August 12, 2025 • 59 mins
In this engaging conversation, Rick Hanson and Dayna Monroe explore themes of personal growth, empowerment, and the importance of community. Dana shares her journey from a small town in Utah to working in the outdoor industry, emphasizing the significance of helping others and building confidence.
They discuss the challenges and joys of pursuing dreams, the importance of authenticity, and the impact of positive relationships. Dana's experiences in competitive environments and her commitment to empowering women are highlighted, along with her adventurous spirit and future aspirations.
You can find Dayna on Instagram @dayna_monroe
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Takeaways
- Dayna emphasizes the importance of helping others build confidence.
- She reflects on how people are always watching and learning from our actions.
- Dayna's journey showcases the power of stepping out of one's comfort zone.
- She believes in lifting others and showing them their potential.
- Dayna's experiences highlight the significance of community and support among women.
- She encourages people to chase their dreams and live authentically.
- Dayna shares her love for adventures and exploring new places.
- She discusses the importance of prioritizing experiences over material possessions.
- Dayna's story illustrates the value of relationships in personal growth.
- She aims to be a positive example for young girls and women.
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You can find The Rick's at:
Rick Hanson
Instagram: @rickhanson24
Facebook: Rick Hanson
Ricky Brule
Instagram: @ricky.brule80
Facebook: Ricky W Brule
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
You
Well, hello, don't die rusty nation.
Once again, the ineptness of myself, I didn't hit record.
So we've had a good conversation for about 20 minutes to a half hour.
Dana Monroe, my guest and I, and thank you for letting me re record this stuff.
(00:23):
Cause we've been having a great conversation and now I hope we can keep it, keep it up.
So tonight my guest is Dana Monroe.
And I am going to let her introduce herself just a little bit and I'm going to tell alittle story about her.
And then we will try to recap what we were just talking about.
(00:44):
Sometimes I feel like a total dumbass.
Okay, we've all been, I did that once too.
Hehehehehe
I work for Sig Sauer here in New Hampshire.
I'm from Utah, originally moved uh almost two years ago.
So a small town Western girl, you know, living out on the East Coast.
(01:07):
work the marketing department for Sig and do a brand manager and have kind of merged intomore of like a media relations role in the last couple weeks.
So yeah, that's me.
Well, that's cool Dana, cause I've known you, can't, I probably at least six or sevenyears.
(01:31):
And it's fun to be able to just sit down and talk to you now and let the world, my worldor the people around me know who you are.
And I am going to tell them a story about you from Winter Strong that has impacted my lifesince that fateful day happened.
(01:52):
And it's not really a fateful day.
It is so, it was an impactful day.
And it was, and if your name ever comes up in conversation, wherever I'm at, I tell peoplethis story.
And I think the world needs to know, if you want to know who Dana Monroe is, I'm going totell you a story who Dana Monroe is from my perspective.
(02:21):
And.
We were at Winter Strong.
I think it was Winter Strong too.
I can't remember which one it was.
And at Winter Strong, they have outdoor games.
have like, you learn how to lift, learn how to be like Laura Zero is there and she taughtus how to build a fire.
don't know.
(02:42):
And then they were doing all kinds.
You learn how to shoot better.
You pistols, rifles, you do some bow stuff.
but, and then it's all about lifting because it's Sorenex Outdoors and it's in SouthCarolina.
And.
And there's a race that happens and they, what they do is they shoot a bow at a target andthen people pick teams.
(03:09):
And, and I didn't run that year.
And, uh, it was interesting because I was up there at the shooting range and you guys comerunning in and you had a young fella who
(03:31):
He hadn't shot and I don't know.
It was interesting to watch because he was, I don't know if he was like very shy or if hewas just nervous.
But I saw Dana take the time.
(03:55):
And this is a race.
This is, they're trying to win some stuff.
And I saw Dana take the time and this kid, I saw him turn emotionally into likeconfidence.
It's amazing how you see like, it was kind of like rain and then the rainbow comes outbecause I saw a cloud of, I mean, was just confidence built up in him.
(04:25):
And Dana took the time like,
Everybody's in a hurry.
We got to get going, got to get going, got to get going.
And you took the time to show this kid how to shoot.
And I mean, it was taking time.
I about was in tears watching this thing because it was emotional in the fact that I waswitnessing this, but it was emotional in the fact that I believe in people taking time.
(04:58):
to help people and the more we help the people, the more we help the world become a betterplace.
And that day I witnessed it right in front of me.
You are a special person and I tell people that because of this.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
I mean, that was that was also, you know, very actual for me, like not not in the moment.
(05:25):
Looking back and like reflecting on it, it is.
ah But that was like one of the one of the first times I realized like people really arewatching.
And that's that was like that was very impactful for me because I you know, people peopleare always paying attention when you know, there's lights and cameras and
(05:46):
someone has a camera out people are always on computer but no one is always no one'srealizing who is watching you know when there's no cameras or there's no famous people or
stakes involved like you know no high stakes involved and it's it's you you really findout the true nature of of a person when you see how they treat others when
(06:16):
There's there's no benefit for them.
Like there was that competition.
I'm a very, very competitive person.
remember like, I remember everything about that event.
I was scared to even go into the pool for getting picked because I didn't want to getlast.
And I was nervous about getting picked last.
I like the my confidence level from like who I am today from when I was competing in thisevent.
(06:42):
However, many years ago is just like, is night and day.
um But I was scared to even go into the pool to compete.
And then here I am on a team and I had the most incredible team.
uh I adore every single one of those people.
And we all like, really were a team in this kid.
(07:03):
I think he was like 15, never shot a gun before.
And he steps up in this competition to shoot a rifle.
And I was like.
I was like, wait, maybe we should have somebody who knows what they're doing do this.
ah But he stepped up to do it.
And so I was like, OK, he's going to do this and I'm going to help him.
(07:24):
We're going to do this together.
And it was like 200 yard targets.
It was amazing.
know, and it was the most in watching you be patient and watching the, I mean, your teamwas patient too, but to watch you do what bring this smile, like when you took off running
(07:48):
and then I, the smile on that kid's face.
then when, but to watch, sometimes you get to
watch something from that 30,000 feet, you know, kind of thing.
And to watch a transformation happen is amazing.
It brought faith to me, like I said, in this world that we can be good and we can dothings in a good manner.
(08:18):
And I know it was funny because you guys took off and I watched a few other people, but Iknew
When you guys finished, the one thing I wanted to do, I don't know if I told you thatnight or if I told you that morning, but I was going to make a point to tell you what you
did because you needed to know it because I think people need to know how they'reimpacting the world.
(08:45):
I wish more people would tell people you've impacted me or I saw how you impacted somebodyelse because I think that brings good things and that's
Now the world knows because now we have it on, it's recorded, but it's funny when you talkabout, when I talk about you in any sense, if I'm around anybody and your name would come
(09:09):
up or anything, that story comes up because I want people to know who you are.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And that means a lot.
It means a lot.
And, you know, like, like I said, we're, we're friends.
mean, we have, we have, don't do a lot together, but I mean, at least we talk to eachother when we see each other, you know, that kind of stuff.
(09:33):
So it's not like we're best buddies and I'm trying to build you up.
I'm telling you, I think that this is something that people need to see.
You know what I mean?
You know what I mean?
I'm going to build anybody up, but I'm just saying, you know what I mean?
That this is.
This is, that was a very impactful moment for me.
(09:54):
I know it was a very impactful moment for that kid.
And I, I don't know about your team because I don't, didn't know them, many of the otherones on that team, but it was so fun to watch.
You, you are amazing.
And in that aspect and, and for not be, and the other amazing part about this is youhadn't shot a lot of rifles.
(10:19):
No, no.
brand new.
Like, I'm not brand new, but I was not a gun person at this time.
hahahahah
I can't even teach him that I...
It worked out.
(10:40):
Well, it did work out and I think it was also because of your archery background too.
We learned patience and we learn, learn how to shoot our bows and breathe and shoot androughly.
mean, not that they're, they're similar, but different.
And you know what I mean?
You don't have to pull back the bow, but it was just so fun to watch.
(11:03):
then it's funny that you, it's funny that you didn't, hadn't shot a lot.
Yeah.
So there's a couple different divisions.
There's like an elite division, but that's like, that's.
(11:24):
little too extreme for me so I do I do the tactical division which is the next one downand and I I won
Well, I love hearing that.
How would I mean, how did you get into that?
So when I started working at SIG, I was brand new and some of the people, they reachedout, they were like, hey, we hear you're kind of into fitness.
(11:50):
Do you want to come join the Tactical Games team that SIG is on?
And I told them, I was like, this sounds great.
I don't have any of the stuff.
I don't shoot competitively.
I know how to use a gun, but I was not competent with a firearm versus a bow.
(12:13):
Give me a bow.
I could do a tactical aim to the bow, no problem.
But a pistol and a carbine rifle were a different story.
And they told us, they were like, hey, we'll help you get your kit together, get outfittedwith everything you need.
Obviously, I...
know, work at the company that we use all the firearms, ammo, optics, everything likethat.
