Cowboy Up / Basecamp For Veterans

In Episode #24 of Cowboy Up, hosts Russell True and Steven Clauson sit down with Terence "Terry" McDonald, the Head Wrangler at White Stallion Ranch. Terry shares his inspiring, unconventional journey from being terrified of horses to leading the entire riding program at one of the country's most renowned guest ranches. Tune in for a heartwarming conversation on taking leaps of faith, overcoming fears, the power of mentorship, and what it truly means to turn ranch guests into family.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:From Fear to Focus: How Terry overcame a deep-seated fear of horses to pursue his passion for working with animals and people.The Leap of Faith: The story behind Terry moving from Arkansas to Arizona with zero equestrian experience and earning a chance at White Stallion Ranch.Rising through the Ranks: How relentless work ethic and mentorship helped Terry rise from a novice to Head Wrangler in under three years."Created, Not Hired": Host Russell True unpacks his famous philosophy on developing talent from within, referencing his reality show The Wranglers.Guest Hospitality: Why Terry’s unique talent for connecting with returning guests defines the spirit of Western hospitality.

In Episode #23 of Cowboy Up, hosts Russell True and Steven Clauson welcome Sarah King—Executive Director of the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance and co-manager of the historic 55,000-acre King’s Anvil Ranch. Sarah shares her journey from East Coast native and backcountry horseback guide to leading progressive conservation and collaborative watershed stewardship in Southern Arizona. Tune in to explore how modern cattle ranching, prescribed fire, erosion control, and community-wide partnerships work together to protect the ecological health and working landscapes of the Sonoran Desert.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Life on King’s Anvil Ranch: What it takes to manage a 55,000-acre cattle operation stewarded by five generations of the King family.Progressive Desert Ecology: How targeted water catchment, erosion control, and prescribed burns restore soil and native vegetation.Collaborative Conservation: How the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance bridges gaps between private landowners, government agencies, and environmental groups across 600,000 acres.Advocacy & Stewardship: Sarah’s work across regional boards to preserve Western heritage, rangeland health, and drought resilience.Guest Spotlight:Sarah King: Executive Director, Altar Valley Conservation Alliance | Cattle Rancher, King’s Anvil RanchRecognition: Awarded for Outstanding Service by the Society for Range Management (Arizona Section, 2021)Connect & Listen: Subscribe to Cowboy Up for weekly episodes on ranching, Western culture, and life in the saddle. Don't forget to like, comment, and turn on notifications!

In Episode #22 of Cowboy Up, hosts Russell True and Steven Clauson sit down with Janna White from Whiskey Del Bac to discuss true Sonoran Desert craft, authentic horsemanship, and the upcoming Boots and Bourbon weekend at White Stallion Ranch. Discover how mesquite-smoked barley creates a world-class Arizona spirit, why real ranch work builds a deep connection to the land, and what to expect from an unforgettable weekend in the saddle.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Sonoran Craft: How Whiskey Del Bac malts barley over velvet mesquite fires for an authentic campfire flavor.Boots & Bourbon 2026 Preview: An inside look at the exclusive event running September 17–20, 2026.

In Episode #21 of Cowboy Up, hosts Russell True and Steven Clauson are joined by Mary Miller, co-owner and third-generation steward of the historic Elkhorn Ranch. Mary shares her deep-rooted connection to Southern Arizona, the traditions of traditional dude ranching, and what it takes to balance Western hospitality with environmental conservation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on preserving Western heritage, operating a multi-generational family business, and maintaining a true home-away-from-home in the Baboquivari Mountains.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Deep Family Roots: How Mary’s childhood Thanksgiving visits turned into a lifetime of stewardship at Elkhorn Ranch.Old-Time Guest Hospitality: The dedication behind managing kitchen, dining, and office operations to create an authentic ranch experience.Conservation & Heritage: How Elkhorn Ranch balances horse breeding and land stewardship alongside neighboring wilderness lands.The Next Generation: How the fourth generation of the Miller family is keeping Western traditions and hospitality alive in Southern Arizona.Guest Spotlight:Mary Miller: Co-Owner & Host, Elkhorn Ranch (Tucson / Sabino Canyon, AZ)Awards: Recipient of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences Heritage Family Award (2025) for leadership in land conservation and Western heritage preservation.Connect & Listen: Subscribe to Cowboy Up for weekly episodes on ranching, Western culture, and life in the saddle. Don't forget to like, comment, and turn on notifications!

In Episode 20 of Cowboy Up / Basecamp for Veterans, hosts Steven Clauson and Russell True sit down with Liz Butler, Tucson native and founder of Barrio Performance Therapy.Told for years that "there's no money in horses," Liz challenged the narrative in her early 30s to build a career around equine bodywork—a specialized practice designed to keep performance and ranch horses healthy, balanced, and operating at their peak.Episode Highlights:What is Equine Bodywork? Breaking down the therapy practices that address muscle tension, structural alignment, and recovery in working horses.Impact on Ranching & Performance: How specialized bodywork extends the working life of ranch horses and keeps equine athletes performing at their best.Defying the Narrative: Liz shares her personal path from lifelong equestrian to business owner, overcoming industry skepticism to create a thriving practice.Veterans & Horses: The intersection of equine care, ranch life, and the therapeutic bond between humans and horses.Tune in as Steven, Russell, and Liz dive into the art of equine recovery and why taking care of the herd directly impacts life on the ranch.