A chat with Jaecub about winning NAB Cub 2026, competing, disability, and more!
We interviewed Jaecub, the winner of NAB Cub 2026, about competing for titles, disability, and so much more!
Jaecub is a handsome cub based in San Francisco, California who recently won NAB Cub 2026. He also has won Mr. TBRU Cub 29 in 2025, as well as Bay Area Cub 2025. He’s one of the sweetest cubs I know with an unmatchable sense of humor and a smile that’s insanely infectious.
He’s had quite the journey in the title competing space within our communities, and has worked hard to earn his title wins. Even though he uses a wheelchair and lives with cerebral palsy, that doesn’t stop this fierce cub from chasing his dreams.
I had the privilege of speaking with Jaecub about his experiences on competing for titles, his disability, accessibility for disabled people, and more. Check it out below!
Bryce Quartz: Hey there, Jacob, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today! How have you been doing lately? Is it warm over there in San Francisco yet?
Jaecub: Actually, it’s kind of cool right now, so it’s not too bad, but we’ve had bipolar weather, like, this week it was cold. Last week it was warm. And then through the weekend, it started raining. So it’s just been real bipolar the last couple of weeks!
Bryce: I am so excited to interview you, so let’s jump right into it! Can you tell us a little bit about how yourself, such as where you’re from and how old you are?
Jaecub: I’m 38 years old, and am originally from LA, but currently live in San Francisco. I moved here when I was 19 and have been here ever since.
Bryce: Can you tell me a little bit about how you got into running for bear and cub titles?
Jaecub: So, it’s a bit of a long story. I was planning to go to TBRU (Texas Bear Round Up) a few years ago and when I was signing up to get the tickets, one of the sections ask if you’re interested in running for their contest. I was like “that sounds like fun, why not?” So I clicked yes, signed up, got my ticket, and booked my hotel.
My original reasons for wanting to go to TBRU was because one, I’d never been to a bear run at that point, and had heard all the stories about how fun they are from my friends and social media. My second reason was to meet some friends that were going.
Well, I competed that year and lost, mainly because I didn’t know what I was doing, even though I prepared by getting all my looks ready and whatnot. After the contest, one of the judges approached me and told me I did really well, and should think about coming back the next year. I initially only planned on doing this as a one time thing for fun and thought to myself “well, whatever happens, happens!”
On my way out the venue, I was further approached by more people telling me how great I did, how they thought I would win, etc. As a side note, one thing I hate as a person with a disability is people constantly saying how inspiring I am in relation to my disability in whatever I do, because honestly, I’m just a normal guy!
In this situation though, I had to take a step back with that thought process because I realized that maybe nobody had competed for a title in a wheelchair before, so I took these types of compliments with grace instead.
That following August, my dog died, and a friend of mine told me I should compete in a local walk-in contest called Bay Area Cub to get my mind off things. Even though I was unprepared, I went for it, and won runner-up! It gave me the realization that I should try competing at TBRU again, but I wanted to go local again to get more experience.
I competed for Bay Area Cub again, and lo and behold, I won! That was the push I needed to compete in TBRU again, so I did, and won TBRU Cub in 2025! After winning a local title and a regional title, I figured, why not go for a national title? So I decided to compete at the North American Bear run for NAB Cub.
Bryce: That’s quite a journey into competing for titles, but it sounds like you’ve built a community around you and put in the work! Can you tell us a little about what it was like competing for NAB Cub and how you prepared for it, such as putting together looks and whatnot?
Jaecub: Well, I signed up to compete and ended up being the only one in the category for Cub, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to earn the title all the same. When you compete for a title and you’re the only one in the category, the judges still critique you and judge you based on a point system threshold that determines whether you win or not.
Lucky for me, the theme this year was television, and with me being an encyclopedia of random TV facts and knowledge, I figured that theme-wise and look-wise, I got this in the bag!
The first look was based personality, so I chose to wear what I wear every day, which is street wear. The second look was based on the theme of the year, so I got to play up my disability a bit because I wanted to go as Speed Racer! (laughs)
The third look is for the speech, which is what you also want to be photographed in if you win, so I did a full leather get-up from head to toe. I also brought a few other looks to raise money for charity and sell raffle tickets in throughout the weekend, such as a bulldog harness, etc. Overall, planning my looks was fairly easy.
I also had to do a fantasy skit, which is something new to me as that’s not a category for Bay Area Cub or TBRU. For my skit, I wanted to go for something sexy, but some of my ideas had to be scrapped because I would’ve needed to travel with specific equipment to get me out of my chair, so I switched my idea and went for something more wholesome.
