My Horse Journey | 10 Years... Scared to Confident
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- Опубликовано: 30 мар 2022
- I warned you all that it was a long one! Definitely the longest on my channel... but there was a lot to cover in the past 10 years. I've been getting asked to make a video about my riding journey and how I got to where I was for a few years now. Now you all know why it took me so long! I always have so much to say and explain about it! Believe it or not, I cut a lot out to make it brief haha! Anyhow, here is my horse journey and story so far... to be continued :) feel free to ask questions if you still have any!
Facebook/Instagram: @vanfleetmustangs
Website: vanfleetmustangs.com
#wildhorse #horsetraining #coltstarting
Hey! My name is Sam and I enjoy making content of all my horse adventures and sharing some training tips to help others understand horses a little better. I enjoy competing in Extreme Mustang Makeovers and traveling cross-country with my horses and teaching clinics! I love interacting with all of you so feel free to leave me a comment or message me on Instagram :)
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Current Re-occurring Horses (Personal + Current Training)
Stargazer- 9yo 15.2hh pinto gelding BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Nora- 4yo 14.1hh grey mare BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Lynx- 8yo 14.2hh grey gelding BLM Mustang (Wood Hills NV)
Calliope- 17yo 16hh pinto mare Draft X (PMU foal) 
Животные
super cool to see someone who didn’t grow up in a horse family, cause I definitely relate to that! you such an inspiration and I love listening to your journey! 💓
Same here ❤️✨🌈
Same
I started when I was 10
@@juliagruba9666 I started when I was 7
@@ameliaquinn6541 ok
I loved hearing your story. I started riding two years ago as a 44 year old. I have never ridden horses and don’t come from a horse family and I just felt like YOLO. Since I”m new in my riding career, I always come from a place of worried that I’m not good enough becasue I haven’t been riding my whole life. But I feel inspired by your story and I’m going to continue to “figuring it out”. I love riding.
Yes! I'm 41 and being with horses is a lifelong dream. I don't have much experience but I was a feeder at a therapeutic equestrian center for a year, in my 20s but they didn't allow me to ride. They laid me off and changed all the staff when it was switched to a different owner, it was devastating. Been wanting to get back into horses since. Her story is inspiring but so is yours! Its easy to feel like hope for it is lost at my age but perhaps its not!
Just keep going !!!
It’s a tough world “kinda” because I have lived that bullying, and not feeling good about myself.
I’m 49, have been injured terribly several times, and I’m just now going back out to the barn !!
Never too old or too late
Keep up the positive energy
Best Wishes
❤️🐴
love the dark hair! on a more sober note, THANK YOU for talking about bullying at barns... the reason I didn't continue as an equestrian was the sucky barn where I was kind of stuck. I had no idea what I was missing, never had any contact with trainers, competition, or showing. Everything I learned came from the few lessons I'd had in a big city stable and what I read in books. The woman who ran the barn was surly and critical. She smacked my horse in the face once in front of me. She shamed me for being a chubby kid. I had an incredible time as a feral child riding my horse around an island with lots of open fields and farms and nature preserve - that was amazing. But I really grieve for that depressed teenager, pressured to give up my horse, and really lacking any good guidance in the horse world.
I'm so sorry you experienced that. I hope you still have horses in your life now! They're special and they're healers!
I’m sorry 😞 bullying is the worst- I’ve found though that more laid back stables are less prone to bullying and more high end stables are more pushy and snobby sometimes (not all people but most)
Yes, this spoke to me. I started riding later and my Mom had ridden jumpers, so the barn I started at was all Dressage and Hunter jumper riders. It was only the older ladies who were kind to me. One of them owned the only Spanish Barb there and the other had a Paso Fino and they were seen as odd balls also. The rest looked down on me. Snotty spoiled girls and their Moms or trainers with mostly thoroughbreds who would jump and run the hell out of their horses and throw them back in their stalls. The barn staff could be heard complaining about them and that's the only thing that kept me going back. Especially because I leased my horse as I was a city kid from a non horse family. In a hilarious turn, when I bought my first horse, we boarded her at a "cowgirl" barn and all the barrel races treated us like crap because I was a lower level event rider and it was "sissy riding." LOL. It sucks. It's an issue. The most fun I ever had was when I worked at a camp one summer with horses. It was just me and 3 young guys as guides. It was a chill and fun summer where we just played with the horses off work days.
