{"id":1399664,"date":"2026-02-17T09:26:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/?post_type=article&p=1399664"},"modified":"2026-02-17T13:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:08:08","slug":"bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/","title":{"rendered":"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Her husband\u2019s 6-foot-3 frame towers over her and his larger-than-life personality keeps fans lining up for autographs and selfies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a dogged determination, a relentless work ethic and unpredictably authentic humor, Bassmaster Elite veteran Gerald Swindle brings an undeniably luminous presence. But take a look behind the curtain and you\u2019ll see that LeAnn Swindle\u2019s light shines equally bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not one for the center stage, LeAnn spearheads Gerald\u2019s social media efforts, handles a range of business and scheduling duties and backs him in for morning launches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All helpful and lovingly supportive acts, but there\u2019s much more to the G-Man\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See, while there\u2019s nothing wrong with Tammy Wynette\u2019s signature tune or the domestic dedication it promotes, this is not simply a\u00a0Stand By Your Man<\/em> kinda story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather, this is about a person whose passion for positive influence has made her one of the most beloved members of the Bassmaster Elite family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meals & Motivation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Born in Arab, Ala., LeAnn grew up in Cullman where her father took her crappie and bream fishing. Married to Gerald since 2004, LeAnn enjoys bass fishing \u2014 especially northern smallies \u2014 but Gerald\u2019s tournament schedule and promotional work leaves them little time for couple\u2019s fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s reality for professional fishing families, but LeAnn maintains a strong presence in her husband\u2019s competitive life. She does so by nourishing his body, soul and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every tournament morning, LeAnn stuffs a Ziploc bag with a PBJ sandwich for Gerald\u2019s breakfast and another with a lunch meat setup for the midday meal. The bag containing what Gerald calls his morning \u201csammich\u201d comes with a hand-written note of inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meant to motivate, these messages remind a seasoned angler that, even when the day\u2019s not going as planned, he has someone in his corner. Thick or thin, sunshine or rain; LeAnn\u2019s his biggest fan and his constant encourager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The debut message bespoke a simplified plan for managing the tournament day: \u201c<\/strong>Get me five by 3<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong> (referencing a five-bass limit by 3 o\u2019clock).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other notables:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>I never lose because I never quit.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>I will either find a way or make a way.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/strong>1. Pray 2. Work 3. Trust God<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Gerald\u2019s favorites: \u201c<\/strong>Success is not owned, it<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s rented and the rent<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s due every day.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LeAnn likes this one: \u201c<\/strong>Fight like you<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>re the third monkey trying to make it onto Noah<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s ark and it<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s starting to rain.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diverse Sourcing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Initially, LeAnn came up with all the sammich bag notes, but even inspiring creativity has its limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done this many, many years, so I eventually ran out,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cI\u2019ve found some of my messages on Pinterest, as well as quotes from (former University of Alabama Head Coach) Nick Saban, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes, I\u2019ll be reading a book and find something that speaks to me; sometimes, I\u2019ll use Bible verses. I\u2019ve even asked Gerald\u2019s family members and one of his junior high football coaches that was very motivational to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with outside help, it\u2019s not easy coming up with meaningful thoughts for every day of tournament competition, but the effort\u2019s never wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t tell you how many times, he\u2019s come in from a day of fishing and said, \u2018I really needed that today,\u2019\u201d LeAnn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Positivity with Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gerald definitely needed LeAnn\u2019s encouragement during the grueling weeks of therapy and rehab following double knee replacements in late 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring the last couple months, my role has not only been just caregiver, but it\u2019s also been motivator,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cI was constantly reminding him that, \u2018This is normal, this is part of it. This pain is gonna get better. Every day is gonna get better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of those recent surgeries and a few injuries throughout the years, LeAnn said the day-to-day life of professional fishing will challenge a person\u2019s constitution. Experience has taught her the right balance of compassion and consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf Gerald has a bad day, I\u2019m gonna be there to lift him up, but I\u2019m not gonna tell him he did great if he didn\u2019t \u2014 I learned that a long time ago,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cWhen we were first married, he\u2019d come in next to last and I\u2019d be like, \u2018Hey, you had a good time, you\u2019re safe, you get to do this for a living and he finally told me, \u2018That is not helpful.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not gonna sugar coat, but I\u2019m gonna remind him of the good. I\u2019m gonna remind him of the blessings. I\u2019m gonna remind him that today\u2019s gone, but tomorrow\u2019s a brand new day. We\u2019ll do better tomorrow.