Throwback Interview with Rodeo Wrecks Founder and Owner- Gabi Jaffee!

So, I did this interview a while back, sometime at the end of 2017- beginning of 2018. Gabi has ALWAYS been an inspiration to me, and is someone that I plan on interviewing at least once a year. Her dedication to bettering herself and creating the best life for herself (and her pup) always motivates me to do the same. I hope you enjoy this little snip-bit about how Gabi and I met, as well as her interview! ---------> 

 

If you asked me to reflect back on my rodeo journey and point out the people that supported and inspired me the most to pursue my dreams, this girl would be among the first mentioned. Gabi Jaffee is the creator and owner of the famous “Rodeo Wrecks”, a social media movement that stems from sharing the craziest, sometimes even cringe worthy, wrecks that happen in the sport of rodeo. Like (seemingly) everyone else in the rodeo world, I have followed Rodeo Wrecks for a very long time and really enjoy the originality and intensity of her content. But it wasn’t until the 2015 NFR, when I had the opportunity to meet and sit with Gabi, that I truly got a grasp of who she is and how passionate she is to build this “movement” into a successful business.

Since meeting her, Gabi never fails to inspire me to fearlessly pursue what sets my soul on fire. Between her dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to her passion for Rodeo Wrecks, it sometimes seems like she must be Wonder Woman to be able to keep up with such a busy lifestyle. But one thing I have always admired about Gabi is how unashamed she is to share “real life” with her followers and to share that life isn’t always perfect no matter who you are.

She has shown me that hard times are inevitable but failure is not. She has proven to me that it is all in how you react to the hard times that defines what your future holds. She is truly an inspiration and a living legend in her own right which is exactly why I needed her to be an interviewee on my blog!

It takes a lot of courage to make the kind of moves that Gabi is! Keep reading to find out just how she does it and don’t forgot to check out her social media links below!!

Q:How and when did you first get involved with the rodeo world?

It was about 5 years ago when I wrote a story about a local bull riding for a journalism school assignment. I took some pictures and the contractor liked them so much he invited me to come back on a weekly basis!

Q: How do you feel like the rodeo world has changed you?

I can’t image my life without it now. It’s so much more than a sport…it’s family. All of my closest friends, my job, my business…I owe it all to rodeo.

Q: What inspired you to start Rodeo Wrecks?

I had a ton of pictures of guys getting bucked off and stomped on from the local bar bull ridings I was contracted to shoot at and everyone liked them but no one ever bought them so one night I had the idea to start an Instagram with my own pictures and then people started tagging me in theirs and 5 years later…here I am!

Q: What do you think about the success of Rodeo Wrecks thus far?

I had a feeling it would be big…but I never realized it would lead me to my dream job, or have my friends be my heroes or even just being recognized at the grocery store. It’s insane.

Q: What is your ultimate plan with RW?

Keep building it bigger and bigger! Don’t really know what that looks like to be honest…but I’m sure God will reveal His plan to me in time.

Q: How do you stay motivated to pursue your dreams with RW?

There’s been a TON of times I wanted to give up…wanted to shut it down. I guess it’s just a part of me. It’s my baby as much as my dog is. It’s my passion. I love it. I guess that’s just what keeps me going – the love.

Q: Who is your role model/inspiration? And why?

I have so many people I look up to! I really look up to my mentor, Mary Peters. She’s helped me in SO many ways from my logo to my website and just helping me to grow as a person. I don’t know who I’d be without her!

Q: How is Rodeo Wrecks impacting the future of rodeo?

I have had a ton of kids come up to me and say they’re less embarrassed, less afraid of getting wrecked out. I think I just want to do something fun – something people can share.

Q: Tell me a little about your fitness/health journey:

I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my diet/weight. A lot of it was because I was unhappy with myself and that led to me making unhealthy choices. I was really big in December and although I loved myself then, I am really working on becoming the best version of me. I just started a new job so I’m getting back into a routine and diet/exercise. I’m cleaning up my diet again and I feel good! Strong, healthy, good inside and out!

Q: How do you find the time to balance everything you have going on in your life?

That’s DEFINITELY a challenge these days. I go to bed early, get up early. Usually 11 PM – 5 AM. I’ve become a morning person. I also take time to SHUT. DOWN. I will turn my phone off, go paddle boarding – just be in the moment. It’s so important to take time for yourself! My dog is a big part of it – Wrecks always makes me smile and remember what’s truly important.

Q: Any advice for someone wanting to pursue their dreams and live their best life?

Go with your gut. Never let anyone tell you no. Prove them wrong. Do everything out of love. Keep the faith. Pray, pray, pray.

Random: if you were on an island and could only bring 3 items, what would you bring?

Wrecks, Zero Limits by Dr. Joe Vitale, water purifier.

 

Thank you so much Gabi for taking the time to answer these questions and for inspiring me and so many others to fearlessly pursue what makes our heart happy.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Instagram: @rodeowrecks

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