Inner-view Corner: Lord Thunderknight. (by Eric Crow)
(Leatherbear in full effect.)
Tyrik Strachen currently holds the title of World Bear 2024, and he will be concluding his tour of the Leather and Bear communities in a few weeks, when he sashes his successor at World Bear Weekend (October 30 to November 2, 2025). Before this, he was Mr. Mayhem Leather 2023 and competed at International Mr. Leather the following year. This is a mark of distinction, as there are likely not more than 25 people that have ever competed for both an International Bear title and International Leather title. As I read through his answers, I was struck by how healthy his outlook his view is. I don't know many people who check off boxes like he does, and we are all the better for his presence in the forest and the dungeon. Once you have stopped daydreaming about a dungeon deep in the forest where he's the guy you have to give the password or secret knock to, read on.
Eric: Please tell us three things about yourself that readers might not know about you.
Lord Thunderknight: First, I am an internet meme. When you type the “Black Duelist” in the google image search engine, my 2011 senior high school yearbook photo pops up. I have also ridden over 200 different roller coasters throughout the world. Last, when not living my titleholder life, I foster dogs.
Eric: As much as you are comfortable, please share your experience of being neurodivergent.
Lord: I’m open about my life as a Neuro-Spicy titleholder. Throughout my life, I’ve struggled to be confident on my own, because of my Autism. Ever since winning both Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear and World Bear, however, my confidence has improved drastically. I feel that because I went through these major life experiences, and finally embraced who I was as a kinkster, I’ve become more comfortable within myself. My disability doesn’t prevent me from living life, but rather it just makes certain activities more difficult than others. I don’t let it impact my life but rather adjust and pivot to where I can enjoy my life.
Eric: How did you find your spaces in the community (Bear, Leather, Kink)? Was it like a second coming out experience or more something you acknowledged and then sought out to walk?
Lord: I’ve considered myself “Leather-adjacent” since 2013, when stumbling on Leather from attending circuit parties in NYC. Then I went to Mid-Atlantic Leather 2023, and since then, I’ve embraced my true self and announced to the world that I’m a kinkster. I bought over $1,000 worth of leather, because I wanted to dive headfirst into the world of Leather. I embraced a part of me that I’d kept hidden for so long, so one could look at it as a “coming out story”. But for me. I’ve never viewed it from that perspective. Instead, I felt I wanted to be part of something more.
Eric: So was this more of an evolution/next step in your life in the community?
Lord: 100% yes. I've been adjacent to the Bear and Leather community for a time, but I've yearned for something more. From 2015 to 2023, I served the role as a Magic the Gathering judge. While serving as a judge came with a strict old guard protocol, I wore my Mr. Rubio Blue leather gauntlets because I loved them. By wearing them, I showed to players that I was into Leather. Now looking back, those moments were the first signs of me embracing my Leathear-ness. Shortly after I won Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear, however, I retired from judging for Magic... in 2023. The big reason why I became a judge in the first place, was because I lacked confidence. I lacked the ability to explain my thoughts and feelings as a judge. I found my inner strength while I was competing for the Mayhem title, and I felt that my time as a judge was coming to an end. I was embarking on a new adventure with untold stories. This was the big evolution in my life. I was slowly becoming the “Thunderknight” I wanted to show the world.
Eric: How did your life change once you set foot on your titleholder journey through Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear? What was the moment like when you decided you wanted to be a Mayhem?
Lord: I wanted to compete for one leather title just to get a sense of the experience. When I told my Leather friends at the Clifton Pleasure Club (CPC) that I was competing for the title, I was overwhelmed with the amount of support towards me. Titleholders current and past were so eager to help me.
When I won, I felt my life change completely. I’ve been in the spotlight before, but not like this. At first, I didn’t know what I was doing, but once previous titleholders, community leaders, and others provided me with insight, I started to get a better handle on my duties as a titleholder. My professional life soared as well. I’ve had a promotion, and have many achievements that I can list, but for simplicity, I have a more positive outlook on life now.
