Stran Smith, 2008 PRCA World Champion Tie- Down Roper and co-founder of STS Ranchwear, is adding “author” to his resume. Smith teamed up with U.S. Army Colonel (retired) J. Craig Flowers to write “A Colonel & A Cowboy: Strategies of the Elite - Mission, Mindset, Process.” The book fuses applicable lessons from Smith’s historic journey to winning a gold buckle and Flowers’ experiences as an Army Colonel and nationally recognized leadership coach and speaker, to give the reader a roadmap for success and peek into the mindset of the elite.
“The goal of that book is to help anyone reach their full potential; to be the best they can be at whatever it is they are doing,” Smith says. “We all have a purpose in this life, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re chasing a gold buckle dream or just want to be the best parent you can be, the strategies we share in this book can help you become the best version of yourself.”
Flowers was introduced to the rodeo world in 2019, when he was a keynote speaker at the PRCA Convention during the WNFR in Las Vegas, but he and Smith connected when Smith’s sons attended an “Air It Out” Football academy. Flowers led the leadership and character development breakout sessions for athletes and parents. The two men forged a friendship, and the unlikely pair found much commonality in their foundations of faith, work ethic, and pursuit of excellence in all areas of life.
The book shares anecdotes and lessons from both men’s careers; Smith’s as a professional cowboy who overcame many setbacks, including having a stroke because of a previously unknown heart defect at the age of 32, en route to finally winning the world title at age 38. Flowers shares his expertise learned from his 25 years of military service, where he trained, specialized and operated in the field of military intelligence and diplomacy, and ended his career at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The founder of Sideline Leadership, Flowers works with some of the nation’s most elite NCAA sports programs, professional teams, CEOs and Fortune 500 companies.
To purchase a copy of the book or e-book, shop Amazon.
For more information or to order an autographed copy of the book, visit www.acolonelandacowboy.com
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J. Craig Flowers - United States Army Colonel (retired) |
Stran T Smith - World Champion Cowboy Co-Founder of STS Ranchwear & 1930 Remnant |
This book is for anyone who cares about leadership, reaching their full potential, and people who care about winning, whether it be in sports, a career, or in life, and for those who want to serve or lead but don’t know how. It is for business leaders/owners, parents, coaches, teachers, athletes, entrepreneurs, cowboys, dreamers, doers, introverts, extraverts, and those who may be lost, stuck, frustrated, injured or depressed. It is for anyone interested in learning about how to achieve elite levels of success, no matter what their circumstances may be.
Readers will be inspired by Stran’s story of overcoming a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of his best friend, having a stroke and experimental heart surgery at age 32, and suffering a shoulder injury that should have ended his career - all before he became the oldest tie-down roping world champion in ProRodeo history. The Colonel served in a direct support role to some of the most Elite Teams in the world and later taught, coached and eventually served as a Director of Cadet Activities and assistant baseball coach at the birthplace of leader and character development for our nation, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is a 4th generation native Texan, NCAA Division I college athlete, who later earned the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, serving abroad nearly a decade. Flowers has been married to his wife, Beth, for more than 35 years and raised three daughters, and Smith has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 24 years, and is a father of three as well.
 J. Craig Flowers to write “A Colonel & A Cowboy: Strategies of...&media=//stsranchwear.com/cdn/shop/articles/a-colonel-a-cowboy-blog-header_600x.jpg?v=1733328586){kind=link}