James Strickland is a record breaking powerlifter.

How he fell into lifting is worthy of an ESPN documentary. His journey involves a desire to get back into shape and get drafted into the NFL.

But he's more than a strongman.

James spends time mentoring students and running a business.

During this episode, we dive into the road to lifting 700 lbs, lessons learned from his athletic career and how he applies them in business, and of course, weight training.

James Strickland is a record breaking powerlifter.
How he fell into lifting is worthy of an ESPN documentary. His journey involves a desire to get back into shape and get drafted into the NFL.
But he's more than a strongman.
James spends time mentoring students and running a business.
During this episode, we dive into the road to lifting 700 lbs, lessons learned from his athletic career and how he applies them in business, and of course, weight training.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn about the people driving its growth.

These are the stories about the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the greater Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn about the people driving its growth.
These are the stories about the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the greater Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.
Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

Twenty-six year radio veteran Freddy Cruz has gone indie.


From former special forces operators and CEOs to authors and journalists, join
Freddy as he seeks to learn from some of the highest achieving individuals in the
world. These are stories of grit and blasting through the crucible of life. Stories of
standing up to powerful corporations and defying the odds. Not all of his guests
are authors, but they all have epic stories to share.

Freddy Cruz

A Houston Man's Road to Powerlifting 700 lbs.

Former global program director Andy Raman walked away from corporate oil and gas to turn a house full of rescues into Fido’s Home, a dog resort in Katy. He breaks down patience, strict love, and why you never treat pet parents like walking dollar signs.

Learn more about Fido’s Home HERE.

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify and YouTube!

This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start HERE.

Key Takeaways

1. How Andy went from Shell/BP/Accenture to launching Fido’s Home in 90 days.

2. Lessons from living with sixteen dogs and running a dog resort for a decade.

3. Why patience and firm boundaries with dogs mirror leading a team.

4. The “extra mile” tactics that turn grooming freebies into long‑term loyalty.

5. How community barbecues and low‑cost vaccines turn a daycare into a hub.

Former global program director Andy Raman walked away from corporate oil and gas to turn a house full of rescues into Fido&rsquo;s Home, a dog resort in Katy. He breaks down patience, strict love, and why you never treat pet parents like walking dollar signs.
Learn more about Fido&rsquo;s Home <a href="https://www.fidoshome.com/">HERE</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cruz-through-htx/id1693177880">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2EipITDvfHUHanTmhWDVqp">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/@thefreddycruz?si=WATJcgjHMjja789L">YouTube</a>!
This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start <a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/">HERE</a>.
Key Takeaways
1. How Andy went from Shell/BP/Accenture to launching Fido&rsquo;s Home in 90 days.
2. Lessons from living with sixteen dogs and running a dog resort for a decade.
3. Why patience and firm boundaries with dogs mirror leading a team.
4. The &ldquo;extra mile&rdquo; tactics that turn grooming freebies into long‑term loyalty.
5. How community barbecues and low‑cost vaccines turn a daycare into a hub.

He Quit Corporate Oil & Gas to Open a Dog Resort in 90 Days

Doobie Dogs Pet Taxi owner Ron Velez went from oil and gas and cleaning Airbnbs to shuttling Houston’s dogs to daycare, vets, and groomers. He shares traffic nightmares, 165‑pound Newfoundlands, and the fatherly advice that pushed him to buy van number two.

Learn more about Doobie Dogs HERE.

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify and YouTube!

This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start HERE.

Key Takeaways 

1. How a routine Airbnb route and a doggy daycare sparked the pet taxi idea.

2. The greenlight from Ron’s conservative dad that changed his career.

3. Why Houston’s dog culture makes this niche business work.

4. Handling anxious rescues, giant breeds, and kennel‑hating seniors without losing it.

5. How traffic, patience, and being “the fun guy” shape his daily grind.

Doobie Dogs Pet Taxi owner Ron Velez went from oil and gas and cleaning Airbnbs to shuttling Houston&rsquo;s dogs to daycare, vets, and groomers. He shares traffic nightmares, 165‑pound Newfoundlands, and the fatherly advice that pushed him to buy van number two.
Learn more about Doobie Dogs <a href="https://doobiedogsus.com/">HERE</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cruz-through-htx/id1693177880">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2EipITDvfHUHanTmhWDVqp">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/@thefreddycruz?si=WATJcgjHMjja789L">YouTube</a>!
This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start <a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/">HERE</a>.
Key Takeaways 
1. How a routine Airbnb route and a doggy daycare sparked the pet taxi idea.
2. The greenlight from Ron&rsquo;s conservative dad that changed his career.
3. Why Houston&rsquo;s dog culture makes this niche business work.
4. Handling anxious rescues, giant breeds, and kennel‑hating seniors without losing it.
5. How traffic, patience, and being &ldquo;the fun guy&rdquo; shape his daily grind.

Dog Taxi Confessions: Houston Traffic, Giant Breeds, and Second Vans

Freddy explains why he killed Freddy’s Huge ASK, how Cruz Through HTX was born, and why this final “Powerhouse Pet Owners” season is a breakup letter to Houston and a bridge to his new show, Your Mic. Burnout, Pod Bros, pets, and what’s next for the mic.

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify and YouTube!

This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start HERE.

Freddy explains why he killed Freddy&rsquo;s Huge ASK, how Cruz Through HTX was born, and why this final &ldquo;Powerhouse Pet Owners&rdquo; season is a breakup letter to Houston and a bridge to his new show, <a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/yourmic">Your Mic</a>. Burnout, Pod Bros, pets, and what&rsquo;s next for the mic.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cruz-through-htx/id1693177880">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2EipITDvfHUHanTmhWDVqp">Spotify</a> and <a href="https://youtube.com/@thefreddycruz?si=WATJcgjHMjja789L">YouTube</a>!
This season of Cruz through HTX is powered by Speke Podcasting. Have an idea for a show? Let's get a conversation started. Start <a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/">HERE</a>.

A Houston Man's Road to Powerlifting 700 lbs.

Cruz through HTX

In 1 playlist(s)

Freddy Cruz

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips