John Dudley, born June 14th, 1976, is a professional archer and bowhunter, founder of Nock On archery brand, host of the Nock On podcast, and an elite level archery coach. He was a member of the U.S. archery team, where he won numerous medals, including 3x National Champion and 13x World Medalist, and was Rookie of the Year for the Association of Professional Archers.
Archery and bowhunting are a lifestyle that Dudley is passionate about, and he combines that with a love for wild game cooking, exercise, and hanging out with his closest friends, Andy Stumpf, Joe Rogan, Jocko Willink, and Trevor Thompson.
“I feel like every part of who I am is a stick and a string, and a handful of arrows. Really that is what it all boils down to. That’s John Dudley.”
John Dudley, describing himself
Also see: The John Dudley Diet, Workout, and Supplement Guide
John Dudley’s Early Life
John Dudley grew up in the Mississippi Delta, a distinct section of Northwest Mississippi. That’s where he first learned to hunt, thanks to his Uncle Kinney and his grandfather.
Later, Dudley moved to Northern Illinois where he continued hunting and “chasing big whitetails” (deer). Dudley went to Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg, Illinois and was a star quarterback for their football team.
Already developing a passion for archery and bowhunting, Dudley turned down a full-ride football scholarship offer to pursue his ultimate dream – to become a professional archer.
“I was determined to aim high and miss, rather than aim too low and hit.”
John Dudley, incredible life advice
Dudley started bowhunting when he was 10, and did it to put food on the table. He credits bowhunting as a resource that helped him learn valuable life skills – patience, perseverance through difficulty, and hard work.
“Like most kids I had a wild side. Got in my fair share of trouble,” Dudley said. He noted archery as something that got him following the straight line again.
Also see: 8 Navy SEALs on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
John Dudley – Professional Archer
After high school, Dudley vigorously pursued becoming a world-class professional archer. He became an expert on archery equipment, technique, and skills, and was obsessed with looking at objects and trying to judge their distance away from him, even practicing at grocery stores and in parking lots.
Dudley would show up at archery events and become that annoying kid getting in the way and asking lots of questions. But, it soon paid off as he earned the Rookie of the Year award for the Association of Professional Archers.
His career continued to take off as he made the U.S. Men’s Archery team and won a laundry list of awards. Here are just a few:
- 13x World Medalist
- 3x National Champion
- U.S. Open Silver Medalist
- U.S. Open Gold Medal Team
- 45 Career Top 3 Professional finishes
Interestingly, Dudley left the U.S. archery team because of a change to the Archery World Cup final schedule. They changed the date to a new date, which happened to fall during elk season, and he made the tough decision that he’d rather chase elk than to compete in the World Cup.
That decision ended up paying off…
John Dudley – Professional Bowhunter
Although it may not seem like it, the difference between archery and bowhunting is substantial. Dudley has talked about how bowhunting requires a unique understanding of wilderness, animal behavior, wind direction, remote camping, gear setup, and wild game cooking, when compared to archery where the variables are fixed.
Dudley Teaches Celebrities including Joe Rogan
One of Dudley’s favorite things to do is go on bowhunting trips with his close friends. He has developed strong friendships with an all-star crew of guys like Joe Rogan, Cameron Hanes, and former Navy SEALs Andy Stumpf, Jocko Willink, and Trevor Thompson.
Also see: Andy Stumpf’s Amazing Life: From Navy SEAL to Business Leader
Rogan and these former Navy SEALs credit Dudley for teaching them the skills and technique required to bow hunt, along with customizing their gear and setting them up to succeed. He’s also helped a number of other Joe Rogan Experience podcast guests that you might be familiar with: Peter Attia and Laird Hamilton.
Dudley and Rogan went bowhunting for Axis deer in Hawaii:
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Dudley thinks that you can really find out a lot about a person’s character when you go on a hunt with them. He described that there are both good times and bad times, challenges, and adversity that must be dealt with.
Some nights are cold, wet, and miserable, and others are just perfect, culminating with a celebration from a wild game score and feast. “It’s that struggle that pulls out the real character of the person,” Dudley said.
Dudley’s Nock On Brand
Dudley launched his Nock On brand which includes Nock On TV and his Nock On podcast, both which are highly respected.
