Breaking Habits & Finding Grit: Black Cowboy Culture and the Healing Power of Horses

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. Key Discussion Points: 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