Miles & Mountains

Payton Pierce: The Love of the Game


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Rodeo athlete Payton Pierce takes us through his journey from high school bull rider to a Yeti Junior World Final Qualifier in just six months of bareback competition. With raw honesty and the distinctive grit that defines him, Pierce recounts the moment that changed everything—when bareback riding legend Kaycee Feild slapped him in the face before a ride and told him to remember he was "a bad motherfucker."

Pierce doesn't sugar-coat the brutal physical toll of his rapid rise. His path to NFR qualification came at a staggering cost: seven broken ribs, a hand hung up in the rigging, and part of his ear torn off when a horse stepped on his head. Yet from his hospital bed, his first question wasn't about his injuries but whether he'd qualified. That unwavering focus speaks volumes about the mindset required to thrive in one of rodeo's most punishing events.

Now facing fatherhood with a baby boy due in August, Pierce finds himself navigating the complex balance between chasing rodeo glory and building a stable foundation for his growing family. He's purchased his PRCA card but plans to take a measured approach to his career trajectory while ensuring he can provide for his partner Lindsey and their soon-to-arrive son Waylon. The conversation reveals a young man maturing in real-time—still hungry for competitive success but now viewing his choices through the lens of responsibility.

Whether you're a rodeo enthusiast or simply appreciate stories of extraordinary determination, Pierce's journey offers powerful insights into what drives athletes to push beyond perceived limitations. Follow along as he shares what distinguishes bareback riding from other events, why he describes it as "a fight to the death," and how he's building a future both inside and outside the arena.


Instagram: @paytonpierceofficial

https://www.instagram.com/paytonpierceofficial?igsh=cG50YmowdWgyZmM0


Shoutout to :

Payton Pierce

The Pierce Family and Friends 

Lindsey Templetonn

Baby Waylon 

Nick Reynolds of 8 Second Strong 

Elaine Kimball 

NPRA 


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Alter Ego Ambassador: https://alteregorunning.com/

Miles & Mountains Promo Code: Milesmountainsyr3


Raising Awareness:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)

Mental Health 


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Miles & MountainsBy Nick