'Duck Dynasty's Mountain Man Talks New Book, Finding God in Slowing Down and the Robertson's Impact on His Faith
"Duck Dynasty" fans may be familiar with the Mountain Man (aka Tim Guraedy), and he has just written a new book entitled Mountain Man: Keepin' a Slow Profile. The Mountain Man took time to speak with The Christian Post about living a slow lifestyle, remaining true to one's self, and how the Robertson family has impacted him.
"I always wanted to write a book," Guraedy said. "There's been so many questions out there: do you really talk that slow? I decided to put it into a book and answer a lot of questions about my Christian faith, which I am proud of and just slowing some people down from the everyday rush. The book wasn't meant to come at people like 'You've gotta do this or else.' It was a little advice and encouragement; it worked for me and maybe it'll work for them. It kinda tells the story of my life from where I've been to where I am."
The Mountain Man is an air-conditioning repair man who received a call to work on Willie Robertson's unit. What he didn't expect was the fame that would come with appearing on the hit reality series "Duck Dynasty," which features the entire Robertson clan. People fell in love with Guraedy just as much as the Robertson family, and he became a regular on the show.
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He is known for speaking rather slowly and says it doesn't bother him because it helps him appreciate everyday life and a deeper relationship with God.
"Even though I'm slow in about every way, talking especially, sometimes I get into a rush and forget about what's the most important thing of life, which are my Christian, Godly values," Guraedy said. "Sometimes when you get so caught up in work or just everyday life, you tend to get stressed out and I think just a little slow down works for me. And I can see in some people, they're in a mad rush, and they're uptight and they don't have anything good to say. Really, they just need to slow down, get a breath of fresh air, kind of like meditation in a way. You've got to relieve some of the stress in a way."
"Through this book, maybe people will gain a little bit of knowledge—maybe some already knew it but don't practice it. Hopefully it will encourage people to call a time out every now and then and relax and cause them to think a little bit clearer."
Mountain Man enjoys his solitude and privacy, living the simple life before he was suddenly thrust into the public eye with the appearance on "Duck Dynasty." However, he tries to use his fame to encourage others and enjoys spending time and surprising his youngest fans from time to time.
"It's been a little different, I'll have to admit," Guraedy said of his newfound fame. "I think about whether I really need or want to go outside. Sometimes you just have to stop and think, 'Yes, I can do this.' I have not changed; I do not know how to change. I become more of me than I was—I see people that's been out in Hollywood and how it's changed them. I wonder how that's happened because I'm going in the right opposite of that."
"People have changed towards me, but I'm the same old me that I always was," he added. I just take it one day at a time in stride. I have people come drive down the road and park in the driveway. I have a camera where I can watch my driveway. I see some little kids and figure I'll go out and put a smile on their face. I'll go outside and yell, 'Hey! Are you looking for the Mountain Man?' And I'll invite them to come out and get a photo or two. The kids are grinning, and I'll take pictures and even invite them to come back."
One thing that is important to Guraedy is that he remain faithful to who he is and always was. It's something he holds dearly and works hard to maintain.
"If I do become someone else, there's about three or four people that will slap me because I told 'em to. I get caught up and fast-paced sometimes … I get my Bible out and a sense of peace just comes over me and I think, 'I'm ready for round two.' It really works, it really helps if people would just try that! It will help them within their souls where they can be more prepared to handle situations that come at them."
He also said that sharing his faith is "better than getting a 12-point buck" and explained that he was brought up in a Christian home but walked away from his faith before finding it again, with help from the Robertson family.
"I do admire the Robertsons, the way they encourage people and their family values, and if I'm considered being like them, that's a plus to me, I feel. We all go to the same church and we, through this show, it's given us a platform to stand on to give testimonies to other people. And I can't find any criticism in that," Guraedy explained of his relationship with the famous family.
"Duck Dynasty" returns for a seventh season in November.
Mountain Man: Keepin' a Slow Profile is available on Nov. 1 from BroadStreet Publishers. You can pre-order it here.
