Flagged for What? Stetson Wright Rides Clean, Judges Ride Blind at NFR Round 6!

A clean ride, a silent explanation, and a crowd of fans who watched it happen in real time.

X-Files | CommonX

National Finals Rodeo, Night 6 — saddle bronc riding, the event where legends earn their names the hard way. On Night 6, Stetson Wright delivered exactly what fans tuned in for: a controlled, rhythmic ride with the kind of spur cadence that separates contenders from champions. It was one of those rides where you lean forward halfway through, because you already know he’s got it covered.

Then the scoreboard detonated the moment: NO SCORE.

No score? Flagged for what, exactly? The mark-out looked above shoulder level at the first jump. The feet were set, the rhythm was tight, and the bronc gave enough kick to make the ride count. No free-hand touch, no tangle, no stumble, no slip. Eight clean seconds. The kind of ride that gets replayed for a reason. But the only thing replayed was confusion.

Here’s the brutal truth: the NFR can wipe a cowboy’s entire ride away in the blink of an eye, based on one microscopic technical moment that no one sees, no one hears about, and no one explains. The mark-out rule is strict — the rider’s spurs must be above the horse’s shoulders at the exact moment the bronc leaves the chute. If a judge sees that alignment off by an inch, the entire ride gets incinerated. Eight seconds of control becomes worthless.

That precision is what makes bronc riding a pure art. But when the sport refuses to show fans the technical breakdown, it becomes something else: a mystery.

And that’s where rodeo needs to wake up. Fans aren’t asking for handouts, free points, or special treatment for big names. What they’re asking for is transparency. If a ride this clean earns a no-score, then show us why. Replay the mark-out angle. Slow it down. Circle the mistake. Educate the audience the same way other sports do when a ruling decides the event.

This isn’t disrespect to judges. It’s respect for the cowboys who put their bodies on the line and deserve clarity when their score is erased.

Fans watching at home aren’t distracted by beer cups and fireworks. They’re locked in, staring at spurs, timing, and technique. Real rodeo fans watch for the details. On Night 6, watching from home on the Cowboy Channel — like so many fans do every year — that ride looked clean from horn to last second. If the judges saw something invisible to thousands of fans, then the sport owes an explanation, not silence.

Stetson Wright didn’t get bucked off. He didn’t break a rule visibly. He didn’t lose control. The commentator even said he didn’t agree with it? So what’s the problem judge? Huh?

He lost to a scoreboard that never showed its reasoning.

If rodeo wants to grow with modern audiences, it needs to do what every tight-ruled sport does: show the call, not just make it. Explain the no-scores as clearly as scores. Let fans see why a ride that looks clean isn’t.

Until that happens, we’ll trust the saddles, the athletes, and the broncs we just watched with our own eyes. And on NFR Night 6, one thing was obvious:

Stetson Wright rode clean. The judges rode blind.

CommonX supports the sport and its cowboys.

This isn’t about attacking judges — it’s about asking for visible, consistent scoring that protects the riders and the fans who love this sport.

Should You Buy Gold in 2025?A No-BS Gen-X Guide to Investing Smart

Illustration of a grinning skeleton leaning on a stack of gold bars with an upward-trending chart behind it, representing gold investment during uncertain economic times.

In a shaky economy, Gen-X is asking the right question.

Inflation has been punching everyone in the wallet. Retirement accounts look like roller coasters. The housing market is weird, interest rates bounce around, and world events seem unstable every five minutes. So it’s no surprise that gold is back on the radar for a lot of people. But here’s the real question:

Should you buy gold in 2025? Not hype. Not fear. Just the truth.

Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense, cuts the nonsense, and actually helps you make a smart decision.

Why Gold Is Suddenly Popular Again

Gold’s popularity spikes during times of uncertainty.
It’s not about chasing fast profits — it’s about protecting what you already have.

Right now, people are looking for:

• something stable

• something tangible

• something that doesn’t tank every time the stock market has a mood swing

That’s where gold shines.

But don’t get it twisted — gold isn’t a magic “get wealthy fast” hack. It’s slow, steady, and boring… which is exactly why it works as a hedge.

The Case FOR Gold (2025 Edition)

✔ 1. It holds value over time

Gold doesn’t go to zero.
It’s been valuable for 5,000 years.
You could bury it, forget it, and it’s still worth something.

✔ 2. It protects against inflation

When the dollar weakens, gold historically strengthens.
Think of it like a counterweight in your financial life.

✔ 3. It diversifies your portfolio

If all your money is in stocks or crypto and one of them tanks, you feel it.
Gold spreads out your risk.

