Cheat Codes- Show Stock Edition

Tom Gourley

Cheat Codes — Show Stock Edition is for parents trying to figure out the show cattle and show lamb world without feeling lost, rushed, or intimidated. Hosted by a parent learning in real time, this podcast breaks down how the show stock ecosystem really works — from buying animals and understanding breeders, to navigating judges, feeding decisions, and expectations. Through real stories, honest conversations, and clear explanations, Cheat Codes helps parents think clearly, move forward confidently, and support their kids without burning out or overspending. This isn’t expert talk. It’s a learning conversation — and you’re invited.

  1. 4월 23일

    Feeding, Fueling, and Building Show Stock from the Inside Out- Rob Cooper

    Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever felt like you’re just guessing when it comes to feeding your animals… this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Rob Cooper, a PhD-level ruminant nutritionist with over 20 years of experience developing feeding programs for large-scale cattle operations, to break down what actually matters when it comes to feed, supplements, and performance. We dive into the fundamentals of nutrition—energy, protein, and what’s really happening inside the rumen—and then connect it directly to what you’re seeing in the barn. From analyzing your animals, to adjusting feed, to understanding why some lambs handle soft while others stay hard, this episode is built to give you a clearer framework instead of more confusion. We also get into:  How feeding changes when you introduce exercise (treadmill, walking, etc.)  The truth about supplements—and what’s actually worth your money  Why consistency in feeding matters more than most people realize  The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)  Practical strategies for lambs, steers, and breeding heifers One of the biggest takeaways: you can’t just throw more feed at an animal and expect results. Understanding what to change and why is what separates average programs from great ones.  If you’re serious about improving your feeding program—or just want to stop second-guessing yourself every time you walk into the barn—this is a must-listen.

    39분
  2. 4월 16일

    What I Got Wrong My First 2 Years in Show Stock - Kaid Panek

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Cheat Codes, I sit down with Kaid Panek—someone who’s just a couple years ahead of me in the show stock world and still very much in the trenches figuring it out. This isn’t a polished “expert” interview. It’s a real conversation between two show dads comparing notes, sharing mistakes, and trying to shortcut the learning curve for anyone getting started. We talk through what we both got wrong early on, the things we completely overcomplicated, and what actually matters once you get a little experience under your belt. From getting roped into goats (that definitely aren’t “low maintenance”), to building routines, to realizing that sometimes the best education is just showing up and getting beat—there’s a lot in here for beginners and parents navigating this world for the first time. Kaid also shares his perspective on documenting the journey on TikTok, why people connect with real content over highlight reels, and how social media has actually helped him learn faster. We wrap up talking about goals for this season, what he’s trying to do differently, and the bigger picture behind all of it. Because at the end of the day… We’re not just raising animals—we’re raising kids. 🎯 In this episode, we cover:  The biggest misconceptions when starting in show stock  What beginners tend to overcomplicate  How routines and systems evolve over time  Lessons learned from jackpots and getting beat  Goats, lambs, steers… and yes, treadmills  Using TikTok to document and accelerate the learning curve  What actually matters vs what doesn’t  Goals and mindset going into this season If you’re new to show stock or figuring it out as you go, this podcast is for you. Share this episode with someone else getting started—let’s learn this together.

    53분
  3. 3월 13일

    The Fitter’s Perspective - Troy Goretska

    Send us Fan Mail What do fitters actually see when your animal walks into the barn? In this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, Tom sits down with experienced fitter Troy Goretska to talk about what separates average projects from great ones — and why most success in the show barn comes down to daily habits, consistency, and good management, not just feed or supplements. Troy shares how he got started in fitting, what he notices immediately when he looks at a new animal, and the biggest mistakes newer show families tend to make. They also break down some of the confusing terminology used by judges and fitters — words like cover, bloom, freshness, and handle — so beginners can better understand what those comments actually mean in the ring.  The conversation also dives into: Why daily management and routine matter more than most people thinkHow to evaluate livestock and identify what your project actually needsWhen supplements help — and when they don’tWhy finding the right mentors and “your people” can accelerate your learning curveThe philosophy Troy calls “Rule #1: Be a good home” for your livestockFor new families especially, Troy offers practical advice on building a foundation, learning from experienced exhibitors, and focusing on the process rather than just the color of the ribbon. If you’re new to show livestock — or looking to level up your program — this episode will help you better understand how experienced fitters think about managing animals and preparing them for the ring. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with another show family who’s just getting started so more people can learn a thing or two along the way. And don’t forget to subscribe to Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with breeders, fitters, judges, and other experts across the industry.

    1시간 4분
  4. 3월 10일

    Debrief 4

    Send us Fan Mail Cheat Codes Debrief – Moving Day, Barn Setup & What’s Next The last few weeks have been a little chaotic behind the scenes. After a lot of waiting and moving parts, we finally closed on our new place and are now in the middle of getting everything moved, cleaning up the show barn, and getting the animals settled in so we can get back into a normal routine. Because of that, the podcast has been a little quiet recently. This time of year is packed with major shows, sales, and trade events, and many of the guests we’re lining up are running pretty hard right now. The good news is we have three great guests in the pipeline — we’re just working through schedules to make it happen. In the meantime, I’ll start sharing some of the show barn transformation as we get this place set up. If you want to follow along, look for those updates on TikTok and Facebook. This podcast is all about helping beginner show stock families shorten the learning curve, and we want to build future interviews around the questions you actually want answered. If you’ve got beginner questions about: FeedingFittingBreedingBarn setupDaily routinesOr anything else in the show stock worldSend them to the Cheat Codes Facebook page and we’ll start asking them to upcoming guests. And if you’ve been enjoying the podcast, leaving a quick review or rating helps new listeners discover the show and helps us bring better guests onto the podcast. Thanks for following along.

    2분
  5. 2월 15일

    Built in the Barn: A Show Stock Family Story-John & Kaytlynn Lemley

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a kid doesn’t start showing livestock at five years old? In this episode of Cheat Codes: Show Stock Edition, Tom sits down with father–daughter duo John Lemley and Kaytlynn Lemley to talk about late starts, family pressure, entrepreneurship, and what the barn really builds in kids. Kaytlynn didn’t grow up in the show ring. She tried dance, volleyball, band, and color guard before stepping into livestock in high school. What began with one Southdown sheep turned into a State Fair class win, years of hard lessons, and eventually the launch of her own business — Farm Fierce, a lamb leg wrap company now shipping across the country. Now pursuing her Master’s in Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University, Kaytlynn reflects on: Starting “late” in the industryLearning resilience through losingNavigating pressure from a competitive dadDiscovering that parents aren’t meant to be friends first — they’re meant to prepare youTurning a side idea during COVID into a real businessJohn shares the parent side of the journey — the balance between pushing and pulling back, the reality of breeding sheep (and losing them), and the hard-earned wisdom that success in this industry requires finding the right people and sticking with them. This conversation isn’t about banners.  It’s about identity shifts, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and raising kids who can handle pressure long after the show season ends. If you’re a parent with a kid just starting — or a family trying to figure out how hard to push — this one’s for you.

    59분

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Cheat Codes — Show Stock Edition is for parents trying to figure out the show cattle and show lamb world without feeling lost, rushed, or intimidated. Hosted by a parent learning in real time, this podcast breaks down how the show stock ecosystem really works — from buying animals and understanding breeders, to navigating judges, feeding decisions, and expectations. Through real stories, honest conversations, and clear explanations, Cheat Codes helps parents think clearly, move forward confidently, and support their kids without burning out or overspending. This isn’t expert talk. It’s a learning conversation — and you’re invited.

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