Eric: You competed at IML before World Bear. How was this experience been for you? Can you tell about a funny or serious experience from each contest?
Lord: I had two goals when I completed both titles. For IML, I wanted to show the Leather world that leather bears do have the right be on that stage, showing off my true self. I can confidently say I achieved that goal. For World Bear, my goal was to be visible and represent a demographic that often feels invisible: A Neurodivergent Black Bear. While they both are international contests overall, they are vastly different. For example, World Bear had a fantasy segment while IML does not. What I can say is that both contests have helped me in my professional life, as confidence comes a little easier for me.
At World Bear, I was prancing around the hotel floor before it was my turn for the interviews. I couldn’t stop thinking about what the judges will ask me. So after drinking a half liter bottle of water, I was summoned to the interview room. When I entered, one of the judges told me I had the option to sit down in the big conference chair. I decided that it was going to help me with my nerves if I sit than stand. So when I sat down, the cushion of the seat made a large “fart-like” sound. Without thinking and while maintaining a smile, I said, “Y’all set me up.” The entire room erupted with laughter, and it made the interview experience much better for me.
For IML, there’s so many moments to list, but the main one I remember was that after Pecs & Personality, the entire class went back up to the third floor of the Congress Hotel. I was exhausted because I used up all my energy on stage. As soon as I got upstairs to the third floor, I just hit the floor, and allowed the cold surface to lull me into a brief sleep. Not long after, someone snapped a photo of me with my eyes closed, while seven siblings were next to me cuddling, with someone on top of me fanning me with their kilt. It was a wholesome moment, and honestly one of the best moments of that contest.
Eric: How have you been taking care of yourself during your time in the spotlight? How do you manage to find and keep your balance in your life?
Lord: Recognizing how to avoid burnout is crucial to maintaining one’s wellbeing. When I won World Bear, I forced myself to blackout a weekend of each month to focus time with my partner and friends outside the kink world. I’m engaged in other hobbies, such as Magic the Gathering, roller coasters, and playing old retro games. It’s important to give yourself a break from time to time.
Eric: Please shout out some of your favorite Bear and Leather community figures/mentors and tell us why you love them?
Lord: I think the list of community figures that I admire/inspired to is about as long as a CVS receipt, but I'll start off with my gay dads, Henry & Aaron Smith. Without them I wouldn’t have evolved into the triumphant Bear that I am. They were my first role models in the Leather/Bear community, and I couldn’t do it without their support. I also want to shout out Jack Thomspon & Geoffrey Millard, my fairy title-godparents, who have helped me navigate through my title year. I don’t think I would have been successful without them. Then, there's Ali Lopez – a black brother Bear that keeps it real 100%. It’s hard to be authentic during these trying times, but he’s able to do it effortlessly. Daddie Danger is a true lighthouse in the fem Bear community who shines light on not only on female Bear representation, but who also fights the injustices happening in Texas--all the love and support. Last but not least, Miguel Torres, a pillar in the Leather community and an honest depiction of a Den Daddy. I could write a whole article on how incredibly kind this man is, and the impact that he has on my journey as a Leatherbear Knight.
Eric: Ali Lopez is has a special place in many people's hearts in our communities. Going back to what you said about his ability to keep doing it effortlessly, why do you think that is so?
Lord: There are people in this world whose confidence comes off naturally. To me, Ali is one of them. When he walks into the room, everyone knows who he is. He dresses up as Santa Claus for charity events and helped organize the Leather contingent for World Pride that occurred in Washington DC this year. His Bear hugs help others to be more comfortable in the world.
As Mr. International Leather Bear titleholder 2019-through, and the first Puerto-Rican Black Bear to hold an international Bear title (Editor's Note: International Daddy Bear 2006, through the International Mr. Bear title circuit), it means so much that represents a marginalized section of the Bear community. When I won Mr. Mayhem Leather Bear, not only was I the first Person of Color to win that title, but I was the first Person of Color to win any Mayhem title. We both shared something in common: shattering a barrier and representing a small demographic in the Bear community. Going through my title year, I learned what it means to be strong and confident in the face of adversary, and he helped me see that.