(12:38):
So I was able to, you know, to get outfitted with all the necessary like tools to go andcompete.
um But it was probably one of the most nerve wracking things that I've done.
Well, not in the last couple of years.
I've moved across the country, but it was...
(12:58):
It was difficult because I had to, you know, kind of take a step back and be a beginneragain.
And that's never easy.
I'm not good at like being bad at things.
And I think that's why I dive in headfirst whenever I get into like a new hobby orsomething that I enjoy because I don't like being bad at things and I struggle with that.
(13:23):
And I was very bad at this.
Like, I'm really good at like, you know, fitness and working out.
And I was, I was decent at shooting, but then putting those two modalities together was adisaster.
Like, it was trying to shoot when you're, you know, you go do a CrossFit workout and thenshoot a bullseye at like a two inch triangle at five yards.
(13:47):
And you'd be lucky if you hit one.
Like it's...
It's very hard, but it's so much fun.
It's some of the most fun I've had in years.
I'm hooked on the experience, that community, everything.
I love
Well, and then to look at your posts, my gosh, you're beaten and bruised and battered andbeat the heck out of yourself and still shooting things.
(14:16):
Yeah, I leave it all out there.
hahahaha
But, yeah, that, go ahead.
it done?
And I can kind of feel that I'm like, you know, getting a bruise in a certain spot or likebruising myself up.
I was like, I gotta go.
I can stop when I'm done.
(14:39):
I love hearing that.
That's awesome.
I love that we have the competitiveness, but we also, like I said, you took the patiencewith that kid, but I love seeing you succeed.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
And the other thing I, you know, do you, I mean, I watch what you're doing and you mightnot think it, I don't know if you do or know it, but if people are watching you.
(15:19):
I see a lot of other females out there trying to do things, but I think with mepersonally, this is me.
So, but I look at you as more of a empowering women than a lot of the other people Ifollow because you're, you know, you're not, you're not growing up shooting your uh
(15:48):
of of importance of of importance of importance of of importance of importance importanceof of of
showing women that they can do whatever they put their mind to.
um showing, I mean, you know, I mean, I'm good friends with Ashley Kirtanbach and she'sroughly the same as me and same as you in that aspect of, I mean, you've been at tack.
(16:26):
Yeah.
think we're good friends because she's just like, I just, a sister or whatever, because wedon't give her any slack.
And that's what I see from you is showing women that they can do whatever they put theirmind to if they do put their mind to it.
(16:48):
Yeah, yeah.
And that's that like that that makes me so happy.
I try.
I always try to be you know, kind of like a positive light in in everyone's lives.
And I want to be like I, I want to be an example, you know, if if young girls are watchingme and like and seeing what I'm doing in life, like that.
(17:11):
would mean the world to me because I never imagined that I would be where I'm at in life.
I grew up in a small town.
People don't get out of my town.
They stay in the area, um which is great.
I'm not saying that there's anything negative about that, um but they go to college, theyget married, they move back, they have their family, and they raise their family in my
(17:40):
hometown.
And that's a beautiful thing.
um That never, I'm not married, I don't have kids, so like that didn't happen for me.
Hopefully it does someday.
ah
It's led me to, you know, to kind of venture into this whole world that I never reallyknew existed and I never knew that I could venture into.
(18:07):
you know, these, there are certain opportunities and certain doors that have opened for mejust by saying yes to certain things and, and, know, being, being like the person that I
am and connecting with others and being, being a genuine person.
um
I think people see that and they understand that em I'm not trying to be their friend forany negative reasons.
(18:36):
I genuinely want to be friends with people and I want what's best for them um andespecially females.
Coming from where I did grow up, I saw a lot of very negative female relationships and hada lot of very...
negative female relationships growing up like playing sports.
(19:00):
I mean, some of the girls I played sports with were some of the meanest girls that I'veever had.
And that kind of like had me very jaded when it came to women just because of what I hadexperienced, you know, through like high school.
But then I got into the real world and I have my girl gang now that I've kind of been
(19:24):
just like gathering over the last couple years.
um And we're all over the country.
Like I have friends, mean, some of my best friends are in Georgia, Virginia Beach,California, Idaho, um all over.
So they're all just kind of sprinkled around the country.
um But I know if I really need something or um just need a little pick me up, I can reachout to any of these girls and they want me to win.
(19:54):
We're not in competition with each other.
And I think that's one of the biggest things is like, especially being a female, you'rekind of like, you're kind of taught at a young age that you have to compete with other
girls for attention, for boys, for anything like that.
em And that's not what I'm about.
(20:15):
I just, want to lift others up and show them like their potential.
Cause I've had that from
from my friends and some of my adult female friends, they've believed in me and given methe confidence to get to where I'm at.
And if I can kind of be that for someone else, I want someone else to realize theirpotential.
(20:38):
Because sometimes when you're looking in the mirror, you're like, I can't do that.
I can't lift that much weight.
I can't go do this workout or go shoot this gun.
Or I can't shoot as far as this guy can.
And it's like, yes.
Yes, you can.
You are fully capable if you set your mind to it and you put the effort into doingsomething, you can do whatever you want to do.
(21:03):
And that's why you're on this podcast too, because Don't Die Rusty is about chasing theirdreams, being the best you, living your best life.
And you are setting that example because I like hearing that stuff that I like.
We try to lift people up in it.
And I see you lifting people up on your social media and that is the best thing in theworld to watch and know that, you know, I mean, I've talked about you earlier, but
(21:32):
to see the good things that you're doing.
And to see, the other thing I like seeing is like, you keep on doing so many things thatare different.
I like, mean, we talked about this before we were recording, but I like that we aren'tlabeling ourselves.
(21:59):
First of all, you are authentic.
That's what I hope people think of me because you only get Rick.
I'm not labeled.
like people.
When I was telling people I was going to start a podcast, they thought it was all going tobe honey.
I don't want to ever want to put myself in the label and only be in the box.
(22:19):
I want to be outside the box and you're outside the box too, because you do so manydifferent things.
mean, I
I would like to have as many airline points as you have to have, because you're all overthe country.
(22:42):
Because I love seeing you go on your adventures and we were talking earlier, like when youstart saying yes to things and changing, changing.
that perspective of not being afraid to go do things.
That's empowering women too.
(23:02):
And you're empowering other people.
If you say yes and go on an adventure and you have a good time, that is the most wonderfulthing in the world.
now that other people, like the people that might follow us, go follow you and they say,
weeks.
(23:23):
And we're to a research and we're going be a lot of research the future the university.
And we're going to doing a lot of research on the the university.
And we're going to be a lot of on future of And we're going to doing a the And we're a lotof on the
(23:46):
you know what I mean?
You're all over the country and.
I love seeing that because I love seeing people living their best life.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's the goal.
Like, um I did like a little Q &A thing on my Instagram the other day.
(24:07):
And one of my friends from California, her question was like, how do you stay motivated?
And I was like, wow, like that's a
That's a big question.
I was like, well, I'm not motivated a lot of the time.
it's just what I have to do to like, you know, like I'm not married.
I don't have anyone to rely on.
(24:29):
Like um I rely on myself and I have to do certain things in order to, you know, make apaycheck and be able to pay my rent.
And um I've like, I've really been intentional with my life to...
to build and say yes to things that I want to do.
And there's a bunch of things that I have to do in order to get to do the things that Iwant to do.
(24:55):
And I've just been building more and more to be able to do more of that I want to do andtry and incorporate the things that I love doing into my career.
my job now, I, know, it's something I love doing.
(25:18):
I get to interact with people.
get to ah see people at shows.
I get to, you know, talk to people and meet new people.
And it's like, if I can have a job that I love, that's the best of both worlds.
Because then, you know, when I'm out of the office going and having fun, like I'm enjoyingmy life.
And then if I'm in the office doing something that I love, then
(25:42):
how can you be mad about that?
And that's what life is about for me.
I want to build it to what I want it to be, not what anyone else thinks it should be forme.
It's what I want it to be.
And you're winning.
And that's the cool thing.
know, I mean, to watch you grow in the industry, you are focused.
(26:11):
It's funny, like you say you go to shows, but you are a focused person at a show too.
I understand people come and chat with you, but you make sure that everything is
Right, you know what I mean?
When you're in the booth, you're in the booth and you have your people that will come andchat with you because they know you.
(26:35):
But I see it's interesting because you can have fun doing that and you can also, well,there's a potential customer and I'll talk to you in a bit, but I'm gonna go do this now.
You know what I mean?
And it's so fun to see how you've been focused and that you.
(26:55):
You keep moving forward in your career and you keep chasing the dreams and you are thatway because there are many people that don't, that are scared, that saying, know what,
what if, well, here's the deal.
If you don't go do it, you'd never know what if.
(27:18):
You know, you can't, I look at it as, I mean, I do a lot of stuff because
I want to, and I've talked about this many times.
I'll ask a person to go do something maybe once.
And then you may forget the second time.
I don't ask the third time and I'm still going.
Cause it's my life and I want to do something.
(27:41):
I want to go on that adventure.
I'm going to go on that adventure.
And I like seeing that in you and, and how you go chasing your dreams all over thecountry.
