Joe Martin has had a lifelong passion for motorcycles and cars, but he never anticipated it would eventually land him a spot on TV. In 2016, Joe rose to fame with his show Iron Resurrection, which showcased his custom car and motorcycle business, Martin Bros Customs. Through the show’s run, viewers had the opportunity to witness the Martin family work on some amazing vehicles. Not only did the world become enamored with their craftsmanship, but Joe proved to be the ideal reality TV star. Although it’s been a few years since his last on-screen appearance, Joe is still hard at work, doing something he loves. Read on to discover 10 facts you didn’t know about Joe Martin.
1. He’s Originally From Chicago
Texas is the state that comes to mind when people think of Joe, but he was actually born in Chicago. He and his family relocated to the Austin, Texas area when he was around 10 years old, and he’s called it home ever since. Joe is very proud of being a Texan and truly loves the culture of the area.
2. Iron Resurrection Isn’t The Only Time He’s Been on TV
Most people who are familiar with Joe Martin know him from Iron Resurrection, but his reality TV journey began long before the show premiered. He made his first TV appearance in 2004 on Biker Build-Off. It was this show that gave him the chance to have his own show.
3. He’s A Dog Person
Cars and bikes are very high on the top of Joe’s priority list, but he also has a special place in his heart for his furry friends. He is a very dedicated dog person and he and his wife, Amanda, have several dogs. However, his love for dogs goes beyond being a pet parent; he is also passionate about causes relating to animal welfare and has helped raise money for animal shelters.
4. He Doesn’t Regret Joining the Reality TV World
Being on reality TV can be a double-edged sword, and in some cases, it can lead to a negative experience. Fortunately for Joe, that hasn’t been the case. When asked if he regrets the decision to do the show, Joe told Fuel Curve, “…we feel so fortunate to have the show. It’s been invaluable to us. Being featured on TV immediately puts hundreds of thousands of eyes on our shop and our work. It’s given us the opportunity to work with wonderful customers on incredible cars, and set us up to be busy for years to come.”
5. He Likes His Privacy
There is a misconception that people who do reality TV shows love being the center of attention, but that is not always the case. For the most part, Joe and his wife prefer to be very private when it comes to their personal lives. They choose to keep all of the attention on their business, and this strategy has served them well over the years.
6. He Used to Have A Bike Shop
Martin Bros Customs isn’t Joe’s first foray into business ownership. Several years ago, he owned a bike shop. Unfortunately, however, it went out of business during the Great Recession. Despite the heartbreaking setback, Joe managed to bounce back quite nicely.
7. He Enjoys Spending Time Outdoors
Martin loves what he does, but that doesn’t mean he wants to spend all his time cooped up in his shop. When he gets a break from work, he loves being outside and taking in the beauty of nature. He enjoys activities like fishing and exploring his surroundings.
8. He Loves Music
There’s no evidence to suggest that Joe has ever been a musician, but we do know that he is a passionate music fan. During his interview with Fuel Curve, Joe shared that he enjoys a wide range of music. However, he noted that on long road trips he likes to listen to something like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Whiskey Rock-A-Roller”. He said it’s a great traveling song.
9. He Enjoys Working With His Family
We’ve all heard the saying “don’t mix business with pleasure,” but that combination has been a successful one for Joe and his family. He collaborates very closely with his wife and brother, and it’s something that he really enjoys. In fact, it’s likely much easier than working with unfamiliar people.
10. He Loves Learning New Things
Joe is the kind of person who embraces challenges. As a result, he is always eager to learn new things. Having this kind of mindset has enabled him to attain great success over the years, as the ability to tackle obstacles is a vital aspect of running a business.