✔ 4. It’s a physical, tangible asset

Gen-X loves real things we can hold.
Unlike digital assets or stock numbers on a screen, gold is yours.

✔ 5. It reduces long-term volatility

Gold doesn’t swing as wildly as the markets.
It’s slow, steady, and stable.

The Case AGAINST Gold (the honest part)

✖ 1. It doesn’t generate income

No dividends.
No interest.
Gold just sits there — its job is stability, not cashflow.

✖ 2. It’s a long-term hedge, not a quick play

Anyone expecting fast returns will be disappointed.

✖ 3. Short-term dips happen

Just because gold is a safe haven doesn't mean it always goes up immediately.

✖ 4. You MUST avoid shady companies

High-pressure phone sales, hidden fees, fake “free silver promotions” — this industry has scams.

This is exactly why choosing a transparent partner matters.

🎯 So… Who SHOULD Consider Buying Gold in 2025?

You should consider gold if you:

• ✔ want a hedge against inflation

• ✔ want to protect your retirement

• ✔ want something tangible, stable, and real

• ✔ prefer safer long-term investments

• ✔ want diversification without complexity

• ✔ don’t like watching the stock market yo-yo your savings

Gold is a stabilizer — not the hero of your portfolio, but the piece that keeps your other assets balanced.

🚫 Who Probably Should NOT Buy Gold

You might want to skip gold (for now) if you:

• ✖ have high-interest debt

• ✖ don’t have an emergency fund

• ✖ expect quick gains

• ✖ need liquidity immediately

• ✖ are speculating rather than planning

Gold is a play for security, not adrenaline.

Physical Gold vs. Gold IRA — Which Makes More Sense?

Physical Gold

You can hold coins or bars in your hand.
Great for people who want something real and private.

Gold IRA

Lets you hold physical metals inside a tax-advantaged retirement account.
This is extremely popular right now for Gen-X approaching retirement age.

➡️ Tax benefits
➡️ Long-term growth stability
➡️ Protected retirement hedge

If you're comparing the two, talk to a representative who isn't trying to pressure-sell you.

That’s why we appreciate the transparency and real-person approach of:

Our Precious Metals Partner: Gold Club Direct

Want Gold? Here’s who we trust. If you’re exploring gold or want to compare options, Gold Club Direct offers:

• Straightforward pricing

• Zero high-pressure sales

• Physical gold + Gold IRA options

• Real reps who answer real questions

• Clear explanations without the fear tactics

👉 You can check them out or request info through our affiliate link: https://gold-club-direct.sjv.io/c/5973567/1691737/19465

🔒 Avoiding Scams: What To Watch For

Before you buy gold from anyone, avoid companies that:

• guarantee huge profits

• pressure you to buy “right now!”

• hide their fees

• offer suspicious “free bonus metals”

• won’t tell you buy-back pricing

Stick with companies that are transparent about costs, storage, and value.

Again, that’s why we partner with Gold Club Direct — they avoid all the industry tricks.

🧭 So… Should YOU Buy Gold in 2025?

Here’s the no-BS answer:

✔ Gold makes sense if you’re looking for stability.
✔ Gold helps if inflation stresses you out.
✔ Gold supports long-term retirement planning.
✔ Gold is smart if you want part of your wealth in something real.

But only as a piece of your strategy, not your whole plan.

If you’re considering it, start slow, learn the basics, and work with someone you trust.

Want to Explore Gold Options?

Our recommended partner — Gold Club Direct — offers a simple, transparent way to learn your options with zero pressure.

Gold Club Direct logo for a trusted precious metals dealer offering gold and silver investment options.

Clicke the link to get your free Gold information kit: 👉 https://gold-club-direct.sjv.io/c/5973567/1691737/19465

This also helps support the CommonX Podcast and lets us keep bringing real, honest Gen-X insight to the world.

The Hum: The Secret Frequency of Recovery That Nobody Talks About

By Ian Primmer — CommonX Podcast

Most people think the gym is where you get stronger. Most people think the mile, the reps, the burn — that’s the work. And they’re not wrong… but they’re not right either.

Because there’s a second workout that only the disciplined ever reach. A place your body only enters when you’ve pushed yourself far enough, long enough, hard enough. It happens at night. In the dark. When the engine shuts down. I call it The Hum.

