Pat Lopez of Operation Phoenix Outdoors shares what it means to give back. They do this by bringing Military, Veterans, First Responders, and their families on hunting and fishing trips to facilitate fellowship, friendships, healing and hope. Their goal is to help ease the transition from military to civilian life, reduce stress, reconnect families, build friendship/healthy relationships, talk about alcohol dependency and broken families…ultimately enable conversation and relationships that help combat the 22 veteran suicides a day. Additionally, we bring youth on their first hunts. We teach safety, ethical hunting, and the responsibilities of an outdoorsman/woman. They break down barriers/physical limitations that prevent heroes from enjoying the outdoors. And they bring heroes on their last hunting/fishing trips “bucket list trips” due to terminal illness…give them their last great memory of the outdoors.

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• Getting guys mobility and hunting again.
• Northern vs Southern New Mexican Food.
• Giving guys new expereinces in the field.
• Antelope are the king of hunting.
• Sharing successes around the campfire. 

FTWS is part of the Elevate the Hunt Podcast Family. Elevate the Hunt focuses on hunting's culture, ethics, and conservation.  Listen here. 

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

Kevin McFarland of Backcountry Veterans is rooted in resilience, as we were founded by a combat veteran who navigated a challenging journey through childhood abandonment, substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide attempts, and PTSD. This founder’s personal triumph over adversity became the driving force behind the creation of our organization. Idaho Backcountry Veterans emerged from the crucible of personal experience, driven by the belief that the great outdoors and shared camaraderie could serve as a powerful antidote to the wounds of war and life’s hardships. Their mission is a testament to the transformative journey that our founder undertook, turning personal struggles into a purpose to uplift others. Join us in this narrative of hope, where every outdoor adventure becomes a step towards healing, and every veteran’s story is a testament to the strength found in overcoming life’s challenges.

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• Kicking alcoholism with the outdoors.
• Grandpa instilling wisdom in the field.
• Recognizing the needs and connections of military spouses.
• Collaborating with other veteran groups.

FTWS is part of the Elevate the Hunt Podcast Family. Elevate the Hunt focuses on hunting's culture, ethics, and conservation.  Listen here. 

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

Rich Cotte is the First Hunt Foundation's Director of Connecting Heroes and Hunters.  His vision is to ensure veterans and first responders always have an avenue to discover a new collective purpose and unified bond in serving their community as well as the national need to keep our hunting heritage alive today, tomorrow, and forever. Rich is a mustang with service in two branches before retiring.  He now works to help other veterans mentor new hunters.

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• Different perspectives on the first Gulf war.
• Enlisted to Officer to Retired to Happy.
• Finding purpose and community in hunting.
• Collaborating with other hunting groups for the cause.
• Continuing hunting’s heritage.
• The far reaching impacts of one hunter’s actions.

FTWS is part of the Elevate the Hunt Podcast Family. Elevate the Hunt focuses on hunting's culture, ethics, and conservation.  Listen here. 

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

Operation Resolute is a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina that is dedicated to sustaining and strengthening families within the US Armed Forces by serving with and working through military chaplains.  Family events are designed to address the unique needs of military life to build solid marriages, positive parenting relationships, and health family dynamics.   OTSD is epidemic in the ranks of they military and the statistic of daily veteran suicides is well known.  Military marriages suffer a 70% divorce rate.  Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen have as their ally through this the chaplains that serve alongside them.   OR facilitates events and activates to help bridge servicemen with their chaplains in a refuge setting.

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• Fishing in Saddam's private ponds.
• "Serve chaplains, sustain families, strengthen warriors."
• The newly acquired 430 acre North Carolina hub for hunting and fishing, "The Refuge"
• Taking care of families while deployed.
• Leveraging resources to get help to servicemen who need it most.
• How outdoor experiences draw guys together. 

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

Heroes' Harvests mission is to provide our nation’s service members, to include active duty military members, reserve, national guard, veterans, and Gold Star families, a dynamic therapeutic environment through exclusive hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences. They also directly support our community members, in conjunction with outfitters across different states, for transitioning service members who seek a career in the outdoor industry.
In addition to their outdoor events, we facilitate the Wilderness Guide Training Program; which recognizes the value of military service. It empowers veterans through basic and advanced learning opportunities, preparing each individual with the necessary skills to succeed in a new professional role. A natural intersection exists between the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors and the continuing need for trained professional guides in the outfitting industry.
Find them on Instagram. 

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• Is North Dakota the west or mid-west? And what about Michigan?
• Getting vets on turkeys.  Hear that NWTF?
• Outdoor therapy featured in the Smithsonian Magazine. 
• Helping get vets through guide school.
• What it takes to reach each one.

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

Bryan "Bam" Marshall, founder and president of Wishes for Warriors is committed to providing incredible experiences and resources in order to further achieve their mission and impact veteran lives.  Since 2014, they have been supporting combat wounded members in a variety of ways and measuring our success not by monetary size, but by more qualitative measurements such as the scale and effectiveness of  efforts and programs offered.  Wishes For Warriors is a veteran run, volunteer operated non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to returning hope and passion back into the lives of combat wounded heroes, through veteran events such as: therapeutic outdoor adventures, awareness, education and passion, after experiencing a life altering injury.  It is their mission to show these heroes that whether wounded of body and mind, they are still able to live out their passions, hope for the future and improved quality of life.

If you enjoy the podcast, I’d really appreciate it if you drop us a review, share it with a friend, or find us on Instagram.

Topics Discussed:  

• How battlefield memories create lasting drive.
• From strip clubs to mountaintop experiences.
• Figuring it out, from 5 to 1000s of vets.
• Hunting 101 and teaching vets the basics.
• Working with law enforcement on Project Blue Lion.

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

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Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.

What to expect in upcoming episodes:

• The genesis and mission of veteran-hunting groups
• Key people and their roles 
• Opportunities for hunting and camaraderie
• Stories of successes and learning along the way
• How military members can connect with each organization
• Show notes with links

Intro Music: Burlesque Heartache - RKVC

Outro Music: Home-JHS Pedals

---
Listen to our other podcast: Elevate the Hunt
Find us on Instagram.
You can find more about Everett Headley, your host, at his website or Instagram.