December 18, 2024 • 46 mins
Welcome to the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery.
In this episode of “Militarily Speaking,” Tom and Jodi sit down with Chris Joyce, a Marine Corps veteran and the Program Director for Huts for Vets, a nonprofit organization offering therapeutic wilderness experiences for veterans. He shares his personal journey, the impactful programs, and how Huts for Vets supports veterans in transitioning to civilian life, and highlights the unique healing journey that veterans undergo in nature.
“Militarily Speaking” is a podcast produced by Armed Forces Bank that is dedicated to the military lifestyle and all the things that makes the military community who they are.
Ep. 69 – The Wilderness Retreat Changing Veterans' Lives Forever
Founded in 2013 by journalist Paul Anderson, Huts for Vets provides U.S. veterans and active-duty service members with therapeutic experiences at no cost. Based in Aspen, Colorado, the organization uses the wilderness to help veterans adjust to civilian life by equipping them with tools to enhance their mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
The Healing Power of WildernessChris Joyce elaborates on how Huts for Vets centers its program around the natural beauty of the White River National Forest. Participants engage in a five-day program, three of which are spent in the backcountry using the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association huts. These retreats offer veterans a chance to disconnect from their daily stresses and reconnect with nature, aiding in holistic healing.
The program features a curriculum of readings relating to nature and service, fostering group discussions that allow veterans to dive into deep conversation. Complementing these discussions are yoga, qigong, nutritious meals, and structured solo time for introspection and relaxation.
Building a Community for Military MembersHuts for Vets serves a unique blend of veterans, offering trips specifically tailored for men, women, and coed groups. Typically, each trip hosts 10-12 participants, a size optimal for fostering open dialogue and camaraderie. The organization also includes a mental health professional as part of the trip staff, providing additional support as needed.
Overwhelming Support and Growing DemandThe nonprofit heavily relies on sponsorships and donations from partners and sponsors. With a growing number of veterans expressing interest in their programs, Huts for Vets hosts around six trips yearly during the summer months but faces more applicants than they can accommodate, highlighting the increasing demand for such valuable programs.
Veterans Overcoming ObstaclesParticipants like "Justin," an Army veteran who overcame devastating injuries to regain basic skills, embody the transformative impact of Huts for Vets programs. His story of perseverance, courage, and resilience resonates with the mission to provide veterans with a renewed sense of purpose and community.
Expanding Opportunities for VeteransLooking ahead, Huts for Vets aims to integrate family units into their programs, recognizing the dynamic challenges that military life poses to families. By expanding their offerings to include spouses, the organization hopes to strengthen family bonds and promote healing together.
As an organization dedicated to the well-being of veterans, Huts for Vets stands as a beacon of healing and hope, leveraging the unique, restorative power of nature. For veterans interested in participating, and for potential sponsors looking to contribute, more information is available at hutsforvets.org.
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● Answer: 97%
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tom (00:00):
Militarily Speaking, Episode 69, Huts for Vets.
Jodi (00:05):
This episode, we talk with Chris Joyce, Program
Director with Huts for Vets.
Tom (00:21):
Welcome to Militarily Speaking, brought to you by Armed Forces Bank.
This is Tom McLean, who shouldn'tbe here right now, and Jody Vickery.
I'm the Military Retail Executivefor Armed Forces Bank, and Jody
is the Executive Vice President,Director of Consumer Banking.
I'm going to say it again,you're celebrating your four year
anniversary coming up really soon too.
So it's all about celebrationswhen you're involved with
(00:43):
Armed Forces Bank, Chris Joyce.
So thanks for joining us.
Get excited for the next couple ofhours because it's, it's a good time.
Jodi (00:50):
Don't run away, Chris.
I promise it will be two hours andfour is my lucky number, so it should
be a good year coming up again.
Welcome to our show.
We're excited to have you listeningand learning all about our guest,
Chris Joyce with Hutz for Vets.
And I want to take just a second,Chris, and tell our audience a little
bit about you all, all things thatare not new information for you, but
for them, it will be perhaps ChrisJoyce is the program director and
(01:12):
a board member for Huts for Vets.
He is a Marine Corps veteranhaving served from 2007 to 2011.
Thank you very much for your service,
Tom (01:20):
Chris,
Jodi (01:20):
along with facilitating Huts for Vets programs.
Chris focuses on helping veteranstake control over their health.
With a holistic approach preparingfuture participants physically and
mentally for their trip after completingthe huts for vets program He motivates
them to continue the positive momentumpost trip He's an avid outdoorsman a
nomad and is currently building superadobe domes in southern, Arizona I'm
(01:42):
gonna have that last sentence meansthat he's just way cooler than both of
Tom (01:45):
us combined.
Is that like PDF Adobeor is it what is it?
Jodi (01:49):
No, I, I don't think that's what that
Tom (01:51):
is.
It's close.
I
Jodi (01:54):
just think it'd be cool to be called a nomad.
See, I know a nomad.
Yeah.
I feel like putting thatafter the end of my name.
It's aspirational.
Yeah.
Jodi Vickery comma nomad.
Nomad.
Yes.
Very good.
Very good.
Well, welcome, Chris.
It's an honor to have you on our showand thank you for being with us today.
I'd love for you to just take a,take a few minutes here at the
top and tell our audience aboutHuts for Vets at the high level.
(02:15):
What is your mission?
Who do you serve?
And then I know that Tom and I havea whole bunch of questions for you
because we're, we're really interestedin what you guys are doing there.
It's a plethora.
Of questions.
Plethora of questions, one might say.
Chris Joyce (02:26):
Absolutely.
Well, again, thank you for having me here.
It's a, it's an honor to be here andshare the mission of Hutzervettes.
Yeah.
Hutzervettes was foundedin 2013 in Aspen, Colorado.
By a gentleman named PaulAnderson, a civilian.
He was.
is a journalist and has been in thecity of Aspen since the seventies and
(02:47):
Hudson vets provides at no cost to ourparticipants, wilderness and communal
experiences as therapeutic healing forus veterans and service and active duty.
or reservists service members.
And our mission is to help the veteransadjust to and enjoy civilian life by
gaining tools for enhancing mental,physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
(03:07):
What a great place to do thatfrom to Aspen's beautiful.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
We, we run our trips in the whiteriver national forest, which is
a pretty large national forest.
Chris, you've been there.
What?
Five years working for huts for vets.
Yes.
Yes.
I went on my first trip.
first Hutz Rovetz program in 2018.
And Paul Anderson, the founderof Hutz Rovetz was still
running trips at this point.
(03:28):
And I had a pretty, I wouldsay lackluster or underwhelming
four years in the Marine Corps.
I worked on C 130s.
I had a great time.
Nothing, nothing ill to say aboutthe Marine Corps whatsoever, but you
know, when you go through boot camp,you're, you're in, in doctrine and
you're going to kill and go to war.
And especially in 2007, it's rampingup to the height, height of the war.
(03:50):
And I deployed to Afghanistan.
I was in Kandahar and.
I was working on planes, 12 hours on, 12hours off carrying a rifle with 30 rounds
and not going outside the wire and kindof wondering why I'm lugging this rifle
around and I'm supposed to be turningwrenches and, and so, yeah, so I got
out and was pretty aimless for a while.
(04:10):
Many years after the Marine Corps,the mission, there was no mission
in the civilian life or the civilianworld that kind of compared to
the honor and the height of whatyou might find in, in, in service.
So I changed majors and when I was doingcivil engineering and then changed to film
major and then started working a corporatejob and just nothing was really sticking.
(04:33):
And, and then by 2018, I had a fellowveteran that I met in film schools.
Applied to Hudson vets and went andshe said, you need to go to this.
And I said, okay.
And so I applied and ittook Paul to call me first.
