Ep. 181 | Don’t Let Failure Define You with Jordan Jo Hollabaugh

In Today’s Episode:

Failure has a way of overshadowing everything that came before it. One disappointing result can make us forget months of progress. A goal we didn’t reach can suddenly feel more important than every difficult step we completed along the way.

In this episode of The Of The West Podcast, Jessie sits down with Jordan for an honest conversation about discipline, faith, and finding perspective when life doesn’t go according to plan.

From Jordan’s experience in the breakaway roping arena to their shared experiences with 75 Hard, they explore what it means to keep showing up. They also discuss how to move forward when the outcome doesn’t match the effort.

When Falling Short Feels Personal

In competitive environments, success often feels easy to measure. You either win or you don’t. You complete the challenge, reach the goal, or fall short.

However, those outcomes rarely tell the whole story.

Jordan shares how a difficult moment in breakaway roping made her question her progress. In that moment, disappointment carried more weight than everything she had already accomplished.

That reaction isn’t limited to the arena. We often judge an entire season by its ending. If the result falls short, we overlook the discipline and growth that brought us there.

Jessie and Jordan also reflect on their experiences with 75 Hard. The challenge demands consistency, especially when motivation disappears. Yet, its greatest lesson may not come from completing every day perfectly. It may come from learning how to respond when you fall short.

Missing one goal doesn’t erase the work that came before it. Experiencing failure doesn’t make you a failure.

Finding Perspective in the Hard Seasons

Disappointment can narrow our perspective. It directs our attention toward what went wrong and away from the good that still surrounds us.

Faith helps widen that view.

Jessie and Jordan discuss trusting God through seasons that don’t unfold as expected. Faith may not remove the disappointment, but it can remind us that one difficult moment isn’t the end of the story.

Sometimes moving forward means trying again. Other times, it means resting, adjusting the goal, or giving yourself grace. Either way, failure doesn’t have to decide what happens next.

You can acknowledge disappointment without living in it. You can learn from failure without making it part of your identity. Most importantly, you can choose to show up for yourself again.

Listen to Episode 181 of The Of The West Podcast for the full conversation about discipline, faith, 75 Hard, and finding perspective when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Connect with Jordan Jo:

• Follow on Instagram @jordanjohollabaugh
• Visit her website
• Listen to In the LOOP Podcast
• Visit Cowgirl Armor’s website

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

Resources & Links:

• HabitShare App
• 75 Hard
• Episode #275 – Where Opportunity Meets the West | Jessie Jarvis
• Join The Directory Of The West
• Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description 
• Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship
• Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
• Subscribe to Of The West’s ⁠Newsletters
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

More About Jessie

Jessie was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age, instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the American West.

In addition to her lifelong involvement raising cattle, Jessie has had over a decade’s worth of experience in print and digital media, both writing for and producing various agriculture and western fashion publications, as well as freelancing in ag and western communications.

As someone who has been on all sides of the spectrum—as a job seeker, a business owner, someone looking for various service providers, and as a freelancer—Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the west.

Jessie’s proudest accomplishment(s) in life is that of her family—her husband Justin, her son, Jhett, and baby girl, Jaxyn.

More About Leaders Of The West

Leaders Of The West is a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. 

Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave. 

These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. 

In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. 

Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you.

You’ll find new episodes every week. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a show!