Not Satisfied | Michael Waddell on His Career and Family | Sticking to His Roots | Be Real
One of the most recognized hunters in history talks about his humble roots in Booger Bottom, Georgia, and how he met Realtree’s Bill Jordan.
Shop the Realtree Store: realtree.me/store
Before Michael Waddell became an outdoor industry icon, he was an air conditioner repairman whose claim to fame was winning local turkey-calling competitions on the weekends. Unbeknownst to Waddell, he’d caught the attention of Bill Jordan, who’d heard about the talented young turkey caller from Realtree pro staffers. In 1994, after watching Waddell win a contest in Perry, Georgia, Jordan approached the 20-year-old and invited him to become a Realtree junior pro staff team member.
Waddell says being a face of the industry is a big responsibility, and he wants to use his influence to help fight for the hunting culture and change the perception of hunting so that it’s celebrated on a national level. “I want to represent the sport well, and when asked, I want to respond with the solid, detailed answers and narrative that make people think. I want to be like a fiber-optic cable that flows what is positive about hunting and fishing, the outdoors, and the simple life to all who are willing to listen.”
It’s been 27 years since that day, when Bill Jordan invited Waddell to join the Realtree team, and Waddell says he still sometimes feels as if he has to pinch himself.
The man that you've become is incredible!! I've followed you since day 1 Michael, hard work and determination always pays off!! Thank you for being you!!!
I’m 40 years old I’m a huge realtree fan I’ve been watching you ever since I was a kid I’ve met you multiple times at the national wild Turkey Federation convention in sport show in Nashville Tennessee where I live my kids have met you we’ve always enjoyed your TV shows and the fact that you became the TV celebrity and kept it real at the same time speaks volumes...I am proud to see that a backwoods person like yourself that represent the blue-collar folks has made it. Thanks for everything that you’ve done over the years Michael you’ve given a voice to the outdoorsman and we appreciate it.. #teamrealtree
Definition of humbleness
A REAL MAN RIGHT HERE! WE HUNTERS AND COUNTRY FOLKS ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU SIR! BEST WISHES! 🦃🦃👍👍💜💜🙏🙏
If you don’t love Waddell, getcha heart right son. I’ve watched him my whole life and with every video or tv show i see him on I only like him more and more. Dude is the true depiction of my American dream. God bless Waddell and his family along with the realtree family.
I've watched you grow up in the business! I knew that you would make it back then! You showed grit and determination back in the beginning! I love the fact of you sharing this with us! You're a good guy! You're true to your core beliefs as well as country! And there ain't nothing wrong with that. God bless and and your family for letting you do this!!!!
Just met Michael Waddell at Nationals Archery and outdoor store in Pennsylvania and man what a great guy. "The American dream is still alive!" Love it.
More people need to see this! Blessed to have spent a little time around this dude and he is as real as it gets. Nice job and well said Waddy!
No better life to live than enjoying the great outdoors
I met you at a hunt show near Charlottesville va and your just down to earth and approachable.. followed you from day one👍😊🇺🇸
Amen Michael, couldn't have said it any better myself
We all love ya Michael here from Virginia. Your a legend dude. God bless yall and safe hunting.
Thank you Michael for all you have done for the hunting industry. Never leave the Lord out of your life. He has blessed you greatly.
Thank you Michael I needed this!! God bless you my man!
Always loved watching you on your shows. I'm a country boy from Indiana, and I'm living my dreams.
100% genuine.... Staying true to what you believe in is how you became the man you are today.
Michael you are the man! I love you being real true southern boy til the end. God ,family , and friends you’re doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
MICHAEL,,,YOU ARE MY MOTIVATION THAT KEEPS ME LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF ON MY FARM,,,,,GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!!
Humble awesome way to be ! Never forget where u came from !! Daniel from central Mississippi
I'm lucky enough to live in "Realtree Country", and have been able to see how many of the Realtree guys are in everyday life, and how they treat ordinary people. With Michael, Bill, T-Bone, David, etc., what you see really is who they are -- just good, hard-working, down-to-earth country folks who haven't let success and hunting celebrity status go to their heads. They've truly worked for and earned everything that's come their way, and they represent all of their fellow hunters well.
I hope you actually read the comments Michael. And see how much your fans enjoy your shows. You can tell your daddy is very proud of you and who you have become. God Bless you sir
Man we do! And we’re blessed to have so many great, like minded people out there who support us and celebrate the outdoors lifestyle! Thanks for watching 🙌🏼💪🏼
Hands down the best outdoor personality there is
Hey brother I am proud of you!!
Well said brother!!!!🎯👍✌️
Don't change a thing! You are a true inspiration!