I thought about how I felt as a kid watching the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Tina Turner on TV, all of them big inspirations to me. So, I decided to dress up as Tina Turner with a wig and lip sync Proud Mary and Rollin’ Down the River for the first part. For the second part, I played up the TV theme a bit more by ripping off my wig and dress to go full Glee mode and lip sync the same Tina Turner songs as myself, but the Glee versions!
After I did all the categories, I didn’t care whether I won or lost at that point because I had such an amazing time performing and doing all my looks, the question portion, etc. I was so happy that I did win though, and wear the sash now with honor and pride from all the hard work I put in! I can’t wait for everyone to see what I have planned for my step down next year either.
Bryce: I think there’s something to be said about people who have physical disabilities and how everyone can have different things. Some are visible, some are not visible. I feel connected to you in a way that I think able-bodied people may not be able to connect with. I think that I feel like we see each other in a sense that like, I don’t think other people really consider with certain things. With that said, what are some of the daily limitations that you find throughout your daily life that you have to consider but able-bodied people don’t really have to consider?
Jaecub: I mean, first and foremost, what able-bodied people don’t have to consider is like, they have roommates, but I have one because I need help doing things, such as typing my shoe. I don’t have good mobility in my left hand. So basically my dominant hand is my right hand and anything that requires two hands is basically a wash for me.
If I can get a little bit more personal, I can put on my shirts and I can put on pants, but because I need to be able to hold on to something while standing up, they have to raise my pants to make sure they’re up all the way correctly. The thing is, because I have cerebral palsy, that causes my body to spasm randomly, so I have a fear of cooking by myself and being near a stove when it’s lit. The thing is, I can cook something, but if my body has a random spasm, something could catch fire, so that’s why I need an in-home care provider.
I think able-bodied people take basic day-to-day experiences for granted because they don’t have to think about or consider these types of things that can be limiting if you are disabled. Also, who decided to put the ADA apartment on the fourth floor where I live?! When we had a blackout, I am dependent on the elevator, so unfortunately I was just stuck inside for a few hours. It makes it frustrating and gives me anxiety for emergencies like that.
Bryce: I do agree with you that I think able-bodied people tend to take advantage of the everyday things that they can do that are so simple. Like for me, I’m newly disabled and walk with a cane, and I feel like I took advantage of stuff beforehand, like not being able to catch the subway if I see it arriving early. I just have to try and plan further ahead now and it can be frustrating.
Jaecub: Oh, Bryce, I definitely relate to that. So in one of my subway stations, the elevator is see-through. As I’m coming down the elevator, there’s been so many times where I see the train coming and stop, but because the elevator is so slow, by the time the elevator doors open and I’m out, the train’s already leaving the station.
I also want to touch on something that you said. I don’t think you took advantage of things when you were able-bodied, you just weren’t aware of the surroundings for disabled folks. You know what I mean?
Bryce: Exactly, you’re right! That’s a great way of wording the feeling I have. I just get frustrated and jealous of able-bodied people now, like when I take the subway and it’s packed so there’s no seats available, but people don’t get up for disabled or the elderly. I also get too scared to ask because I feel like an inconvenience.
Jaecub: That is frustrating! For me, something that upsets me is I’ve had people get mad when I take the bus because it takes a bit of time for them to get me on, but sometimes the bus is my only option in San Francisco to go to certain places. Sometimes even the elderly look at me like I’m the problem, and I’m just like, you and I are in the same situation! Like, why are you looking at me like I’m the issue because you have to get up from your seat.
Look, I get it, you’re elderly, but at the same time, this bus isn’t going to move until I’m in that designated spot tied down. If the bus has to pump on its brakes and I go flying, that’s a lawsuit for the bus company, so we’re not going to move until I’m in a good spot. So the more you stand or sit there looking at me like I’m the issue, the more time we’re wasting with uneccesary negative energy being on the bus together.
Bryce: Those feelings are extremely relatable, I have immense guilt where I feel like I’m taking up too much space on the sidewalk or honestly, anywhere. Some of my chub friends feel this too and have related to being too mindful of our surroundings and how much space we take up, but none of us should feel that. We can all exist in the same spaces equally, and I wish able-bodied and skinnier people who carry those unspoken negative feelings about us would also realize that we truly don’t intend on being an inconvenience, but we deserve to exist comfortably in our own bodies.
Jaecub: I mean, I’ve been in a wheelchair basically all my life, and that feeling never goes away completely. When people ask me “Hey, do you need help getting through crowd?” and I go “yes please,” and they ask, “well, where do you want to go specifically?” I almost always ask to go somewhere that’s out of the way from everyone.