I got an email saying I was acceptedand I was like, well, I don't
deserve to be flown out to Colorado.
(04:53):
I was in Sacramento at the time.
And I was like, I don't deserve this.
I, I, I didn't.
I wasn't shooting at anybody.
It wasn't kicking downdoors like my other Marines.
And it finally took him after acouple of weeks, he called me.
He was like, Hey dude, areyou going to come or what?
And he really just like, you know, heconfronted me and I was like, wow, okay.
I guess, I guess I should go.
And so I went and it.
(05:14):
Truly changed my
Tom (05:14):
life.
So if Paul didn't call you, you mighthave never gone on the voyage, right?
Chris Joyce (05:20):
Oh, that's right I I don't know.
I don't know where I would be.
I I haven't really thought aboutthat a long time But that's
a that's a great question.
Yeah, my life would be completelydifferent if if Paul didn't call me
Tom (05:32):
But apparently going on the journey was life changing enough
and inspiring enough for youthat you said, you know what?
I'm gonna be part of this team, right?
So what is that?
Is that what inspired you?
You said your your friend went andthen you go and next thing You know,
it's it's the perfect solution thatis helping people right and then
you wanted you join the team, right?
Chris Joyce (05:53):
Essentially.
Yeah, so Right, right.
As I was supposed to go on this trip, Iwas going through a functional medicine
health coaching program, and it ended upbeing very serendipitous because right
before I went on the trip, our instructorwas telling us, you need to find your
niche, what niche market or career.
population are you going to work with?
And I didn't really know.
And fast forward, I'm going on thisveteran trip and I'm realizing how easy
(06:19):
it is to be with a group of veteransand how powerful the conversations we
were having and relating to all theseother veterans who are experiencing
the same things I'm experiencing.
And it kind of just clicked.
I was like, okay, I needa, my niche is veterans.
Like this, this community is awesome.
I connect with it so well, I'm invested.
(06:41):
And that was really the buy in for me.
And we're hiking down from the hut.
No, this is our second to last day.
And Paul's on the hike with us.
And I asked Paul, I waslike, how can I help?
How can I give back?
I was, I was ready to, to give back.
And he said, you know what?
I could use some help.
(07:01):
Getting veterans ready for ourtrips because we were hiking seven
miles at 10, 000 feet elevation.
And some veterans need some help gettingready for preparing physically, mentally.
And I was like, that's perfect becauseI'm going through a functional medicine
health coaching program right now.
I'm learning all thesecoaching techniques.
And so that's how I started.
(07:22):
I started in, this is both beforethe pandemic and where zoom is
zoom and Skype or, or, um, Justkind of like novel at this point.
So I was having these conversations withveterans who haven't been on the program
and kind of preparing them and tellingthem about it and answering questions
and giving them workouts and goals andall that to get ready for the trip.
Jodi (07:46):
I'm trying to think of how long I would have to prepare to march or
walk seven miles in 10, 000 feet.
Tom (07:51):
I'm not sure which one's more scary, the distance or the height.
Yeah, yeah.
Jodi (07:54):
Multi year plan maybe.
I don't, I don't know.
But it's a great
Tom (07:59):
view.
That's all that matters.
So it doesn't matter.
Yes, yes.
Jodi (08:01):
Well, we were just out in Boulder and it's more
difficult to breathe out there.
Yeah.
Yeah, just doing likeregular walking around stuff.
Yeah.
Chris Joyce (08:08):
Absolutely.
Jodi (08:09):
And you got to know I wasn't walking seven miles a day, so.
Tom (08:12):
By the way, this next question for Chris is multi pronged, isn't it?
Jodi (08:16):
There are multi parts to this question.
It's a very thoughtful question.
So I want to, I want to understand aboutand I want our audience to hear about
most importantly this five day programand the Hunter Frying Pan Wilderness.
How many participate at a time?
How many trips do you take a year?
I know when we were, we werelooking at your website, it didn't
look at least at the time likethe dates for 2025 have been set.
(08:36):
that yet?
How do folks that are interested tap intothat and be alerted or know when those get
rolled out so that they can participate?
Tom (08:44):
And it's hutsforvets.
org.
Yes.
Right, Chris.
So as people listen to this podcast andwant to go to your website, I'm sure as
you update for 2025, that informationwill be out there for them as well.
Chris Joyce (08:56):
Yes, our website is hutsforvets.
org.
We actually just released it.
We revamped our website so it's niceand sparkly and very aesthetically
pleasing and fresh and up to date.
Jodi (09:08):
I think sparkly is my favorite adjective that you just used.
Chris Joyce (09:11):
Yes, that's how I view it at least.
So yeah, so our five day program consistsof three days in the backcountry.
We're hiking in the WhiteRiver National Forest.
We utilize the 10th MountainDivision Hut Association huts.
So these huts have been, havebeen built since the 80s.
And there's probably around30 of them scattered in the
(09:32):
White River National Forest.
Huh, who knew?
Yeah, and they connect.
Well, they, they're primarily usedin the winter for back to country
skiing, and you can ski fromLeadville all the way to Aspen.
And so there's a lot of rich historythere with the 10th Mount Division.
They made their, their namein World War II fighting.
Up through Italy to, to get to Germany.
And so, yeah, we utilize the10th Mountain Division huts.
(09:55):
They're awesome grid back countryhuts where we have to truck all
of our food and water up to them.
And it's a, it's the perfect setting torelax, to unwind, to disconnect from.
The buzz of, of the veteransdaily grind our wilderness trips.
(10:16):
They feature a curriculum ofreadings related to nature and
service from this curriculum.
We, we hold group discussionswhere we talk about ideas.
We share our intellect.
It's not necessarily a, a, anEnglish college lecture course,
but we're there to dive into the.
A deep intellect that veterans have.
(10:36):
I always like to think that veterans haveseen the best and the worst of humanity.
So they're so rich with perspectiveand ideas of value and courage and, but
also the darkness of pain, suffering,depression, and it's this ultimate safe
space of where veterans can be vulnerableand share what they're going through.
(11:02):
Things that have brought them tolight, have taken the burden off of
them, therapies, other organizations.
So it's really just a great placeto have these conversations.
We're doing it on the trail, we'redoing it in the hut, on mountaintops.
So it's a, it's reallypristine country as well.
The best views that you'llever see in this country are,
(11:23):
are there in central Colorado.
On top of these conversations we have, wedo, we explore other modalities such as
yoga, qigong, other mind, body exercises.
We have nutritious meals.
Anybody that you ask who's beenon a Hutz Fravette strip, they'll
say the food is fantastic.
That's what we pride ourselves on.
(11:45):
We had a gentleman by the name of JakeSaxon who kind of implemented this.
He was a local farmer and broughtall this farm to fork meals
and just tremendous eating.
We're not just havinghot dogs and, and soda.
It's, you know, we're having beans, right?
We're having carnita tacos and Frenchtoast up there, that kind of stuff.
(12:08):
So we really pride ourselves onnutritious meals because health
is, health is what you eat.
It's not only hiking andthe intellect side of it.
Like we want to make sure our, that ourparticipants are eating well, because
that's a healthy body for a healthy mind.
Another aspect of our trip is a solo time.
We have structured solo time.
So on our middle day up at themountains or up at the hut, we will
(12:32):
go out and hike a few miles and thenwe will have some discussions and then
we'll conclude those discussions withspreading out our group to where they
kind of feel secluded and they getan hour of solo time where they can.
Journal, reflect, take a nap, read, uh,whatever they, whatever they'd like.
We just ask them not, no side quests.
(12:53):
We say, just stay kind of where weput you and yeah, and, and it's.
It's amazing to how much benefitthat's so that one hour of solo
time provides our participants.
We get a lot of feed,positive feedback on that.
So time, many are apprehensive aboutit because solitude can be scary
and to be with your own thoughts.
