Josh Owens Breaks Silence on Life-Altering Event – And His Relationship Status!

Josh Owens: The Rebel Moonshiner Who Refuses to Back Down

From moonshine stills in the backwoods of North Carolina to high-speed races on roaring motorcycles, Josh Owens has built a life around danger, determination, and legacy.

Best known for his role on Moonshiners, Owens is far from your average outlaw. A fearless spirit and thrill-seeker by nature, he has survived near-death experiences, personal tragedy, and unimaginable injuries — all without losing his drive or heart.

🌄 Roots in the Mountains

Born on August 28, 1977, in Columbus, North Carolina, Josh Owens grew up surrounded by nature’s raw beauty. He was raised by his mother Cindy Owens, a U.S. Army veteran and long-time employee at General Electric. Josh lost her in 2011 when she passed away at just 50 years old. He also has a younger sister, Chelsea Morris, born in 1991.

From a young age, Josh found joy and freedom riding motorcycles. While his formal education remains largely undocumented, his passion for machines and the outdoors shaped his path early on.

🏁 Racing Into Danger

In his 20s, Josh turned professional as a Motocross and Superbike racer. He competed in leagues like NCHSA and GNCC, even clinching major titles like the 2003 Heavy SE Championship and 2004’s 250B. By 2005, he had advanced to 250A until a serious knee injury forced him off the track.

But Owens wasn’t done with speed. In 2016, he made a return to motorsports, this time racing a 1953 Chevy Gasser with the Southeast Gassers Association.

🌲 From Timber to Television

Beyond the track, Josh operates a business called Tree and Yard Busters in Polk County, taking on physically demanding work like lumberjacking, land clearing, and operating heavy machinery — all in line with his love of the outdoors.

His journey into moonshining came through Barney Barnwell, a North Carolina legend who introduced Josh to the old-school art of distilling. Their bond led them to work on a reality TV project. Tragically, Barney passed away just two weeks into filming, but Josh and friend Bill Canny honored him by finishing the underground still. Their dedication caught the eye of producers, and Josh made his Moonshiners debut in Season 2, Episode “Rise ‘n Shine” in 2012.

Since then, he’s appeared in over 139 episodes, earning fans with his rugged charm, practical know-how, and deep respect for tradition.

💔 Personal Life and Parenthood

Josh keeps his private life low-key. He became a father in February 2010, when his daughter Elizabeth Reese Owens was born. Though he doesn’t reveal much about her mother, he clearly treasures his role as a dad.

Josh once dated Amber Lane Gabric (2012–2014), and while they eventually split, Amber played a significant role in young Reese’s life. As a father, Josh has participated in charity events focused on children, using his platform for good.

🚑 Brushes with Death: A Life Lived on the Edge

Josh’s daredevil lifestyle has led to multiple horrific accidents.

March 2023: Josh crashed during a motorcycle race at Daytona International Speedway, suffering a broken neck, back, arms, legs, and shoulder. Social media was flooded with death rumors, which were later debunked.
March 2018: At Daytona Bike Week, he was thrown from an antique motorcycle, resulting in broken ribs, a punctured lung, and major injuries.
August 2017: His trailer caught fire on Interstate 29, destroying the trailer and damaging his truck and motorcycle.
2016: A grinding wheel explosion nearly severed his index finger during an accident at home.

Despite it all, Josh remains unbreakable. As he once said,

“I tend to be the guy that’s always at the wrong place at the right time… or the right place at the wrong time.”

💼 Legacy, Wealth, and Resilience

Now at age 48, Josh Owens has built a reputation not just as a moonshiner, but as a survivor, entrepreneur, and TV personality. With an estimated net worth of $500,000, he’s turned his love for the outlaw lifestyle into a source of fame and fortune.

Yet what sets Josh apart is not the liquor or the machines — it’s the grit. The man who survived crashes, heartbreaks, and chaos continues to rise, fueled by family, tradition, and a refusal to give up.

Josh Owens isn’t just a Moonshiner. He’s proof that even in the wildest storms, some spirits can’t be broken.