If I end up in the middle of a patio space somewhere and people have to go around me, it sucks to get those where I can feel them saying “why are you in the way?” I know they don’t mean to give those looks, but they subconsciously sometimes do in their body language and it really sucks.
Bryce: This is the kind of thing I was saying earlier where even though we have different limitations, I do feel connected to you and other people who have some form of disability that’s physical. I feel like there’s a connection there where it’s sort of an “I see you” kind of thing. While we’re on topic of disability, can you tell us what some of the limitations you’ve faced as a disabled person and competing for titles?
Jaecub: Firstly, the travel aspect isn’t very fun to plan for. Nobody likes the airport with TSA and air travel in general, but able-bodied don’t have to consider things like preparing to be lifted into specific chairs for a plane that fits in the aisle only to then be lifted into my seat. Once I’m sat, I basically can’t get up until we land.
Secondly, competing is expensive, and as someone on disability, it can be hard to raise funds and ask for help because I can’t afford everything. I know that by choosing to compete, we all may struggle financially and have to raise funds through our community, but as a disabled person, what if I’m having a bad body day when I need to go to a planned fundraiser? I end up having to push my limits by putting on a happy face and pretending everything is okay because I do need the money, and that can be very difficult for me sometimes.
Bryce: I know exactly what you mean, and also want to clarify to our readers for both us: this isn’t supposed to be a ‘woe is me’ situation for either of us, we aren’t asking for pity or anything like that, but I believe there is something to learn from the experiences of disabled people.
Jaecub: Exactly, and like I said before, I choose to compete for these titles, so I know going into these types of things that I have to consider the ramifications of what traveling takes and getting prepared for these contests as a disabled person. A lot goes into these things and I don’t take that decision to compete lightly.
I actually love the commitment to it too. We all go into these competitions with our own stories, and I never expect a pity vote or pity points because I want to earn the title equally.
Bryce: So competing for titles, it looks very stressful to be honest. It’s something that intimidates me, however, it does look very rewarding and it does look like it can be a lot of fun. Can you tell us some of your favorite moments you’ve had competing over the years?
Jaecub: I really love being able to meet new people and make new friends. I love getting to know my fellow competitors during these events. I built friendships with them that go beyond the competitions, which also made it mentally easier if I lost because then I get to celebrate my friends winning!
I have a unique sense of humor too, and one of my favorite moments was getting on stage at NAB for the question portion of the contest. This year, they had a truth or dare section, so when they called me up and asked me ‘truth or dare,’ I go, “well, truth, because last time I picked a dare, that’s how I ended up in the wheelchair!” The reaction I received from that made me happy, because I got to make everyone laugh with me instead of at me.
For the second question, it was something along the lines of “if you were in a horror movie and the killer was about to kill you, what would you say to get out of it?” I said “I’d look up at him and say ‘listen, God already punished me and the job’s halfway done, do you really want somebody’s sloppy seconds?” I have a really messed up sense of humor, but I love making people laugh with me in any way that I can!
Bryce: You and me both, Jaecub! I make jokes about myself like that too, and I think that’s why we are friends. You have such a positive attitude and outlook on life, I admire you for that. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the ways that you stay positive, especially in times where you aren’t wanting to?
Jaecub: I mean, my positivity is very bipolar. Sometimes, I’ll go into a space and start with a positive attitude, but if something happens like getting a weird look or feeling left out in a sexual play space, it can bring me down. I tend to lean on my friends in those moments, and that helps lift my spirits. I also do my best to approach anything by mentally preparing myself, and surrounding myself by people who love and support me so I can lean on them if I need to.
As a side note, my advice to able bodied people to help them advocate for disabled people or anyone for that matter in any space is that if you see someone get really quiet and introverted, even just approaching them and striking up a conversation can go a long way. I understand in the sexual scenarios that not everyone is entitled to someone sexually, but in the same instance, I want to suck someone’s dick just as much as the next person, so don’t be scared to approach someone just because they’re disabled or in a wheelchair. I guarantee you might receive some of the best head you’ll ever get!
Bryce: So for me, something that has helped in dealing my chronic pain, using a cane, and having these limitations is that I have learned to focus on the things that I can do rather than what I can’t do. It’s still a struggle, but it’s helped me improve my own mental health as far as dealing with the limitations I have. Is that something that you relate to with your experience?
Jaecub: I am now. I am that delusional bitch that’s like, ‘I can do whatever the fuck I want,’ and then I’m halfway through a project and end up realizing ‘oh, maybe I can’t do it this way,’ so I have to pivot my entire idea. You know what I mean?