(13:13):
So, but I think in thisparticular setting, it's, it's.
There's no better place to do it.
So really enjoy that part of our program.
And our staff is mostly veterans.
We have a mental health professionalwho comes on every trip as
a resource for our program.
We don't make it mandatory forparticipants to speak to the
(13:33):
mental health professional.
They're more there for as aresource, like I said, and we offer
trips for men, women, and co ed.
So we offer these three different typesof trips to encourage the, the The most
open dialogue women veterans have canhave their own sets of issues that they'd
like to discuss in the in the safetyof amongst women, men, the same way.
(13:57):
And then the coed trips offerthat kind of dynamic that is.
Pretty, pretty normal, I would sayin most aspects of the military
since it's been integrated.
So all those trips provide tremendousenergy in their own, in their own way.
So at the end, the end of our program,veterans emerge with new bonds with
(14:17):
their fellow veterans as well as a newrenewed outlook on life and a toolset
for, for dealing with civilian life.
So, how
Tom (14:24):
many participants are in each excursion, whether it's men, women, or co
Chris Joyce (14:29):
ed?
Yeah, so our trips, we tryto have a group of 10 to 12.
We found that's the perfect kind ofgroup size to have that where everybody
can feel like they can, Express theiropinions without feeling like theirs is
going to get lost amongst the group, butit's also enough to where we can have many
dynamics and, and a hearty conversation.
Jodi (14:53):
It sounds perfect.
Chris Joyce (14:55):
It's the right size.
Yes.
Yeah.
Jodi (14:57):
No, I mean, the whole, the whole, the whole.
The whole excursion.
Environment and everything that, yeah.
Tom (15:01):
It's that nature thing.
We'll, we'll talk later.
I think Chris too, about howwe've had a lot of guests that
the outdoors seems to be, I
Jodi (15:09):
think I should go a destination.
Tom (15:11):
I know every, like every hour that you work in this
building, just go outside.
Yeah,
Jodi (15:16):
I'm going to his.
Oh,
Tom (15:18):
you should go in Aspen.
Yeah.
Jodi (15:19):
Yes.
I need to be a on scene reporter.
Tom (15:21):
Chris, talk about the partners, the sponsors, the companies over the last
decade or so that have helped Huts forVets or that are, that play a role in
helping you achieve the mission, helpingyou advance the mission, allow you to
have these excursions, the opportunityfor people to better themselves and,
and find relief, find outlets for themto be able to share their stories.
(15:44):
But how do, how do the partnersand sponsors play a role?
And I'm sure people in our audience.
are connected to military organizationsor the veteran community that may
want to reach out to you eitherthrough your website or reach out
to you directly or the Paul oranybody else at Hutz for Vets to talk
about that, but talk about partners
Chris Joyce (16:02):
and sponsors.
Absolutely.
Yeah, I mean, as a nonprofit, if Iwon C3, we, we couldn't do it without
our partners and sponsors as programdirector, I focus on the program and
making sure our trips are executed.
And I reach out to companies tosee if they can, Donate either
(16:23):
in kind or a monetary donation.
So as of late trace minerals has, hasbeen tremendous sponsor giving us lots of
electrolytes for our participants so thatway they can stay hydrated and properly
fueled with Kate's real food, Justin'speanut butter, almond butter with Dr.
Bronner's giving us soapand then hand sanitizer and.
(16:45):
So we have, we have a lot of, alot of companies who are giving,
giving to us who, who reallyhelp, help us execute our program.
We, we also have lots of localdonors who support us year round.
And it's just tremendous.
We hold a golf tournament everyyear in Aspen and, The Aspen Glen
Club is, is, has been our new homeand, and it's been wonderful there.
(17:09):
It's great.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And we're always looking, alwayslooking for new sponsors and partners
and they can find us at HustlerVets.
org.
They can send us a check.
Our address is on there.
We need all the support we can getto continue to run these trips.
Tom (17:25):
I'm still, by the way, I'm still going back to use nutrition
meals that he offers too.
I just came out of a meeting, Chris,and I said, what's your favorite cereal?
Go ask the group.
Yeah.
And they're coming, they're comingback with things like Apple Jacks
and Cocoa Pebbles and Frankenberry.
And I'm like, I don't know ifthey, I don't think they would fit
on the menu with, with your team.
No, no, no
Chris Joyce (17:44):
cereal on our team.
I mean, we, it's all the, it's all theveterans like, Hey, you can bring your
snacks, but we're going to have likeeggs and bacon and keeps you sharp when
you're, when the healthy body, right?
That's right.
Healthy body.
Healthy mind.
Tom (17:57):
Yeah.
I know.
Now we're, now we bothhave to go to Aspen.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Jodi (18:01):
And I bet, and they're probably real eggs too.
I was about a week ago old when Ilearned like hotels use powdered eggs.
Oh yeah.
Did you know that?
Oh no.
I did not know that.
Chris Joyce (18:11):
Shut it down, Jodi.
Jodi (18:12):
I need to go to Aspen.
I need to,
Chris Joyce (18:14):
I need to see this.
Veterans know powdered eggs very well.
That's kind of.
I
Jodi (18:20):
didn't even know it was a thing.
I spent a lot of time inhotels, hotels of late.
Plethora
Tom (18:24):
of knowledge from Jodi Vickery.
Apparently it's
Jodi (18:26):
a thing.
So yeah.
But I bet yours are for realeggs with for real bacon.
So now I'm hungry.
Thank you.
So talk about your team a little bit too.
I mean, describe the trips.
You mentioned that you do havethe licensed psychologist there.
If they want access to thatperson, that's kind of up to them.
But talk about the rest of the teamand who accompanies the group on the
trips and how is that structured?
Chris Joyce (18:48):
Yeah, so a program team or a program trip will have a team of two
trip leaders will have support staff, wecall them hut master and food coordinator,
and then our mental health coach.
So typically five, a five person team.
We try to keep our team veterans.
(19:08):
I mentioned Paul.
Paul Anderson started thisorganization and his son Tate was
there with him the entire time.
So Tate is still with us.
He's our base camp manager.
And he also writes grants orYeah, applies for grants for us.
So he is an an integral part ofour organization and our team.
(19:29):
He grew up in the Aspen area and knowsthese woods, like the back of his hand.
He's been on pretty much everytrail and then mostly off trail.
He, he can navigate anybody offthe mountain or onto the mountain
and it's just a wealth of knowledgeand a great, a great team member.
Our executive director, Eric Villasenorhas been with the organization
(19:51):
since 2000, an army veteran.
And he's, he's leading the wayfor our organization, both on the
program level and, and then, andthen raising funds for us and being
a representative of Hudson Pets.
And then we, we heavily rely on ourvolunteers to comprise the rest of those
staff and the team local veterans who.
(20:13):
We've been on the program multipletimes and love the mission just as
much as we do and volunteer their timeto facilitate these trips, whether
it's discussions, cooking, driving thetruck up and down the mountain there.
They're awesome.
We couldn't do it without.
Without our volunteers and ourteam members and our staff.
So then our board membersare just the same.
(20:35):
They, they are tremendous helpcomprised mostly of veterans.
We also have a few civilians andit's really important to have
our board comprised mostly ofveterans because as we're serving
veterans, they, they know the needsof veterans, veterans themselves.
Our board vice presidentis a Vietnam veteran.
Our board president is of.
(20:55):
OEF, IEF, and we also have one ofour mental health professionals,
Justin Lincoln, who's been with theorganization since I think 2013 or 14,
civilian, but has worked with veteransfor decades and offers a unique outside
perspective for the organization as well.
So yeah, tremendous leaders keepingus on track and keeping us growing.
(21:19):
Finding new solutions and avenuesas we continue to grow our
organization, our organizations.
