This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Rene Flores, a former UTPA baseball player whose story reflects the work, pride, and resilience that define baseball in the Rio Grande Valley.Rene takes us back to his playing days at UTPA, the teammates and coaches who shaped him, and what it really took to compete at the college level. We also talk about life after the diamond, how baseball lessons translate into leadership and family, and why the Valley continues to produce tough, hungry athletes.If you’re a UTPA alum, a baseball lifer, or someone who appreciates a real journey built on discipline and grit, you’ll enjoy this one.

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with Roland Gonzalez to talk about leadership, community, and building something meaningful. Roland shares how his background shaped the way he leads, why people and culture come first, and what it looks like to give back while still holding high standards.

We also talk about mentorship, opportunity, and why the Rio Grande Valley produces more talent than it gets credit for.

Renee Leal is one of the most talented and hardest working women in the RGV! Learn about her story and her quest to bringing the Citrus Theater in Edinburg back to life!

Jack Kaufold’s story is the kind that reminds you how fast life can change when preparation meets opportunity. From growing up in Edinburg to landing a college internship that opened real doors, Jack turned an early break into a blueprint. Now he’s on the other side of the table, helping college students find the same kind of life-altering opportunities, and teaching them how to show up ready when it counts.

In this episode, Jack breaks down what actually works for students trying to get hired: how to stand out without connections, what mentors look for, and why the right internship can change the entire trajectory of a career. If you’re a student, a parent, or someone who wants to build a better path from the Valley to bigger rooms, this conversation will hit home.

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with Dr. Cynthia Catchings for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, service, and what it really takes to build a life and career that matters.Dr. Catchings, an alumni of UTRGV, shares the mindset and discipline behind sustained success, how she approaches purpose-driven work, and the lessons she has learned from helping others through real-world challenges. We talk about the difference between influence and impact, what strong leadership looks like when nobody is watching, and why consistency beats talent over the long haul.This episode is equal parts motivating and practical, with stories and takeaways you can apply immediately, whether you are building a career, leading a team, or trying to level up your personal life.

Bobby Pulido joins the show this week and we talk a wide range of topics. Learn what it was like growing up in Edinburg, what some of Bobby's fondest memories are, and what he has planned for people in District 15 if elected to US Congress. LFG!

This week on Saddle Up, we sit down with longtime RGV basketball coach David Keith, a program builder who has helped shape winning culture across the Valley, including stops with the Sharyland Rattlers and Edinburg-area high school basketball.Coach Keith breaks down what most fans never see: the daily standards, the accountability, and the player development that turns a roster into a team. We talk about how RGV basketball has evolved, what it takes to sustain success year after year, and why leadership matters more than plays when the season gets hard. He also shares real stories from the grind, the relationships that define a career, and what he believes the next generation of Valley athletes needs to hear.If you love Texas high school basketball, coaching, or the behind-the-scenes work that builds a real program, this episode is for you.

This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Gabriella Ebel, a Brownsville native whose journey took her from the Rio Grande Valley to the biggest stage in entertainment: the Super Bowl halftime show.

Gabriella shares what it really takes to break into elite performance, the discipline behind the scenes, and how the RGV shaped her drive. We also talk about her work in major productions, including performing alongside Bad Bunny, and what it felt like being part of one of the most watched halftime shows in history. From auditions and rehearsals to the pressure of live television, Gabriella gives an honest look at what success costs, and why it is worth it.

If you’re an artist, athlete, performer, or anyone building something bigger than your hometown, this episode is for you.