MEET THE PAST CHAMPIONS
Personal Support Worker in a hospital and long term care facility, "the Friendly Giant" a man with a big beard and a big heart helping patients cope during their final days. Samson had to fight for his right to keep his beard in the workplace. "I am standing up for all who believe they have rights and freedoms. That we are all different and special in this world." - Samson Pillar
Owner of a professional moving company, who lives by the motto 'Work hard, Play Harder' and enjoys travelling, trail running, fishing, and most importantly family and friends. "
My wife's grandfather inspired me to grow a beard he never did. Now I'm a second place USA national champion. It's been a great journey meeting friends from around the world. Who knew that a beard would unite us?" - Gerry Spiller
"Finish Carpenter for the last 20 years. I have a collection of classic Ford Mustangs 65, 66, 67 Coupes and a 68 Fastback. I also have a 1971 Bronco that I am currently working on. I compete in the occasional charity beard competition. I was inspired by the show "Whisker Wars". I knew I could grow an epic kick ass beard like the guys on the show, so I was bound and determined to do so! I've been growing a full natural beard now for 3 1/2+ years, that includes the stache untrimmed & untamed." - Jamie Murphy
"The reason I started growing my beard is because when my Grandfather passed away I found a newspaper clipping saying he won "Best Beard" back in 1967 centennial days! So I wanted to grow a beard and do the same. In 2015 I won 1st place out of 13 other beards for "Beard Full Beard". I'm MEAN about my beard! I will never be clean shaven again!! I am also MEAN about my Jeep, I go off-road where others can't. My motto is: Make your own luck!" - Jesse Elder
"The last time I shaved clean was 2007. The last time I cut my beard, down to an inch or less, was May 2013. I let it grow out prior to filming a short documentary I was featured in called Memory Collector. After that I just decided to let it keep growing. I've had the nickname "Crusty" for well over 25 years. Someone at work called me a "crusty old %#@@&%##" and it stuck. The "black thing" in my beard is a claw from an 8+ft brown bear I killed on my 51st birthday, at a distance of less than 20 paces. It was coming at my son and I when we were deer hunting". - Tom "Crusty" Cruickshank