Board meetings used to be coffeeand donuts once a month, and now
we're where you can professionalizeand investing and all this stuff.
So it's, it's really great to bepart of this growth and, and grow
our programming as we get more andmore applicants are we, we're getting
(21:43):
more applicants every single year.
So where we used to.
Have a hard time filling six trips.
We are, we try to offer six tripsa year during the summer months
between June and September.
So that that's about two trips a month,June, July, August, and maybe September.
We got to wait till the snowmelts and we got to get it in
(22:04):
before the snow comes again.
So.
And now Chris, you have a waiting list.
It sounds like, right?
Oh, yes.
Cause you're getting that, you'regetting that much interest.
So much interest.
And it's mostly word of mouth.
Veterans are, there's so many veteranorganizations out there that are,
they're helping this community.
And the word gets passed around prettyquickly of, of which organizations
are doing it right and really helpingveterans and doing what they say
(22:28):
their mission is there to offer.
And we're lucky and honored thatwe're amongst the top of them.
Uh, are getting recommended and, andveterans are wanting to come back.
Your alumni wanting to come back.
And we try to focus on veterans who,who haven't been through our program and
with offering six trips a year and 10 to12 veterans per trip, we get to serve.
(22:52):
around 60 to 70 veterans, but we wouldlove, obviously we would love to send more
veterans on our trips as, as we're gettinghundreds, hundreds of applications.
So unfortunately we're, we'renot able to accept everybody,
but that keeps us motivated tokeep growing and keep finding.
Tom (23:07):
Yeah.
It's, that's probably one of thegood problems to have, right?
Is that there's that much interest and it
Jodi (23:13):
means you're doing it right.
Tom (23:14):
Yep.
Absolutely.
Jodi (23:18):
As a military spouse, I understand how unpredictable life can be.
Whether it's a PCS move or justeveryday expenses, money can be tight.
That's why it's so important to havea checking account that works for you.
Tom (23:28):
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Jodi (23:50):
And with about 75 percent of our team affiliated with the military.
Armed Forces Bank really understandsthe challenges faced by the
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know we'll always have your back.
Tom (24:03):
If you're ready for a checking account that's as flexible as
you are, head over to afbank.
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in a 25 early closure fee.
Message and data rates charged byyour mobile phone carrier may apply.
(24:28):
It's also nice to see from a boardcomposition standpoint and to have
representation from many branches ofservice, if not all branches of service,
maybe minus the Space Force, but it'sjust, it's, it's a good diverse group.
And typically if you're 10 to 12participants might be coming from all,
from all different branches of service.
So you've got your board thatunderstands that just as we do as a bank.
(24:52):
with the people we hire.
80 percent of the people thatwork in our banking centers
have a military connection.
So we understand the lifestyle,we understand the needs, and we've
walked in their boots, as they say.
So we get it.
Jodi (25:05):
Yeah, definitely.
And so I'm sure the answer is pointingthem back to the website, hutsforvets.
org.
But I assume that if folks hear this,and whether they're an organization
or just an individual, whether they'veserved or not, that they would find
ways on the website to connect with you.
Whether that's to donatefinancially, donate their time.
I mean, is it the case that all pathssort of run through the website for that?
Chris Joyce (25:28):
Yeah.
So if anybody has any questionsabout our organization or wants
to donate money, time, resources,definitely go to hutsforvets.
org or also on all those socialmedias at hutsforvets, that's a
great way to reach us as well.
If that's more of your, your speed.
Tom (25:46):
Okay.
Great.
Hey, we're at that time of theshow, Jody, where we have this
special moment where we were.
Jodi (25:53):
I apologize.
I have no idea where we were,
Tom (25:55):
where we, we recognize our guest nonprofit with a testimonial
that's out there for you.
My huts for vets retreat wasnothing short of amazing.
The huts for vets.
team has done an incrediblejob programming these retreats.
So kudos to you, Chris.
From the opportunity to hike inthe Rockies with amazing views, the
camaraderie experience with othervets, and the ability to step back
(26:18):
for a few days and focus on healing.
I would highly encourage all vetsto consider this opportunity.
I'll just call it an anonymous,but you've got certainly some
great testimonials out there.
And I, I could take the rest ofthe show talking about these pages.
Uh, testimonials that you get forkudos to the work that you do.
So my next, I'm going to,you can't respond to that.
(26:39):
So I'm going to keep going, Chris,the, I'm sure there's a blend, right?
Of active duty and veterans thatgo on these trips, but is there,
is it skewed one way or the other?
Is it more towards the veterancommunity or do you, what's the mix
that you typically get on these trips?
Chris Joyce (26:54):
Yes, I would say majority of our participants are veterans.
I would say close to 95 percentof our, our participants are
veterans, very few active duty.
I would say that's because activeduty you're, you're busy with the
mission that's currently going on.
However, I would say this year we hada few active duty air force men come
(27:17):
on our trip who were in the process of.
transitioning out of, of themilitary, which is tremendous.
I think that's, I mean, that's,I think that's the way to do it.
If you're active duty, our organizationwould be a great transition process,
a journey to, to go on, to learn fromveterans who have been out for a while to
(27:38):
gain perspective on how to transition out.
To gain tools on, on, and perspectiveof like, Hey, this, this was
an offer to me when I got out.
This is my, my journey of getting out,or these are the troubles that I had.
So I think, I think active duty membersor even reservists who are looking
(27:59):
to leave the military service, a triplike ours would be perfect to attend.
as they look to separate just to gaintools and perspective on and strategies
on how to exit the military seamlessly.
Jodi (28:13):
Yeah, no, that's a big transition.
No matter what the circumstance.
So yeah, yes, we did notice toothat you had as an organization
participated in a study with theEastern Psychological Association.
It had some pretty significant findings.
I think anecdotally it makes sense,kind of, kind of what, what we
(28:33):
would all believe to be true aboutthis kind of immersive experience.
But could you share some of thefindings from that survey with our
audience that just further supportthis, this process and this journey
that you're taking veterans on?
DrMR
Chris Joyce (28:45):
Yeah, the, these, we've been a part of a few studies now
and, and as operations guy, I don'treally pay too much attention to
the studies, but I, I obviously.
They're super important for, forresearch because research backing
our, our modalities is goingto lead to more funding, which
allows us to serve more veterans.
(29:06):
So I'm very honored to be a part ofthese, these studies and they find, like
you said, we, we, we see the anecdotal.
Results of our trips where people areleaving with like a renewed sense of
purpose or a set of tools that theycan take back home to, to cope with
stress or depression or anxiety.
(29:28):
But the results from the studiesare showing a significant decrease
in depression, anxiety, stress, andan increase of a sense of belonging
and all these other positivefactors, happiness and, and just.
Optimism.
So.
There is this interesting find that fromthe baseline of say a factor of negative
(29:54):
affect, it goes down tremendously frombaseline to the last day of our trip.
But we see all, with all these typesof measurements, we kind of see
this kind of like an uptick back.
We call it the post trip blues wherethe, we're veterans, they go on this
tremendous trip and they have a greattime and then they get back to reality.
And they're like, man, I reallyThat trip was so awesome.
(30:15):
I miss it.
You know, I just,
Jodi (30:16):
I'm going to go live out in the mountains, right?
Yeah.
I think it's, yeah, that would happen.
Chris Joyce (30:20):
Yeah.
So I always find that interesting too.
And that's, that's where I kindof come in as part of my duties.
And, and my mission with Hustler Vetsis to keep in touch with veterans
as much as I can as the yearsgo on, there's so many veterans.
So.
It can be challenging to, to keep upwith all of them, but I like to touch
base with them periodically and see howthey're doing and see what kind of tools
(30:44):
that they're still utilizing and kindof challenge them to connect with local
veteran organizations in their areaand stay in tune with that community.
So yeah, these studies are great.
