Today we’re joined by someone who has spent more than three decades living, working, and serving in the outdoor industry—by many he is considered Royalty in the outdoor space, and indeed his family thought so as well when they named him Royal.

Royal Peterson got his start in the outdoors at just 14 years old, competing at the BASS Federation level. From there, his passion for fishing and hunting grew into a career that has spanned more than 30 years. For the past 14 years, Royal has served as Director of Operations at Missouri Hunting and Fishing Adventures, one of the largest outfitting operations in the Midwest.

His influence goes far beyond the field and the water. Royal has taught casting and angling at the university level, coached high school bass fishing, and played an instrumental role in bringing high school fishing to Missouri, as well as helping with angler education through the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Over the years, Royal has appeared on ESPN2 Outdoors TV, ESPN Radio, the Pursuit Channel, Sportsman Channel, and numerous other networks. He has also guided and appeared on nationally syndicated programs including Babe Winkelman Outdoor Secrets, Small Town Hunting, Mossy Oak TV, Just Killin Time TV, Open Season Outdoors, and Schooled by Denny Brauer, just to name a few.

But as impressive as his career in the outdoors has been, that's not what matters most to Royal. He is a Christian who is passionate about using the outdoors as a platform to share his faith and point others to Christ.

When he's not hunting, fishing, guiding, or working in the outdoor industry, Royal enjoys spending time with his family—his wife Jill, their children Saige and Drake, and his granddaughter, Elora.