I watch your first show and still watch Monster bucks on DVD from years ago
God bless you Mr. Michael. I’ve been watching and enjoying you doing your thing since I started watching hunting tv around the time you started doing this. I appreciate the enthusiasm you bring and the fact you are true to you not fake at all. I appreciate you sir!
Michael has been a huge part of my hunting journey. To see him talk about his path and his life was awesome to see. Awesome job Michael!
Amen brother
Awesome video Michael, As real as it gets buddy.
Hey man it has been awesome watching your career take off!!! I'm your age I'm 49 and I still remember when the only time you could watch a hunting show was on TNN on Sunday's that's how long I have been a fan of just not you but all the Real Tree guys... Keep on keeping on...
Like I've always way have said when I met you and Travis at a ATA show ,you guys stopped gave me time to say hello and chat, look over at my buddy Scott and said they are just like us but they made it in the industry, and being real and thanking people who has followed y'all from day one, I'll Thank you and Travis T Bone for being yourself and love what y'all have done for the outdoor and Archery!!!! Thanks Bone Collector!!!
There you have it folks, Waddie telling us all - Live everyday as if it's your last,,, but strive to make EVERYDAY better than the last, leave a positive impression on everything & everyone that you come in contact with, and you will leave a LEGACY behind that befits a great one.... well said Mike... Please, continue with the Brotherhood & BONE COLLECTOR quest & maybe do a REAL TREE / BONE COLLECTOR REUNION season with all the guys, a whitetail hunt - ELK hunt & for good measure everybody go on a KODIAK BROWN BEAR BOW HUNT,,, how AWESOME that would be....
Just a good ol Georgia boy speaking the truth from the heart, well said Michael, I wish more people thought like this because this great country wouldn't be so screwed up right now, thank the good Lord above for your blessings and keep striving to be better
Michael Waddell is the man! I’ve met him once at the Dixie classic in NC a few years back!! Hopefully one day Ile meet him again but he is the most down to earth man youl ever meet and just a nice guy!! Great video Michael and May your 2022 season be blessed!
Way to go Michael! Living the American dream. I find it hard to believe there are 6 people that gave this a thumbs down. God bless the Waddell family!
You go Michal great job. Watched you for many years with Jordan .
Good job Michael. I'll give you an Amen! Same sentiment from our Missouri farm loving family. Same deal here.
Keeping it real.. staying humble!! Awesome !!
AMEN brother
Michael this was awesome! I’m a combat veteran, police officer and small business owner. And finally just bought my first track of land. Time to raise my kids like my dad raised me. Great inspiration for guys like me and I thank you for being so genuine and showing the world being country ain’t a bad thing!
I couldn't agree more with you Mike your formula is a model for success......keep swinging for the fence and you'll find me right here in the stands. Thank you for all you do.
You are a good Man Michael. I've got to know you a little bit while I've been working for you. Your Dad done a awesome job with you. God bless you and family.your painter Tim
WOW! Truly inspirational! Keep up the good work God Bless
Always uplifting and down to earth guy.
Awesome stuff Michael !! You just forgot to tell people about your musical talent too.. I will never forget our fun night performing at the Kinseys show. Keep up the good work my friend....
Hey Michael I'm so happy you took this road in life.instead heat and air.i sure love watching these videos.i know you and your family.yall are some good people. And thank you for everything
wow i can’t believe this came across, 4:46 that’s me on my turkey hunt i went with him!!! thank you for being an inspiration to not only me but to a lot of other people
Well said 👍 u probably don't remember me but I met u at the Dixie deer show in Raleigh NC in my wheelchair and u signed a homemade turkey call that I made. Meant alot to me to this day. You're a good person. Keep up the tradition of the good ole outdoors 🎣🦌
Amazing video. Thank you do for all us hunters! #huntgeorgia
Thank you for sharing that. You have a very amazing story to you.
Love it Micheal would be an honor to meet you one day! Just a 27 year old with a family with my 4 year old just working to make a living hoping to start my own plumbing company one day
Wow! You hit on all the true and fine points of life from a youngin' to a responsible man ,father and mentor. Well done.
Amen brother, stay true, stay you
Congratulations Michael, that is amazing. I am very happy for you. I always wanted to have that as well cause that is my passion too, unfortunately life had other plans for me but I'm glad you were able to do that.
Very cool Michael, Love watching your shows and your outlook on Life God and Family !
Thanks for the story Micheal We have been watching you basically grow up and I am proud to call myself a fan I started filming me and my youngest sons adventures for memories and I wished I had started earlier Thanks for staying “REAL”
i enjoyed every word my man, you have become i leader in my eyes of what the outdoor industry needs more of.
