The whole Dream Experience was a complete surprise for Josh, and his reaction said it all—pure excitement and disbelief. It all started with an insane reveal: the doorbell rang, and when Josh answered, he was greeted by none other than a personalized video message from Jon B himself!
To make things even more epic, Josh was gifted a bunch of Googan gear AND his very own GoPro to document the trip like his idol. Then, to top off the excitement, he was whisked away in a Hummer limo to the airport, heading straight to Texas for the fishing adventure of a lifetime. The excitement continued when he landed, and Josh checked in for a “celebrity treatment” at the Gaylord Texan Resort. The cherry on top? His room was upgraded to a center atrium view, complete with a welcome basket full of goodies!
Dinner at Old Hickory Steakhouse was next on the agenda, and Josh was treated like royalty. A personalized sign greeted him, the chef personally delivered every course, and the team even left him a handwritten note. By the end of the night, Josh was beyond stoked, sending a video to Jon B saying, “I’ve made it to Texas and I’m ready to get cranking!”
Day two started with an absolute bang—an exclusive shopping spree at Bass Pro Shop. Josh was treated like a true VIP, greeted by the entire staff who made him feel like a celebrity. But the best part? Jon B himself showed up to surprise Josh, and for the next two hours, they bonded over everything fishing. Jon helped Josh gear up, sharing knowledge and personal tips, making it clear that this was going to be the adventure of a lifetime.
Josh got hooked up with a shopping cart full of fishing essentials—lures, jigs, baits, apparel, and even a pair of Costa sunglasses. But the absolute highlight of the day was the custom fishing combo Jon, Josh, and Jake (Bass Pro employee and master fisherman) picked out for Josh—a Zodias rod and Zillion SV reel, the perfect setup for his fishing dreams.
After a delicious lunch with Jon B, where they made plans for the next day’s fishing adventure, the crew hit the lanes for some friendly competition at a local bowling alley. A few strikes later, it was time to hit the road for Mineral Wells, where the excitement continued. After checking into The Crazy Water Hotel, the crew enjoyed a delicious dinner at Second Bar + Kitchen. Josh even got the chance to step into the kitchen, where he donned a chef’s apron and learned how to make pizza from scratch. As the day wound down, Josh couldn’t contain his excitement for tomorrow’s big fishing trip. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he said, already dreaming of the adventure ahead.
The big day had arrived, and despite the cold and windy weather, Josh was more than ready to hit the water with Jon B. It was a full 12-hour day on the water—talk about an epic adventure! From lake to lake, Josh and Jon explored different spots, laughing, sharing stories, and, of course, catching fish. Josh even got behind the wheel of Jon’s bass boat.
The bond between Josh and Jon was undeniable. Not only did they click instantly, but Jon was truly so down-to-earth and selfless. By the end of the day, Josh wasn’t just an admirer of Jon B—he had made a lifelong friend. As they talked about future fishing trips and plans to meet up when Jon visits North Carolina, it was clear this wasn’t just a one-time experience. Jon even gifted Josh a massive box of Googan gear, with more on the way to his house.
As the sun set on this unforgettable day, Josh’s heart was full. “Today was more than a dream,” he said. “I never thought something like this would be possible!” And thanks to Dream On 3 supporters along with the support of Josh’s referral partner, Levine Children’s Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation, Josh’s wildest fishing dreams had come true.
