This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Dr. Jose A. Ramos, Jr., the newly named Texas Region 7 Athletic Trainer of the Year at McAllen High School.

Dr. Ramos has spent years on the front line of high school sports, protecting athletes, managing injuries, and helping students get back on the field the right way. In this conversation, he breaks down what people do not see behind Friday night lights: the preparation, the prevention work, the pressure moments, and the responsibility of caring for hundreds of student-athletes across multiple sports.

We also talk about leadership, building trust with coaches and parents, and what it means to raise the standard for sports medicine in the Rio Grande Valley.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• What the Region 7 honor represents, and why it matters
• The daily reality of being an athletic trainer at a major high school
• Injury prevention, rehab principles, and return-to-play decisions
• Advice for young athletes and parents navigating injuries
• How the RGV can keep developing safer, stronger sports programs

This week on Saddle Up, we’re joined by Jett Garza, an up-and-coming country music standout from Brownsville, Texas, making serious noise with his debut album, Rearview, now available on all streaming platforms and YouTube.Jett sits down with G and Matt to talk about the stories behind the record, what he pulled from growing up in the Valley, and the grind it takes to build momentum as an independent artist. If you love real songwriting, Texas roots, and artists on the come-up, this episode will be your lane.If you’re in the RGV, you can catch Jett live at his album release party on May 23 at Barn Yard Burger in Brownsville, Texas. Come support, bring friends, and get there early.Listen to the debut album here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5VIPk3R6LZuAOdltelRIgZ?si=zvl7Qb-ZTWuH8ulUid785wIn this episodeThe meaning behind Rearview and the songs that hit closest to homeHow Brownsville shaped his sound and work ethicWhat’s next for Jett, and where he wants to take this runLive show plans and how fans can support the movement

This week on Saddle Up, we welcome Houston Moore, the Director of Golf at UTRGV, leading both the men’s and women’s programs.

It’s a timely conversation because both Vaquero teams are bringing hardware back to the Valley. The UTRGV women’s team won the Southland Conference Championship on April 15, 2026, earning the league title and an automatic postseason bid. One week later, the UTRGV men’s team captured its first-ever Southland Conference Championship on April 22, 2026, marking a major milestone for the program.

Coach Moore breaks down what it takes to build championship culture across two squads, how the team prepares in-season versus postseason, and what these titles mean for recruiting, expectations, and the future of Vaquero golf.

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.