Chuck Swisher grew up in Dover, Oklahoma, where rodeo was part of everyday life. As a kid, he dreamed of being the next Tony Hawk. But one day, he saw a photo of his dad riding bulls, and his path changed. At 15, he told his parents he wanted to fight bulls instead of ride them. They signed him up for a bullfighting school, and he has been at it ever since.
Now 34, Chuck has spent nearly 20 years as a professional bullfighter. While many confuse him with a rodeo clown, he explains the difference. “We’re like secret service for the bull rider. When a guy gets bucked off, we step in to distract the bull so he can get out safely.”
Chuck is known for his speed and instincts in the arena, but also for being grounded and genuine. Married to Carolyn, his biggest supporter, the couple has spent the last five years traveling together during rodeo season. “We made a deal the first year she came with me,” Chuck says. “No eating or drinking anywhere we could back home.” That means lots of exploring small-town diners, local coffee shops, and everything in between.
The job comes with risk. Chuck has broken ribs, an arm, torn his ACL, and at 17, fractured bones in his neck, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. More recently, he was caught between a rider and a bull. As the bull spun, its hooves landed inches from the back of Chuck’s head. “We didn’t even realize how close it was until we watched the video in slow motion. Jesus was definitely watching over me.”
To keep up with the physical demands, Chuck trains hard. He has transitioned from CrossFit to triathlons and Ironman races. “You don’t need to bench 400 pounds,” he says. “You need to be able to juke and jive fast.”
He has performed in arenas across the country, from dusty hometown rodeos to scenic mountain towns. “Every place has its charm,” Chuck says.
At the time of this interview, he was in Maui, watching the ocean from a front porch. “So yeah, it has its perks.”
But life on the road is not always easy. “If we don’t work, we don’t get paid,” Chuck explains. “There’s no salary, no safety net. Sometimes you’re sore, hurt, or exhausted, and you still have to cowboy up and get the job done.”
Despite that, he is not in it for fame. “Some people recognize me outside the arena, but I don’t want to be famous. We’re just regular people with a different kind of job.”
Rodeo has shaped more than his career. It has brought lifelong friendships, led him to start a beef business, and introduced him to his wife. “It’s a good lifestyle,” he says.
As he looks ahead, Chuck plans to step away from rodeo after the 2026 season. His next endeavor is Swisher Beef Co., where folks can buy high-quality local beef. You can follow along on social media at Swisher Beef Co.
And when it is all said and done, he hopes people remember more than just his skill in the arena. “I want them to say I was a good man. A good husband. That I was the same person in and out of the arena. Chuck is Chuck.”
Photos provided.
