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More Than Ice Baths and Weight Loss equine industry motivational stories May 09, 2025

Take a little virtual ride with me at our trail riding facility in Missouri called Von Holten Ranch

The land has been in the same family since 1906.  We became the fourth generation to purchase it in 2013.  When we moved here, the land had not been lived on since 1979.

A lot of people tuned ...

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Consistency Is Key, Especially When It Comes to Your Health health journey motivational stories Feb 22, 2025

My highest weight in my life happened in 2023: 333

My lowest weight in 2024 was 314. A few days after I hit that weight, I went through an extremely stressful patch and gained 15lbs in less than 3 months.

On December 1st, I said no more. I told myself that I was going to keep going until I figured th...

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The Journey of a Donkey Named Luke equine industry keynote speaker motivational stories Jul 11, 2024

Luke, the donkey, has hit the jackpot in terms of finding a forever home at our trail riding facility in Missouri.  He will have the task of being loved by children and adults during birthday parties and being kissed by brides that want to have unique wedding photos.  It is a pretty good gig that is...

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Children’s Character Development Book Series Showcases Mules educational program/books empowered women keynote speaker motivational stories Jul 09, 2024

Adventures at Von Holten Ranch is a book series consisting of six books with each book featuring a different horse or mule from Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri!  Book number two and six, bring a mule to the spotlight for different character development lessons.  Book number two, Adventures at Von...

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How My Mother Influenced My Riding empowered women equine industry motivational stories Mar 31, 2024

I remember thinking my mom was the best horseback rider in the WORLD.  If my Shetland pony would not let me catch him, she would catch him by his tail.  If my Welch pony ran away with me, she would ride him and make him mind.  My mom always took the worst horse and I never remember seeing her hit th...

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Mounted Archery & Shooting Fire educational program/books equine industry goal setting keynote speaker motivational stories Feb 01, 2024

Equifest of Kansas is a three-day expo put on yearly by the Kansas Horse Council.  It is a big deal for the equine industry in Kansas and Missouri.  Equifest is vital to our trail riding facility.  We only close three times per year; Christmas, deer hunting season, and Equifest of Kansas. 

2019 was...

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Start Keeping Promises to Yourself business strategies goal setting motivational stories Jan 31, 2024

How many times have you said, “I should do that one day”, knowing good and well that you will not even give it a second thought?  Or have you ever wanted to sign up or enroll into a class or a competition and just did not do it.  Why?  Are you afraid of failure?  Are you lazy and do not want to put ...

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A Father's Story of Coping with the Loss of a Child country tough podcast interview keynote speaker motivational stories Jan 31, 2024

This is a podcast transcription of an interview between Brandy Von Holten and her brother Gary Vaughn, Jr. about the loss of Gary's daughter, Kaytlynn.  If you would like to hear the podcast, the podcast is Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten.  Gary is episode #33.  The photo with this blog is Gary...

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Surviving on Fear Only business strategies equine industry health journey motivational stories Jan 26, 2024

Fear of failure is my choice of personal fuel right now.  Is this fear real?  If it changes my choices in a day, then I would say YES!  Is it a bad thing?  I will let you decide.

There are three things that have me fearful in my life right now:  doing well at a large equine expo, negative opinions ...

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Sarah Leonhard - Purina/Animal Nutrition/Women in Agriculture/Barrel Racer/Embryo Transfer/Cattle Rancher country tough podcast interview empowered women motivational stories Jan 10, 2024

 Sarah Leonhard

Wed, Aug 09, 2023 10:19AM • 46:43

SPEAKERS

Sarah Leonhard, Brandy Von Holten

 Brandy Von Holten 

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten. Today I have a special guest Her name is Sarah Leonhard. And she is here with Purina. She actually has two job titles with Puri...

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Dealing with Adult Bullies on Social Media health journey keynote speaker motivational stories Jan 09, 2024

If you have been bullied on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, you name it; I just want you to know you are not alone.

Bullies take on different forms throughout our lives.  From the child that pushes you down on the playground to the boy that pops your bra strap to the click of girls that decide they a...

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I Am Not What I Use To Be goal setting health journey keynote speaker motivational stories Jan 09, 2024

I am not what I use to be.  I have said those words, I have felt those words, and I am dealing with those words currently.  I use to be a lot of things including almost 100 pounds smaller.  I use to be an Olympic level athlete.  I use to be a buckle winning champion on my horse.  I use to be able to...

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