You are an amazing young woman and a fantastic role model for women young and not so young!
That’s very kind, thank you!
I never usually watch videos that long, most of the time I only watch the five first minutes, but your story is so inspiring and amazing, I watched the whole thing. I started riding when I was 15, I’m 18 now, I really want to work with horses but I keep telling myself I’m not good enough. My family are not horse people either and watching your video just gave me a boost of confidence that maybe I can make it out there, thank you💗
(I don’t usually leave comments either😅)
Well i wasnt expecting to cry over this lol
I have always felt 'similar' to you, but I thought it was just the "Ooo mustang, wait whats a mustang?" start you had, but hearing about your anxiety when Im finally accepting mine choked me up. Not many people talk about their struggles, especially not on a platform as big as yours, but its so helpful to hear that your idols share similar struggles.
Absolutely! Anxiety basically ruled and determined my life for so long… Just in the past couple years I have gotten more confident!
Fantastic. You don’t know but you significantly impacted my life! Because of your RUclips videos, I got up the nerve to find and buy a horse again as an adult after raising my kids and pursuing career. To this day, my horse and the horse people I have met, mean so much to me. So thank you for being you and sharing yourself and all you do with us!!
I love this! ❤️
That was fascinating. What a seasoned person and trainer at a young age. She followed her passion and developed her vocation. And blossomed.
I'm glad you had positive changes in your life, it seamed like it wasn't an easy journey for you. With that said, you turned out to be a wonderful person, beautiful and accomplished and comfortable, love that you found your calling. You go girl. Love from canada.
I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now. I just came across this one right now. I really enjoyed watching your horse journey. I was the first person in my family to ever get into horses as well. I’m so glad that you persevered and kept going. Very proud of you and your work ethic. Love Lynx, happy to see you’ve kept him as your business partner. Keep going and God bless you. People who bully others are usually jealous, unhappy individuals. They somehow find satisfaction in putting down a person they secretly admire. Glad you rose above!
I had no idea you had a magazine. I’ll be checking that out ! My almost 6 year old is starting horse back riding lessons this month and I really hope we get someone as kind as you! What a beautiful story.
Your story is a lot like mine - except I don't think there were Mustang opportunities back in the '60's and '70's when I was growing up - with a $150 pony. He ran away with me all the time, LOL, because I didn't know enough to adjust the bit up into the corner of his mouth. But I never told anyone he ran away, I was afraid my parents would sell him! Learned a lot from that little guy and every one since. I hung on by sheer athletic ability, and was a tiny thing like you. I, too, was very shy, and my youth horse (that lived to be 38 and is buried in my yard), got me travelling and showing a lot, winning a lot, and gave me confidence. I've slept in tack stalls, in the trailer, in the truck, too! Horses are an integral part of my soul. I haven't shown since the '90's, but just adopted a Standardbred. Wow - there was a breed that I had no idea was so wonderful. I've mostly had PHBA/AQHA horses, but at my age, with a new knee, I'm opting for really safe sane rides. RUclips has exposed me to Liberty training and many varied ground work methods - while I wait for mud to go away here in New York so I can get him going under saddle! Thank you a million for helping me learn new training methods at my age!
Thank you for sharing! That is so cool! ❤️
Wow! Amazing story Sam! I remember seeing you and Malibu in the MA makeover. I had no idea you didn’t grow up with horses…it’s amazing to hear how far you’ve come and how you’ve made something from nothing. so inspiring!👏👏
Watched the whole thing without pausing once. It’s so amazing and inspirational to see what you have accomplished. I just started my journey two years ago to be a dog trainer and am definitely struggling with teaching people. I can train the dogs but the people is another story. Lol. It’s a work in progress.
Thank you for telling your story. I've always wondered how you got to be where you are...a very talented young lady. Your video could have been 2 hrs and I would have watched. Beautifully done. You have a God given talent and followed your dream. This is your journey, your purpose in life. College is overrated. I've been to many of those barns in my lifetime, and I'm 68. Trust me, it's rare to find a good barn without drama, as well as one with owners you can trust. Just keep being you, keep speaking truth, and keep showing people how very special horses are...especially the "wild" ones.