And I mean, heck.
I see you were at UFC.
You got to stand on the, in the ring.
(28:04):
Wasn't it Dustin Poirier or Nugget Gagee?
Wasn't it Gagee?
it was Kamaru.
Kamaru Usman was the main card for that one.
but you were in the ring with Gagey, weren't you?
oh
for many years, you know, I first met him that back to my Kofaru days um back before hewas the superstar that he is like I met him.
(28:31):
You know, Luke Cadillo, who's, you know, a very dear friend, uh incredible person himself,um worked very closely with Kofaru and kind of brought Justin into that world.
And he was Justin's he's one of Justin's coaches and
I've been very close with Luke throughout the years and just kind of known Justin and thenum spent more time with Justin.
(28:55):
Last summer we did this um big ARC Invitational for Thig and Justin and Luke were on myteam and so we spent a couple days together and then I wanted to go.
So I met Kamaru at
uh in Denver so Justin trains at this gym and Kamaru trains there as well and he was therefor training camp and I went to go check out the facility visit Luke and Justin and just
(29:26):
say hi when I was in Denver and Kamaru just happened to be training him and Trevor hiscoach and so I stopped by to say hi and met him and I was like hey I found out the fights
were in Atlanta I had no idea that they were there um
of some of my very best friends live in Atlanta.
And so I texted them and was like, hey guys, I want to come down for the fights.
(29:49):
Like, let's do this.
And so we made it all happen.
And it was such an incredible experience.
But it's just people that I know and um other good people that I have met along the way.
And uh it's kind of like there are a lot of pinch me moments in my life.
(30:10):
And it was really cool.
to experience that and just be in that atmosphere.
like, it's cool to me because things I use, like people and things that I used to just seeon TV, like I'm experienced.
And that's like, that's incredible.
(30:30):
I'm like, I can't believe that this is my life.
It's amazing.
Well, you know, mean, that's the deal.
People ask me, how do you get lucky to meet certain people, you know?
And I said, well, you know what?
I'm there for one thing.
And I'm not afraid to talk to people on the other.
(30:51):
I hope that people look at, I mean, we were talking earlier about being authentic.
Like I said, you get Rick, you get Dana.
This is who we are.
I'm not asking you for anything.
I'm trying to be your friend too.
mean, if you want to be my friend, this is who you get.
(31:11):
I'm not asking for anything.
And that's how I've, I've just ran into people and, been places and seen things.
And it's just like, it just happens.
But I think the other part about that of you meeting people and I'm meeting people is wedo say, yes, we do want to plan it.
(31:33):
And you said,
I like how you say you were in Denver.
said it's the fights in Atlanta.
Let's do this.
And, and, and how many people do that though?
They, so many people are afraid like, you know, well, we got to travel and what's going tohappen here and what's going to do, you know, we might get a hang nail and we won't be
(31:53):
able to go.
I'm just, you know, but it, but
at reasons that they can't and they make excuses.
They, you know, I've seen a lot of people in my life who like, if they want to dosomething, they make it happen.
They figure out a way to make it happen.
Like you say, don't have time for something like look at your day.
(32:16):
Like what can you cut out in your day to make time for something?
And it's like, it's all about where you set your priority.
And it's like if your priorities are family and being home and you know rocking the familylife like that's awesome like but whatever you prioritize like Just do it well like just
(32:36):
set your priorities and know your priorities and like you know sit with yourself andfigure out what those are and You know me like I'm single.
I Don't have a family.
I don't have pets like I travel too much to have pets so it's like
I want to go and do things and I want to experience things and if an opportunity presentsitself, I am going all in because when am I going to get the opportunity again?
(33:04):
And too many people like, oh no, I can't do that because of this.
it takes more work and it takes more effort, but do you want to miss out on this epicopportunity or do you want to sit and hum and haw and be sad about your life?
Exactly, and this is, here's the funny thing folks, because I'm gonna tell you somethingDana, to do this podcast tonight episode, we had to do it after Dana got done working out,
(33:37):
which is you are setting your priorities, but you're still doing this.
So thank you.
But like I get up at four, I get up at quarter to five every morning, 4.45 every morning,and I go for my walk.
It's about three or four miles.
Um, but I make that a priority you have, but here's the deal.
(33:58):
I mean, people call it self-discipline or, and I, it right now it's not self-disciplinebecause I enjoy doing it.
You know what I mean?
It's 4 45 rolls around.
I always feel like getting out of bed because I, it's like the world unwraps in front ofyou and watch when you watch the sunrise and.
(34:21):
That's our priorities.
And you can do things.
Like if I want to go on some big adventure, I save the money.
You might have to sacrifice some things to go do other things.
I'm, you know, I mean, and I laugh because people, people ask me, how could you get to goon a hunting trip?
(34:45):
How do you get to go here?
How do you get to do this?
Why do you do that?
Well, both of us are in the same boat.
some similar, because I have step kids, but I don't have any personal kids of myself.
So, and I'm old, I just get to go do things, but I make them priorities.
If I want to go on a hunting trip, that's where I'm going to go.
(35:06):
If I'm going to go on another trip or whatever, if I want a new bow, if I want a newpistol or whatever, I make it a priority and I get it.
Yeah.
(35:27):
you know, if that's your priority, then that's fine.
But I want to go live life.
I want to, I want, there's one thing that you can never take away from you or I because ofour adventures.
And that's because we will always have our memories.
You can always make money, but
(35:48):
I love seeing you being young, because this is the biggest thing I tell young people is gochase these dreams and go do these things while you can, because you never know when you
can't.
Tomorrow is never given to us.
(36:08):
So live today, make friends and have those close ones and go on adventures and make thosememories.
Yeah, yeah, it's it's You know, I I I
I'm a completely different person, like now from where I was, you know, five, even 10years ago.
(36:35):
And it's, I think a lot of people don't go and do things out of fear.
um I know I like, you know, I was scared to go do so many things.
Like I couldn't even go to like the grocery store by myself when I was younger.
Like took a long time to be able to like go grocery shopping by myself or go to the gym bymyself or go.
(36:56):
into the weight section of the gym by myself.
But if you never challenge yourself, you're just going to stay where you are.
And if you're not happy with where you are, then that sucks.
Who wants to live a life that sucks?
If you're not happy, yeah, it's gonna be hard to change it, but pick your heart.
(37:19):
Do you wanna suffer through something that you don't like for the rest of your life?
Or do you wanna...
challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone.
And that's, I understand how hard that could be.
Like that's not me just saying that.
Like I picked up and moved my life across the country.
Like that was terrifying.
But also like I knew like deep down, like that was the next step in my life.
(37:43):
Like I had no reservations because it was like, okay, this is where life is taking meright now.
I never could have imagined being here.
Like never, ever.
ever and I didn't even know where New Hampshire was.
had to look it up on a map.
it's, know, people like people have asked me like even people up here.
(38:05):
ah Like they don't really get outside of New England.
Like some people have never even been outside of New England.
And that's like that's amazing to me.
Like, I want to get out and I want to see the places that I want to go experience.
the areas that I've never been.
I want to go be immersed in the culture and the community and I want to see places andmake friends with people and just go have adventures.
(38:36):
That's what life's about.
I don't want to punch a time clock at the office and hate my life.
I want to enjoy it.
I hear you there, cause...
You know, I mean, you said earlier, like you get to go on your adventures and then you getto, uh, you get to live, have a job you love.
(39:05):
How many people really get to do that?
mean, I, it's, it's a rare thing in this day and age.
And I love that you get to do that.
And, but how was it?
How it's interesting.
How was it coming from Utah to move to the East Coast?
(39:31):
I mean, the different people, life, how was that a change?
In every single aspect of life, it's like polar opposite.
I come from, you Utah, the high desert.
There's no water in Utah.
(39:54):
There's a bunch of land, like you can see there's no trees.
um You can see miles and miles.
um There's not that many people.
People are spread out.
and out here on the East Coast, everybody lives on top of each other.
Everybody is condensed in this small landmass because it's such a small area.
(40:17):
I can be in three different states in 15 minutes and that's unheard of because you candrive from one side of the other in eight hours.
It's significant.
the people are just like, go, go, go.
there, it's almost like a heightened sense of urgency out here.
(40:39):
And people don't just like, enjoy life.
But you also have like a very different type of person here.
ah You know, you have a lot of like celebrities and old money and ah very, very wealthypeople, which like you don't have in my hometown, like I'm not used to that kind of wealth
(41:03):
too.
ah
But there's lakes everywhere, there's water everywhere, there's ticks everywhere, one ofmy biggest fear ever.
um But it's completely different.
Everything is so small.
My boss here will say, he's like, there's a lot of nothing, but there's a little ofeverything.
(41:28):
So there's like, you can fish, you can hunt, you can hike.
the hills here, just there, small mountains.
But there's a lot of little things you can do, but there's just so many people.
I went hiking the other day and there were hundreds of people in this area because there'snot that many places to go, so everybody kind of goes to the same spots to get outside and
(42:00):
get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine up here.
