From Rodeo Champion to Health Warrior: Tyson Durfey’s Inspiring Journey
In the studio with me today is world champion tie-down roper Tyson Durfey, here to share his incredible health journey. Tyson’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the lessons learned through life’s toughest challenges.
A Cowboy’s Beginnings
Growing up, Tyson split his time between city life with his mom and working on his dad’s ranch training rope horses. Early on, he decided he didn’t want to stay behind the scenes—he wanted to compete as a Professional Rodeo Cowboy.
At 16, Tyson "stumbled upon" a Tony Robbins cassette tape that sparked his lifelong interest in personal development. A pathway that would later lead him to the West Clinic.
Sometimes in life we get so busy working on the “busy work” of life that you forget to work on yourself and what you’re truly passionate about. At a young age, his father’s guidance reinforced this focus, reminding him to work on things that truly moved the needle toward his goals.
“I wasn’t an overnight success,” Tyson admits. After high school, he gave college a try but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. At 19, he joined the professional rodeo tour, only to lose everything in his first year. Undeterred, Tyson went back to work as a welder and horseshoer to save up before giving rodeo another shot. But he hit rock bottom again, questioning if he would ever be good enough.
“I was willing to die for my dream,” Tyson recalls. He turned to mentors and his faith for guidance. With their support, he refocused on the basics. The next day, he had a breakthrough win that set off a streak of victories, leading to an impressive career, including a Canadian national title and multiple National Finals Rodeo qualifications.
The Road to Better Health
Throughout his career, Tyson admits health wasn’t a priority. “I was eating fast food and gas station snacks,” he says. Marrying his wife was the turning point that made him start paying attention to his health. As he improved his diet and fitness, he noticed a shift, climbing from fifth in the world to number one.
“Health is everything,” Tyson emphasizes. So many people sacrifice health for wealth, only to regret it when their health is gone. You only get one body so you better take care of it.
A Health Crisis Post-Retirement
Last year, Tyson retired from rodeo, but the transition wasn’t easy. “I lost part of my identity,” he says. Soon after, his health began to decline. Symptoms like chest pain, blurry vision, and severe fatigue left him bedridden and frustrated. Visits to doctors and specialists yielded no answers.
That’s when a friend suggested he visit our clinic. Tyson began with supplements, which offered some relief, followed by five days of intensive treatments, including IV therapy and neural therapy.
“The progress was slow but steady,” Tyson recalls. Though he experienced setbacks, he stayed the course, motivated by his belief that challenges happen for you, not to you.
A Renewed Outlook
Now feeling healthy again, Tyson is ready to come out of retirement and return to professional rodeo at 41 years old. He calls it his “second chance to get back in the saddle.”
“This experience taught me to appreciate life more,” Tyson shares. “Time is finite, and I’m not wasting it on anything I don’t love. Health is now a top priority.”
Tyson’s Advice
For anyone struggling with their health, Tyson offers this wisdom:
- Find a reason to keep moving forward.
- You’re never too old to chase greatness.
- Keep chasing life—never quit.
Tyson’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, faith, and prioritizing health can lead to profound transformation. His story will inspire anyone facing their own challenges to keep striving for greatness.
