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

---
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.