Huh, I mean, because it's funny, in May, I live in the Black Hills in Spearfish, it'sfunny because we're normally not humid, and we've been having rain and rain and rain, and
(42:24):
I said, if I wanted to live in humidity, I would move there.
And I saw my first mosquito the other day, and I'm not...
You know, we don't have mosquitoes here really in Spearfish.
And for me, anyway, I haven't seen many and they're starting to come out in the eveningsand my morning walks.
I never see really anything, but it's just crazy because I'm, and I can't, I can'timagine.
(42:52):
I can, but you know, my best part of going to Denver, we'll just say a big city was
Yeah.
I, I think you need to go to these places and see them and experience these places.
(43:12):
Like you're getting to experience it.
And, and then you know how other people live.
People don't, like you said, some people have never left New England.
And I know people, some people that have probably never met, left, left South Dakota.
(43:33):
You know, I mean, maybe cross the border.
in North Dakota or Minnesota, but or wherever, but they don't hardly ever leave SouthDakota.
And those are, it kind of makes me sad because people think that they can look at theinternet and they can be there and you can't, cause you can't smell the smells.
(43:57):
can't see the people.
You can't do the things like I've never been to New York and
Maybe someday I will, but, um, and I'm not interested at the moment, but I do want to goplaces.
I do see places.
I mean, I've been places and I go places because that's who I am.
And if I get something like, it's funny because I'm really seriously thinking about goingto the Tour de France next year.
(44:27):
Or, or I have my friend, Emily Hawgood, who's
She runs the UTMB world at Chamonix.
And I'm thinking about it's either the Tour de France or Chamonix to watch the UTMB.
uh But you know, I like to, I wanna say, I wanna experience it.
(44:56):
I wanna experience, because I've always liked the Tour de France, but.
I'm not a, I'm not a professional bike rider by any means.
And I'd rather hike than bike because I have to watch where I'm going and I don't like towreck.
But I think everybody should see different cultures and they should see different sportingevents or different events that they may never ever see like running the bulls or, you
(45:26):
know, whatever.
But I want to see the Tour de France and, and I think
If people dream about these things, but they don't do them, you know what?
That's one that just might happen in the near future.
Yeah, I mean, it kind of goes to your point a little.
What you said earlier is like people put themselves in this box and I did for a long time,like early in my career, like in the outdoor industry, like I put myself in this box and I
(45:55):
was like, I can't be like, I can't go do girly things because then people aren't going totake me seriously in the hunting industry.
Like, and I didn't do so many things because I thought people wouldn't take me seriously.
And now I'm at a point I'm like,
I can go get dressed up.
There's a fundraiser in Nashville that I've gone to the last couple years.
(46:19):
go, I have somebody do my makeup and my hair because I don't know how to do that.
And I get all dolled up and it's so much fun, but I do it once a year.
And I'm like, it's not my everyday thing, but I have so much fun with it.
And I've just, I've been experiencing all of these other kind of industries andexperiences.
(46:41):
And I never would have done that before because I was scared, you know, that peoplewouldn't take me seriously if I got outside of this little box.
But like, I put myself in that box because of like what other people would think.
um And now I'm realizing that you can be all the things you want to be.
(47:03):
You don't have to be, you know, I don't have to be just a bow hunter.
I don't have to be
whatever my job is.
I am me and I can do all of these things and all of those things make up who I am.
It's been a struggle from experience to experience, all of the roller coaster that hasbeen my life the last few years.
(47:30):
um But it's the identity, it's what you identify with.
And if you
If your identity is in your job and you no longer have that job, then that's a reallytough time.
you put your value into that.
And then once you like, if you retire or, you know, you, you move on to another place,like you, it's, it's a real struggle.
(47:59):
And, and I think I've seen, I've done that so much, but it's also like, I put everythinginto
what I do because I believe in it.
I typically like the last few positions that I've had like it fits so naturally within mylife because I live it.
Like I'm doing like what I am passionate about.
(48:24):
So it just naturally falls into like my everyday and into my life.
So it's been hard to kind of like have that separation.
uh But even that's like, you know, an ongoing
battle with learning to, you know, kind of separate who I am, who I actually am.
um
(48:47):
And it's funny that you, you know, I was like all my vacation time, all, maybe two dayswould go to hunting because I thought that's what I needed to be.
That's who people saw me as.
I thought, and you do that for so long.
(49:08):
I started getting questions in my head, like, how many tags do you need?
And how many animals do you need to kill?
And how many, how much do you need?
Because in the end, it's for you.
And in the end, it's people.
(49:31):
And you can agree or disagree with me here, but in the end, you learn it's not so mucheverything else.
It's the person you are.
And it's the relationships you have that get you where you're at.
And
And that's why I thought, you know what, I I love, I love hunting, but you know what, if Icould, I would have a memory of the tour de France, we'll just say, or whatever, you know,
(50:02):
and I started thinking, I don't know if it was burnout or what it is, but it was justlike, I want to go do some other things too.
And, and that's what I love.
I love that.
You're doing that too.
know, you're not just, like I said, we're both being outside the box here and not beinglabeled.
(50:27):
But you can, both of us, or for sure you, can still inspire people to be the best them bywatching what you are doing.
Yeah, yeah, I hope I am.
It's definitely like, you know, I've seen a lot of people, and that kind of goes into theidentity.
(50:51):
Like, they're like, oh, I have to spend all of my time hunting because, you know, people,I don't know, for whatever, like someone else's perception of them.
And so like, they're putting in all of this effort.
And I did that for a long time.
I was like, I can't be in the hunting industry and not be like, you know, killing animals,you know, regularly getting it done.
(51:13):
Like, and so I kind of put my value in in that.
so I struggled for for a lot of years.
And I think I a little bit of burnout.
Like I got to a point where I was like, I'm not I'm not enjoying this because my mindsetwasn't in the correct place.
I wasn't doing it for the right reasons.
(51:34):
And I wasn't doing it for negative reasons, but I was doing it to, you know, to helpothers' perception of me, I guess.
Like I wasn't doing it for, you know, for the love of hunting.
And it's been more enjoyable to get out there like the last couple years because I, youknow, I used all of my time off in my early like going on hunts.
(52:03):
I didn't see my family for like years when I lived in Denver and saw my family once ayear, if that.
And, you know, and that was really tough for a number of reasons, but I put so muchemphasis into being like a good hunter.
And then like now I'm like, oh, I can do other things and I enjoy other things.
(52:25):
Like I don't want to just.
all of my focus go in one place and lose out on all of these other fun experiences that Icould be having.
Exactly.
I agree with you 100 % because I just, there's life to live because, you know, I had afull-time job and I was still hunting 60, 70 days a year.
(52:52):
You know, it was every weekend, every chance I got, I was gone.
And it's not good for relationships either when you're trying to, to
maybe make something be something.
I don't know what I was trying to be, but you know, it's not, but I loved it at the time Ithought, but now it's so much, so nice to, to dream about other things.
(53:22):
Not that I still don't dream about big elk and big deer and maybe someday a sheep, butit's so fun to be able to say, well, you know what?
I might go there, I might do this.
um Let's go.
(53:42):
you know, it's just one of those deals that I wish, I hope more people will startrealizing it's about the relationships and you don't have to, you don't have to go, I
mean, I'm all in with whatever I do too.
But I guess I'm all in on.
(54:03):
having all the adventures all over the world now or wherever, you know, that they are.
uh anyway, so what's in the future for Dana Monroe?
That's a great question.
um I've got a fun trip this weekend.
(54:27):
It's my birthday next week, so I'm going out and spending a few days with some friends.
I'm joining a friend on a hunt um at the end of this month in British Columbia, so that'sgoing to be really exciting.
I don't get a hunt, but I get to be the little tag.
But that's another thing, another like bucket list thing.
(54:52):
Like how can I pass up on this opportunity?
It's just too great.
um And then yeah, I've got a couple hunts for myself this year.
Hopefully I'm gonna go to another UFC fight in a few weeks, month and a half.
um Those.
(55:12):
Yeah, yeah.
ah And then other than that, don't know, it's usually stuff just kind of comes up and Ithrow it on my calendar and say, let's do it.
That is awesome.
You did draw Montana again, I saw.
And that makes me mad because you probably took my tag away.
(55:35):
And no, I'm just kidding.
Because I didn't draw Montana and I love Montana.
And I don't know what it is about Montana, but I just love Montana.
And it's just a skip from me.
So that's awesome.
uh But I love hearing.
all the stuff you're doing and enjoying the life that you're living.
(55:59):
So, and since I probably have talked to you for an hour and a half, even though it's beenonly an hour because of my stupidity of not hitting record, but in the end of every Most
Don't Die Rusty episodes, we ask one final question.
So I'll let you get to sleep since it's going to be 10 o'clock there.
(56:21):
um
But what's the good life to Dana Monroe?
It's exactly what I'm doing.
um It's saying yes to new experiences, um meeting new people, going to new places, andbeing able to do things that I never thought I would be able to do that just bring joy to
(56:48):
my life.
And it's amazing.
I'm doing it.
Well, that is awesome.
You know, and the other thing is I was really, how many, I think it's been like maybe twomonths I've been trying to talk to you and because I've been looking forward to this
(57:10):
conversation for so long because I wanted to tell you the story about you and the kid.