Totally enjoyed listening! I think you made a good choice not going to college! You're living your dream and your life ,and it is beautiful ❣️🌿
Your story is really inspiring 💙 i started riding at 14, i also dont have a horse family and im not very confident but im excited to improve :))
You've got this!
You are amazing, never doubt yourself. Not everyone needs college to be successful. What a life working with horses!❤️
Your journey is so inspiring to me because you didn’t grow up with horses. But you made this life happen for yourself!!
You're pretty awesome yourself!
@@SamVanFleet thank you so much Sam!! If you can do it, so can I! Keep up the amazing work 💜
@@nadiaseymour65 there's a saying, "make them tell you no." But I say, just never tell yourself, "no." Chin up, back straight and get going. Never let them see you cry, though you will. And never let them see you quit, though you'll want to.
Awesome story. Your resilience and hard work amaze me. You are a very talented young lady and an entrepreneur. I love horses, but I have never owned one. And I don't have the land or resources to own one. I have enjoyed learning and discovering the horse world and training through your videos. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’m not from a horsey family either! My mom did lease a horse when she was younger but that is pretty much all other then my aunt whom owns a horse! I’ve been riding for 2 years now, I don’t own my own horse but I kind of pretend my lesson horse is my own lol. I’m so excited to continue my journey and buy a horse in the future!
Sam, we will never meet, but when you share your heart with us, my eyes get all watery. I took your trick training course last year. I started a five her old Spanish mare who had not been handled much before I saddled her. The course was exactly what we needed and perfect for summer as it is too hot to ride in the south of Spain. I have so much respect and admiration for you. You remind me of my granddaughter, also a Sam (27,) who worked so hard to be where she is at in life, and has had to overcome many of the things you talk about. God bless you Sam. And I am looking forward to your adventures this year. and your video was not long at all. You have a lot to teach us and we want to learn xo
I was 5 yrs old my dads friend Bob owned a horse 🐎 farm and we would go there every weekend, no grown ups watching us, they were drinking beer up in the house . It was love at first sight for me. I rode so many great ponies and horses in my life , I worked at a racetrack as well and several trail riding stables as a guide. I owned a welsh pony , and as i grew i got a 17.2 hand thourobred gelding named shane. Im 60 now and don't have any horses , my sister does though. I still ride when im able . But for 55 years they have held my heart ❤️ and will until im gone 😊God bless and stay safe 🙏 ❤️
THIS NEEDS TO BE A MOVIEEEE
what i realized fronm experiences and owning a draft cross is that they are one of the best jumpers
I started following you shortly before Ru. I had no idea of your insecurities. I have always seen you as confident and brave while being very compassionate and introspective. You are an incredible person with a great work ethic and talent. I'm getting a bit choked up thinking about how far you have come. You should be incredibly proud of yourself!
I had a similar experience getting thru school, but thankfully the horses were always there for me as well. I wish only the best that life can offer!
I'm so glad I took the time to watch this whole thing, Sam. The early part of your horse journey sounds a bit like mine, except that I'm starting much later in life. I didn't grow up in a horse family either, and I'd be the first im the family to do this as well. But I've felt such a calling to work with them that I've starting figuring out how to integrate them into my life. I'm now volunteering at a ranch that offers equine-assisted therapy, lessons, and trail rides. And tbh I feel a lot like you did working with the draft horses...getting thrown in the deep end and having to learn a LOT as I go. I'm short, so working with the one Percheron and the dozen or so OTTBs can be intimidating. But just the little bit I'm getting to do right now is so challenging and rewarding that I can see myself doing this for a long time. I've also wanted to work with mustangs for quite a while now, so I'm starting to slowly set things up to be able to. We're super fortunate to be able to buy a decent amount of acreage which we're closing on this coming Friday and even though it's supposed to be a full farm, my favorite part of the planning has been designing the layout for my round pen, arena, barn, and a few woodland trails that'll be fun to eventually explore with future horses!