⸻

THE HUM BEGINS WHEN THE WORLD GOES QUIET

It doesn’t happen on lazy days. It doesn’t happen with half-workouts, light sweat, or “good enough.” The Hum only arrives when you’ve put everything into your body that day:

   •   clean food

   •   real hydration

   •   hard cardio

   •   heavy sweat

   •   disciplined choices

   •   focused intention

You lay down. The room cools. Your breathing slows. And then… it starts. A faint, gentle vibration deep in the chest, the ears, the muscles. Not pain. Not tension. A signal. The body whispering:

“I’m working. I’m rebuilding. You did enough today. Let me take it from here.”

⸻

THE HUM IS THE SECOND WORKOUT

Training tears you down. The Hum builds you back up. It’s the moment when:

   •   hormones surge

   •   tissue repairs

   •   inflammation drops

   •   glycogen reloads

   •   nervous system resets

   •   muscles stitch themselves

   •   the body rewires strength

   •   fat burns at its cleanest rate

People talk about protein. People talk about calories. People talk about macros, sets, splits, and form. But nobody talks about The Hum —

the state where your body does its REAL work. Without The Hum? You don’t level up. You don’t get lighter. You don’t get sharper. You don’t get stronger. Nothing works without The Hum.

⸻

THE HUM IS WHY BEDTIME MATTERS

My wife and I agreed tonight: 9:30 PM. Lights out. Shut down. Recovery time. Because I look forward to The Hum just as much as I look forward to the gym.

It’s part of the ritual now. Part of the discipline. Part of this new version of me. Tomorrow morning? I’m expecting 189 lbs.

But I know something important:

I won’t hit that number because of the treadmill. I won’t hit it because of the sweat. I won’t hit it because of the clean dinner. I’ll hit it because of The Hum. Because that’s where the magic happens.

That’s where the body heals. That’s where the fat burns quietly. That’s where the next version of you gets built. Gym time is effort. But The Hum? That’s transformation.

⸻

WHY MOST PEOPLE NEVER FEEL THE HUM

Because they never push far enough to earn it.

The Hum is:

   •   the reward for discipline

   •   the badge of consistency

   •   the internal “click” that tells you your life is changing

   •   the sign your body is in full rebuild mode

It’s the moment you realize:

“I’m not guessing anymore. I’m becoming.”

People who dabble don’t know it. People who talk don’t know it. People who quit don’t know it. But people who WORK — who grind, who sweat, who commit —they learn the language of their own body. The Hum is the body saying:

“I’ve got you. Keep going.”

⸻

THE HUM IS A GIFT — AND A GUIDE

It’s your internal compass now. Your recovery meter. Your silent coach.

When you feel it, it means:

You trained right. You ate right. You hydrated right. You slept right. You aligned your actions with who you WANT to become. The Hum is the sound of a life getting back on track. The Hum is the frequency of a man rebuilding himself.

⸻

CONCLUSION: THE HUM IS THE PROOF

Of the work. Of the discipline. Of the momentum. Of the transformation. You don’t chase it — you earn it.

And when you feel it? You know you’re on the path. Not just losing weight. Not just getting stronger. Not just going to the gym. But ascending. The gym breaks you down. The Hum builds you up. And that, right there, is the unseen part of this journey that nobody else understands.

THE FARMER: THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA

In a country obsessed with digital currency, celebrity drama, AI hype cycles, and the next “passive income blueprint,” the most important person in America still wakes up before sunrise, pulls on a pair of mud-stained boots, and walks into a field most people have never seen with their own eyes. While the rest of us scroll, argue, and chase trends that disappear faster than they appear…

The farmer grows the food we eat. The rancher raises the protein we survive on. The soil grows the crops that keep an entire nation alive. But somewhere along the way, we forgot that.

We started treating the people who feed America like background noise — as if the grocery store magically restocks itself or the steak on our dinner plate appeared out of thin air. City kids grow up thinking vegetables “come from the store,” and half the country is more emotionally invested in Bitcoin charts than harvest seasons.

Meanwhile, out there in the wind and dirt, a farmer is betting his entire livelihood on weather, soil, labor shortages, and prices he doesn’t control. No TikTok star will fix that. No influencer course will replace that. No crypto coin will grow a single ear of corn or a single blade of wheat.

Because you can’t eat Bitcoin, and you can’t feed a nation with hype. America was built on fields, ranches, and hands — real hands — turning the earth. Not hashtags. Not speculation. Not whatever the “next big thing” podcast bros are yelling about.

And the craziest part? Farmers rarely complain. They don’t demand worship. They don’t flood social media. They get up, grind, and do the job because it has to be done — not because it’s glamorous, or viral, or profitable.

