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.

This episode with Regina Richardson, RGV criminal defense attorney, traces a gritty, real path to purpose. She reflects on working late shifts at Taco Bell and Taco Cabana in college, the turning points that led her to law school, and how those early jobs shaped her work ethic with clients today. We also have fun with a dream dinner table question. Regina picks Tupac Shakur and Dr. William Strong, then explains why their voices matter to her view of justice, culture, and second chances.

For a record third appearance, Chasse Conque returns to Saddle Up. We cover the surge of UTRGV Football, the transition into FCS and the Southland Conference, and the ripple effects across every sport on campus. Chasse breaks down how the department is stacking record GPAs, why fan, donor, and community support has accelerated the plan, and what milestones are next on the university’s roadmap.

This week’s guest is Chris Fagan, a 6-5 forward from the Bronx who made his mark at UTPA with toughness on the glass and timely scoring. After arriving by way of Trinidad State College, Fagan became a fixture in the Broncs’ frontcourt, averaging double-figure points in back-to-back seasons and delivering some of the era’s most memorable performances.

This week we’re joined by Iran “Biggie” Perez, widely known as Mr. Brownsville. Biggie has worn just about every hat in the local sports scene, from coaching to media to community organizing, all with one aim, better opportunities for Valley kids.A longtime educator and coach in Brownsville, Biggie has served across multiple programs at Rivera High School, contributing to football and basketball while also helping with school athletics media and outreach. His roles have included freshman football and JV boys basketball, plus social media manager and webmaster support for Rivera athletics. LFG!