I think we're currently working on a,another, another study to be a part
of, and it's just going to benefitveterans and veteran organizations.
Jodi (31:06):
Yeah, no doubt.
I mean, and we do studies sometimeshere too on, on different things,
you know, financial impactson military families are ready
Tom (31:12):
to stop.
And
Jodi (31:13):
it's often the case that Because we live it and because you live it
every day, you know, these thingsare true because you've seen it with
your own eyes and the people's livesthat you've changed the same with us
and our clients that we've helped.
But it's, it's sometimes helpful to makethe case to outside eyes when you can
say, and here's a data study to support,you know, whatever, whatever it is that
you're, you're relaying about the program.
(31:35):
So
Tom (31:37):
Chris, we're coming, we're coming towards the end, but, and I'm getting.
Post podcast blues, which is what Jodyhas every time, every time I leave,
every time I leave your company, whenshe and I get together like this,
it's like, does it really have to end?
How did you know?
I mentioned, I mentioned earlier, Chris,we were talking about the nature, talking
about team building, talking aboutsharing the connections, the common bond.
(32:01):
I think we've danced aroundit a little bit to know what
the nature is, the outdoors.
It's almost the escapism, the fact thatyou're one with nature, the fact you don't
have all these, I guess all these textmessages going off and all these emails
coming in and just the noise of life.
But what do you think it is aboutthe beauty of Aspen or just being
outdoors, 10, 000 feet above sea leveland, and just hanging out with 10
(32:24):
or 12 people to be one with nature?
What is, what is it aboutit since you've lived it?
Chris Joyce (32:29):
It was a great question.
Wilderness.
So steal, steal some wordsfrom Doug Peacock, an author,
a Vietnam veteran, Green Beret.
past few hundred years have littleeffect on our genome, the human genome.
We, we evolved out, out in the wildernesson the native American population
(32:51):
questions, the word wilderness to beginwith, like what's, what's wild about it.
This is out there is where weevolved, where we connected, where we.
Survived and thrived.
That's where our genome belongs.
And that's so we bring veterans outthere to kind of go back to this
elusive center that we've kind ofwandered away from being confined
(33:15):
and cement walls and, and the buzz ofelectricity and technology and all that.
So all this stimulus, all this, Currentsocietal stimulus is overwhelming.
It's a lot of input.
So bringing veterans out intonature away from the screens and
(33:36):
electricity, this buzz begins to fade.
And we have a, we have a reading in ourcurriculum that talks about this three day
effect and after three days in wildernessaway from technology and electricity
and all the buzz, you can just feel thisalmost like a weight off your shoulders.
Even like a physical buzzingout of your ears, minus the
(33:58):
tinnitus that most veterans have.
It's, it's origin.
It, I mean, that's, I would say if therewas one word for it, it's origin, heading
back to the origin of, of humanity.
And, and another aspect of, aboutnature is relating to animals.
It's funny, we being in, in, Themiddle of Colorado in the mountains,
(34:20):
we'll, we'll run into deer, elk, moose.
We'll see bear sign.
We haven't run into any bear,bear lately, thankfully.
But if we do see an animal, sometimesI walk up on a group and everybody's
looking in the same direction and kindof everybody's body is facing towards the
certain direction and I happen to look andit's, it's probably a deer, a big buck.
(34:41):
And that's the power of, of animalsand out in nature is that it's just,
it holds, it holds everybody captivebecause it's animals don't tax themselves
in the forethought of grief for thedoom or anxiety of societal pressures.
And so to have this spectacle of an animalin the most natural setting possible, we,
(35:07):
we take all, we were almost taking notesof, of just how to be in that and how to.
Run on instinct.
It's a tremendous feeling.
And that's what nature provides is thiskind of reset this guidance back to origin
and it's literally grounding as well.
And some people might findit woo, but I love grounding.
(35:28):
I like get my bare feet on theground and the dirt and the mud.
So I encourage our participants to dothat when we're doing yoga or cheek
on or just relaxing, like take yourshoes off and, and feel the dirt.
Underneath your feet and releasethat, that tension, that anxiety,
that excess buildup of electronsand send it to the ground.
(35:49):
And many, many take me up on it andthen they end up thanking me later.
Awesome.
Jodi (35:55):
I'm relaxed.
Just hearing him talk about it.
I'm going to have to go havesolo time this afternoon.
And so, I mean, I know that you foundyour niche with the, with the veteran
community, but hearing you describethis, I mean, I think if all adults,
I mean, just based on how high strungeverything in society is today.
(36:15):
Gosh, there's such a place foreverything that you're describing.
I mean, I think about when I goon vacation, it takes me two or
three days to start to unwind.
I get like one day of relaxation.
And then I spend the last two orthree days stressing about all the
stuff I have to do when I get back.
So
Tom (36:28):
by the way, when Chris was quoting somebody, I was hoping he would quote
Henry David Thoreau, but he just.
You let me down, Chris,but that's all right.
You gave
Jodi (36:36):
a really great answer, though.
Tom (36:37):
He's going to give me one, watch.
Chris Joyce (36:39):
Henry David Thoreau is definitely in our program.
He's, you can't have a naturecurriculum without him.
Without him.
Side by side.
Yep.
Yep.
Tom (36:48):
Yep.
Jodi (36:49):
Uh, and this may be, this may be the toughest question of the day.
I don't know.
But as your, as your list of, of peoplethat have been on this journey with you
has grown, is there, is there one thatstands out to you, obviously without
disclosing any personal information, butone that stands out to you that you think
about when you're, when you wake up andyou're like, this is why I'm doing this?
Yes.
One that you couldshare with our audience.
Yeah.
Chris Joyce (37:09):
So we had a participant on a trip a few years ago, we'll
call him Justin, Army veteran.
He was in an explosion that rattledhis brain so much that he would,
he lost his ability to read.
Not only could he not read, he couldnot understand what numbers were.
Meaning if I held up three fingers, he,he couldn't tell me what that meant.
(37:30):
So he spent years and years, he wasdischarged and spent years rehabbing,
relearning how to read, how to count.
He was married, had a young daughter.
That was what kept him, in hiswords, that's what kept him alive.
This, it was such a struggle forhim to, to really learn how to read,
to, to be a basic functioning human.
(37:54):
He contemplated suicide multiple timesand he always came back to, I want
to be able to read to my daughter andthis is all after he's on a trip with
us and we have these group discussionswhere we're reading out loud passages
and, and Justin's raising his handto read and he's doing his best.
He's, he's reading, he's fumbling onwords, mispronouncing, he's getting
(38:17):
lost in the, in the sentences.
At first we're like, Okay.
Like not everyone's a strong reader.
That's okay.
And, but he kept volunteering to read andafter a while, like, why is Justin, like,
he's obviously not the strongest reader.
Like, why is he, why doeshe keep offering to read?
And then he tells us his storyand I'm just thrown back.
(38:39):
I'm like, wow.
The courage that Justin had to not onlyshare his story, but to continue to
volunteer to read in front of his peers.
a peer, a peer group that isprobably the harshest peer group
that you'll ever have or be a partof because iron sharpens iron.
But he had the courage to continueto read in front of us, despite His
(39:01):
imperfection being around Justin.
I can never complain about a minorinconvenience or even a major
inconvenience because I mean, yeah,this man, this man overcame some of
the most tremendous obstacles andthen to not only come overcome them,
but to, to test them, to continuallytest his, his standing amongst,
(39:21):
amongst his peers to be vulnerable.
It's just a tremendous inspirationand I'll never forget Justin and
his courage around the great story.
Yeah.
Thank you for
Jodi (39:32):
sharing that and I think about the fact that that that's, that's
a testament to the environment thatyou have created in this program.
So you've created this place whereit was safe for him to be courageous
and vulnerable and to do that.
