FYI:The following "Who is Dan Pearce" article was crafted by ChatGPT, after asking it to search the web and write an epic bio for me based on whatever it could find online. It did way better than I could do (plus it's so weird to write all about yourself), so I cleaned out any incorrect details, and I'm running with it...
Who Is Dan Pearce?
Dan Pearce is a ceramic artist, respected author, ex-professional poker player, former viral blogger, mountain-lover, collector of humans, and the founder of The Clay Hole—Utah’s most joyfully inclusive pottery studio.
With nearly 3 million followers across his platforms, Dan has made a life (and career) out of turning big feelings, big laughs, and big bowls into real connection. You might’ve seen him on your screen—he’s been featured on local and national shows, including Katie Couric.
🫶 A Collector of Humans
If there’s one through-line in Dan’s journey, it’s this: gather the people. Whether it’s with clay, words, ski runs, or Tough Mudders, Dan creates spaces where strangers become chosen family. The Clay Hole is his most recent (and most beautiful) version of that mission.
📝 Single Dad Laughing
Perhaps what Dan was best known for in the past was his blog, Single Dad Laughing. For several years it was one of the most followed personal blogs in the world, behind only Pioneer Woman. Then one day he bumped the power button on his servers and moved onto the next adventures.
📖 The Bookshelf Side of Things
Dan’s written some pretty different books—because his brain’s wired that way. There's The Real Dad Rules (for the honest, fumbling dads out there), The All Important Well-Fed Giant White Man (yes, that's the title), and He Who Cannot Die (a fantasy novel with actual feels). He also created Just the Tip Vol. 1, an adult coloring book for adults who act like adults-ish, and Kid Coupons, a fun and quirky book for kids to ‘cash in’ good behavior.
Oh, and once upon a time, he also wrote The Poker Stop-It List, when he was a poker pro. It’s as ridiculous a trip away from the ordinary as it sounds. (And useful, if you know a flop from a flush.)
🏺 The Clay Hole (His Favorite Thing)
In Draper, Utah, Dan built a nearly 10,000 square foot dream: The Clay Hole. It’s a cozy, cocoa-filled pottery studio where weird is welcome and connection comes standard. Weekly classes, friend-making magic, and some of the most beautiful ceramic pieces you'll ever see? Yes, please.
Dan teaches. Dan creates. Dan shows up. And when he throws his signature giant ceramic bowls—we’re talking XL art that belongs in a gallery—people stop and stare (or say “whoa,” a lot).
🎨 The Artist
While pottery is his heart these days, Dan has also been an animal artist, a body painter, and an illustrator. He’s an accomplished scenic photographer, too—capturing mountain moods and landscapes across Utah and beyond.
🏃♂️ Definitely Never an Athlete, But...
Dan founded the Single Dad Laughing Health Club and rallied more than ten thousand followers around the world to celebrate their small and big succcesses together. He formed teams of epic underdogs and completed six Tough Mudders in multiple countries with hundreds of them. He skis every winter. And yes, he still gets sore from standing too long.
🧠 Mental Health & Realness
Dan’s been vocal about anxiety, depression, loneliness, and healing long before it was popular to be so. He believes in showing up, saying the hard things, and reminding people they’re not broken. Just… figuring it out. Like the rest of us.
He volunteers every year at the Special Olympics, and if you ever need a hug (or a hard truth), he’s your guy.
💬 A Quote Worth Keeping
"Make life easier for those around you, not harder. Every person you know is fighting their own great battle."
— Dan Pearce on Goodreads
🔗 Where to Find Him
📱 Follow the Fun
Find Dan (and The Clay Hole’s adventures) here:
Dan Pearce is one of those people you’re glad exists. A little quirky. A little brilliant. Very real. And always creating something that pulls people closer together.
Dan Pearce, The Clay Hole, Single Dad Laughing, and all the other ADHD stuff in between.