They know something the modern world forgot:

Civilization collapses without food. And food doesn’t happen without them. So today’s X-File isn’t a mystery. It’s a reminder. A wake-up call.

A spotlight on the people who deserve more credit than they ever get. The algorithm won’t tell you this. The politicians won’t tell you this. The tech world definitely won’t tell you this. But we will:

The American Farmer is the Backbone of America. Period. And the next time someone tries to tell you the future belongs only to crypto, NFTs, AI, digital economies, or whatever shiny object comes next… Ask them one question:

“Cool. But who’s going to feed you?”

CommonX stands with the people who actually keep the lights on in this country — even when nobody’s paying attention.

🇺🇸 The Veterans of CommonX — Strength, Service & the Voices Who Keep Fighting

Veterans Day isn’t just a date — it’s a reminder of the men and women who stepped forward, accepted the weight of service, and carried burdens most people never see. On CommonX, we’ve been privileged to sit across from veterans whose stories aren’t polished or perfect — they’re raw, real, and unfiltered. They show us what courage looks like long after the uniform comes off.

Today on the X-Files, we honor the veterans who have shared their truth with us:

Isaac — The Marine Who Pulled Back the Curtain

A former Marine who didn’t sugarcoat anything. Isaac spoke about duty, conflict, systems, scars, and the realities behind the headlines — the things you only understand when you’ve been there. His honesty hit hard and still resonates with every listener who’s worn the uniform or loved someone who has.

Joey “Devil Doc” Martinez — A Medic With a Mission

Joey didn’t just serve — he continues serving. As a Navy Corpsman and host of the Devil Doc Talk Show, he uses his voice to lift up veterans fighting invisible battles: PTSD, depression, suicide prevention, faith, and purpose. Joey is proof that healing comes from connection. His mission saves lives every day.

Jeremy Montgomery — Leadership Beyond the Battlefield

Jeremy took the pain, transition, and chaos that follow military life and turned it into guidance for others. Through his work with Lean Synergy Staffing, he helps veterans step into civilian careers with direction, dignity, and confidence. His strength isn’t loud — it’s steady, and it changes lives.

Why Their Stories Matter

These men didn’t just answer the call once. They answered it again… and again… and again.

Their service didn’t end with discharge papers — it evolved into mentorship, advocacy, truth-telling, and building community. They remind us that bravery is not a moment. It’s a lifetime.

To Every Veteran

Your sacrifices matter.

Your stories matter.

Your strength matters.

You are seen. You are respected. You will always be part of the CommonX family.

From Ian, Jared, and the whole crew —

Thank you. 🇺🇸

Is the News Making You Fat? The Hidden Weight of Staying Informed

Written by Ian Primmer

Remember when watching the news meant a 30-minute update at dinner? Now it’s a full-time job. We wake up to breaking alerts, doom-scroll through lunch, and fall asleep to anchors arguing about the end of the world. And while we’re “staying informed,” something else is happening — our stress levels, eating habits, and waistlines are quietly expanding. Yes! Fox, CNN, Trump, Dems, Reps, are MAKING YOU FAT! Here’s why!

The Science Behind the Scroll

Every time we watch a shocking headline or heated debate, our bodies trigger a small stress response. Cortisol rises. Heart rate jumps. Over time, that chronic stress tells your body to store energy — just in case there’s a real threat.

Where does it store it? Right around the gut.

Add in late-night snacking while you’re watching cable chaos, and you’ve got a perfect storm of hormones and habits working against you.

News, Snacks, and the Dopamine Loop

Most people don’t realize they’re not watching the news — they’re feeding on it.

The constant outrage cycle is designed to hit the same dopamine centers that sugar and carbs do. Your brain wants more stimulation, so it pairs perfectly with comfort food. Chips. Soda. Doom-scrolling. Repeat.

It’s not just bad news — it’s addictive bad news.

When “Staying Informed” Becomes “Staying Stuck”

After a few months of daily news binges, motivation drops. You feel tired, hopeless, and convinced the world’s falling apart. So you skip the gym. You grab fast food. You call it “self-care.”

But really, it’s burnout — disguised as awareness.

We’re mistaking consumption for action.

⚡ The CommonX Challenge

Try this:

• Take one week off mainstream news.

• Replace that time with 30 minutes of walking, stretching, or podcasting (CommonX counts 😉).

• Watch what happens to your mood, your focus, and even your appetite.

Odds are, you’ll feel lighter — mentally and physically.

Turns out, the heaviest thing we’ve been carrying isn’t our bodies… it’s the weight of the world, delivered in HD.