Dusty Tuckness is Back

Being side lined brings a whole new meaning in the sport of rodeo. It’s words no rodeo athlete wants to hear or go through for that matter. One thing is for sure though, if you rodeo long enough it’s going to happen especially when your job is taking hits for others. I believe one’s true character and heart is shown on the other side of adversity.
In December, during the 9th round of the NFR, I suffered an injury that I wasn’t going to be able to tough out; I would be sidelined through the winter rodeos coming up. It was an injury that was easy to see something wasn’t good. I broke both my tibia and fibula on my left leg and once I looked down and saw it, the first words out of my mouth were, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…healed in Jesus’ name.’
It’s been quite a roller coaster of events through it all because after four weeks on the mend, I found out I was going to have another surgery because the first one wasn’t done right. Talk about taking the wind out of your sails.
Even with all the craziness I had to go through, I knew it doesn’t matter what’s thrown at me, God had a plan through it all. This is the part of the story God wants to tell through me.
Some words that were given to me in this season were: mindset, faith, evidence, and love. These are words that really stuck out to me when I was digging deeper into what God has for me.
Mindset
I’ll start with mindset; God tells us in 2Timothy 1:7 that he didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Once I got started int my comeback, I was willing to work harder and do everything I could to get me back as soon as possible. So my nutrition and supplements were on point. But with my physical being fed right, I must also feed my mind in the same way. So what I allowed in my mind was very important. I start every morning before my feet touch the ground reading God’s Word and reading motivational books. A good start to your day leads to a good finish.
Faith
What is Faith? For me, it’s believing in something regardless the situation; trusting in the Higher power and process. We can say we have faith, but our actions truly show how much faith or belief we have in something.
Faith is a big one for me because not only having the faith in my doctors and therapists to help get me back, but also, I must have that same faith in knowing God has good things through all of this. My focus is to be plugged into the source more than the system (world)!. My thought process through it all is I will be better and stronger through it all.
James 1:2-4 tells us to find joy in the trials and tests we encounter in life. That’s hard to do when it’s keeping you from doing what you want. With that said, though, just as physical training makes you stronger and can do so many more things, it’s the same with your faith. When it’s tested, it produces endurance so you can become better and stronger! You have to go through suffering in order to grow and be successful in anything. Your character – faith and heart – is revealed in discomfort and found on the other side of it. Over time you callous your mind and grow in all areas of life.
Evidence
Evidence is proof of something being true. This world was very bold to me not only wanting my hard work to show as I’m recovering and when I’m back, but more so with my faith and love fro God in trusting the process. It was like a daily check list for me everyday to make sure there was evidence showing in my physical, mental, and spiritual actions – it was a great routine that helped keep me focused.
Love
Love was the last word. To love as God does is a lot different than the love of the world. A verse I read years ago, which stuck to me for ever is John 15:13 Greater Love has no one than this. To lay down His own life for His friends. That is what Jesus did for us all and my mindset being my training and every time I step into the arena.
Through this whole process the one question that kept coming up – When will he come back? Will he come back? If he does, will he do his job? This to me was nothing but fuel for the fire. There were a lot of unknowns and the time line that was given was anywhere from 6-12 months. My goal was to work hard and be more focused than ever before and be back stronger and better before anyone thought. That wasn’t an easy task, and I had to keep doing things reminding my why. One thing I did was the cookie jar theory from David Goggins which is keeping a mental jar full of all the good things that have come from and will come from hard work. Reaching into the cookie jar every day kept me pushing forward. It kept me pushing – when you put your hand in the cookie jar, and find those good memories, brings you light and life. Those days when you are hurt or you can’t do it – you can reach in the cookie jar and know that this will work and you will lbe back .
As it comes closer to the time I’ve be back in the arena, I didn’t have a for sure date or event. Of course, the sooner the better, but I just focused on making each day count. After spending some time in Cody, Wyoming, working a few perfs, my first pro rodeo back was Reno, Nevada!
I can’t describe the feeling; part of me felt like I never left and the other was like a breath of fresh air. As we went about the summer, it seemed like all was in place. I still had soreness in my leg and knee, but my strength was getting better with each perf.
The summer run was great and as we approached the fall run, we were nearing the end of the season. With right around 80 perfs for the year, now I as blessed to receive phone call for the Texas Circuit Finals and the PBR Challenger Finals.
With the NFR right around the corner, my goal was to not net my injury determine the last time I’d be back at the Thomas and Mack. But it had a new fuel to the nerves this year. I felt like I came back stronger and given it all I had and which ever way things went I could have peace knowing that. Knowing God was with me very step of the way, I truly believe whatever we go through in life helps shape us into the person God has called us to be. I’ve said this from the start If this could just help uplift or motivate just one person to overcome something, it was all worth it. It was an amazing year.
On October 21 at 6:14 my phone rang to tell me I was voted for the NFR. This one hit different – I closed my eyes and fought back the tears. Every year I’m so thankful for the blessings God has blessed me with, but this year was probably one of the hardest but best years yet. I want to give thanks to everyone that was a part of this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you all.
One thing I’ll leave with you as we are about to step into a new year. Seek God in all you do and even though things may look rough at times and maybe not the plan we had – know God will be with you every step of the way. He can and will use everything for the good. Trust the plan, the process, keep the faith and always believe!
God Bless,