Absolutely.
Tom (39:45):
Is it time?
Jodi (39:47):
I think that it is.
I think that it is.
Unless there's anything else, Justin,that we have forgotten to ask that you
think it would be really important forour audience to know about Huts for Vets.
Chris Joyce (39:56):
Well, like I said earlier, Hudson rats is continuing to grow.
We're, we're finding new ways to,to strengthen our programming.
Not only do we want to continue to offerwomen's trips, men's trips and coed
trips, but we're looking, we understandthe dynamic and the hardships that a
military life can have on a family unit.
(40:16):
So we're looking, we're experimenting withhaving trips that bring along spouses.
And that way they can, can have thisprogram and these experiences and tool set
to heal and, or be vulnerable together andto heal together and to, and bring back
(40:38):
this tool set to their home life and, and,and grow together in a positive manner.
Jodi (40:44):
I love that.
Tom (40:44):
Love it.
Yep.
Yes.
Yeah.
Tom, I think it can be time.
It's time for the military minute.
This is our favorite part of theshow as we get to the end of it.
Okay, Chris.
If you get the last podcast tributequestion right, Jody sends you a
gift card for a thousand dollars.
(41:05):
All right.
Out of my personal account.
Right.
Wow.
Wait, there's fine print here somewhere.
But this question, he might knowthe answer to the last podcast.
Podcast question.
Yeah.
Because of the nature of it.
Jodi (41:16):
Yes.
So we'll see.
You can, you can answer this one.
The second one, we're not goingto let you take a stab at, but
on our last military minute, itwas a question about our previous
guests from the headstrong project.
If you remember, and it was whatpercentage of clients who come for a first
session return for further treatment.
Tom (41:33):
So if you were to guess, Chris, knowing in the mental health profession
from zero percent or having connectionsto that, yeah, so he's got a, he's got
Jodi (41:41):
a hundred.
You got a one in 100 chance of getting it.
Oh, that's easy.
Pretty good.
I like those,
Chris Joyce (41:47):
like those odds.
Jodi (41:47):
I like those odds.
I'm going to play, I'mplaying Powerball tonight.
Chris Joyce (41:52):
Um, I'm going to go with, I'm just going to go with one of my favorite
Tom (41:55):
numbers.
I'm going to say 81%.
Ooh, I was gonna say go one less than 98.
That would've given a, been a good hint.
, but 97%.
Oh wow.
97%.
Which is pretty
Jodi (42:06):
remarkable number.
Yeah, I know.
Tom (42:08):
80, 81 would be remarkable.
Yes.
Jodi (42:10):
97 stellar.
And so if you answer 97%, if you werea good listener, 'cause that one was
in the podcast last time it was answer,you didn't have to go do research.
So thank you.
We'll blame Chris.
'Tom: cause Chris didn't prepare well enough.
Dang.
And listen to all 60 some oddepisodes, yeah, from start to finish.
So if you answered 97%, watch for your name to drop as the lucky
(42:33):
winner of 50 for yourself and 50to a charity of your choice, like
Huts4Vets, you can go to huts4vets.
org and take care of that.
This week's Military Minute,which none of us can answer.
I did not know the answer.
I am terrified about the next podcastwhen I have to pronounce the answer.
Oh,
Tom (42:52):
that's it.
See, that's a spoiler alert, Jody.
Come on.
It's
Jodi (42:55):
not.
So there is a song calledRocky Mountain High.
You might be familiar with it.
Look, he just
sang the first verse of it.
Sing a little bit.
Yeah, we're going to sing it here in a minute together.
We know the artist is John Denver.
And, however, that was not his real name.
I was today years old when I learned that.
Tom (43:14):
I would have thought that his name was.
Jodi (43:16):
I mean, that's such a cool name.
But now that I get it, RockyMountain High, Denver, that's
yes, totally a made up name.
But I was today yearsold when I learned this.
But what was his originallast name, audience?
Nobody answer.
Tom (43:28):
Not Trish Joyce.
Jodi (43:30):
It was not Chris Joyce.
Tom (43:31):
No, no, he's, he can't answer it.
And it's not Henry David Thoreau.
Consult your friend
Jodi (43:36):
Google, wherever you find tidbits about random musicians
and drop your answer when yousee this week's podcast drop.
And if you answer correctly, youtoo could win 50 for yourself and
50 to a charity of your choice.
Tom (43:49):
That's her vets.
Beautiful.
I feel smarter.
Can you sing another John Denver song?
Or can you name another John Denver song?
Jodi (43:56):
Is he the one that sings Take Me Home Country Road?
Tom (43:58):
That's right.
Yeah.
Isn't that what this, when they playlike in Germany, in the NFL, I know Sweet
Caroline is what they play in London.
Right.
I think they play that too.
But they play, you know,Country roads when they play
in the German, Germany, West
Jodi (44:11):
Virginia, University of West Virginia, don't they?
No, no, no.
Yeah.
They're in Tennessee.
Tom (44:15):
What's West Virginia's Mountaineers?
Right.
Okay.
Wow.
Oh, is Crystal here?
Sorry.
All right.
So if you enjoyed today's episode asmuch as Chris Joyce did go, go out to AF
Bank dot com and subscribe to the show.
You can also rate us.
Leave us a comment on your favoritepodcast platform like Apple podcast.
(44:36):
Spotify and YouTube.
So Chris, you're going to be famous again.
Yes.
And be on all thesedifferent podcast platforms.
Thank you.
You have a great passion for what you do.
Thank you for representing yourorganization so well today.
Chris Joyce (44:50):
Thank you very much for having me and, and share
the mission of Butts for Vets.
We're, we're a small organization.
We, we like it that way, but wealso want to serve more veterans.
So we gotta, we gotta expandand we're looking forward to it.
We, we always want to get biggerand, and, and serve more veterans.
So.
Yeah.
Thank you for having us.
All right.
Jodi (45:09):
You've got the great foundation for it.
You do.
So thank you so much.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
Likewise.
Thanks,
Tom (45:13):
Chris.
Thank you very much.
All right.
See you, Chris.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Bye bye.
Take care.
Have a great day.
Bye.
You too.
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militarily speaking logo are registeredtrademarks of Armed Forces Bank.
Militarily Speaking, Episode 69, Huts for Vets.
Jodi (00:05):
This episode, we talk with Chris Joyce, Program
Director with Huts for Vets.
Tom (00:21):
Welcome to Militarily Speaking, brought to you by Armed Forces Bank.
This is Tom McLean, who shouldn'tbe here right now, and Jody Vickery.
I'm the Military Retail Executivefor Armed Forces Bank, and Jody
is the Executive Vice President,Director of Consumer Banking.
I'm going to say it again,you're celebrating your four year
anniversary coming up really soon too.
So it's all about celebrationswhen you're involved with
(00:43):
Armed Forces Bank, Chris Joyce.
So thanks for joining us.
Get excited for the next couple ofhours because it's, it's a good time.
Jodi (00:50):
Don't run away, Chris.
I promise it will be two hours andfour is my lucky number, so it should
be a good year coming up again.
Welcome to our show.
We're excited to have you listeningand learning all about our guest,
Chris Joyce with Hutz for Vets.
And I want to take just a second,Chris, and tell our audience a little
bit about you all, all things thatare not new information for you, but
for them, it will be perhaps ChrisJoyce is the program director and
(01:12):
a board member for Huts for Vets.
He is a Marine Corps veteranhaving served from 2007 to 2011.
Thank you very much for your service,
Tom (01:20):
Chris,
Jodi (01:20):
along with facilitating Huts for Vets programs.
Chris focuses on helping veteranstake control over their health.
