From the Ring to the Rigs

Moe's journey began long before he found his calling in safety. He started wrestling in 1977, taking on the ring as part of a duo known as the Gladiators. After the loss of his friend and tag team partner in the ring, Kenny, Moe took a break from wrestling. In 1980, he met Donna and moved to Winnipeg, where he wrestled for Calgary Stampede. Moe joined WFWA in 1986, earning the title of Rookie of the Year in 1991. His wrestling career was on the rise until an accident in December 1997 derailed his plans to wrestle in Atlanta. The accident left him in a wheelchair, ending his wrestling career. Afterward, Moe moved to Taber, started working on the rigs, and eventually transitioned into transport.

Moe's Journey of Resilience, Safety, and Inspiring Change

It was during his time in the oilfield industry that Moe found his true passion—safety. He was driven by the desire to empower the men and women on the rigs to follow safety protocols and to inspire them to think about the people around them.

Moe often reminds workers, "Everyone is somebody to someone." It's a phrase that resonates deeply in the oilfield, encouraging workers to see each other not just as colleagues but as people with families and loved ones who care about them.

Moe's dedication to safety led him to pursue formal certification in the field. Although the course typically takes four years to complete, Moe finished it in just 2.5 years. He wasn't trying to fast-track the program—he was simply motivated to complete each goal, one step at a time, until he reached the end. Many were surprised at his rapid progress, but for Moe, it was just about getting the job done without dragging it out.

Moe's motivation didn’t stem from his wrestling accident. Instead, it came from the stories he heard—stories of workers who didn’t make it home to their families. These stories drove him to make a difference, to speak about safety in a way that connects with people and makes them remember the message. Moe’s speeches are filled with real stories and genuine concern, because he believes that if safety protocols aren’t followed, accidents happen, and those accidents turn into stories. His goal is to ensure that no one becomes another story. Instead, he wants his audience to spread the message and motivate others to work safely.

“Everyone is somebody to someone.”

— Mighty Moe