Truer words could not be said, You have always been who you are, in the TV world or corporate world which I am apart of, I can tell you keeping it real does not exist (corporately) speaking , that's why you have been successful in your career as well as family, remember "life is not a Dance rehearsal".
Well said !! Keep up the great work
You 100% nailed it Michael! Keep the great content coming.
It's who you are that's gotten you this far. Keep up the inspiring work man.
Love this guy huge inspiration for me and so much respect for him and he’s the reason I’m getting more and more into hunting and cooking wild game and just the outdoors in general also my favorite hunter to watch
Realtree Roadrrips got me through 26 months of deployment in Iraq. Loved every minute and literally wore those DVDs out! Thanks for taking us along on the adventures
You’re real Michael. Thank you for being that for us fans.
Amen brother, you have always been one of my favorite people in the Outdoor Industry. Thanks for always keeping it real and fighting for our way of life.
Thanks Mike
I've been watching Michael Wadell for a long time! My kids even got to meet him and get a DVD signed at a Bass Pro Shop in Oklahoma City many years ago while I was there for work. Life has it's ups and downs for sure. This is a good reminder to keep striving to become better. What to become better at? Well that may or may not change over time. But never give up on your dreams! That's what I heard in this video.
You are 100 percent right about that Micheal I have watched you grow up all these years from when you started at realtree to where you are now and wanted to do the same thing you did. From in that video is correct maybe one day we can meet up and do some hunting great video good luck to your future keep the content coming brother God Bless you
God bless you and your family.
Man you have had a blessed life.
He's the real deal boys!
Much Respect sir I agree with you
A real man humbled in life giving credit where its due not losing sight of the big picture we call life.....he will always be one of my faves in my life and keep me on track why i love doing what i do!!! Thank you Waddie!
You are so right in the things you say and what you do. Keep up the great work 👍
I remember meeting Michael in the mid 90's at World Turkey Calling Championship in Bessemer one year and at Birmingham another year when I was working with Mossy Oak. You have come a long way since then and definitely are an ambassador of the sport of hunting!
Michael- Thank you for sharing all the life experiences with us and allowing us access to all the outdoor and personal goings on in your life. I continue to watch every chance I get. Once again , Thank you!
Thanks for sharing and doing what you love, cant beat that...
God,family,country,and don’t forget who helped along the way.working like it all depends on you,praying like it all depends upon God. I’m a veteran and my hats off to you,
You the man.. good job bro
This is the man I’ve looked up to growing up and watching the old monster bucks videos etc. not that I didn’t respect all the other guys I was taught to do that. But this man was who I could relate to. I appreciate you Michael and I’m so glad things turned out for you the way you would be happy with them. God Bless
Thank you for being "you"and striving to be true to who you are. I went through a number of years and could only hunt occasionally but I could watch you and your buddies and for a brief moment I was back in the woods. You can never know how much that meant to me.
Integrity and character still matter.
Well deserved. Been following you from the beginning. Your secret was you never changed. Kept it real and humble. Thank you for your efforts and taking us along with you.
Great Talk Michael Thank You!
Thanks for inspiring me to work harder to achieve more in life for my family. Keep up the good work and God bless you and your family.
Great stuff Michael been a fan all the back to the Realtree days try to keep up on things you put out from just about anything you've been doing on all media outlets!! Thanks for staying real and God bless you and your family and friends!!! Also try catching Tbone on KZhead every now and then
we have the same mailman! lol Love the video
Really enjoyed listening to you talk about all that it sounds just like my life
Wow very inspirational, First of all Thank you for what you do and who you are, I truly believe everything you said! I love the last quote,,Be Real,, thats says it all in two words , I'll leave a saying I truly believe in life and its Good things come to Good people!! Thanks Man God Bless ,, Big Big Fan of your Thinking!!! ❤
Man that was powerful Thank you
You are doing a great job. 👍
I LOVE IT!! I love your story. You are an inspiration to a lot of us. Down to earth, humble. I'll never forget a few years ago at the NWTF Convention in Nashville you were out in the atrium talking to a fella. i saw you and walked your way. When you were finished I ask if I could get a picture with you. "Yeah man, no problem". As busy as you are I wouldn't have blamed you if you just said, Sorry man, I don't have time right now BUT you took a few seconds for an old guy that's a fan! You're a class act brother!! Thank you for being you!
Thanks man I really need been going through some hard time that just lift me up alittle thanks once again
I really enjoy this Michael. Very inspirational!
You’re as REAL AS THEY COME! I’m 48 an still dreaming.I’ll never give up.Your so right.If ya settle then your really failing.Always strive for the best bro!Been watching since the start.Have a goodun Mike from ya friends In Tn!
Great words !!!!
Awesome.
Awesome....
Great video!
Awesome stuff Waddy!