With a holistic approach preparingfuture participants physically and
mentally for their trip after completingthe huts for vets program He motivates
them to continue the positive momentumpost trip He's an avid outdoorsman a
nomad and is currently building superadobe domes in southern, Arizona I'm
(01:42):
gonna have that last sentence meansthat he's just way cooler than both of
Tom (01:45):
us combined.
Is that like PDF Adobeor is it what is it?
Jodi (01:49):
No, I, I don't think that's what that
Tom (01:51):
is.
It's close.
I
Jodi (01:54):
just think it'd be cool to be called a nomad.
See, I know a nomad.
Yeah.
I feel like putting thatafter the end of my name.
It's aspirational.
Yeah.
Jodi Vickery comma nomad.
Nomad.
Yes.
Very good.
Very good.
Well, welcome, Chris.
It's an honor to have you on our showand thank you for being with us today.
I'd love for you to just take a,take a few minutes here at the
top and tell our audience aboutHuts for Vets at the high level.
(02:15):
What is your mission?
Who do you serve?
And then I know that Tom and I havea whole bunch of questions for you
because we're, we're really interestedin what you guys are doing there.
It's a plethora.
Of questions.
Plethora of questions, one might say.
Chris Joyce (02:26):
Absolutely.
Well, again, thank you for having me here.
It's a, it's an honor to be here andshare the mission of Hutzervettes.
Yeah.
Hutzervettes was foundedin 2013 in Aspen, Colorado.
By a gentleman named PaulAnderson, a civilian.
He was.
is a journalist and has been in thecity of Aspen since the seventies and
(02:47):
Hudson vets provides at no cost to ourparticipants, wilderness and communal
experiences as therapeutic healing forus veterans and service and active duty.
or reservists service members.
And our mission is to help the veteransadjust to and enjoy civilian life by
gaining tools for enhancing mental,physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
(03:07):
What a great place to do thatfrom to Aspen's beautiful.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
We, we run our trips in the whiteriver national forest, which is
a pretty large national forest.
Chris, you've been there.
What?
Five years working for huts for vets.
Yes.
Yes.
I went on my first trip.
first Hutz Rovetz program in 2018.
And Paul Anderson, the founderof Hutz Rovetz was still
running trips at this point.
(03:28):
And I had a pretty, I wouldsay lackluster or underwhelming
four years in the Marine Corps.
I worked on C 130s.
I had a great time.
Nothing, nothing ill to say aboutthe Marine Corps whatsoever, but you
know, when you go through boot camp,you're, you're in, in doctrine and
you're going to kill and go to war.
And especially in 2007, it's rampingup to the height, height of the war.
(03:50):
And I deployed to Afghanistan.
I was in Kandahar and.
I was working on planes, 12 hours on, 12hours off carrying a rifle with 30 rounds
and not going outside the wire and kindof wondering why I'm lugging this rifle
around and I'm supposed to be turningwrenches and, and so, yeah, so I got
out and was pretty aimless for a while.
(04:10):
Many years after the Marine Corps,the mission, there was no mission
in the civilian life or the civilianworld that kind of compared to
the honor and the height of whatyou might find in, in, in service.
So I changed majors and when I was doingcivil engineering and then changed to film
major and then started working a corporatejob and just nothing was really sticking.
(04:33):
And, and then by 2018, I had a fellowveteran that I met in film schools.
Applied to Hudson vets and went andshe said, you need to go to this.
And I said, okay.
And so I applied and ittook Paul to call me first.
I got an email saying I was acceptedand I was like, well, I don't
deserve to be flown out to Colorado.
(04:53):
I was in Sacramento at the time.
And I was like, I don't deserve this.
I, I, I didn't.
I wasn't shooting at anybody.
It wasn't kicking downdoors like my other Marines.
And it finally took him after acouple of weeks, he called me.
He was like, Hey dude, areyou going to come or what?
And he really just like, you know, heconfronted me and I was like, wow, okay.
I guess, I guess I should go.
And so I went and it.
(05:14):
Truly changed my
Tom (05:14):
life.
So if Paul didn't call you, you mighthave never gone on the voyage, right?
Chris Joyce (05:20):
Oh, that's right I I don't know.
I don't know where I would be.
I I haven't really thought aboutthat a long time But that's
a that's a great question.
Yeah, my life would be completelydifferent if if Paul didn't call me
Tom (05:32):
But apparently going on the journey was life changing enough
and inspiring enough for youthat you said, you know what?
I'm gonna be part of this team, right?
So what is that?
Is that what inspired you?
You said your your friend went andthen you go and next thing You know,
it's it's the perfect solution thatis helping people right and then
you wanted you join the team, right?
Chris Joyce (05:53):
Essentially.
Yeah, so Right, right.
As I was supposed to go on this trip, Iwas going through a functional medicine
health coaching program, and it ended upbeing very serendipitous because right
before I went on the trip, our instructorwas telling us, you need to find your
niche, what niche market or career.
population are you going to work with?
And I didn't really know.
And fast forward, I'm going on thisveteran trip and I'm realizing how easy
(06:19):
it is to be with a group of veteransand how powerful the conversations we
were having and relating to all theseother veterans who are experiencing
the same things I'm experiencing.
And it kind of just clicked.
I was like, okay, I needa, my niche is veterans.
Like this, this community is awesome.
I connect with it so well, I'm invested.
(06:41):
And that was really the buy in for me.
And we're hiking down from the hut.
No, this is our second to last day.
And Paul's on the hike with us.
And I asked Paul, I waslike, how can I help?
How can I give back?
I was, I was ready to, to give back.
And he said, you know what?
I could use some help.
(07:01):
Getting veterans ready for ourtrips because we were hiking seven
miles at 10, 000 feet elevation.
And some veterans need some help gettingready for preparing physically, mentally.
And I was like, that's perfect becauseI'm going through a functional medicine
health coaching program right now.
I'm learning all thesecoaching techniques.
And so that's how I started.
(07:22):
I started in, this is both beforethe pandemic and where zoom is
zoom and Skype or, or, um, Justkind of like novel at this point.
So I was having these conversations withveterans who haven't been on the program
and kind of preparing them and tellingthem about it and answering questions
and giving them workouts and goals andall that to get ready for the trip.
Jodi (07:46):
I'm trying to think of how long I would have to prepare to march or
walk seven miles in 10, 000 feet.
Tom (07:51):
I'm not sure which one's more scary, the distance or the height.
Yeah, yeah.
Jodi (07:54):
Multi year plan maybe.
I don't, I don't know.
But it's a great
Tom (07:59):
view.
That's all that matters.
So it doesn't matter.
Yes, yes.
Jodi (08:01):
Well, we were just out in Boulder and it's more
difficult to breathe out there.
Yeah.
Yeah, just doing likeregular walking around stuff.
Yeah.
Chris Joyce (08:08):
Absolutely.
Jodi (08:09):
And you got to know I wasn't walking seven miles a day, so.
Tom (08:12):
By the way, this next question for Chris is multi pronged, isn't it?
Jodi (08:16):
There are multi parts to this question.
It's a very thoughtful question.
So I want to, I want to understand aboutand I want our audience to hear about
most importantly this five day programand the Hunter Frying Pan Wilderness.
How many participate at a time?
How many trips do you take a year?
I know when we were, we werelooking at your website, it didn't
look at least at the time likethe dates for 2025 have been set.
(08:36):
that yet?
How do folks that are interested tap intothat and be alerted or know when those get
rolled out so that they can participate?
Tom (08:44):
And it's hutsforvets.
org.
Yes.
Right, Chris.
So as people listen to this podcast andwant to go to your website, I'm sure as
you update for 2025, that informationwill be out there for them as well.
Chris Joyce (08:56):
Yes, our website is hutsforvets.
org.
We actually just released it.
We revamped our website so it's niceand sparkly and very aesthetically
pleasing and fresh and up to date.
Jodi (09:08):
I think sparkly is my favorite adjective that you just used.
