Owen Gayler: Sell Out & Live Life
Christ, Cancer, and our Next Chance to Get It Right
Written by Hunter Leavine
Photos & Video by Jesse Males
“I am grateful for cancer…even if it kills me…because of what it has done for my life.”
Over the past eight or so years of running a podcast, I have had a lot of conversations.
Sometimes they have educated me.
Sometimes they have inspired me.
Sometimes they have simply entertained me.
But my conversation with Owen Gayler changed me.
Six years ago I met Owen Gayler while on a cast and blast in Rockport, Texas.
It was my first time in Texas and I was taking it all in. Enamored with the scenery, the food, the culture—I was one Ranch Water and Turnpike Troubadours song away from booking a U-Haul and moving there.
That night, as I was getting ready to crash, Owen came into the bunk room and said, “Sleep easy and rest hard, amigos. Let’s all have us a big day tomorrow.” His accent and cadence somewhat reminiscent of a Matthew McConaughey poetry reading.
Owen had long flowing hair, a bright smile, and a gold chain.
His southern accent and cowboy swagger gave him a magnetism that you can’t help but be drawn to.
Throughout that trip we got to know one another. Then, after a year or two, we recorded a podcast during the Boracho Pescador tournament.
Even at the time, Owen was willing to be more vulnerable than most. In our first podcast he shared about the pain he experienced earlier in his life going through a divorce, and a profound moment on his boat where he broke down in the cockpit, surrounded by fog, and found peace in God.
Over the years we kept up some—occasional chats, the obligatory “I need to get back over,” but failing to do so.
My connection to Owen was the typical connection I hold with former guests.
Then last year Owen’s world was turned upside down by a stage four cancer diagnosis. From the early stages he decided to share it with the world through self-recorded videos on his iPhone.
Personally, my world had turned upside down as well. I was battling with the strains that having your world flip upside down puts on your faith, identity, and relationships.
My strains were self-inflicted. Owen’s, on the other hand, felt like a confusing act of God.
I felt that magnetism from Owen again. So I called him and we began to chat.
His faith helped nurture mine.
His fight inspired mine.
And I know I was not alone.
In a world filled with grip and grins, product ads, and a bunch of grown men trying to be “fishing heroes,” Owen’s iPhone updates stood out like a city on a hill.
Thousands were captivated—drawn in by the fear that “it could have been me,” and drawn in by his magnetism much like I was drawn in years ago in Rockport.
Only this time, something was different.
Before the recording began, I knew this conversation would be different.
I had a hunger to hear more about how Owen’s journey has shaped how he now sees life, faith, family—and of course, the water.
Again, he was more vulnerable than most.
“I am grateful for cancer…even if it kills me…because of what it has done for my life.
It taught me that relationships are what matter the most.”
As I reflected on that, I thought about what our friendship meant for me.
I felt conviction over the relationships in my life that I had neglected—my wife, kids, friends, even my relationship with God.
I had that feeling you get when someone says something right and you know that you have done wrong.
Owen’s tone wasn’t one of condemnation, though. It was one of encouragement. It reminded me of something very important.
Life is filled with chances—to be the man you are called to be, to love your wife the way she deserves, to give your kids the presence and attention they need.
Life is filled with chances. We don’t have to beat ourselves up over our wrongs—we just need to not miss our next chance to get it right.
My podcast has never really been about fishing. Over the years it has morphed into how our love for the outdoors becomes a lens for life.
Owen’s lens has sharpened. He has learned some remarkable lessons and wanted to share.
I am grateful that I could be there to listen, and hopeful that I will be a better man because of it.
Hunter Leavine is the host of the Captains Collective podcast and cofounder of Drifter Fish Club. His work explores fishing as a lens into culture, travel, and the people who shape the places we love.
Sponsors: Skinny Water Culture, Purpose Built Optics, Turtle Box Audio, and My Captain
Learn about traveling with the Drifter Fish Club HERE.
