Welcome to a CLN Exclusive with YETI ambassador, Shad Mayfield! Join me as I chat with Shad about how his background in rodeo, how he gets ready for an event, and what he loves about working with a brand like YETI.
Krysta: Can you tell our audience a little about yourself?
Shad: I grew up in a rodeo family and to be honest, rodeo is what I knew I wanted to do from a very young age. My father, Sylvester Mayfield, qualified for the NFR in 1985 and 1987 and taught me the ways very early on. Clovis, New Mexico is where I call home which is historically a town cowboys have come and gone for the last century. In short, the rodeo cowboy way of life is in my blood. I saw success early on, winning in Jr High Rodeo and High School rodeo which came to a paramount when I won the National High School Finals rodeo my senior year while also beginning my professional career. I made it to my first National Finals Rodeo in 2019 and that was definitely the hardest year in my career. After that, I made it a point to be at the top of the game for many years to come.
Krysta: What did growing up look like for you? When did you get involved in rodeo?
Shad: I started rodeo when I was 6 years old. Oddly enough, I thought I wanted to be a bull rider initially. That dream came to an end quickly when I got bucked off my first steer and it knocked the wind out of me. After that, I picked up a rope and never looked back. In my earlier years, I wouldn’t say it came easy for me. I remember going to my first “big roping” which was Barry Burke’s Junior Roping in Ardmore, Oklahoma. I was shell-shocked and I’m pretty sure I missed every calf they turned out for me. After that, I worked as hard as I possibly could to prove that I could be the best in the world.
Krysta: How do you get yourself “in the zone” when at a rodeo?
Shad: I get myself in the zone by listening to my favorite music, typically of the hip-hop genre to get me in the competitive mindset. I also envision the run I want to make to ensure that muscle memory takes over when I back in the box.
Krysta: What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
Shad: My proudest accomplishment to date was winning The American Rodeo in 2020. That win set me up to win my first world championship and allowed me to build my home in Lipan, TX. I didn’t grow up with much money, so having a million-dollar year set me up to be successful for the years to come.
What do your rodeo goals look like heading into the final half of 2023?
Shad: My goals for the remainder of 2023 are staying consistent and making the best run I can make every time I back in the box. Rodeo is a huge mental game and I have to tell myself that I am only competing with myself. I look forward to having a successful NFR this year as well.
Krysta: What is the best advice you can give aspiring pro rodeo athletes?
Shad: The best advice I can give to aspiring rodeo athletes is to stay positive and don’t listen to the opinions of others. Take each day as it comes and work as hard as you can to be better every single day. As I have said, rodeo is a huge mental game. The sooner you can attune your mind to the competition, the better you will be down the road.
Krysta: What has it meant to be a part of the YETI Ambassador team?
Shad: I’m thrilled to be a part of the YETI Ambassador team. YETI is one of my favorite brands that I use on a daily basis and to be able to ride for the brand I love is an unbelievable feeling. I still remember when I won my first YETI cooler and how special it was to me, and now wearing the patch on my shirt is a huge motivation for the future. My favorite YETI products are the Rambler and the Roadie Cooler (in colors rescue red and charcoal) for the back of my truck.
I hope you enjoyed this CLN Exclusive Interview with Shad Mayfield and I can’t wait to share the next one with you. Make sure to check out the button below to read the full YETI Series here on Cowboy Lifestyle Network and follow them on your favorite social media platform.
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