From Toughen Up to Open Up with Jake Ogren [episode 68]

Listen to From Toughen Up to Open Up: A Conversation with Marine-Turned-Farrier Jake Ogren on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice

I’m honored to welcome a special guest, Jake Ogren, onto the podcast today! He’s a good friend of ours and our horse’s farrier, and since I’ve known him, we’ve had MANY conversations surrounding the topics of mental health, trauma, and taking care of ourselves. Basically, we’re solving all of the world’s problems in the horse barn!

In today’s episode, we talk about what it looks like to go from toughen up to open up. Jake describes himself as stoic (as do others who know him well), and in the past, he’s had a difficult time expressing his emotions. He used to balk at the idea of therapy, but after experiencing some eye-opening situations in both the Marine Corps and fatherhood, he realized he needed to seek help in this way.

Jake and I discuss the very well-known stigma in the ranching and ag space that is “toughen up and rub some dirt on it,” as well as getting personalized support for YOUR mental health needs. You may (or may not) need medication – you may need a therapist for a short period or ongoing. What matters more than anything is finding someone who is the right fit for you (whether that’s a licensed therapist or someone you feel comfortable confiding in).

Mental health in rural America can still be challenging to navigate; there’s a misconception that seeking help makes you look weak, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. You HAVE to make time for your brain and your emotions if you want to thrive (and enjoy) your day-to-day life!

Jake has experienced quite a transformation in his life, and he is now a true advocate for mental health. I’m so glad Jake and I finally took this conversation outside of the barn; I hope it shows you that you’re NOT alone, and it’s totally okay to get support with your mental health!

Meet Jake:

Jake Ogren was born and raised on a ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills, mainly in the Hyannis and Ashby areas. When 9/11 happened, Jake joined the US Marine Corps and did 5 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After 12 years in the USMC, he got out and went to horseshoeing school. He’s now been shoeing horses full-time for the last 10 years. He’s married to his wife, Tara, and they share a daughter.

In this episode, From Toughen Up to Open Up: A Conversation with Marine-Turned-Farrier Jake Ogren, we cover:

Jake’s journey of joining the Marines Corps + what eventually led him to seek therapy for his mental health
The all-too-common stigma of “toughen up and rub some dirt on it” in the ranching & ag community
The importance of getting support for YOUR specific mental health needs + finding the right person to talk to
Jake’s advice for seeking help when you’re hesitant to do so
How therapy has impacted Jake in multiple areas of his life
Common misconceptions about mental health in rural America

Resources & Links:

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Dry Creek Wrangler Podcast with Dewayne Noel
Create Your Own Light with Travis Howze
The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
The Welcoming Prayer
BetterHelp
Learn more and see if 1:1 Good Movement Guidance is right for you
Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting

Connect with Jake:

If you have any questions for Jake, send me a message on Instagram @terryn.drieling or an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com

Connect with Terryn:

Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
Check out my website
Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com

Related Episodes:

More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:

In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.

It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow or a pair, to move out in a certain direction, and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.

Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.

We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and our approach, and we communicate with each other differently.

These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.

The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.

Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.

Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.

We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.

Tune in every Tuesday, and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!