Michael Lane has been on the back of an animal for most of his life. He's been a part of rodeo since he was just 4 years old and has made it a long career. Focusing on his health and body is key.

The Pro Bull Riders (PBR) has been to Casper's Ford Wyoming Center multiple times, and we love it. When any sort of rodeo comes to town, Casper and the surrounding area shows up, but especially for bull riding.

Wyoming is the Cowboy State, rodeo is the official state sport and there's a good chance there's at least one pair of cowboy/cowgirl boots in nearly every home in Wyoming.

We all have our favorite part of the rodeo, roping, barrel racing, bronc riding, steer wrestling, are all popular, there's no doubt. It's safe to say, that deep down, bull riding is one of everyone's favorite events. Shoot, there's a whole circuit that's dedicated to only bull riding.

It's 8 seconds of action, over and over and over. Obviously, not every ride is action packed, but these riders are doing battle with a 1,500 pound monster. If you've ever looked at the bull riding roster, most of them stand middle 5 feet and weigh around 150-160 pounds. They're fearless when they get on these bulls. The wild part is, that it's not just once in a while,  but they're doing it almost every weekend and sometimes multiple times per week.

These dudes are crazy.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a pro bull rider? I have, and after getting a chance to talk with Veteran rider Michael Lane, it takes a special breed.

Michael hails from Tazewell, Virginia, where he began riding things when he was just 4 years old, along side his siblings. He's been a pro bull rider for 13 years and, other than it taking a little longer to recover from a ride, he's still going strong.

Now in his early 30's, Michael told me the key to his success and longevity in the sport. He said:

I learned that body maintenance is crucial in this sport and you have to work really hard to take care of your body to be able to compete like that. Anything we do in life, whatever we put in is what we get out, I choose to work really hard to take care of my body and hopefully continue to ride for another 5 or 10 year.

As far as his workout and training routine, it really hasn't changed much in the last 10 years.

Waking up early, put in 2 hours of conditioning with speed bag, punching bag and body conditioning.

Then at lunch time, it's hot yoga and sometimes riding his barrel...yep, pro bull riders rely on yoga to keep in ready condition to be able to climb up on those bulls.

He's back at the hot yoga it in the late afternoon.

Just like any athlete, having a workout routine is very important. Over 4 hours a day dedicated to keeping his body ready.

Even an intense workout routine can't stop the effects of getting older. Michael says that since he's gotten older, it's been tough to bounce back as quick.

The older I get, the more I realize I have to give my body a touch more time. When I was 20 and I hurt something last weekend, shoot, I was good to go next weekend. I'd say that's the only thing that's really changed in my career, my body does heal a touch slower than it used to and I just have to be more patient with myself and give my body what it needs.

I've always had a deep respect for anyone that puts their body on the line every time they go to work. Fans of the PBR have basically watched Michael grow up riding a bull for the last 13 years. One look at the schedule of a bull rider and it's more of a reason to tip your hat to all the men and women of the rodeo world.

Don't forget to get your tickets to the PBR Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour at the Ford Wyoming Center for April 1st. 

LISTEN TO MICHAEL LANE AND DREW KIRBY TALK BULL RIDING

Take a look at some of Michaels rides

2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

2022 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

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