Meet Jimmy | CEO of RMGY, Shamanic Goat and ED of Goat Walkabouts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting RMGY wasn’t easy. Although I had a few people in the community willing to help, there were many challenges along the way. The idea began with a simple Monday night yoga class in Boulder. In April 2017, I invited five goats from a local dairy and published the event. Almost immediately, there was a buzz, and the media picked up the story. Since then, RMGY has been featured in magazines, on Animal Planet, in Vogue video shoots, and even in a Kacey Musgraves music video.

At its core, RMGY was about creating something meaningful – an experience that brought the community together and allowed people to connect with goats. Over time, the program grew into so much more. For my son and me, it has become a way to work together and grow as people. That isn’t always easy to do with our children, but early on, Jimmy Junior and I made a decision: we would use this to make the world a better place.

Today, we are deeply involved with memory care centers and assisted living homes, providing therapy and comfort to residents. This continues a family tradition started by my dad, a retired Colorado minister, who spent every week visiting the sick in hospitals. It turns out goats are pretty healing too – something science now confirms.

What started as a way to support ourselves has blossomed into two major community initiatives, bringing joy, healing, and connection wherever the goats go.

What should our readers know about your business?
For me, RMGY has always been more of a mission to grow as a person and create healing opportunities for others than a way to stand out from other businesses. I understand that marketing is necessary and that there are competitors out there, but at the core, I truly believe in what I’m doing.

Since 2021, I’ve offered memory care center visits for free, funding them through the income from goat yoga. Some people have misunderstood my mission, thinking I’m just trying to make money for myself or spend it on things or trips. That’s never been my intention. My mission in life is to make a difference in the world – but more importantly, to better my own spiritual walk. When I’m not spending time in memory care centers, I’m often in solitude, meditating and praying.

As someone with autism, I am very private, and the creative aspects of RMGY come from a place of natural, savant-born inspiration. When you see colorful events with goats in costumes, it’s because those visuals bring me joy, and I love watching the goats enjoy themselves too. Everything I create is from the heart. When I host a dance party with goats, it’s with the intention of giving people an incredible sensory experience they will never forget.

All the goats in our program are ones I have personally rescued and hand-raised. People often compliment their calm and sweet behavior, and that’s because we’ve socialized them in the right way. Goats that headbutt are either unhappy or have been mistaught by humans – it’s a learned behavior. None of our goats act that way because I’ve integrated clear, respectful policies. I consider them my friends.

Being autistic means much of my communication is through demonstration rather than words. Even when I do speak, my deeper communication is in my actions and how I move. Goats understand that language because demonstration is their language too. I can tell when Brutus isn’t happy or when any of my goats are feeling unwell, not because they say it with words, but because they show me through their behavior. That’s something I deeply relate to because I don’t have a lot of close friends myself. People hear about me and talk about me, but I’m rarely seen in public, and I like it that way. It makes growing community a little challenging, but honestly, people come for the goats anyway – not for me.

To us, these goats aren’t just animals or livestock. They’re our friends. And that’s what makes RMGY so special.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado has so much to offer its visitors. Go explore the mountains. As a Colorado native, I still love my home state deeply. My dad always taught me to be a good steward of the land and to appreciate the forest for all it gives.

If you enjoy winter sports, Colorado has world-class skiing and snowboarding, but it’s also amazing for ice climbing – which is a lot of fun! And if you’re a rock hound, you really don’t need to go far. Crystals, gems, agates – whatever you’re looking for, Colorado has it. I find incredibly beautiful specimens in every mountain range here.

I’m always discovering new gems and crystals in the forests of Rampart Range and Devil’s Head. Often, I’ll go off-grid without even taking photos – just wandering, getting lost in the wilderness, and speaking to the forest. She listens. The Colorado forest is a sacred place. Visit with that in mind, and you will be welcomed. If you don’t, she has a way of letting you know she does not approve.

I am deeply connected to these forests. To me, they are living, breathing beings. When you visit, please treat them with respect. Never touch or take from their wildlife with selfish intent. Honor these lands, and they will honor you in return.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My son, Jimmy Junior, deserves so much credit for why this business is still going. I’ve faced many physical limitations over the years along with ASD, and right now, I am disabled. Jimmy has been a huge help, but more than that, he’s been an incredibly understanding son. He’s shown so much patience with me as I continue to grow and learn about myself. We’re truly on this journey together.

People often think they are the ones raising and teaching their kids, but if we’re really listening, we realize that we’re learning even more from them. Jimmy has been my greatest teacher in this life and someone I can always depend on. He cares about me, even in moments when I think he doesn’t – and that is such a special feeling.

I love my son because he is my son, but beyond that, I deeply appreciate his presence in my life. I always have.

Another person I deeply admire is my dad. He is my personal hero. He raised me with traditional values, and I love him for that. I’ve never seen a man love a woman the way he loves my mom, and she loves him just as deeply in return.

My dad worked hard to protect us and always provided, often feeding us with Colorado-harvested proteins. He deserves recognition for raising me to be a good steward of the land and of people. I wouldn’t be doing what I do today if he hadn’t inspired me through his pastoral work.

My dad was a true leader. He protected his community, gathered people together, and always showed love. I can only hope to be like him one day.

Website: https://rockymountaingoatyoga.com/mobile

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