You put me on to something in this video that I didn't realize. I had no idea that there's such drama with boarding! 😳 I eventually want to offer boarding, so it's good to know this. My boarding operation won't be large, so not sure if I'll see much of that side of things. But it helps confirm for me that I need to focus on an atmosphere that's inclusive and encouraging for everyone, regardless of age, breed of horse, experience level, or anything else. I'd want folks to feel welcomed and comfortable working their horses at our place.
You've really done some amazing things and I can guarantee there are better things coming! Seriously, thank you for sharing your journey with us. It gives me some hope that wanting to do this isn't crazy or impossible.
Thank you so much for making this! I've been watching you for awhile and it's so cool to see your journey to where you are now. Must have been a blast to go through all your old photos and memories. You're incredible at what you do!
Thank you for sharing this :D I hope to see many more videos of your journey with horses. I love your videos.
You will always be a success...your instincts are spot on! You were able to read what the horse needed and help him to learn. Thanks for the great video.
Love love your story Sam!! You are really awesome and incredible, you have had a lot of ups and downs and you are such an amazing person! Keep rocking and being you! Bless you and yours horses!
Thank you SO MUCH for making this video!!! It's so inspiring! it was really cool in the video to see your journey with horses over the years! your horse training videos have helped me train my mustang, Willow (she's a bay roan). I love your videos, they are so helpful and fun to watch. Lynx is an awesome horse! Keep up the good work! You're so inspiring to me! Good luck with your future clinics, I hope I can go to one someday! What an amazing journey! ❤🐴
Wonderful to watch your video and to see your horse journey !!
Thank you for sharing your story!
Yay!! I loved hearing about how things happened for you! I found you around end of 2018 or begining of2019 and been following ever since! I love your journey and I'm so happy for you girl!! 💗
Wow, this was the most inspirational video on RUclips for me! You talking so in detail about your horses was so enjoyable, and it is so cool to see your journey! Your great Sam!! Thank you for all you do!
This was incredible to watch! I didn’t grow up with horse parents either but mine didn’t support me. I had to babysit, collect cans and newspapers to lease my first horse. She was sold without my knowledge after our first show, I was devastated! But after working at private house stables for a few years, I found my heart horse! We grew up together and a year after she passed of natural causes (30) I was permanently disabled and haven’t ridden since. That’s why I love your channel so much. I get my horse fix and you remind me of me at that age! You have such a beautiful story and life. I can’t wait to watch the next chapter!
I really enjoyed this!! It was soooo entertaining and really encouraging to continue with riding.
This was so interesting !!! I can definitely relate to most of everything, it's amazing!
i love it! And yes horses are always there for ya!
Thanks for sharing Sam, you did an awesome vlog. Very informative and great to watch. All the best for 2022.
Love love LOVE your story and following your channel 🤩
Very inspiring 👏🏻 🙌🏻💪🏻
You are amazing! I love learning from you
Lost her athleticism and balance as she is standing up and balancing on top of a horse! Lol. You're amazing! What a beautiful story.
Now I have some knowledge as to how to do it… I’m quite clumsy though and not as flexible 😂😂
@@SamVanFleet you're doing great! Keep going! Some amazing adventures are ahead.
This is a great video. I loved your life story and you did great sharing it !
Thank you for sharing your very personal story :)
Hi Sam, thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful video, I can't imagine how long it would have taken but I appreciate it. Like your work with horses, it was amazing to watch. They could make a movie about you. You have come so far and you should be so proud, you inspire me to be brave.
Amazing how the right doors just seem to open! I look forward to your videos and they all show your love of each horse as it should be. You are an awesome young girl, keep up the fantastic work! ❤
You have inspired me so much! I've been here for a while and I've loved seeing your journey! You helped me teach my horses liberty and showed me the benefit of natural horsemanship. Watching your videos with Roulette gave me hope that I could make a break through to my own "aggressive" horse. And a year later I have! He is the most amazing horse, and I can do anything with him. He just needed to trust me, and I needed to trust him ❤
I loved this video. I have been around horses most of my life but I am only 12 so I am always underestimated but then this Christmas I went to my cousins farm and they introduced me to a mustang named Valkyrie. At this point I had never even known you can own a mustang and barely knew what one was. They let me go in and showed me how to mirror her steps and eventually tap her nose. She was abused in the past before she was ever broken making her SUPER skittish. I went home and looked for trainers and that’s when I found you. I watched you videos all day every day and then realized I had watched you when I was 10 and absolutely loved your videos. Anyways, after I was taught the first few steps I was pretty much self taught and used your techniques for pretty much everything. She is now able to be touched on most parts of her face and slowly but surely making her way to the finish line. I really love this experience because I am one of the people she trusts most and I am no longer looked down on by anybody since I have reached so many milestones with her and showed everyone that I CAN do it. I still watch you videos and I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me find my passion and live the life I never dared to even dream of. 🥹
Inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love your channel, its so encouraging!😁
Thank you for sharing your amazing story of resilience, following your dreams and beating the odds. This was so inspiring to watch!