Nock On is known as the premier online source for archery tips, instruction, and education for any wannabe archer or bowhunter. On his website, you can get access to Dudley’s School of Nock courses on:
- Learning to shoot
- Seasons
- Technical and Tuning
- Bow builds
- Product Reviews
Dudley’s Nock On podcast consistently has awesome guests and fascinating episodes. A few notable guests:
- Joe Rogan, stand-up comedian, UFC commentator, JRE Podcast host
- Andy Stumpf, former Navy SEAL and Cleared Hot Podcast host
- Jocko Willink, former Navy SEAL and Jocko Podcast host
- Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL and bestselling author of True Believer
- Cameron Hanes, Under Armour athlete and professional bowhunter
- Uncle Kinney, Dudley’s uncle that taught him how to hunt
Other Podcasts that John Dudley Has Been On:
- Joe Rogan’s JRE Podcast: #783, #868, #934, #1089, #1181
- Andy Stumpf’s Cleared Hot Podcast: #98
- Dr. Peter Attia’s The Peter Attia Drive Podcast: #109
On JRE podcast episode #783, Dudley told a crazy hunting story about how he ended up in a wolf den. Apparently, he and his friends killed an elk right next to the den, and soon they were surrounded by wolves with only a few bullets and arrows left to defend themselves.
John Dudley’s Diet & Exercise
“I love getting stuff done before the sun comes up.” – John Dudley
Dudley noted that the most important keys of success, for him, are exercise, attitude, rest, and a healthy diet. And on Nock On Podcast episode #268 with Jocko Willink, Dudley talked in depth about his diet and exercise.
For breakfast, Dudley eats a large amount of meat, usually a 2 pound hamburger brick of either elk, deer, or cow. In addition to the meat, he likes to have 2 eggs and about half of an avocado.
He absolutely loves firing up his Traeger pellet grill, which he uses at home and on the road when hunting.
Since Dudley eats a big breakfast around 10am, he usually skips midday lunch. And then for dinner he’ll eat similar to breakfast, having another 2 pounds of meat, but mixes in one vegetable – usually sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
Dudley said that he is pretty close to being on the carnivore diet, with the exception of his avocado for breakfast, and veggie for dinner.
After eating a lot of protein at night, Dudley sometimes craves something sweet. That is when he reaches for one of his favorite products – Jocko Willink’s protein powder, Molk – either strawberry or mint flavor. He sometimes adds yogurt or healthy nut butter to it as well.
John Dudley Practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
For exercise, Dudley has a whole fitness section on his website that is specifically targeted for archers and bowhunters, which provides helpful workouts and tips. At the nudge of some of his close friends Joe Rogan and Jocko Willink – Dudley started including jiu-jitsu as part of his fitness regimen.
Dudley’s introduction to the sport was rather eventful. He rolled with Jocko, and actually broke a bone in his neck broken from a choke that was put on him by Jocko.
5 Amazon Products John Dudley Loves
#1: Jocko Molk Protein Powder- Strawberry
On Nock On Podcast #268, Dudley talked about his favorite protein powder – Jocko Molk strawberry flavor.
#2: Black Rifle Coffee
Dudley is good friends with Evan Hafer and Mat Best, Black Rifle Coffee Company founders. He’s actually had them both on his podcast before. The most popular coffee blend is the AK-47, which Dudley has been known to drink.
#3: Traeger Pellet Grill
Dudley absolutely loves his Traeger pellet grill. He has one at home and takes one with him when hunting, so he can fire it up after a wild game score. (Joe Rogan is also a huge fan of Traeger Pellet Grills).
On Traeger’s website, they have a section of John Dudley wild-game recipes.
#4: Kill Cliff Energy Drinks
Dudley has done a few promotional archery videos with Kill Cliff brand energy drinks. Also, Dudley’s buddies Joe Rogan and Andy Stumpf are affiliated with Kill Cliff. Amazon has a variety pack of 12 cans.
#5: Jocko Willink’s Book: Leadership Strategy and Tactics
Dudley is a fan of Willink’s book Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual
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John Dudley’s Website and Social Media
For more on John Dudley, be sure to check out his robust Nock On website, complete with archery tips, workout guides, and products for sale. You can buy official Nock On merch, arrows, sights, releases, rests, stabilizers, gear, and apparel. Also, check out his Instagram – @nockontv and YouTube channel – Nock On Archery.
Also see: Who Does Joe Rogan Hunt With?
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