IT STARTED WITH A DREAM

Some kids dream of becoming a firefighter, doctor, or police officer.

 

Not me.

 

From an early age, I knew my path was different. I wanted to be a rodeo clown. I wanted to stand in an arena, make people laugh, and bring a little joy to audiences everywhere.

 

I grew up in a rodeo family. My dad competed in bareback riding when he was younger, and although he had retired by the time I came along, rodeo was still a big part of our family. We attended rodeos often, especially at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center.

 

That was where I first noticed the rodeo clowns.

 

I watched the way they could light up an entire arena with a joke, an antic, or simply a smile. I was fascinated by the ability to make hundreds or even thousands of people laugh at the same time.

 

When I got home, I would practice imitating them.

 

At the time, I was simply a kid playing around and following a dream. I had no idea just how important that dream would eventually become.

 

SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

On September 22, 2004, my life changed forever.

 

I was six years old when I was involved in a 4-wheeler accident. The machine flipped and landed on top of me, leaving me with a traumatic brain injury. I was airlifted to Mission Hospital, where doctors placed me on life support and were not sure if I would make it through the night.

 

I spent nearly three weeks in a coma.

 

Eventually, I was transferred to Charlotte Health & Rehabilitation Center, where I began the long process of recovery. I had to relearn things many of us take for granted—how to walk, talk, and eat.

 

On December 1, I was finally able to return home.

 

The journey was difficult, not only for me, but for my family. There were undoubtedly moments of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

 

But I recovered.

 

Looking back now, that experience taught me something I could not have understood at six years old: life is fragile, and the smallest moments are gifts that should never be overlooked.

 

FOLLOW THE DREAM

The accident did not take away the dream I had as a child.

 

If anything, it gave that dream a greater meaning.

 

Today, I am living the life I once imagined while sitting in the stands at a rodeo. For more than 16 years, I have traveled throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast as a professional rodeo clown, performing at professional rodeos and events across the country.

 

Every performance is more than another rodeo on the schedule.

 

It is a blessing.

 

It is a second chance.

 

It is a reminder of how far I have come.

 

I never forget that there was once a time when my family did not know whether I would survive. Today, I get to walk into an arena, hear an audience laugh, and do exactly what I dreamed about doing as a kid.

 

That is something I will never take for granted.

 

I have always believed in one simple motto:

 

No matter what your obstacles are in life, always follow your dreams.

 

The path may not always be easy. There may be setbacks, disappointments, and moments when you question whether you should keep going.

 

Keep going.

 

WHY I DO IT

My accident changed the way I look at life.

 

Since leaving the hospital, I have tried to live each day with a smile, make the most of every opportunity, and spread joy wherever I go.

 

That is why I do what I do.

 

Being a rodeo clown is not simply about wearing a funny outfit, telling jokes, or entertaining a crowd. For me, it is about creating a moment where someone can forget about whatever they may be carrying outside the arena.

 

Life can be difficult. Everyone has struggles that other people may never see.

 

Sometimes, a smile or a laugh is exactly what someone needs.

 

If I can make a person laugh for a few seconds, give a family a memory they will talk about on the drive home, or simply help someone forget their problems for a little while, then I have done something meaningful.

 

I believe every person is given a unique gift.

 

Mine is laughter.

 

And I believe our purpose is to use whatever gifts we have been given to encourage, inspire, and bring joy to others.

 

MY FAITH

 

My faith is at the center of my story.

 

There is no way I could tell the story of my life without acknowledging God. Prayer carried me through my recovery, and my faith continues to guide me both inside the arena and outside of it.

 

Two Bible verses have become especially meaningful to me.

 

Joshua 1:9 reminds me:

 

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

And Philippians 4:13 gives me strength:

 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

Those words have remained with me through the good times, the difficult times, and every step in between.

 

Life is not always easy. We all face struggles, doubts, disappointments, and hardships. But I believe we have to keep our heads high, trust in ourselves, and put our faith in God.

 

Prayer changes things.

 

Love deeply.

 

Spread joy.

 

Share kindness.

 

And never underestimate the difference you can make in someone else's life.

 

Every year, on the anniversary of my accident, I share my story—not because I want people to feel sorry for me, but because I want someone who may be facing their own battle to know that difficult circumstances do not have to define the rest of their story.

 

THE MISSION

For me, the purpose is simple.

 

Bring laughter.

 

Bring joy.

 

Make a difference.

 

I am living a dream that began when I was a child watching rodeo clowns at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. What started as a childhood dream has become my career, my passion, and a way for me to connect with people across the country.

 

But the story is bigger than rodeo.

 

It is about perseverance.

 

It is about faith.

 

It is about being grateful for the opportunity to wake up every morning and continue moving forward.

 

And it is about remembering that no matter what someone may be going through, there is always a reason to keep going.

 

A smile, a laugh, or a kind word can completely change someone's day.

 

If you ever feel lost, discouraged, or wonder if there is more to life, know this:

 

There is more.

 

Keep going.

 

You are not alone.

 

Life is short. Your life is your message to the world—make it count.

 

That is the beginning of Cowpaty the Rodeo Clown.

 

And the story continues today.