Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Welcome to a new year, a new season, and, for some of you, a new journey in the National Professional Fishing League. If you’ve signed up to be part of this family, you’re not just here to fish—you’re here to endure, to thrive, and to rise above.
This morning, as I often do, I picked up a book to start my day with a little perspective. Today, it was Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life. His challenge to the notion of “happiness” struck me. Too often, we chase happiness like it’s the prize, forgetting that happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a byproduct of the struggles, defeats, and triumphs we experience along the way.
Life—and this league—isn’t about avoiding hardship. It’s about embracing it. The angler who perseveres through the rain, the lost fish, the mechanical breakdowns, and the pressure of competition is the one who builds the kind of resilience that can’t be bought or faked.
I was reminded this morning of something I wrote to myself in my journal over 15 months ago. My journals are personal conversations—me, writing to me, for me—but today, I’ll share this thought: “The man who never quits will never be defeated.”
There’s always a way forward, a way to grow, a way to improve. The question is: Are you willing to endure to see it through?
Here’s the thing: none of us are on this journey alone. Our happiness—our collective success—will come as the group succeeds. We are all in the same game together. Every cast, every decision, every ounce weighs not just on your shoulders, but on the shoulders of the entire NPFL family. For this league to succeed, for all of us and each of us to thrive, we must work together, stay on the same page, and commit to the challenges ahead as one.
And let me tell you something: the harder the challenge, the more the journey feels like it sucks in the moment. But that’s what makes the victory so much sweeter. The more you pour into this—the more blood, sweat, and tears—the more fulfilling that moment of triumph becomes.
Fittingly, when I opened my journal today, the verse at the bottom of the page was Romans 12:2: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Change doesn’t come through comfort; it comes through challenge, through a willingness to think differently, and through embracing the game for what it is—a test of grit, passion, and heart.
As we enter the 2025 season, I challenge each of you to focus on the game, not just the prize. Take pride in the battles you’ll face, in the moments when you feel like you’re against the wall, because those moments will shape you. And when you emerge on the other side, stronger and more resilient, you’ll understand that the prize isn’t happiness. It’s growth … it’s purpose … it’s the joy of knowing you endured and overcame.
When we succeed, we succeed together. When one of us is down, we all rally. That’s the NPFL way, and it’s what will make this season unforgettable.
Let’s make this season one to remember. Welcome to the NPFL. Now, let’s get to work.
