Entry 75-5

Life With Kevin VanDam

What I Want You To Know About Me

Editor's Note: Thirty-five-year-old Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has had a whirlwind career and has made over $1,173,000 on just the BASS Circuit. VanDam has fished in 13 Bassmasters Classics and won the 2001 Bassmaster Classic. This three-time BASS Angler-of-the-Year has had seven first-place finishes, four second-place finishes and 45 top-10 finishes. VanDam is very intense and very focused on being a tournament bass fisherman. But this week, we’ll look at the man behind the machine, and learn who Kevin VanDam really is.

VanDam: I’m just a regular guy. I’m always flattered when fans come up and want my autograph and want to know my opinions. However, I’m really no different from anyone else. I feel fortunate and blessed that I get to work at what always has been a dream for me. I believe I’m an example to other people that, in this country, you can truly dream great dreams, work hard and accomplish those dreams.

I feel so lucky to be able to earn a living for me and my family in a sport that I love so much. I always try to act and treat people the way I want them to treat me, and I think if you can be yourself, and be an example for others of what they can be, that is one of the highest callings a person can have.

When young fishermen ask me, "What can I do to be a tournament angler like you?" My immediate answer is "Get a good college education." In tournament bass fishing today, you need to be a smart, well-educated individual and know how to market yourself to be as successful as you can become in this sport.

There are plenty of professional fishermen who do really well catching fish and winning tournaments. But, because they don’t know how to market themselves, they don’t earn as much money as they can earn. Without a good education and knowing how to market yourself, you won’t have the money you need to continue to compete at the highest level of bass fishing, unless you’re extremely wealthy before you become a tournament pro. So, if you’re a young person reading this information, I strongly recommend that you get a good education first, and then chase your dream of being a professional bass fisherman. I’ve done it, and you can, too.




 

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