I just, I appreciate you coming on here with me, Dana.
And I
I truly appreciate it.
And I, I think you are a light in this world that people need to really follow.
(57:34):
And, you do make this world a better place and you do help.
I do think you empower women if they look, and I like how you say it, like people need tojust stop stabbing people in the back and just cheer people on.
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
(57:54):
And thank you.
Thank you so much.
That means a lot.
Well, you are welcome.
So anyway, don't die, Rusty fans.
Keep chasing your dreams, being the best you and don't die, Rusty.
Thank you so much, Dana.
Thank you.
You
Well, hello, don't die rusty nation.
Once again, the ineptness of myself, I didn't hit record.
So we've had a good conversation for about 20 minutes to a half hour.
Dana Monroe, my guest and I, and thank you for letting me re record this stuff.
(00:23):
Cause we've been having a great conversation and now I hope we can keep it, keep it up.
So tonight my guest is Dana Monroe.
And I am going to let her introduce herself just a little bit and I'm going to tell alittle story about her.
And then we will try to recap what we were just talking about.
(00:44):
Sometimes I feel like a total dumbass.
Okay, we've all been, I did that once too.
Hehehehehe
I work for Sig Sauer here in New Hampshire.
I'm from Utah, originally moved uh almost two years ago.
So a small town Western girl, you know, living out on the East Coast.
(01:07):
work the marketing department for Sig and do a brand manager and have kind of merged intomore of like a media relations role in the last couple weeks.
So yeah, that's me.
Well, that's cool Dana, cause I've known you, can't, I probably at least six or sevenyears.
(01:31):
And it's fun to be able to just sit down and talk to you now and let the world, my worldor the people around me know who you are.
And I am going to tell them a story about you from Winter Strong that has impacted my lifesince that fateful day happened.
(01:52):
And it's not really a fateful day.
It is so, it was an impactful day.
And it was, and if your name ever comes up in conversation, wherever I'm at, I tell peoplethis story.
And I think the world needs to know, if you want to know who Dana Monroe is, I'm going totell you a story who Dana Monroe is from my perspective.
(02:21):
And.
We were at Winter Strong.
I think it was Winter Strong too.
I can't remember which one it was.
And at Winter Strong, they have outdoor games.
have like, you learn how to lift, learn how to be like Laura Zero is there and she taughtus how to build a fire.
don't know.
(02:42):
And then they were doing all kinds.
You learn how to shoot better.
You pistols, rifles, you do some bow stuff.
but, and then it's all about lifting because it's Sorenex Outdoors and it's in SouthCarolina.
And.
And there's a race that happens and they, what they do is they shoot a bow at a target andthen people pick teams.
(03:09):
And, and I didn't run that year.
And, uh, it was interesting because I was up there at the shooting range and you guys comerunning in and you had a young fella who
(03:31):
He hadn't shot and I don't know.
It was interesting to watch because he was, I don't know if he was like very shy or if hewas just nervous.
But I saw Dana take the time.
(03:55):
And this is a race.
This is, they're trying to win some stuff.
And I saw Dana take the time and this kid, I saw him turn emotionally into likeconfidence.
It's amazing how you see like, it was kind of like rain and then the rainbow comes outbecause I saw a cloud of, I mean, was just confidence built up in him.
(04:25):
And Dana took the time like,
Everybody's in a hurry.
We got to get going, got to get going, got to get going.
And you took the time to show this kid how to shoot.
And I mean, it was taking time.
I about was in tears watching this thing because it was emotional in the fact that I waswitnessing this, but it was emotional in the fact that I believe in people taking time.
(04:58):
to help people and the more we help the people, the more we help the world become a betterplace.
And that day I witnessed it right in front of me.
You are a special person and I tell people that because of this.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
I mean, that was that was also, you know, very actual for me, like not not in the moment.
(05:25):
Looking back and like reflecting on it, it is.
ah But that was like one of the one of the first times I realized like people really arewatching.
And that's that was like that was very impactful for me because I you know, people peopleare always paying attention when you know, there's lights and cameras and
(05:46):
someone has a camera out people are always on computer but no one is always no one'srealizing who is watching you know when there's no cameras or there's no famous people or
stakes involved like you know no high stakes involved and it's it's you you really findout the true nature of of a person when you see how they treat others when
(06:16):
There's there's no benefit for them.
Like there was that competition.
I'm a very, very competitive person.
remember like, I remember everything about that event.
I was scared to even go into the pool for getting picked because I didn't want to getlast.
And I was nervous about getting picked last.
I like the my confidence level from like who I am today from when I was competing in thisevent.
(06:42):
However, many years ago is just like, is night and day.
um But I was scared to even go into the pool to compete.
And then here I am on a team and I had the most incredible team.
uh I adore every single one of those people.
And we all like, really were a team in this kid.
(07:03):
I think he was like 15, never shot a gun before.
And he steps up in this competition to shoot a rifle.
And I was like.
I was like, wait, maybe we should have somebody who knows what they're doing do this.
ah But he stepped up to do it.
And so I was like, OK, he's going to do this and I'm going to help him.
(07:24):
We're going to do this together.
And it was like 200 yard targets.
It was amazing.
know, and it was the most in watching you be patient and watching the, I mean, your teamwas patient too, but to watch you do what bring this smile, like when you took off running
(07:48):
and then I, the smile on that kid's face.
then when, but to watch, sometimes you get to
watch something from that 30,000 feet, you know, kind of thing.
And to watch a transformation happen is amazing.
It brought faith to me, like I said, in this world that we can be good and we can dothings in a good manner.
(08:18):
And I know it was funny because you guys took off and I watched a few other people, but Iknew
When you guys finished, the one thing I wanted to do, I don't know if I told you thatnight or if I told you that morning, but I was going to make a point to tell you what you
did because you needed to know it because I think people need to know how they'reimpacting the world.
(08:45):
I wish more people would tell people you've impacted me or I saw how you impacted somebodyelse because I think that brings good things and that's
Now the world knows because now we have it on, it's recorded, but it's funny when you talkabout, when I talk about you in any sense, if I'm around anybody and your name would come
(09:09):
up or anything, that story comes up because I want people to know who you are.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And that means a lot.
It means a lot.
And, you know, like, like I said, we're, we're friends.
mean, we have, we have, don't do a lot together, but I mean, at least we talk to eachother when we see each other, you know, that kind of stuff.
(09:33):
So it's not like we're best buddies and I'm trying to build you up.
I'm telling you, I think that this is something that people need to see.
You know what I mean?
You know what I mean?
I'm going to build anybody up, but I'm just saying, you know what I mean?
That this is.
This is, that was a very impactful moment for me.
(09:54):
I know it was a very impactful moment for that kid.
And I, I don't know about your team because I don't, didn't know them, many of the otherones on that team, but it was so fun to watch.
You, you are amazing.
And in that aspect and, and for not be, and the other amazing part about this is youhadn't shot a lot of rifles.
(10:19):
No, no.
brand new.
Like, I'm not brand new, but I was not a gun person at this time.
hahahahah
I can't even teach him that I...
It worked out.
(10:40):
Well, it did work out and I think it was also because of your archery background too.
We learned patience and we learn, learn how to shoot our bows and breathe and shoot androughly.
mean, not that they're, they're similar, but different.
And you know what I mean?
You don't have to pull back the bow, but it was just so fun to watch.
(11:03):
then it's funny that you, it's funny that you didn't, hadn't shot a lot.
Yeah.
So there's a couple different divisions.
There's like an elite division, but that's like, that's.
(11:24):
little too extreme for me so I do I do the tactical division which is the next one downand and I I won
Well, I love hearing that.
How would I mean, how did you get into that?
So when I started working at SIG, I was brand new and some of the people, they reachedout, they were like, hey, we hear you're kind of into fitness.
(11:50):
Do you want to come join the Tactical Games team that SIG is on?
And I told them, I was like, this sounds great.
I don't have any of the stuff.
I don't shoot competitively.
I know how to use a gun, but I was not competent with a firearm versus a bow.
(12:13):
Give me a bow.
I could do a tactical aim to the bow, no problem.
But a pistol and a carbine rifle were a different story.
And they told us, they were like, hey, we'll help you get your kit together, get outfittedwith everything you need.
Obviously, I...
know, work at the company that we use all the firearms, ammo, optics, everything likethat.
(12:38):
So I was able to, you know, to get outfitted with all the necessary like tools to go andcompete.
um But it was probably one of the most nerve wracking things that I've done.
Well, not in the last couple of years.
I've moved across the country, but it was...
(12:58):
It was difficult because I had to, you know, kind of take a step back and be a beginneragain.
And that's never easy.
I'm not good at like being bad at things.
And I think that's why I dive in headfirst whenever I get into like a new hobby orsomething that I enjoy because I don't like being bad at things and I struggle with that.
(13:23):
And I was very bad at this.
Like, I'm really good at like, you know, fitness and working out.
And I was, I was decent at shooting, but then putting those two modalities together was adisaster.
