at the $10 grand entry. not that the money is the biggest thing - the opportunity is what’s incredible. right away, when i found out i called you (Jody only) and we started talking about the project and it immediately became fun. We worked out the details and concepts of incorporating me -as a person - my life- my job on the U.S. Marshal Fugitive team and my dream of bass fishing - and the whole thing came to life. it was just so easy; it was surreal. i couldn’t have done it without you, ryan and alan.
What went through your mind when you were told you were picked? i was shocked, relieved and happy. i had been being told by everyone that saw the video, i was going to be picked. i didn’t want that to get in my head, but the video seemed to come together so easy - and my small circle of friends that saw it were so moved. one of my friends was watching it and i couldn’t see his face, but when it ended he turned around and he was crying. in the time i’ve known him - 34 or 35 years - i’ve never seen him cry. He told me it wasn’t because it was emotional - it was because it was genuine and he could see how much a part of my life it was. it seemed like it was meant to be and i think that i started to think i would get picked. They originally were going to
notify people on aug. 3 and then due to the overwhelming response they delayed it until aug.7 and as time passed it got harder and harder. i had some sleepless nights after the delay. i got a “pre-call” on aug. 6 asking me about the dates and any conflicts of sponsorship and i just thought they wouldn’t have wasted their time doing that if i wasn’t in the final running, but they were clear that they were making no commitment by making that call. on aug. 7 when i didn’t get called right away doubt begin to creep in my head and the more time passed the more it started to grow. By 3:30 p.m. on aug. 7, i started checkin’ my phone every 20 minutes or half hour. When i saw a call from 702 area code, i hoped it was them, but didn’t think so because the call from the day before was from 617 area code. it turned out to be the call offering be the spot on The dream. i was so happy, i was doing air punches while i was driving. it felt like it felt when i won my first boat.
Do you have any anticipation about not knowing anything about the competitors, what the competition will be or the location? a little anxiety, only because i’m the planning kind. i truly do not know where it will be or what to expect; but i’m speculating it will be centrally located to texas for travel reasons. i have plenty of time off work for the event and for travel because i don’t know what to expect.
Issue 4
August 2012
45