As new Bears, Cubs, Pets, and other kinksters start to find themselves, it can be hard to be confident in the face of hate. The political climate has made certain groups within the queer community targets for harassment, bullying, and discrimination. Ali’s influence has a lasting impact on me; thus it’s my duty to spread the message to the community of what it means to be both confident and thunderously loud and sincerely humble.
Eric: What is your favorite type of weather and what do you like doing in it?
Lord: I…LOVE...Autumn. The changing colors of leaves, while hiking in the woods is wonderful. There’s something about hanging around a campfire, drinking a cold dark beer, and listening to low-fi music makes my mind feel at peace. I might as well call it my pastime. When it’s cold outside in the fall, I like going to amusement parks for haunted houses. There’s something about experiencing people getting scared at amusement parks is hilarious to me. I also enjoy the pumpkin spice season of beverages and pies: pumpkin spice beer, pumpkin pies, pumpkin spice cum…I mean. Pumpkin cider. Lastly and most obvious, Halloween. I love seeing other people creatively costumes during Halloween.
Eric: What are three or four things about Bear culture that you like/appreciate? Be specific.
Lord: First, I love Bear hugs. I love how it’s socially normal to hug people, especially asBears. I grew up hugging people because I love to feel other people’s energy. As a Bear, it’s part of the culture to provide the greatest Bear hugs to everyone (with consent). Since hugs release several hormones, including oxytocin, it helps keep the intimacy alive. I also love Bear runs. I prefer attending bear runs because I feel there’s something for everyone: whether you want to go relax in the pool, play board games with fellow friends, or enjoying a giant cuddle party, I always have a good time. And of course, the Bear dinners at runs are something to look forward to after a long day of “play.” And when comes around, it's amazing to me that it's part of the Bear dress code. I’m a lover of sleeveless shirts, so when it gets too hot, I can rock out with my sleeveless flannels shirts, making my bear attire more my style.
Eric: What’s your advice for people who want to run for a title, as well as for those who have competed for a title more than once?
Lord: My biggest advice to those who are competing for a title for the first time: Have fun and be honest with yourself. Competing isn’t easy; it takes hard work and determination, but I can confidently say it has been life changing. Reach out to your local community for guidance, and if you don’t know where to start, you can reach out to me. My advice for those who are competing for an international title, or a different title than before: know your brand and ask yourself why you should be the ambassador of the title.
Eric: It is the night of your step-down/step-aside. What will people remember about you or remember about what you did during your time, from Mayhem to now? Who have been your fundraising beneficiaries? What's next after you sash your kid?
Lord: Confidence, reliability, and hope. How to be loud, but also be humble at the same time, and finally how to create, maintain, and defend safe spaces. My life motto is “When you are ready, be a lighthouse, because you never know who is trying to swim home to the shoreline”. I’ll continue to raise money for Baltimore Safe Haven and Carter Johnson Leather Library Collection, because throughout my title years, I’ve been working closely with these two entities.
Eric: What’s next for you after the international spotlight goes to your successor?
Lord: Recovering my financials, ha-ha. Seriously, I will be working closely for my local community, as well as helping run other LGBTQ organizations, and I will continue my work until I am no longer able.
(Lord Thunderknight.)
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Useful URLs:
Baltimore Safe Haven: https://www.baltimoresafehaven.org/ https://www.facebook.com/bmoresafehaven/
Carter Johnson Leather Library Collection: https://cjlcleather.com/https://www.instagram.com/cjlcofficial/?hl=en
World Bear Weekend: https://worldbearweekend.com/ https://www.instagram.com/world.bear.weekend/
International Mr. Leather: https://www.internationalmrleather.com/
https://www.facebook.com/internationalmrleather
Bears, Bikers and Mayhem: https://bearsbikersandmayhem.com/about/ https://www.facebook.com/mrmayhemleatherbear
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Find New Horizons For Fifty on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewHorizonsForFifty
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