This is My Profession Now
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (121740)
Gainesville, Florida
February 22, 2019 7:27pm CST
Okay, I need to preface this with the note that I have not given up my day job yet (my real career), but my career as a pro paintball player has really taken off this year. I have always dreamed about going pro, and doors have finally opened this year!
I play in two different pro leagues, the NXL (National Paintball League) and the MVPS (Maximum Velocity Paintball Series). I was very excited today when coach sent out a message to all of us on the team to let us know that the MVPS released a promotional video, and our team is featured heavily throughout. I just got a chance to watch it, and I think it's pretty awesome, especially since I'm shown about a half a dozen times in it!
Because it's a promotional video, I'm pretty sure the rules do not allow me to post the link here, so to be on the safe side I won't include the link.
Anyway, I would love to make this my full-time career, but currently I only earn about a quarter of the salary in paintball that I earn in my real job. But it's only my rookie season in the big leagues, so as long as my current knee injury doesn't sideline me for an extended period of time, I should continue to grow my earning potential each season.
Have any of you ever turned your passion into a full-time career?
41 people like this
43 responses
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Oh, that is awesome! I wish I could cook! But, alas, I am only good at eating; I'm not much for cooking! lol
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@NJChicaa So many people I know won't pursue their passions/hobbies full-time, because they say it will become work at that point instead of fun. I totally understand. I already have a good career in my city job, so I look at my side career as a pro paintball player as purely fun, even though I put in a lot of hard work (and wear and tear on my body). As long as I keep having fun, I'll keep doing it!
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (120194)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc I love to cook so it is the obvious way to make some extra cash for now. I don't think I'd ever want to do it full-time though b/c then it would become work.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160998)
• United States
23 Feb 19
I had no idea that there was such a thing as a professional paint ball player. Good going.
7 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
It's a huge sport that not many people know about! There are different levels in the pro division, and the NXL (the governing body) limits how many teams can be at each level. At the very top level, there are only 20 teams in the entire world. At our pro level, there are only 32 teams. So, if a player or team makes it to the big leagues, it's a pretty big deal, because there are tens of thousands of teams trying to make it to the pro level.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@porwest It's funny, because many paintball players are also gamers. You have to have great hand-eye coordination in either sport. I mean, if gaming is actually considered a "sport." haha
But, yeah, there are gamers out there who make some serious money doing what they love.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92748)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@GardenGerty Neither had I ever heard of it. But people make some good money doing very "off-the-wall" things these days. Look at what some gamers are earning even just having people watch them play games.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
23 Feb 19
That's awesome! Even if you don't make it a full time career, at least you have one to fall back on and the extra money is always welcome, I'm sure. I wish you lots of luck and no injuries!!!
I'm retired from my full time career, but was able to earn extra money modeling and teaching modeling courses in my youth!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@DianneN You should do it! You would be great at organizing a fashion show!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc Gee, thanks! My modeling days are long over. I'd probably fall off a runway now with my eyesight or trip and fall flat on my face. 
. I wouldn't mind commentating again or even organizing a fashion show.
. I wouldn't mind commentating again or even organizing a fashion show.2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47106)
• India
24 Feb 19
@just4him yes I know that you have a big passion for writing!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Yes, that is me in the photo! It was a screen shot from the MVPS promotional video I was in. This was from our first tournament of the year in Orlando, where it rained the entire weekend! Our field was essentially a giant mud pit! You can see that I'm laying in a bit pile of mud as I'm trying to shoot my opponent. Believe it or not, we wore our red jerseys that day! As you can see from the photo, the jersey is completely black from sliding around in so much mud!
I have full faith and confidence that you will be a best-selling author someday soon! Keep following your dream Valerie, I know you can do it!
2 people like this
@just4him (317315)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc Yes, I can see the mud. Thank you for your encouragement.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (117173)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Feb 19
I am on my way with the new online store.
Enjoy! I think I seen your pics on Instagram.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Whoa, a new online store? That is awesome! What will you be selling? Make sure you let us know so we can support you when you are up and running! And yes, I've posted a few pics on IG.
@ptrikha_2 (47106)
• India
24 Feb 19
@Sojourn good analogy but people get into worse condition while playing holi!
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47106)
• India
24 Feb 19
@Sojourn
Yes the descriptions of Holi played during the times of Lord Krishna depict a great festival with just fun and frolic.
Now many people try to do bad things and also mix colors with mud, that is bad.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
I have heard about the Holi festival from several myLotters here that live in India.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
At one point, there were three pros in the world who were earning over $100,000. Currently, the top pros in the league earn about $60,000. I only earn a third of that right now. Which is not bad, considering I am only required to play in five tournaments a year.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc wow that is so cool! I definitely learned something new today!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@shaggin Glad I could share they information with you!
There's also the expense side of the sport as well, and it's not a cheap sport to play! I have probably spent over 10 grand so far this year in equipment and supplies. Eventually, as I get more known around the league, I'll start getting sponsorship deals, which will include free equipment and free travel to tournaments.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72554)
• Philippines
23 Feb 19
Not yet but i'n considering it.
I saw your posts on IG.
I saw your posts on IG.2 people like this
@toniganzon (72554)
• Philippines
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc Several years ago paintball was quite popular here. I don't know why it isn't anymore. I don't care what people think of my Instagram so I post what I want and what makes me happy and not what people might think. It's my page after all.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@toniganzon I love the stuff you post on IG!