Thanks for sharing part of your story, I appreciate your honesty. A story of overcoming, and finding your true self.
You’re totally inspirational, I’m so impressed with you. Bravo. I’ve been breeding, training my horses and competing in mainly Showjumping (in Europe) upto 140cm level, some International shows so I know my stuff. I’ve also been through hard times and am very determined and resilient so can resonate with you.
I came across your videos this week while seeking solutions/help with a newly backed problem 4 year old I have.
Anyway I just ended up watching your entire life story video.
You are an incredible woman and can be extremely proud of your determination, your path and success. Keep it up, believe in yourself totally…. you’ll go really far. You’re also more talented than you realise btw! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Warm regards
Fiona Nicholls
Thank you!!
Hi Sam, what a great video. I really appreciate your honesty and sharing your story so far.
Very interesting to learn and understand the path that got you here today.
Ta Shaz 💜
Ahh I love this so much! I totally relate. I was bullied a lot as a kid, too, and ponies just made everything better. Your strength and determination is so inspiring!
You are a fantastic person and awesome success. Keep em coming. ✌️
You life sounds incredibly busy, but in a good way. Just want to thank you for taking the time to make this video for us, about your lifes story with horses. You are such a gifted horse trainer. I feel lucky to be able to watch your journey, so thank you.
really loved this video ❤❤
This is so cool to hear your story, I don't come from a horse family too and I used to do gymnastics, it's really great to have someone to relate to and look up to
What a wonderful journey!!❤️ I love this so much - ty for sharing! I truly hope I have the opportunity to meet you some day. You should be so proud of what a wonderful person, hard worker and natural horsewoman you are!
Awesome story! Thanks for sharing and it certainly wasn’t too long, the time flew by listening. Best of luck on your future adventures 😊
Wow Sam, great video on your horse journey thus far. A lot of relatable experiences. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.
This is very inspiring for an upcoming rider, love to hear your story
This is so excellent!!!
You have worked so hard!
Congratulations !
Great Job All The Way Around. Looking Forward to future Videos of Your Life With The Mustangs.
I loved this. It was so inspiring. You are so talented at what you do.
Wow !!!! Such a amazing story Sam.... you are amazing and a natural gift for what you do . I know nothing about horses cept that I love animals and I'm hooked on your channel
Thank you for sharing the whole story 🙂. Wow! I had no idea of all the ways you've developed your expertise. You are such a hard worker and so brave to tackle and push through all of the challenges. Maybe it's the bullies that are left behind in their insecurities! Bravo to you and your life ahead! I've really enjoyed being a part of your journey ☺️!
WOW! I just found your channel, and I am blown away! Your life journey with horses is amazing (and you are still so young). I definitely clicked "subscribe." ❤
Beautiful, inside and out! Thank you for sharing your equestrian journey this far. I look forward to seeing where the horses take you.
You've done some amazing things in a short time, congratulations.
Your story is amazing and really has inspired me! The fact that you went to having no idea on how to train horses not even watching RUclips videos to the horse trainer you are now. I just want to say how amazing and strong you are, all that hardship you went to but you still woke up at 4am to work with horses. You also mentioned North Carolina a lot which is where I live so hopefully I can come to one of your clinics one day! (If you still do them)
you are an amazing, talented person, i'm so happy for you having found yourself growing stronger and more confident in this journey!! Its been a privelage to watch you grow and learn your craft!
