Well—after almost 300 weeks in a row of putting out new podcast episodes, I missed a week. And you know what? That’s life. But here's the thing—missing a week doesn’t mean the streak is broken for good. It just means it's time to start again.

In this episode, I share a few stories from the road, some of the unexpected hiccups that knocked me off my routine, and why learning to reset and restart is one of the most valuable tools we can develop in life and in horsemanship. Because in any pursuit, obstacles are guaranteed. But how we respond—that’s where the growth happens.

Lessons from the Road

We left Oklahoma for Salina, Utah, to be part of the Levi Wright Foundation fundraiser—a cause that means a lot to us. It was a meaningful trip, and I was honored to play a small part. But the real lesson came on the way home.

We decided to take a scenic route back across Monarch Pass—11,300 feet above sea level. On the way down, my check engine light came on. That’s not uncommon with these newer diesel trucks, and I didn’t think much of it. But a little later, as we were cruising across a flat stretch of Colorado, everything changed.

Suddenly, I lost my power brakes and steering. That’ll make your heart drop. We were hauling our living quarters trailer and had a couple horses with us. Thankfully, we were not still on that mountain pass. We got pulled over and safely stopped, but it was a real wake-up call. If that had happened just 30 minutes earlier coming off the mountain, it could have been a very different story. I’m convinced someone was riding with us that day—watching out for us.

Gratitude in the Breakdown

Thanks to a very kind Chevy dealership in Pueblo, we got towed, the truck was fixed, and the horses had a safe place to stay. It delayed us, but we made it home. That breakdown taught me that sometimes you’re not meant to push through—you’re meant to pause, regroup, and start fresh.

A Time to Reflect and Refocus

Summer always seems to slip by in a blink. With Bridget heading back to school in just a couple of weeks, I’m reminded how quickly seasons shift. The good news? A new season is a perfect time to refocus. Whether it’s training goals, business plans, or personal development, now’s the time to start laying the foundation for what you want to accomplish next year.

If you’ve got goals for spring—whether it’s competing, starting colts, or leveling up your program—the time to start preparing is now. You don’t get ready in March. You get ready in August, September, and October. That’s how you hit the ground running.

The Power of a Reset

Getting off track is never the hard part—it’s the starting again that takes effort. In horsemanship, business, or life, unexpected detours are part of the process. What matters is your willingness to reset and restart.

When Bridget is in her normal school routine, it’s easy for me to stay in my own groove—workouts in the morning, horses trained by noon before the heat sets in. But in the summer, everything shifts. You blink, and weeks have flown by. I realized the other day I hadn’t even stepped foot in my office for five days. Life doesn’t always run on a schedule, and that’s why learning how to start again is so important.

The Takeaway

Missing a step doesn’t mean failure—it just means you’re human. The important thing is mastering the art of starting again. Because every goal you reach is built on thousands of fresh starts. Whether you’re restarting a routine, coming back from burnout, or fixing what’s broken—just begin again. That’s where the magic happens.