Like, it was trying to shoot when you're, you know, you go do a CrossFit workout and thenshoot a bullseye at like a two inch triangle at five yards.
(13:47):
And you'd be lucky if you hit one.
Like it's...
It's very hard, but it's so much fun.
It's some of the most fun I've had in years.
I'm hooked on the experience, that community, everything.
I love
Well, and then to look at your posts, my gosh, you're beaten and bruised and battered andbeat the heck out of yourself and still shooting things.
(14:16):
Yeah, I leave it all out there.
hahahaha
But, yeah, that, go ahead.
it done?
And I can kind of feel that I'm like, you know, getting a bruise in a certain spot or likebruising myself up.
I was like, I gotta go.
I can stop when I'm done.
(14:39):
I love hearing that.
That's awesome.
I love that we have the competitiveness, but we also, like I said, you took the patiencewith that kid, but I love seeing you succeed.
Yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
And the other thing I, you know, do you, I mean, I watch what you're doing and you mightnot think it, I don't know if you do or know it, but if people are watching you.
(15:19):
I see a lot of other females out there trying to do things, but I think with mepersonally, this is me.
So, but I look at you as more of a empowering women than a lot of the other people Ifollow because you're, you know, you're not, you're not growing up shooting your uh
(15:48):
of of importance of of importance of importance of of importance of importance importanceof of of
showing women that they can do whatever they put their mind to.
um showing, I mean, you know, I mean, I'm good friends with Ashley Kirtanbach and she'sroughly the same as me and same as you in that aspect of, I mean, you've been at tack.
(16:26):
Yeah.
think we're good friends because she's just like, I just, a sister or whatever, because wedon't give her any slack.
And that's what I see from you is showing women that they can do whatever they put theirmind to if they do put their mind to it.
(16:48):
Yeah, yeah.
And that's that like that that makes me so happy.
I try.
I always try to be you know, kind of like a positive light in in everyone's lives.
And I want to be like I, I want to be an example, you know, if if young girls are watchingme and like and seeing what I'm doing in life, like that.
(17:11):
would mean the world to me because I never imagined that I would be where I'm at in life.
I grew up in a small town.
People don't get out of my town.
They stay in the area, um which is great.
I'm not saying that there's anything negative about that, um but they go to college, theyget married, they move back, they have their family, and they raise their family in my
(17:40):
hometown.
And that's a beautiful thing.
um That never, I'm not married, I don't have kids, so like that didn't happen for me.
Hopefully it does someday.
ah
It's led me to, you know, to kind of venture into this whole world that I never reallyknew existed and I never knew that I could venture into.
(18:07):
you know, these, there are certain opportunities and certain doors that have opened for mejust by saying yes to certain things and, and, know, being, being like the person that I
am and connecting with others and being, being a genuine person.
um
I think people see that and they understand that em I'm not trying to be their friend forany negative reasons.
(18:36):
I genuinely want to be friends with people and I want what's best for them um andespecially females.
Coming from where I did grow up, I saw a lot of very negative female relationships and hada lot of very...
negative female relationships growing up like playing sports.
(19:00):
I mean, some of the girls I played sports with were some of the meanest girls that I'veever had.
And that kind of like had me very jaded when it came to women just because of what I hadexperienced, you know, through like high school.
But then I got into the real world and I have my girl gang now that I've kind of been
(19:24):
just like gathering over the last couple years.
um And we're all over the country.
Like I have friends, mean, some of my best friends are in Georgia, Virginia Beach,California, Idaho, um all over.
So they're all just kind of sprinkled around the country.
um But I know if I really need something or um just need a little pick me up, I can reachout to any of these girls and they want me to win.
(19:54):
We're not in competition with each other.
And I think that's one of the biggest things is like, especially being a female, you'rekind of like, you're kind of taught at a young age that you have to compete with other
girls for attention, for boys, for anything like that.
em And that's not what I'm about.
(20:15):
I just, want to lift others up and show them like their potential.
Cause I've had that from
from my friends and some of my adult female friends, they've believed in me and given methe confidence to get to where I'm at.
And if I can kind of be that for someone else, I want someone else to realize theirpotential.
(20:38):
Because sometimes when you're looking in the mirror, you're like, I can't do that.
I can't lift that much weight.
I can't go do this workout or go shoot this gun.
Or I can't shoot as far as this guy can.
And it's like, yes.
Yes, you can.
You are fully capable if you set your mind to it and you put the effort into doingsomething, you can do whatever you want to do.
(21:03):
And that's why you're on this podcast too, because Don't Die Rusty is about chasing theirdreams, being the best you, living your best life.
And you are setting that example because I like hearing that stuff that I like.
We try to lift people up in it.
And I see you lifting people up on your social media and that is the best thing in theworld to watch and know that, you know, I mean, I've talked about you earlier, but
(21:32):
to see the good things that you're doing.
And to see, the other thing I like seeing is like, you keep on doing so many things thatare different.
I like, mean, we talked about this before we were recording, but I like that we aren'tlabeling ourselves.
(21:59):
First of all, you are authentic.
That's what I hope people think of me because you only get Rick.
I'm not labeled.
like people.
When I was telling people I was going to start a podcast, they thought it was all going tobe honey.
I don't want to ever want to put myself in the label and only be in the box.
(22:19):
I want to be outside the box and you're outside the box too, because you do so manydifferent things.
mean, I
I would like to have as many airline points as you have to have, because you're all overthe country.
(22:42):
Because I love seeing you go on your adventures and we were talking earlier, like when youstart saying yes to things and changing, changing.
that perspective of not being afraid to go do things.
That's empowering women too.
(23:02):
And you're empowering other people.
If you say yes and go on an adventure and you have a good time, that is the most wonderfulthing in the world.
now that other people, like the people that might follow us, go follow you and they say,
weeks.
(23:23):
And we're to a research and we're going be a lot of research the future the university.
And we're going to doing a lot of research on the the university.
And we're going to be a lot of on future of And we're going to doing a the And we're a lotof on the
(23:46):
you know what I mean?
You're all over the country and.
I love seeing that because I love seeing people living their best life.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's the goal.
Like, um I did like a little Q &A thing on my Instagram the other day.
(24:07):
And one of my friends from California, her question was like, how do you stay motivated?
And I was like, wow, like that's a
That's a big question.
I was like, well, I'm not motivated a lot of the time.
it's just what I have to do to like, you know, like I'm not married.
I don't have anyone to rely on.
(24:29):
Like um I rely on myself and I have to do certain things in order to, you know, make apaycheck and be able to pay my rent.
And um I've like, I've really been intentional with my life to...
to build and say yes to things that I want to do.
And there's a bunch of things that I have to do in order to get to do the things that Iwant to do.
(24:55):
And I've just been building more and more to be able to do more of that I want to do andtry and incorporate the things that I love doing into my career.
my job now, I, know, it's something I love doing.
(25:18):
I get to interact with people.
get to ah see people at shows.
I get to, you know, talk to people and meet new people.
And it's like, if I can have a job that I love, that's the best of both worlds.
Because then, you know, when I'm out of the office going and having fun, like I'm enjoyingmy life.
And then if I'm in the office doing something that I love, then
(25:42):
how can you be mad about that?
And that's what life is about for me.
I want to build it to what I want it to be, not what anyone else thinks it should be forme.
It's what I want it to be.
And you're winning.
And that's the cool thing.
know, I mean, to watch you grow in the industry, you are focused.
(26:11):
It's funny, like you say you go to shows, but you are a focused person at a show too.
I understand people come and chat with you, but you make sure that everything is
Right, you know what I mean?
When you're in the booth, you're in the booth and you have your people that will come andchat with you because they know you.
(26:35):
But I see it's interesting because you can have fun doing that and you can also, well,there's a potential customer and I'll talk to you in a bit, but I'm gonna go do this now.
You know what I mean?
And it's so fun to see how you've been focused and that you.
(26:55):
You keep moving forward in your career and you keep chasing the dreams and you are thatway because there are many people that don't, that are scared, that saying, know what,
what if, well, here's the deal.
If you don't go do it, you'd never know what if.
(27:18):
You know, you can't, I look at it as, I mean, I do a lot of stuff because
I want to, and I've talked about this many times.
I'll ask a person to go do something maybe once.
And then you may forget the second time.
I don't ask the third time and I'm still going.
Cause it's my life and I want to do something.
(27:41):
I want to go on that adventure.
I'm going to go on that adventure.
And I like seeing that in you and, and how you go chasing your dreams all over thecountry.
And I mean, heck.
I see you were at UFC.
You got to stand on the, in the ring.
(28:04):
Wasn't it Dustin Poirier or Nugget Gagee?
Wasn't it Gagee?
it was Kamaru.
Kamaru Usman was the main card for that one.
but you were in the ring with Gagey, weren't you?
oh
for many years, you know, I first met him that back to my Kofaru days um back before hewas the superstar that he is like I met him.
(28:31):
You know, Luke Cadillo, who's, you know, a very dear friend, uh incredible person himself,um worked very closely with Kofaru and kind of brought Justin into that world.
And he was Justin's he's one of Justin's coaches and
I've been very close with Luke throughout the years and just kind of known Justin and thenum spent more time with Justin.
