TooMuchNeon is the new NAB Cub 2025
Earlier this year the 2025 North American Bear Weekend took place, and new title Holders were chosen. We are delighted to be able to chat with the new NAB Cub, TooMuchNeon, a self-described loving, neurodivergent himbo who proudly calls the Midwest home. Originally from Missouri and now based in Des Moines, Iowa, Neon has found both family and purpose within the bear community, embracing its spirit of kindness, inclusivity, and joy. Read what he has to say about NAB and his new Duties:
1. Can you tell us a bit about your background? Including name, where you are from, and current city of residence?
Hi there! My name is TooMuchNeon and I am just a loving, neurodivergent himbo from the Midwest. People also call me Neon for short or Cerberus if I’m in pet headspace. I’m originally from Missouri, but I recently moved to Des Moines, Iowa!
2. What drew you to the bear community?
I’ve always had an interest in the bear community, but it wasn’t until I actually met people a part of it that I realized it was where I belong. There’s this deep kindness and joy that bears have, not to mention how welcoming everyone is too! No matter what your gender, orientation, body type, kinks, age, or anything other factor, there is a place for you in this community.
3. Tell us about your local/countries bear scene and some of your favorite places or organizations whose events you enjoy
There are a few places that I feel it necessary to shout out. Of course, North American Bear Weekend (NAB) in Lexington, Kentucky is a very big favorite. It was my first ever bear event that I went to, and I had such a phenomenal time getting to know people in the community and watching the contest at night. In Columbia, Missouri there’s also a great bear community. While I lived there, I got to be involved with and spend time with my found family, as well as with the Mid-MO Bears. We’d often go to our local gay bar Arch and Column Pub and enjoy some drinks while watching drag shows or listening to people sing karaoke. It may be a small town, but we have lots of queer love! Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the bears of Des Moines, IA. When I had met them at NAB in 2024, the Capital Bears practically adopted me and I have never been so thankful to be pulled into a group. These folks are one of the best representations of the bear spirit that I have seen, and I’ve been enjoying being able to spend time with them more now that I’ve moved to the area. You can often find them at The Garden and The Blazing Saddle in downtown Des Moines, so be sure to check them out if you’re in town!
4. How was your experience competing? What was the process like? What was your favorite part?
When it came to the competition, I had an absolute BLAST! I had decided in August of 2024 that I was going to run, so I spent the months leading to the applications opening to figure out what I could possibly do. The first question I sat down with was: “Who am I, and how can I show that on-stage?” Once I found the answer, I began formulating the various parts of my kit to express that individuality and voice. Months and months of preparation, critiques, and workshopping later, it was finally contest time. For me, my favorite parts were the on-stage portions, particularly the speech segment. A lot of my friends that were in the audience hadn’t seen me perform or publicly speak before, so knowing that I could show off and amaze them really drove my excitement. It was a full circle moment for me. My friends and my partner who had been there for me, and showed me this incredible world of titleholders, then got to see the result of their love and support on an international stage.
5. Tell us about your platform. What was the issue you campaigned on or addressed during the competition
The platform I ran on was that “we define labels, and that labels don’t define us”. It’s easy for us to get caught up in these ideas that we have to look or act a certain way to fit an identity. For example, some might believe that you need to be hairy or big to be considered a bear, but that’s untrue. What defines you being a bear is if YOU consider yourself a bear. That’s it! This is the kind of awareness and education that I am wanting to do with this title. Helping people find the labels that fit who they are, as well as helping untrain the idea that there is some kind of benchmark they have to reach in order to use the words that fits who they are as a person. I want people to wake up and be proud that they are a bear, a mama bear, a pet, a cub, a person of leather, a little, or whatever term they decide fits them the best. Nobody deserves to feel isolated, or that they aren’t enough to be who they are.
6. What are the responsibilities associated with your title?
My main responsibility is to represent the title, and with it, the North American Bear contest and bear community throughout the duration of my year. This means that I am expected to appear at various events and prides. Alongside this, I am expected to be back at the contest next year to hand down my title and help celebrate the next batch of bear community titleholders!
7. What are your goals for your title year? Where will you be appearing?
There are a lot of goals that I want to accomplish in my title year. The first and foremost is to raise a minimum of $1000 for queer charities. I’ve already organized an online, pride month fundraiser that raised $320 for The Center Project in Columbia, Missouri, but that’s only the beginning of my efforts! Additionally, I wanted to teach classes at events, which I had the opportunity to do! I taught my very first class called: “The Kink Buffet: A Look Into the World of Gainers and Encouragers” at Oklahoma City Kink Weekend. I hope to teach that class at more events throughout the year. My final goal is to go and represent at as many events as possible. As of now, I have been to ten different event weekends and prides this year, with many more that I plan on attending. In the upcoming days, I am planning on attending Iowa Leather Weekend, Wisconsin Leather Pride, and some other events that I’m still working out the details for. As the details of my schedule get solidified, I’ll be posting about it on my socials!
8. What are some important issues you feel that need to be addressed in the bear community?
The biggest thing that I think needs to be addressed in the bear community is our understanding of what a bear is. If you’re looking on PornHub, yes, a bear might be a bearded man with a belly. However, this does not translate to real life. A beard is not required to be a bear, nor is a belly, nor being a man, nor any of the stereotypical things. Being a bear is a mindset of kindness, acceptance, and fun. That’s all that should matter! It also means more people feeling welcome in our spaces, which means more friends, joy, and a stronger community. That’s the kind of fuzzy family I want to be a part of.
9. Where can we find you? Websites? Social Media?
The best way to find me would be on social media. I am on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky as @toomuchneon21. Facebook and Instagram are where I will primarily post about my travels, personal life, and other related things. BlueSky is…well BlueSky haha.
To attend the next North American Bear Weekend, head to the main site here – NAB Weekend: Bear-o-Vision – February 12th – 15th, 2026 | Lexington, KY
