Today I have the lovely Janie Finlay joining me. You might recognize her as Janie Johnson from her work on the Cowboy Channel, but today we get to know her a little better as she shares her experiences growing up and working in the rodeo world. Don't miss some of her favorite memories; from barrel racing to interviewing rodeo's top cowboys and cowgirls.

We also get a glimpse into Janie's personal life, including her recent wedding to saddle bronc rider, Jake Finlay. She gives us some insights into how they've managed to balance their careers with their relationship, which can be a challenge as they both travel so frequently! As an added bonus, Janie gives me a bit of a crash course on what dating is like in today's world.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this conversation with Janie Finlay – a cowgirl at heart with a whole lot of wisdom to share about the rodeo world and beyond.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[1:26] Growing up in the rodeo world

[6:05] Rodeoing from a young age

[9:00] Janie's love for the sport and the importance of caring for the animals

[11:20] Balancing work and ranching

[18:30] Stories of Jake and Australia

[25:45] How Janie and Jake met

[28:20] Crash course in modern dating - Snapchat, phone numbers, and 'talking'

[29:50] The cowboy downhill

[32:00] Dating while they both traveled often

[36:00] Janie and Jake's wedding

[37:15] Balancing her time on the Cowboy Network with visiting rodeos to support Jake

Connect with Janie @calamityjanie

Connect with Lindsay on Instagram @lindsaybranquinho and @companion.pass

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Today I'm thrilled to have Paige Lawrence-Champion on the show! Paige is a former professional figure skater turned high-performance coach, now married to bareback rider Richmond Champion, and she's here to share her experiences with us.

We're chatting about how Paige and Richmond met, and how their relationship developed. We also dive into the transition from a career in figure skating to supporting a rodeo star. As someone who wears multiple hats in her relationship with Richmond, Paige sheds light on how she navigates her roles as both a coach and a wife. It can be tricky to know what to say in the difficult moments of a rodeo career, but Paige has learned over time when she can take on the role of coach with constructive conversation and when she needs to show up to have the less traditionally constructive conversations!

Paige opens up about the heightened stakes in a rodeo career and her unique view on fear while watching Richmond take on the arena. We also discuss the fun of traveling with Richmond to different rodeos, as well as the challenges of being apart for long periods of time.

Throughout our conversation, Paige emphasizes the importance of assertiveness and communication in any relationship, but especially in one where you're apart for much of the year. She shares not only how she provides support for Richmond and respects his competitive boundaries, but how she advocates for her own needs as well. Lastly, we discuss the unmatched camaraderie and community that exists within the rodeo world, as well as the highs and lows of the rodeo life.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[2:00] How Paige and Richmond met

[9:30] The transition from professional competitive figure skating to supporter and girlfriend of a rodeo professional

[11:00] Pursuing your own dreams and goals while also playing a huge role of support for our cowboys

[14:45] Does Paige have to separate herself as a coach from herself as a wife?

[17:45] Knowing what to say in the challenging moments of a rodeo career

[18:45] Richmond's pre-arena rituals and how Paige respects his competitive boundaries

[27:00] How are the stakes higher in a rodeo career? Is it ever scary seeing your husband go into the arena?

[29:45] The fun of traveling with Richmond and the challenges of being apart

[39:15] This is a two-way street: how Paige is assertive with her own needs

[43:30] Camaraderie in the arena

[46:00] High points and low points of the rodeo life

Connect with Paige on Instagram @paigehlawrence and @paigelawrencecoaching

Connect with Lindsay on Instagram @lindsaybranquinho and @companion.pass

Find more Companion Pass content on the blog: https://www.lindsaybranquinho.com/companion-pass

Shop Favour online: https://shopfavour.com/

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Unfiltered, honest conversations about the realities of rodeo life from a perspective not often considered. Spouses, parents, and children of rodeo's most well-known, and successful athletes join me to share a raw look at what it's really like balancing careers, home life, and relationships while their loved ones are out chasing world championship dreams. 

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