(28:55):
Last summer we did this um big ARC Invitational for Thig and Justin and Luke were on myteam and so we spent a couple days together and then I wanted to go.
So I met Kamaru at
uh in Denver so Justin trains at this gym and Kamaru trains there as well and he was therefor training camp and I went to go check out the facility visit Luke and Justin and just
(29:26):
say hi when I was in Denver and Kamaru just happened to be training him and Trevor hiscoach and so I stopped by to say hi and met him and I was like hey I found out the fights
were in Atlanta I had no idea that they were there um
of some of my very best friends live in Atlanta.
And so I texted them and was like, hey guys, I want to come down for the fights.
(29:49):
Like, let's do this.
And so we made it all happen.
And it was such an incredible experience.
But it's just people that I know and um other good people that I have met along the way.
And uh it's kind of like there are a lot of pinch me moments in my life.
(30:10):
And it was really cool.
to experience that and just be in that atmosphere.
like, it's cool to me because things I use, like people and things that I used to just seeon TV, like I'm experienced.
And that's like, that's incredible.
(30:30):
I'm like, I can't believe that this is my life.
It's amazing.
Well, you know, mean, that's the deal.
People ask me, how do you get lucky to meet certain people, you know?
And I said, well, you know what?
I'm there for one thing.
And I'm not afraid to talk to people on the other.
(30:51):
I hope that people look at, I mean, we were talking earlier about being authentic.
Like I said, you get Rick, you get Dana.
This is who we are.
I'm not asking you for anything.
I'm trying to be your friend too.
mean, if you want to be my friend, this is who you get.
(31:11):
I'm not asking for anything.
And that's how I've, I've just ran into people and, been places and seen things.
And it's just like, it just happens.
But I think the other part about that of you meeting people and I'm meeting people is wedo say, yes, we do want to plan it.
(31:33):
And you said,
I like how you say you were in Denver.
said it's the fights in Atlanta.
Let's do this.
And, and, and how many people do that though?
They, so many people are afraid like, you know, well, we got to travel and what's going tohappen here and what's going to do, you know, we might get a hang nail and we won't be
(31:53):
able to go.
I'm just, you know, but it, but
at reasons that they can't and they make excuses.
They, you know, I've seen a lot of people in my life who like, if they want to dosomething, they make it happen.
They figure out a way to make it happen.
Like you say, don't have time for something like look at your day.
(32:16):
Like what can you cut out in your day to make time for something?
And it's like, it's all about where you set your priority.
And it's like if your priorities are family and being home and you know rocking the familylife like that's awesome like but whatever you prioritize like Just do it well like just
(32:36):
set your priorities and know your priorities and like you know sit with yourself andfigure out what those are and You know me like I'm single.
I Don't have a family.
I don't have pets like I travel too much to have pets so it's like
I want to go and do things and I want to experience things and if an opportunity presentsitself, I am going all in because when am I going to get the opportunity again?
(33:04):
And too many people like, oh no, I can't do that because of this.
it takes more work and it takes more effort, but do you want to miss out on this epicopportunity or do you want to sit and hum and haw and be sad about your life?
Exactly, and this is, here's the funny thing folks, because I'm gonna tell you somethingDana, to do this podcast tonight episode, we had to do it after Dana got done working out,
(33:37):
which is you are setting your priorities, but you're still doing this.
So thank you.
But like I get up at four, I get up at quarter to five every morning, 4.45 every morning,and I go for my walk.
It's about three or four miles.
Um, but I make that a priority you have, but here's the deal.
(33:58):
I mean, people call it self-discipline or, and I, it right now it's not self-disciplinebecause I enjoy doing it.
You know what I mean?
It's 4 45 rolls around.
I always feel like getting out of bed because I, it's like the world unwraps in front ofyou and watch when you watch the sunrise and.
(34:21):
That's our priorities.
And you can do things.
Like if I want to go on some big adventure, I save the money.
You might have to sacrifice some things to go do other things.
I'm, you know, I mean, and I laugh because people, people ask me, how could you get to goon a hunting trip?
(34:45):
How do you get to go here?
How do you get to do this?
Why do you do that?
Well, both of us are in the same boat.
some similar, because I have step kids, but I don't have any personal kids of myself.
So, and I'm old, I just get to go do things, but I make them priorities.
If I want to go on a hunting trip, that's where I'm going to go.
(35:06):
If I'm going to go on another trip or whatever, if I want a new bow, if I want a newpistol or whatever, I make it a priority and I get it.
Yeah.
(35:27):
you know, if that's your priority, then that's fine.
But I want to go live life.
I want to, I want, there's one thing that you can never take away from you or I because ofour adventures.
And that's because we will always have our memories.
You can always make money, but
(35:48):
I love seeing you being young, because this is the biggest thing I tell young people is gochase these dreams and go do these things while you can, because you never know when you
can't.
Tomorrow is never given to us.
(36:08):
So live today, make friends and have those close ones and go on adventures and make thosememories.
Yeah, yeah, it's it's You know, I I I
I'm a completely different person, like now from where I was, you know, five, even 10years ago.
(36:35):
And it's, I think a lot of people don't go and do things out of fear.
um I know I like, you know, I was scared to go do so many things.
Like I couldn't even go to like the grocery store by myself when I was younger.
Like took a long time to be able to like go grocery shopping by myself or go to the gym bymyself or go.
(36:56):
into the weight section of the gym by myself.
But if you never challenge yourself, you're just going to stay where you are.
And if you're not happy with where you are, then that sucks.
Who wants to live a life that sucks?
If you're not happy, yeah, it's gonna be hard to change it, but pick your heart.
(37:19):
Do you wanna suffer through something that you don't like for the rest of your life?
Or do you wanna...
challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone.
And that's, I understand how hard that could be.
Like that's not me just saying that.
Like I picked up and moved my life across the country.
Like that was terrifying.
But also like I knew like deep down, like that was the next step in my life.
(37:43):
Like I had no reservations because it was like, okay, this is where life is taking meright now.
I never could have imagined being here.
Like never, ever.
ever and I didn't even know where New Hampshire was.
had to look it up on a map.
it's, know, people like people have asked me like even people up here.
(38:05):
ah Like they don't really get outside of New England.
Like some people have never even been outside of New England.
And that's like that's amazing to me.
Like, I want to get out and I want to see the places that I want to go experience.
the areas that I've never been.
I want to go be immersed in the culture and the community and I want to see places andmake friends with people and just go have adventures.
(38:36):
That's what life's about.
I don't want to punch a time clock at the office and hate my life.
I want to enjoy it.
I hear you there, cause...
You know, I mean, you said earlier, like you get to go on your adventures and then you getto, uh, you get to live, have a job you love.
(39:05):
How many people really get to do that?
mean, I, it's, it's a rare thing in this day and age.
And I love that you get to do that.
And, but how was it?
How it's interesting.
How was it coming from Utah to move to the East Coast?
(39:31):
I mean, the different people, life, how was that a change?
In every single aspect of life, it's like polar opposite.
I come from, you Utah, the high desert.
There's no water in Utah.
(39:54):
There's a bunch of land, like you can see there's no trees.
um You can see miles and miles.
um There's not that many people.
People are spread out.
and out here on the East Coast, everybody lives on top of each other.
Everybody is condensed in this small landmass because it's such a small area.
(40:17):
I can be in three different states in 15 minutes and that's unheard of because you candrive from one side of the other in eight hours.
It's significant.
the people are just like, go, go, go.
there, it's almost like a heightened sense of urgency out here.
(40:39):
And people don't just like, enjoy life.
But you also have like a very different type of person here.
ah You know, you have a lot of like celebrities and old money and ah very, very wealthypeople, which like you don't have in my hometown, like I'm not used to that kind of wealth
(41:03):
too.
ah
But there's lakes everywhere, there's water everywhere, there's ticks everywhere, one ofmy biggest fear ever.
um But it's completely different.
Everything is so small.
My boss here will say, he's like, there's a lot of nothing, but there's a little ofeverything.
(41:28):
So there's like, you can fish, you can hunt, you can hike.
the hills here, just there, small mountains.
But there's a lot of little things you can do, but there's just so many people.
I went hiking the other day and there were hundreds of people in this area because there'snot that many places to go, so everybody kind of goes to the same spots to get outside and
(42:00):
get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine up here.
Huh, I mean, because it's funny, in May, I live in the Black Hills in Spearfish, it'sfunny because we're normally not humid, and we've been having rain and rain and rain, and
(42:24):
I said, if I wanted to live in humidity, I would move there.
And I saw my first mosquito the other day, and I'm not...
You know, we don't have mosquitoes here really in Spearfish.
And for me, anyway, I haven't seen many and they're starting to come out in the eveningsand my morning walks.
I never see really anything, but it's just crazy because I'm, and I can't, I can'timagine.
(42:52):
I can, but you know, my best part of going to Denver, we'll just say a big city was
Yeah.
I, I think you need to go to these places and see them and experience these places.
(43:12):
Like you're getting to experience it.
And, and then you know how other people live.
People don't, like you said, some people have never left New England.
