.com⁠. 

I sat down with Lightning Aguilera, headed back to Las Vegas for his second NFR qualification as a header. Lightning tells the story of grinding through the regular season to secure his spot in the “Super Bowl of Rodeo,” who he’ll be roping with, and how he’s preparing for the next few months. He also opens up about competing with a prosthetic leg, the ropers who inspired him, and shares stories from a season full of grit, determination, and heart.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

If you're in need of a top-tier metal building, check out Cowboy Steel on their Facebook or Instagram Page, call the owner Trey Norris at 903-348-4611, or send them an email at [email protected] to see what they can do for you!

Trey Yates comes from a legendary rodeo family in Pueblo, Colorado. He is now headed back to Vegas for the fourth time after a successful trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the Governor’s Cup. 

Charly and Trey Yates break down the mental side of rodeo heading into the Governor’s Cup—covering pressure, process, and performance. They share stories on confidence, team chemistry, and giving back, highlighting what it takes to thrive in and out of the arena.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

Dr. Blake Mallory, LPC, NCC, CPT, and EMDR-trained, is a Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of combined experience across military service, aviation, law enforcement, and counseling. At Cardinal Counseling and Wellness Group, he provides both traditional and non-traditional therapies—including outdoor retreats and trauma-focused modalities such as EMDR and CPT—helping veterans, first responders, educators, pilots, and their families navigate stress, trauma, and life transitions. Beyond the counseling room, Dr. Blake is a cornerstone of Liberty & Loyalty, from announcing the ranch rodeo to entertaining crowds during the NFR Showdown. He truly does it all.

In this episode, Charly and Dr. Blake dive deep into the impact of community, mental health, and the cultural climate surrounding veterans and first responders. They reflect on legacy and purpose, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the importance of faith, humor, and camaraderie in healing. Their conversation also explores the growing role of non-traditional therapies in supporting mental wellness.

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

Go to https://libertyandloyaltyfoundation.com/ to get all the information on the upcoming American Hero Celebration, November 7-9, 2025.

Jeff Medlin comes from a multi-generational ranching family in Tatum, New Mexico. A talented heeler, he had a successful rodeo career that took him all the way to the National Finals Rodeo twice, in 1991 and 1996. If the name sounds familiar, it should — Jeff is also the father of four-time NFR qualifier Logan Medlin.

In our conversation, Jeff shares how he made the journey from the ranches of eastern New Mexico to the bright lights of Las Vegas, and some of the legendary cowboys he learned from along the way. Beyond rodeo, Jeff’s dedication to family shines through, a quality that’s clearly reflected in his kids.

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

The Charly Crawford Podcast is proud to be a partner with NRS. They are a one-stop shop for everything Western. Shop in-store at their locations in Decatur, Texas, Granbury, Texas, and Wickenburg, Arizona, or online at ⁠nrsworld.com⁠. 

Be sure to check out my first of many online courses at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.

Kolton Schmidt from Barrhead, Alberta has made the NFR twice on the head side, and right now he’s chasing down his third qualification with just a few weeks left in the 2025 season. We talk about the horsepower it takes to win, finding the right partner, and how time on the road has taught him to lean into his strengths instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing.

We also get into why team roping still isn’t in Calgary, what rodeos Kolton has left this year, and what his path looks like if he’s going to punch that ticket to Vegas one more time.

This episode is brought to you by Cowboy Steel Construction. If you're in need of a top-tier metal building, check out Cowboy Steel on their Facebook or Instagram Page, call the owner Trey Norris at 903-348-4611, or send them an email at [email protected] to see what they can do for you!

Check out all the amazing products that Ezra Tech Ranch Gear has to offer at ezratechgear.com. Use code “Charly10” for a 10% discount on any product they offer, like their best-selling Truck Scabbard. 

My first online course is available for download at ⁠charlycrawford.training⁠ under the courses tab. Enrolling only takes a few clicks to access over two hours of instruction, swing breakdowns, and drills.