GARDNERVILLE, Nev. — The south end of the Carson Valley is vibrant. The sun rises and sets amid the leaves, while a gentle breeze dances through the farmlands. Robins playfully flit about. The tranquility at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range is suddenly broken as a camouflaged ATV speeds down a driveway towards a black steel gate.
The driver, sunlight bouncing off their sunglasses, triggers the gate to open before speeding off without a word.
As I approach and step out of my Ford Explorer rental in front of a large garage, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, the iconic and rebellious professional wrestler, stands with a pink camo coffee mug and a camo hat.
“How are you?!” he greets in his distinctive south Texas drawl that once captivated sold-out crowds.
Resting on the hood of my rental car, Austin looks west and points out the California-Nevada border beyond the alfalfa fields, discussing the erratic microburst winds common in the area.
An hour south of Reno lies Austin’s 40-acre sanctuary: Broken Skull Ranch 2.0. The original ranch in Tilden, Texas, was sold in 2017.
I request a tour of his idyllic estate, where we observe the multiroom chicken coop nearly demolished by a curious black bear and the air-conditioned apartment studio for cats Pancho and Macho, internet sensations. I inquire about his recent transition into endurance desert racing and his identity at almost 60 years old, wondering if Stone Cold still lurks within despite Austin retiring over two decades ago.
“I used to think they were one and the same,” Austin muses, toying with a skull ring on his hand. “But as you see now, you’re probably not speaking to Stone Cold. There is a part of me buried deep down. If things get rough, that’s who I am. That’s who you’re dealing with. I won’t go down without a fight.”
Exploring Broken Skull Ranch reveals a serene pond stocked with fish, expansive alfalfa fields, and amusing inflatable tube men guarding the chicken coop and horse barn. A studio apartment for Rudy the Chicken rests atop a wheeled dolly.
Nightly, the lights go out by 10 p.m. as Austin and his wife, Kristen, check on the chickens, cats, and horses. They limit TV time to an hour, often rewatching “The Last of Us,” their favorite show. Austin typically rises at 4 a.m., though he tries to stay in bed until 5 a.m., contemplating the day ahead, usually focused on activities around his Kawasaki UTV, a pivotal tool in his desert races.
After retiring from wrestling in 2003, Austin missed the competitive aspect. He started by challenging himself to drive from his old Texas ranch to Los Angeles as fast as possible. He has since delved into Hollywood, starring in movies and hosting a podcast. In 2023, he participated in a reality series, “Stone Cold Takes on America,” engaging in various activities, including off-road racing.
Endurance desert racing requires Austin to be strapped in for hours on end, racing through challenging terrains. Despite setbacks like rolling the buggy and crashes, Austin’s competitive drive flourishes in this sport.
In his garage, a gym, sauna, and cold plunge tub aid in his preparation for races. Relying on his past as a college football player, Austin finds a deep love for racing buggies, considering it a close second to wrestling.
At one of his recent races, a fan zip-tied a Stone Cold action figure to his buggy window, symbolizing Austin’s enduring legacy. Fans flock to his races, hoping for autographs and interactions.
Though he once grappled with injuries and the spotlight of professional wrestling, Austin now finds solace in racing buggies and rediscovering the thrill of competition. As he contemplates his future, including a potential return to the ring, Austin remains grounded in the present, embracing the challenges and victories that come with his new passion.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Courtesy of Jeff Waldaias)