And I know people, some people that have probably never met, left, left South Dakota.
(43:33):
You know, I mean, maybe cross the border.
in North Dakota or Minnesota, but or wherever, but they don't hardly ever leave SouthDakota.
And those are, it kind of makes me sad because people think that they can look at theinternet and they can be there and you can't, cause you can't smell the smells.
(43:57):
can't see the people.
You can't do the things like I've never been to New York and
Maybe someday I will, but, um, and I'm not interested at the moment, but I do want to goplaces.
I do see places.
I mean, I've been places and I go places because that's who I am.
And if I get something like, it's funny because I'm really seriously thinking about goingto the Tour de France next year.
(44:27):
Or, or I have my friend, Emily Hawgood, who's
She runs the UTMB world at Chamonix.
And I'm thinking about it's either the Tour de France or Chamonix to watch the UTMB.
uh But you know, I like to, I wanna say, I wanna experience it.
(44:56):
I wanna experience, because I've always liked the Tour de France, but.
I'm not a, I'm not a professional bike rider by any means.
And I'd rather hike than bike because I have to watch where I'm going and I don't like towreck.
But I think everybody should see different cultures and they should see different sportingevents or different events that they may never ever see like running the bulls or, you
(45:26):
know, whatever.
But I want to see the Tour de France and, and I think
If people dream about these things, but they don't do them, you know what?
That's one that just might happen in the near future.
Yeah, I mean, it kind of goes to your point a little.
What you said earlier is like people put themselves in this box and I did for a long time,like early in my career, like in the outdoor industry, like I put myself in this box and I
(45:55):
was like, I can't be like, I can't go do girly things because then people aren't going totake me seriously in the hunting industry.
Like, and I didn't do so many things because I thought people wouldn't take me seriously.
And now I'm at a point I'm like,
I can go get dressed up.
There's a fundraiser in Nashville that I've gone to the last couple years.
(46:19):
go, I have somebody do my makeup and my hair because I don't know how to do that.
And I get all dolled up and it's so much fun, but I do it once a year.
And I'm like, it's not my everyday thing, but I have so much fun with it.
And I've just, I've been experiencing all of these other kind of industries andexperiences.
(46:41):
And I never would have done that before because I was scared, you know, that peoplewouldn't take me seriously if I got outside of this little box.
But like, I put myself in that box because of like what other people would think.
um And now I'm realizing that you can be all the things you want to be.
(47:03):
You don't have to be, you know, I don't have to be just a bow hunter.
I don't have to be
whatever my job is.
I am me and I can do all of these things and all of those things make up who I am.
It's been a struggle from experience to experience, all of the roller coaster that hasbeen my life the last few years.
(47:30):
um But it's the identity, it's what you identify with.
And if you
If your identity is in your job and you no longer have that job, then that's a reallytough time.
you put your value into that.
And then once you like, if you retire or, you know, you, you move on to another place,like you, it's, it's a real struggle.
(47:59):
And, and I think I've seen, I've done that so much, but it's also like, I put everythinginto
what I do because I believe in it.
I typically like the last few positions that I've had like it fits so naturally within mylife because I live it.
Like I'm doing like what I am passionate about.
(48:24):
So it just naturally falls into like my everyday and into my life.
So it's been hard to kind of like have that separation.
uh But even that's like, you know, an ongoing
battle with learning to, you know, kind of separate who I am, who I actually am.
um
(48:47):
And it's funny that you, you know, I was like all my vacation time, all, maybe two dayswould go to hunting because I thought that's what I needed to be.
That's who people saw me as.
I thought, and you do that for so long.
(49:08):
I started getting questions in my head, like, how many tags do you need?
And how many animals do you need to kill?
And how many, how much do you need?
Because in the end, it's for you.
And in the end, it's people.
(49:31):
And you can agree or disagree with me here, but in the end, you learn it's not so mucheverything else.
It's the person you are.
And it's the relationships you have that get you where you're at.
And
And that's why I thought, you know what, I I love, I love hunting, but you know what, if Icould, I would have a memory of the tour de France, we'll just say, or whatever, you know,
(50:02):
and I started thinking, I don't know if it was burnout or what it is, but it was justlike, I want to go do some other things too.
And, and that's what I love.
I love that.
You're doing that too.
know, you're not just, like I said, we're both being outside the box here and not beinglabeled.
(50:27):
But you can, both of us, or for sure you, can still inspire people to be the best them bywatching what you are doing.
Yeah, yeah, I hope I am.
It's definitely like, you know, I've seen a lot of people, and that kind of goes into theidentity.
(50:51):
Like, they're like, oh, I have to spend all of my time hunting because, you know, people,I don't know, for whatever, like someone else's perception of them.
And so like, they're putting in all of this effort.
And I did that for a long time.
I was like, I can't be in the hunting industry and not be like, you know, killing animals,you know, regularly getting it done.
(51:13):
Like, and so I kind of put my value in in that.
so I struggled for for a lot of years.
And I think I a little bit of burnout.
Like I got to a point where I was like, I'm not I'm not enjoying this because my mindsetwasn't in the correct place.
I wasn't doing it for the right reasons.
(51:34):
And I wasn't doing it for negative reasons, but I was doing it to, you know, to helpothers' perception of me, I guess.
Like I wasn't doing it for, you know, for the love of hunting.
And it's been more enjoyable to get out there like the last couple years because I, youknow, I used all of my time off in my early like going on hunts.
(52:03):
I didn't see my family for like years when I lived in Denver and saw my family once ayear, if that.
And, you know, and that was really tough for a number of reasons, but I put so muchemphasis into being like a good hunter.
And then like now I'm like, oh, I can do other things and I enjoy other things.
(52:25):
Like I don't want to just.
all of my focus go in one place and lose out on all of these other fun experiences that Icould be having.
Exactly.
I agree with you 100 % because I just, there's life to live because, you know, I had afull-time job and I was still hunting 60, 70 days a year.
(52:52):
You know, it was every weekend, every chance I got, I was gone.
And it's not good for relationships either when you're trying to, to
maybe make something be something.
I don't know what I was trying to be, but you know, it's not, but I loved it at the time Ithought, but now it's so much, so nice to, to dream about other things.
(53:22):
Not that I still don't dream about big elk and big deer and maybe someday a sheep, butit's so fun to be able to say, well, you know what?
I might go there, I might do this.
um Let's go.
(53:42):
you know, it's just one of those deals that I wish, I hope more people will startrealizing it's about the relationships and you don't have to, you don't have to go, I
mean, I'm all in with whatever I do too.
But I guess I'm all in on.
(54:03):
having all the adventures all over the world now or wherever, you know, that they are.
uh anyway, so what's in the future for Dana Monroe?
That's a great question.
um I've got a fun trip this weekend.
(54:27):
It's my birthday next week, so I'm going out and spending a few days with some friends.
I'm joining a friend on a hunt um at the end of this month in British Columbia, so that'sgoing to be really exciting.
I don't get a hunt, but I get to be the little tag.
But that's another thing, another like bucket list thing.
(54:52):
Like how can I pass up on this opportunity?
It's just too great.
um And then yeah, I've got a couple hunts for myself this year.
Hopefully I'm gonna go to another UFC fight in a few weeks, month and a half.
um Those.
(55:12):
Yeah, yeah.
ah And then other than that, don't know, it's usually stuff just kind of comes up and Ithrow it on my calendar and say, let's do it.
That is awesome.
You did draw Montana again, I saw.
And that makes me mad because you probably took my tag away.
(55:35):
And no, I'm just kidding.
Because I didn't draw Montana and I love Montana.
And I don't know what it is about Montana, but I just love Montana.
And it's just a skip from me.
So that's awesome.
uh But I love hearing.
all the stuff you're doing and enjoying the life that you're living.
(55:59):
So, and since I probably have talked to you for an hour and a half, even though it's beenonly an hour because of my stupidity of not hitting record, but in the end of every Most
Don't Die Rusty episodes, we ask one final question.
So I'll let you get to sleep since it's going to be 10 o'clock there.
(56:21):
um
But what's the good life to Dana Monroe?
It's exactly what I'm doing.
um It's saying yes to new experiences, um meeting new people, going to new places, andbeing able to do things that I never thought I would be able to do that just bring joy to
(56:48):
my life.
And it's amazing.
I'm doing it.
Well, that is awesome.
You know, and the other thing is I was really, how many, I think it's been like maybe twomonths I've been trying to talk to you and because I've been looking forward to this
(57:10):
conversation for so long because I wanted to tell you the story about you and the kid.
I just, I appreciate you coming on here with me, Dana.
And I
I truly appreciate it.
And I, I think you are a light in this world that people need to really follow.
(57:34):
And, you do make this world a better place and you do help.
I do think you empower women if they look, and I like how you say it, like people need tojust stop stabbing people in the back and just cheer people on.
Yeah, yeah, I agree.
(57:54):
And thank you.
Thank you so much.
That means a lot.
Well, you are welcome.
So anyway, don't die, Rusty fans.
Keep chasing your dreams, being the best you and don't die, Rusty.
Thank you so much, Dana.
Thank you.
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