Recently, Nikki Johnson won a rodeo competition—but her journey to the win wasn’t easy. To succeed, she had to stay upbeat and kind, even when things got tough. In the rodeo world, disagreements between competitors can happen, making it challenging to get along. Still, Johnson kept her cool and stayed focused.

Johnson has been passionate about rodeo since she was just a few months old. The first time she was placed on a horse, something clicked—it sparked a love for the sport that’s only grown stronger over time.

The final round of the competition came with a lot of pressure. The cheers from the crowd, while encouraging, added to the stress. One of Johnson’s techniques to stay focused is listening to music through an AirPod. It helps calm her nerves and drowns out the noise from the crowd, allowing her to stay centered in the moment.

Johnson shared that one of the biggest misconceptions about rodeo is the people. “Most people think rodeo competitors are mean or angry all the time,” she said. “But that’s far from the truth.” In reality, many rodeo participants are kind, supportive, and loving—though they can definitely be loud and rowdy at times.

While the rowdiness doesn’t usually bother Johnson, it can sometimes throw off her concentration. Still, she understands that it’s often just excited parents cheering for their kids.

Rodeo can be tough, both mentally and physically, but Nikki Johnson continues to push through and give it her all—no matter the challenge.