Beyond the Buckle: Faith, Fire, and the Fight Behind the Chutes
By Lee J Kemp | EMIAC Studio
In the dirt of the rodeo arena, reputations are earned in eight-second increments. When I first pointed a camera at Keian Munroe, I called him "The Preacher" because of the quiet focus and deep faith he carried with him behind the chutes. But bull riding is a sport that demands an unapologetic, raw grit, and navigating the space between that spiritual grounding and the violent reality of the sport is a heavy burden to carry.
"Balancing between the grit in my face sometimes, it’s hard because spiritually I know it's life or death," Keian admits. "My flesh and my soul belongs to the Lord, but a part of me mentally... sometimes I get tired, I get injured, I get sore."
For Keian, climbing onto a bull isn't just an adrenaline rush; it’s a deeply ingrained purpose. "I have a calling, you know? Preaching the word of God with the boys, preaching the word of God on our social media platform anytime I make a ride. I do all this for His glory because He gives me the power and the talent to pursue my passion for bull riding. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without Him."
But passion doesn't make a rider immune to the brutal mental toll of the sport. The physical hits are obvious to anyone sitting in the grandstands, but the internal battle during a buck-off slump is what truly tests an athlete. When the frustration boils over and the adrenaline takes the wheel, reining in that energy is a fight all its own.
"Frustration happens in any sport, but I feel like bull riding has to be one of the hardest ones to control because 90% of it is mental," he explains. "If you’re in a slump, you’re more likely going to be agitated a lot easier after a buck off. But if you’re riding hot, a buck off you’re like, 'Oh I’ll get the next one, it’s not that big of a deal.' I got a lot on the line. I started riding bulls three years ago and I started from scratch."
In those heated moments, the battle isn't just internal. It happens in front of a crowd, including the next generation of kids hanging over the fences, watching their heroes. It’s a reality that hits Keian hard.
"There’s times where I don’t think about the little eyes watching me and I do feel ashamed," he confesses with unapologetic honesty. "For the most part, I try to do it where no one could be watching when I have my times, but there’s no excuse. The battle of reining in that energy sometimes is really hard. Sometimes it’s hard to just accept it for what it is because I know I want this so bad and I want it more than anyone else."
At the end of the weekend, when the gear is packed and the dirt settles, the reasons for enduring the grind become crystal clear. It isn't just about a buckle or a score. For athletes like Keian, it’s about survival, identity, and grace.
"I’ve put blood, sweat, tears, and hours on the road just to get on a few bulls for practice sometimes, you know?" he says. "The sport gives me a purpose in life. It keeps me sober. It keeps me human."
#EveryMomentIsAChoiceStudio #EmiacStudio #MentalHealthMatters #PerfectlyImperfect #GenuineConnection #GritAndGrace #BehindTheChutes #BRC #BullRidersCanada #CPRA #LRA #WRA #FCA #CARA
Add comment
Comments
I’ve only met Keian a handful of times, but every time it feels like an honour. I admire the love he has for the sport and for god. He is truly a great man with a great head on his shoulders.
Keian is a good role model to look up to in bullriding whether it’s asking for advice on different moves to make or just simply having a conversation with him. Always a great guy to be around and always keeps the mood up. His prayers before riding are always the best couple guys will gather around well he prays and it’s just always a good time.