Honestly, I don't care what other people think either, but I still want to be a well-rounded person. I have fun thinking of the different ways I can post things on social media. I guess it just depends on my mood and what I'm doing at the time!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
I'm trying not to post too many paintball pics on Instagram, because not everyone cares about or even knows about the sport. I want to be well-rounded and show different aspects of my life on IG.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Yes I did. I loved doing hair and made a good career out of it.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Aw, that's wonderful! I'm glad you made a career out of doing what you love!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69137)
• United States
23 Feb 19
That is so cool! Let's get down to the nitty gritty here: do you have TV coverage? Sponsorship? Will we see you in a Mountain Dew commercial??
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
All of our tournaments are broadcast live on the GoSports channel, but you have to pay for a subscription to get access. I've seen the Word Cup broadcast on ESPN 3, but not sure if they broadcast other tournaments as well. We have a lot of team sponsorships, but I don't have individual sponsorships yet (I'm still a rookie). I doubt I'll ever be in a commercial, although MVPS's new promotional video is pretty close!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472121)
• Switzerland
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc Absolutely, because unfortunately we need money every day.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@LadyDuck As they say, "money makes the world go 'round."
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Thank you! I definitely play for the love of the sport, not for the money, but having some income to help offset the costs definitely is a big plus!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
I'm certainly not at the point where I can solely make a living off of paintball, and not sure if I ever will be since paintball is a very expensive sport to play, but I am certainly having fun doing it while I still have the opportunity!
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
23 Feb 19
Wow! I love watching videos about paintball. It's interesting and a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any paintball leagues in our place but we have airsoft players.
Having to turn your passion to a full-time career is a great opportunity. But you have to see to it that it will support you as much as your day job can. Think of the risks.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
I'm not really interested in having it be a career that fully supports me financially, that's why I haven't quit my regular job. And thankfully, paintball is a sport that doesn't require full-time hours to do. We practice and play tournaments on weekends, and only occasionally do we have practices during the week, and those are usually in the evenings.
There are some pretty big paintball tournaments in Australia, but I am not aware of any in the Philippines.
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc I haven't heard of it in our country. Your sport needs a lot of physical endurance. How do you cope up with that? Regular exercises?
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
24 Feb 19
@moffittjc Oh my... I checked the website, but it needs me to sign up in order to see if they can ship to our country... I don't want to sign up if they can send to our country...
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84242)
• Rupert, Idaho
23 Feb 19
That's awesome to hear, and sounds like fun! I am trying to turn my passion into a career, but has not worked out yet lol.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Keep pursuing your dreams Courtney! Even if it doesn't turn into a career, you are still doing what you are passionate about!
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@MommyOfEli2013 Just keep doing what you love Courtney! You create amazing art designs.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84242)
• Rupert, Idaho
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc The trouble is, I don't have a career currently lol.....so hoping it would, but after 10 years I am not counting on it. But I will still keep making my art, and hope that one day things will change.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Feb 19
That's awesome and I hope it goes so well for you!
I'm working on turning my photography hobby into an income. =)
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc 
Thank you so much! I'm not believing the enemy who says I'm not good enough. God says I am because He has equipped me. =)
Thank you so much! I'm not believing the enemy who says I'm not good enough. God says I am because He has equipped me. =)1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@LovingMyBabies You are more than good enough Jennifer! Don't listen to that bozo who is trying to put doubts in your mind! Keep following your passion and doing what you love! God has equipped you, you'll do well!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
You do a great job with your photography, so keep pursuing your dream of turning it into a profitable venture! I know you can do it!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108380)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Feb 19
I hope it all works out for you. That would be great.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@wolfgirl569 Definitely, And my 16 year-old son plays with me too, although he is not on the pro team yet (he will be soon, he is 10 times better than me). It gives us quality time together doing something we both love.
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
I'm having lots of fun along the journey, so no matter what happens in the future I have already won!
@noni1959 (10113)
• United States
23 Feb 19
That is so cool. Congratulations. They say if you love what you do the money will come. I love working with special needs and wish I did that for a career but just spending time with my grandson and doing respite care and volunteering is so rewarding.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
We have a non-profit organization that partners with the city I work for to run special needs programs for us. They offer several different sports, but their biggest and most popular program is adaptive aquatics. The husband and wife that run the non-profit, donate all of their time for free to run these programs. I admire their love and passion for helping special needs children
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@noni1959 Oh, that's a shame that they had to move. There are already so few options for people with disabilities that it is frustrating when your limited choices go away.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10113)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc That is so wonderful. We have special olympics here but last summer they moved it to Seattle from near me due to funding. Many who competed before couldn't due to the long distance (about four hours away.) I applied to work there as a volunteer/coach and that is how I found out. I hope it's back this year. I'm going to check. Many of us donate but the extra that was given by the county was taken away.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47106)
• India
24 Feb 19
@moffittjc
I hope that you get over the knee injury soon.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Feb 19
Yeah, the knee injury is gong to present a problem. Best-case scenario is that I may miss one tournament. Worst-case scenario is that I'm out for the rest of the season. Only time will tell.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342277)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Feb 19
@moffittjc Won't it spoil your chances of being picked for the professional team?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Feb 19
Well I definitely think so! But I may be a little biased! haha
2 people like this
@porwest (92748)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Still working on turning any of my passions into a full time career. I keep feeling like it is just around the corner, sort of like the feeling I get I will be a big winner every time I buy a lottery ticket. Who knows? Anything can happen, and when one is passionate about something it stacks the odds better on your side. Best of luck with it, and here's to hoping you really can quit the day job and make your gig go full time.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
Thanks Jim! Just keep pursuing your passions as well. Even if you don't ever turn that corner, you'll still enjoy the journey along the way!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121740)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Feb 19
@porwest I agree with your "sometimes" assessment. It's not always a pleasant journey, but as long as we always keep the end goal in mind, even tough journeys are manageable.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92748)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@moffittjc Sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination. Sometimes. 
1 person likes this