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Merchandise with Message<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sammich bag notes have also resonated with fans and every time Gerald posts an image of the day\u2019s message, comments reflect the vicarious impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, the Swindles released a line of hats, t-shirts and hoodies to extend their appreciation for encouragement and motivation to the masses. Anchored by Gerald\u2019s trademark PMA (positive mental attitude) design, the clothing bears catchy phrases including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TWO THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL<\/strong>\u2026 <\/strong>ATTITUDE AND EFFORT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HARD DAYS WON<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>T BREAK ME, THEY WILL MAKE ME<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FUELED BY HUNGER, DRIVEN BY FAILURE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHAOS COORDINATOR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BE SAVAGE NOT AVERAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADVERSITY IS OPPORTUNITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MONEY CAN<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>T BUY DESIRE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had talked about starting a merchandise line, but we wanted it to predominately be about spreading positivity,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cI love these messages because they can pertain to anything; anything that you\u2019re going through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like the sammich bags, response to the Swindle\u2019s merchandise has assured LeAnn that they\u2019re hitting the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is rarely a day that goes by that I don\u2019t receive an email or a private message from people going through dark times in their lives,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cWe\u2019re obviously not retiring on merchandise sales, but if we can sell some t-shirts and wristbands and people can have that as a constant reminder, then I feel like we\u2019re doing what God has intended for this phase of our life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Guiding Light<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Referencing her current Facebook algorithm, which is filled with motivational content, LeAnn points to a personally convicting charge: \u201cIf God is making you wait, do what waiters do and serve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lately, she\u2019s found herself more driven than ever to share experience-born wisdom with as many folks as she can. And while she prefers the positive, uplifting stuff, helping often means equipping someone to repel negativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LeAnn said she\u2019s grateful for the vast amount of love and support she and Gerald receive from fishing fans, but she frequently finds herself struggling with the vitriol. It bothers her much less these days, but there\u2019s no escaping the discomfort of seeing her husband roasted by anonymous critics more concerned with likes and follows than intellectual discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I didn\u2019t have that positive attitude, it would be really easy for me to spend a lot of time fighting those keyboard warriors on Facebook,\u201d LeAnn said. \u201cI\u2019ve tried to rise above it because everyone has a right to their opinion, but their opinion does not change who Gerald Swindle is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t let it bother you; you have to focus on the good. You can\u2019t let negativity take root in your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A deep, spiritual foundation helps the Swindles frame the world through faith, but it also offers a humbling perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As LeAnn puts it, \u201cWe always say, \u2018Not everybody loves Jesus and not everybody is gonna love Gerald.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Despite this upbeat perspective, disparagement still hurts. But rather than wallow in the misery, LeAnn channels the resilience she\u2019s developed by sharing her light with anyone that needs it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s her mission statement: \u201cIf I can help someone else that is struggling, if I can reach out to someone that I feel like is being alienated, or if I can reach out to a parent whose kid might be experiencing (social media bashing); if I can make them feel a little bit better, or if I can give them just a little piece of advice on how to handle that, I feel like I can make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A front-row seat to the ups and downs of the fishing industry has given her deep perspective and a desire to inspire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15178,"featured_media":1399679,"template":"","meta":{"byline":{"profiles":[{"type":"byline_id","atts":{"term_id":100242,"post_id":1002546}}]},"bassmaster_plugin_short_title":"","bassmaster_plugin_photo_attribution":[],"bassmaster_plugin_caption_attribution":[],"bassmaster_article_column":false,"bassmaster_article_columnists":[],"bassmaster_dfp":{"keyword":"her"},"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_bool":false,"bassmaster_ad_refresh_interval_length":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103308],"sponsors":[],"people":[64010],"tournaments":[],"tournament-series":[],"byline":[100242],"class_list":["post-1399664","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bassmasther","people-gerald-swindle"],"yoast_head":"\nBassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A front-row seat to the ups and downs of the fishing industry has given her deep perspective and a desire to inspire.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bass\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-17T19:08:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bassmaster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"David A. Brown\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/\",\"name\":\"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-17T15:26:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T19:08:08+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg\",\"width\":1800,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Articles\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/\",\"name\":\"Bassmaster\",\"description\":\"Pro Bass Tournament Fishing, Bass Fishing Tips & News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster","og_description":"A front-row seat to the ups and downs of the fishing industry has given her deep perspective and a desire to inspire.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/","og_site_name":"Bassmaster","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bass\/","article_modified_time":"2026-02-17T19:08:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1800,"height":1200,"url":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@bassmaster","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"7 minutes","Written by":"David A. Brown"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/","name":"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light - Bassmaster","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-17T15:26:17+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-17T19:08:08+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/leann.jpg","width":1800,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/bassmasther\/news\/bassmasther-profile-leann-swindle-shares-her-light\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Articles","item":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"BassmastHER Profile: LeAnn Swindle shares her light"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/","name":"Bassmaster","description":"Pro Bass Tournament Fishing, Bass Fishing Tips & News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1399664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15178"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1399664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1399835,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1399664\/revisions\/1399835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1399679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1399664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1399664"},{"taxonomy":"sponsors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sponsors?post=1399664"},{"taxonomy":"people","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/people?post=1399664"},{"taxonomy":"tournaments","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tournaments?post=1399664"},{"taxonomy":"tournament-series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tournament-series?post=1399664"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bassmaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=1399664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}