We recently had the chance to connect with Captain Dwayne Green and have shared our conversation below.
Captain Dwayne, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
From my own experiences, I’ve come to realize that many people find it difficult to consistently choose the right path. For years, I grappled with telling the truth from falsehood. I believe that our relationship with Jesus Christ is where many of us stumble, often getting caught in the cycle of casual sin. Pride and a preoccupation with our own interests only add to this struggle. It’s a tough truth for anyone to confront, and I certainly found it hard to face when I was in the same position. I’m not here to cast judgment; I’m aware of my own shortcomings in this area. We all need to learn how to live in a way that aligns with the teachings of Jesus Christ. If we could embrace that commitment, I truly believe the world would be a much brighter place. This struggle, in my view, is a key factor in the difficulties we encounter today.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Totally Texas Outdoors is a Christian-based organization committed to providing exceptional hunting and fishing experiences across the Lone Star State. From our base in Matagorda, Texas, we enjoy fishing for redfish, trout, flounder, and a diverse range of other saltwater species with our clients and friends. In North Texas, our headquarters in Nacona, located about an hour and a half north of Fort Worth, offers hunters exciting opportunities for whitetail, duck, hog, and spring turkey hunts.
Whether you’re an experienced hunter or just starting out, our guides are skilled at catering to everyone, including families. We are particularly passionate about involving youth in outdoor activities, encouraging them to step away from their smartphones, iPads, and laptops. Our mission is to strengthen family bonds and cultivate friendships—new and old—through memorable outdoor adventures.
We take great pride in the growth we’ve achieved over the past three years, especially in North Texas, thanks to the support of Marty and Stacy Irwin, and especially Garret Combs and his family. Their contributions have enabled us to build solid business relationships and friendships that have propelled us beyond our goals in the hunting industry.
Moreover, we have been fortunate to hire talented local guides and a dedicated management team. Everyone at Totally Texas Outdoors LLC shares a family-oriented, faith-based philosophy and possesses extensive knowledge of wildlife and the environment. Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to creating unforgettable experiences for our clients that they will treasure for years to come.
We are also thrilled about our expansion along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Matagorda, where our fishing operations have thrived. We recently welcomed an exceptional young captain, River Ryman, who has a knack for engaging individuals of all ages and skill levels. With River leading the way, you’re guaranteed an exciting adventure as he keeps you on the fish while ensuring your safety throughout your time on the Gulf Coast.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That’s a profound question—it almost feels like a therapy session! Reflecting on my childhood, I have a story that might resonate with some young men out there.
Back in fifth grade, I struggled with feelings of unattractiveness and a deep-seated belief that no one would ever want me, largely due to hurtful comments from classmates. At that age, I was eager to have a girlfriend, so I thought that creating more opportunities for myself might help. I decided to write a note to every girl in my class, asking if they’d “go out” with me, as we used to say back then. To my surprise, one girl actually replied and asked me to meet her outside during recess. I was ecstatic, believing this would be the highlight of my life.
However, when I stepped onto the playground, I found myself surrounded by my classmates. Two girls stepped forward and cruelly told me I was ugly and goofy, insisting that no one would ever care for or love me. That moment was heartbreaking and left a lasting impact on me for years.
As time passed, I eventually moved past those feelings and became more outgoing, making connections with a variety of people. Yet, those early experiences continued to shape my relationships for a long time. Fortunately, I’ve since released those negative beliefs about myself and embraced a healthier self-image.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
We all remember how challenging 2020 was for many, and it was particularly tough for me. During that time, I had an incredible opportunity in West Texas to hunt on a ranch that offered whitetail, turkeys, exotics, hogs—you name it—owned by some wonderful people. I made the decision to try to purchase this ranch and even made payment notes on it for about a year and a half, which turned out to be both difficult and costly.
Ultimately, I wasn’t able to secure financing or the financial backing to complete the purchase, and I ended up losing around $60,000 to $70,000. I had a sense long before things reached that point that I should have spoken up, but my fear of disappointing others held me back, and it cost me dearly.
For the past five years, I’ve carried those wounds, and I even considered stepping away from the hunting and fishing business due to such a significant loss. However, I had one friend who truly believed in me and helped me maintain my faith in my dream. Although we don’t talk anymore, I am forever grateful for the encouragement she provided, which ultimately enabled me to keep pursuing my passion and reach a point of success.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I don’t believe that the public version of me truly reflects who I am; my real self is known by my true friends. I come across as very outgoing, outspoken, and friendly—traits that I embody in my personal life—but I think people overlook my sensitivity and how easily certain things can get under my skin. My fear of failure is another aspect that isn’t visible in my public persona.
Many don’t fully grasp how deeply I love my family and friends, or how much I would do for them. I’m working on becoming a more polished Christian and expressing that belief more openly, but I haven’t quite reached the level I aspire to yet.
While it may seem like I live a high-flying life filled with exciting experiences and interesting people, I’ve learned that not everyone you meet becomes a true friend. In reality, I feel that people are only seeing about 50% of the real me most of the time when I’m in public.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I once took a college class where the professor asked us to imagine walking down the street and stumbling upon a church. As we entered and took a seat in the back pew, we gradually realized we were attending our own funeral. This exercise prompted us to think about what people would say about us and how we would feel about it.
If I were to reflect on this, I hope that people would know how much I love Jesus Christ and believe in His sacrifice for my sins. I want them to recognize that I’ve made many mistakes throughout my life and that my journey is a continuous process of growth toward becoming the person I aspire to be.
I hope they see that I tried to treat others with fairness and compassion, and that I was hardworking, loving, and loyal. I want people to remember my dedication to my family and friends and my efforts to mentor younger individuals in the outdoor hunting and fishing industry.
Furthermore, I hope they acknowledge my commitment to nurturing relationships, bridging gaps between those who may have fallen out, and building deeper connections that extend beyond just business. Lastly, I want them to talk about my passion for the outdoors and the environment, and how I worked to preserve the incredible gift that God has given us in nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Totallytexasoutdoorsllc.com
- Instagram: Totally_texas_outdoors_llc
- Facebook: Totally Texas Outdoors LLC.
- Youtube: @totallytexasoutdoors
- Other: Tik Tok
Captain Dwayne Green
Image Credits
Photo credit Totally Texas Outdoors LLC
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