*“They Can’t Hold Me Down” is the title of Venture’s book that chronicles her life’s journey and serves to motivate others who want to improve their lives.*

*Every year, Venture gives out scholarships in her grandmother’s honor as part of the Everetha’s Angel Scholarship program.*

Venture Watson wears many hats, ranging from ball cap to crown: besides being a wife and mom, she is also a middle school and high school basketball coach, a former sports reporter, the 2021 Mrs. Arkansas United States of America, the founder of the Ms. She’s Got it All Girls’ Empowerment Pageant, a model, and a published author.

Her autobiography, entitled “They Can’t Hold Me Down,” was inspired in large part by her children, Seaira and Mikel. “I have always wanted to write a book, but I kept putting it off because I felt like I didn’t have enough time to write it,” she said. “I wanted to instill in my two children that whatever they set their mind to they can do. I have been able to do things that people would have said were impossible given where I am from.”

The book touches on her childhood in Hooks, Texas—growing up “country” in a small town, “where everyone knows your name and there is only one stop light in the whole town,” she said. “I wanted everyone to look into the life of a country girl [and see] that, even though I sometimes had limitations, I never let it stop me from dreaming big dreams and always trying to ‘do it big.’”

Venture attended Hooks High School, where she met Michael, her husband of 18 years. She graduated in the top 10 of her class and as class president. She would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a master’s degree in education administration.

As a broadcast journalist, Venture worked for KTEV 15, Fox Sports Radio 1400, ESPN 94.1, and Big Game Sports Network, interviewing countless professional athletes, such as NBA champion Steph Curry and Dallas Cowboys player Dez Bryant.

Venture’s coaching career is equally impressive. Currently a coach for Arkansas Middle School, Venture coached at Arkansas High for 10 years. She is the only coach at AHS ever to lead the girls’ basketball team to win a conference championship. She has been named the Texarkana Gazette Coach of the Year and Conference Coach of the Year and is a recipient of the PGA National Coaches Award. “I hope to be an inspiration to all of the girls I coach,” she said.

Leading young people is important to Venture. Her pageant platform is all about youth mentorship. She was recently crowned Mrs. Arkansas United States of America and will be competing this summer at the national level. In pageantry, she is served well by the modeling education she received at the Barbizon School of Modeling in Dallas, as well as through her practical experience as a commercial model for Fossil Jeans, Dillards, Apparel Mart, and Korto Momolu of “Project Runway.”

Such a large, multifaceted adulthood might have seemed impossible to a young Venture, had she not been bolstered by a supportive, loving family. Through illness and other life trials, her parents (Danny and Teresa Traylor) in particular kept her facing forward. “They are the epitome of supportive parents,” she said. “They never killed my dreams and always told me I could. They are two of the hardest workers I know. They are why I work so hard now. I am glad they instilled a hard work ethic in me and a drive for success.”

Venture seeks to be similarly inspiring to her own children. “I hope that I leave a legacy for my children to follow,” she said.

Eventually, Venture would like to write a children’s book, so as to reach even more young people. “I want to be a person who [teaches others] that everything is possible,” she said. “Go for your dreams, and strive to reach every goal you set for yourself.”

*While at the Dallas Cowboys’ Training Camp, Venture caught up with former Cowboys’ Coach Jason Garrett.*

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