Wow, Sam --- that was all very interesting. I would have never guessed that you have social anxiety or sorts. Congrats on doing so well transforming yourself. You have so many amazing pics and short videos in this movie. I loved the one with the balloons and Lynx. My goodness, you were teeny tiny as a young person -- glad you got your heavier bones along with Kaliope -- so cute -- saying you are part draft horse :) Glad you know your time on the road isn't forever and you are making the best of it now while you have it. You are an amazing inspiration to so many people with horses and a phenomenal Mustang Ambassador. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with the RUclips world.
Thank you for sharing your story...very cool and you are truly a horse whisperer. God bless you and all your Babies.❤️🐴
I really enjoyed getting the story on how you got started in training & competition. Thanks for sharing this with us, Sam. ❤
🙌🏻💕Thank you for this video & what an amazing life you have built for yourself & your horses. You are so worthy of all the success your hard work,dedication and spirit will bring to your life…enjoy all of it 😊
thank you for sharing sam, I literally have binged watch your videos the past 2 weeks, I love hearing your story and watching you work with horses is so calming. I really hope to meet you in person someday. In the horse world, being bullied and being anxious with people, I relate to you so much and I would love to know you.
Livin the dream ❤️ & you’re right…gotta do it now while young (although you’ll probably be going strong for many years). Looking forward to 2022 with you
Sorry about all the stuff you went through at the boarding barns. For adults to act like that towards a kid is awful. Your time at Blue star looked so incredible though! It would be my dream to work somewhere like that. I've just started taking weekly riding lessons at a local stable and it has literally been one of the best decisions ever! I'm so grateful to my parents for making it happen. I haven't grown up with horses either so it's all very new for me. I'm so excited to start this chapter of my life and learn so much!
You have done such a great job with all of your horses! Im currently training a horse, but I've always wanted to train a mustang, and this video is very inspiring! You have grown so much as a person and equestrian!
Glad to come across your channel! You're a lovely 💕 person
You are pretty pretty incredible Sam ! I too love hearing other people’s story’s . It was cool for me to see you started out with Draft Horses . I have a 9 month old Gypsy Vanner Cross . Such a calm but fun little Boy . Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I believe you have been gifted in so many ways . You are able to lead not just Amazing Horses, but People. Keep showing up in life . You are great at it 💞. p.s. Your video teaching at Liberty was so easy to fallow . Loved it . God is with You 😇 Laura 💜 Bear 💜🐴 California 🇺🇸
Wow!!!! You've had an amazing adventure so far! Just found you tonight... can't wait to see what unfolds for you!
thanks Sam. loved hearing the long version of how it all came about.
I loved this story! I was actually kinda surprised when you said you didn't grow up with horses! I also didn't grow up with horses and started riding 2 years ago when I was 14. It's always hard to see all the equestrians around me that have been riding since they were born and I tend to compare my riding to theirs.. But in only 10 months of riding, I got my first horse! She was a 3 year old OTTB mare that i was going to restart. I still have her today and couldn't be more thankful for her. We still aren't in the show ring just yet but I'm hoping to get there this year. I loved your story and could relate to it so so much!
I found you at rou, this is so amazing to see how far you’ve come and it was all YOU♥️
What a story! You're amazing. You were made to work with horses you're so lucky❤️
You are amazing and I can’t even imagine how much you have influenced and motivated other young people who started off introverted and found more confidence and learned how to respect themselves just from hearing your story and/or learning from you. Much respect to you❣️
Your story is amazing! It's every little girl's dream becoming reality. Thank you for being you!
Sam I love your story. Iam so excited that you are involved with Stargazer & Nora. I have been watching your videos from the jump. Good Luck to you, and keep on keeping on🍀🇺🇸
I really enjoyed watching this and related to the anxiety part my anxiety got me kicked out of my jumping class for a bit because I was afraid of cantering and my asthma acting up but I am back in my class and I am cantering with out as much anxiety :)
So Beautiful Story Sam
♥️♥️♥️
Samantha, you are an inspiration! you should be so proud of what you have become and have accomplished. !
Great to see your beautiful story
I’m 16 and about to get my first mustang. You are one of my biggest role models, thank you for sharing you journey and making the training videos!
You’re such a Winner! Thanks for sharing~ I have enjoyed learning from you and your horses.
Thankyou for sharing such a beautiful and vulnerable video with us all, I've always admired how grounded and genuine you are. You're such an inspiration