I’m glad you got there now, but like it’s taken me 38 years to finally, and barely, start getting to a point where I realize I need to focus on things I can do instead of the things I might not be able to.
Like I said with TBRU, I saw the contest was happening, and I signed up automatically, but who’s to say that they didn’t have a ramp prepared, or what if some of the categories for looks were about showing your ass. Well, I can’t get up on my chair, so how am going to show it? I would’ve just had to pivot, but I’ve gotten better at thinking slowly about how to go about things and what serves me better rather than jumping in head first to something I know nothing about.
Bryce: Do you have any advice for our readers who may have mental or physical disabilities, but they are too scared, nervous, or anxious to compete for a title?
Jaecub: I say, compete locally first, and understand that wanting to win is great, but if you’re coming in with a physical or neurodivergent disability, don’t go in it wanting to win it the first time. Go in it, get the feel of what the contest is giving, and learn what they’re asking of you during the contest. You may lose your first time, you may lose your second time, but at least you’re learning and navigating that contest space so you are better prepared for when you’re finally ready to win.
It’s also okay to go into them feeling prepared and confident too, and if you do win the first time, hats off to you! Preparing for looks, categories, speeches, etc. can be your specialty, but you’re not prepared for anything that may go wrong or that’s not in your control during the contest. Learning from those experiences is what will make you better for the next time, so take critiques and mistakes with pride because it will take you much further than if you don’t.
Bryce: Okay, this is my favorite question to ask anyone ever in the history of me asking anyone questions. Let’s talk about food. I want to know what your favorite foods are! Where are we going if I come to San Francisco?
Jaecub: I want to take you to The Willows next time you’re here, it’s basically a dive bar that was one of the first Hamburger Mary’s back in the late 80s or early 90s. They have have burgers and burritos, classic stuff like that. It’s also only a block away from The Eagle.
As for my favorite food, I am your basic autistic motherfucker. Give me burgers, chicken strips, or chicken nuggets all day and I’m good to go. I also like The Rustic here in SF too. It’s a somewhat fancy Italian restaurant in the Castro. We can also go to Orphan Andy’s, which is like a staple in the Castro.
Bryce: I am down for all of that, I love a good cheeseburger and chicken nuggets, and I can eat Italian food all day! Can you tell us, outside of competing and winning titles, what are some of your hobbies and interests? Where are we going to find you on a weekend? What are you doing in your free time?
Jaecub: During the week, I am mostly playing video games and watching TV. I’ve been playing a lot of Marvel Rivals, and Hades 2 just came out, so I’ve been playing a lot of that too. Overwatch is a lot of fun too! I’m a big Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts nerd, anything in that neighborhood, I’m obsessed with.
I also recently got back into reading books. Anything that’s gay, I’m all about it, like the Game Changers series from Rachel Reid that just went big with the TV adaptation of her second novel in the series, Heated Rivalry. I also read the book Pillion is based off of.
On the weekend, you might find either at The Eagle or The Lone Star, it just depends on what events are happening on any given day. With being a title holder, I also love to go out and support the competitive events whenever I can in the community. I’ll probably be at SF Pride, Dore Alley which leads into Lazy Bear Weekend, Folsom Street Fair, and then the Bearison Street Fair.
Bearison Street Fair is a lot fun, it’s basically all about body positivity and feeling sexy about the body you’re in, whether you’re cis, non-binary, trans, you know, big boy, chaser, what have you. It’s a great event. I’m actually hosting the play space this year for the fair, and am hoping to make it more accessible too.
Bryce: It’s truly been my pleasure speaking with you, Jaecub. Is there anything that you would like to leave our readers with today?
Jaecub: For anyone looking to compete for a title who’s disabled, I think we could definitely use more representation in that space, so don’t be scared, just go for it!
Also, for anyone reading, if you see a disabled person at a play party, whether it be someone with a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, what have you, and you see them being very shy, interact with them. Because the thing is, they may be shy, but we’re all there for the same reason: to get off and have a good time like the rest of you.
They may need some accommodation to get comfortable to play with you but don’t let that deter you from anything. As much as we need more disabled representation in the competitive spaces, we also need more disabled representation in sexual spaces. A lot of times, able-bodied people will look at us and are like ‘oh, that’s someone we’re not supposed to touch.’ It’s kind of like a taboo, like you leave the disabled person alone or like, you’re some kind of extreme pervert if you go after somebody disabled. I will admit, there is fetishization in the community too, but like, as adults, we’ve learned to spot that out and hopefully that doesn’t happen without both parties consenting to it.
Be sure to give Jaecub a follow on social media by clicking the links below, and be sure to show him some love while you’re there!
Instagram – Facebook – Bluesky
