Episode Details

Zack Oakes joins the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast to talk about a life spent chasing rodeo dreams, the realities of professional bull riding, and what happens when the ride finally ends. From hitchhiking to rodeos as a teenager to competing at the highest levels of the sport, Zack shares stories from the road, lessons learned the hard way, and why success in the arena doesn't always translate to success after the spotlight fades.

In this episode:

• Growing up in Oregon and getting started in rodeo
• Knowing when it was time to step away from bull riding
• Life on the road as a professional rodeo cowboy
• Making the NFR and the nerves behind the biggest stage in rodeo
• Winning over $1 million and the financial mistakes that followed
• Why many athletes struggle after their careers end
• Sponsorships, agents, and the business side of rodeo
• The difference between old-school cowboys and modern rodeo athletes
• Wild stories from military appearances and life on tour
• The mental game of competing when everything is on the line
• What Zack wishes he'd known at 20 years old

If you've ever wondered what life is really like behind the chutes—or what comes after the dream—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast
Real Horses. Real Ranch. Real Talk.