Chris Joyce (09:11):
Yes, that's how I view it at least.
So yeah, so our five day program consistsof three days in the backcountry.
We're hiking in the WhiteRiver National Forest.
We utilize the 10th MountainDivision Hut Association huts.
So these huts have been, havebeen built since the 80s.
And there's probably around30 of them scattered in the
(09:32):
White River National Forest.
Huh, who knew?
Yeah, and they connect.
Well, they, they're primarily usedin the winter for back to country
skiing, and you can ski fromLeadville all the way to Aspen.
And so there's a lot of rich historythere with the 10th Mount Division.
They made their, their namein World War II fighting.
Up through Italy to, to get to Germany.
And so, yeah, we utilize the10th Mountain Division huts.
(09:55):
They're awesome grid back countryhuts where we have to truck all
of our food and water up to them.
And it's a, it's the perfect setting torelax, to unwind, to disconnect from.
The buzz of, of the veteransdaily grind our wilderness trips.
(10:16):
They feature a curriculum ofreadings related to nature and
service from this curriculum.
We, we hold group discussionswhere we talk about ideas.
We share our intellect.
It's not necessarily a, a, anEnglish college lecture course,
but we're there to dive into the.
A deep intellect that veterans have.
(10:36):
I always like to think that veterans haveseen the best and the worst of humanity.
So they're so rich with perspectiveand ideas of value and courage and, but
also the darkness of pain, suffering,depression, and it's this ultimate safe
space of where veterans can be vulnerableand share what they're going through.
(11:02):
Things that have brought them tolight, have taken the burden off of
them, therapies, other organizations.
So it's really just a great placeto have these conversations.
We're doing it on the trail, we'redoing it in the hut, on mountaintops.
So it's a, it's reallypristine country as well.
The best views that you'llever see in this country are,
(11:23):
are there in central Colorado.
On top of these conversations we have, wedo, we explore other modalities such as
yoga, qigong, other mind, body exercises.
We have nutritious meals.
Anybody that you ask who's beenon a Hutz Fravette strip, they'll
say the food is fantastic.
That's what we pride ourselves on.
(11:45):
We had a gentleman by the name of JakeSaxon who kind of implemented this.
He was a local farmer and broughtall this farm to fork meals
and just tremendous eating.
We're not just havinghot dogs and, and soda.
It's, you know, we're having beans, right?
We're having carnita tacos and Frenchtoast up there, that kind of stuff.
(12:08):
So we really pride ourselves onnutritious meals because health
is, health is what you eat.
It's not only hiking andthe intellect side of it.
Like we want to make sure our, that ourparticipants are eating well, because
that's a healthy body for a healthy mind.
Another aspect of our trip is a solo time.
We have structured solo time.
So on our middle day up at themountains or up at the hut, we will
(12:32):
go out and hike a few miles and thenwe will have some discussions and then
we'll conclude those discussions withspreading out our group to where they
kind of feel secluded and they getan hour of solo time where they can.
Journal, reflect, take a nap, read, uh,whatever they, whatever they'd like.
We just ask them not, no side quests.
(12:53):
We say, just stay kind of where weput you and yeah, and, and it's.
It's amazing to how much benefitthat's so that one hour of solo
time provides our participants.
We get a lot of feed,positive feedback on that.
So time, many are apprehensive aboutit because solitude can be scary
and to be with your own thoughts.
(13:13):
So, but I think in thisparticular setting, it's, it's.
There's no better place to do it.
So really enjoy that part of our program.
And our staff is mostly veterans.
We have a mental health professionalwho comes on every trip as
a resource for our program.
We don't make it mandatory forparticipants to speak to the
(13:33):
mental health professional.
They're more there for as aresource, like I said, and we offer
trips for men, women, and co ed.
So we offer these three different typesof trips to encourage the, the The most
open dialogue women veterans have canhave their own sets of issues that they'd
like to discuss in the in the safetyof amongst women, men, the same way.
(13:57):
And then the coed trips offerthat kind of dynamic that is.
Pretty, pretty normal, I would sayin most aspects of the military
since it's been integrated.
So all those trips provide tremendousenergy in their own, in their own way.
So at the end, the end of our program,veterans emerge with new bonds with
(14:17):
their fellow veterans as well as a newrenewed outlook on life and a toolset
for, for dealing with civilian life.
So, how
Tom (14:24):
many participants are in each excursion, whether it's men, women, or co
Chris Joyce (14:29):
ed?
Yeah, so our trips, we tryto have a group of 10 to 12.
We found that's the perfect kind ofgroup size to have that where everybody
can feel like they can, Express theiropinions without feeling like theirs is
going to get lost amongst the group, butit's also enough to where we can have many
dynamics and, and a hearty conversation.
Jodi (14:53):
It sounds perfect.
Chris Joyce (14:55):
It's the right size.
Yes.
Yeah.
Jodi (14:57):
No, I mean, the whole, the whole, the whole.
The whole excursion.
Environment and everything that, yeah.
Tom (15:01):
It's that nature thing.
We'll, we'll talk later.
I think Chris too, about howwe've had a lot of guests that
the outdoors seems to be, I
Jodi (15:09):
think I should go a destination.
Tom (15:11):
I know every, like every hour that you work in this
building, just go outside.
Yeah,
Jodi (15:16):
I'm going to his.
Oh,
Tom (15:18):
you should go in Aspen.
Yeah.
Jodi (15:19):
Yes.
I need to be a on scene reporter.
Tom (15:21):
Chris, talk about the partners, the sponsors, the companies over the last
decade or so that have helped Huts forVets or that are, that play a role in
helping you achieve the mission, helpingyou advance the mission, allow you to
have these excursions, the opportunityfor people to better themselves and,
and find relief, find outlets for themto be able to share their stories.
(15:44):
But how do, how do the partnersand sponsors play a role?
And I'm sure people in our audience.
are connected to military organizationsor the veteran community that may
want to reach out to you eitherthrough your website or reach out
to you directly or the Paul oranybody else at Hutz for Vets to talk
about that, but talk about partners
Chris Joyce (16:02):
and sponsors.
Absolutely.
Yeah, I mean, as a nonprofit, if Iwon C3, we, we couldn't do it without
our partners and sponsors as programdirector, I focus on the program and
making sure our trips are executed.
And I reach out to companies tosee if they can, Donate either
(16:23):
in kind or a monetary donation.
So as of late trace minerals has, hasbeen tremendous sponsor giving us lots of
electrolytes for our participants so thatway they can stay hydrated and properly
fueled with Kate's real food, Justin'speanut butter, almond butter with Dr.
Bronner's giving us soapand then hand sanitizer and.
(16:45):
So we have, we have a lot of, alot of companies who are giving,
giving to us who, who reallyhelp, help us execute our program.
We, we also have lots of localdonors who support us year round.
And it's just tremendous.
We hold a golf tournament everyyear in Aspen and, The Aspen Glen
Club is, is, has been our new homeand, and it's been wonderful there.
(17:09):
It's great.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And we're always looking, alwayslooking for new sponsors and partners
and they can find us at HustlerVets.
org.
They can send us a check.
Our address is on there.
We need all the support we can getto continue to run these trips.
Tom (17:25):
I'm still, by the way, I'm still going back to use nutrition
meals that he offers too.
I just came out of a meeting, Chris,and I said, what's your favorite cereal?
Go ask the group.
Yeah.
And they're coming, they're comingback with things like Apple Jacks
and Cocoa Pebbles and Frankenberry.
And I'm like, I don't know ifthey, I don't think they would fit
on the menu with, with your team.
No, no, no
Chris Joyce (17:44):
cereal on our team.
I mean, we, it's all the, it's all theveterans like, Hey, you can bring your
snacks, but we're going to have likeeggs and bacon and keeps you sharp when
you're, when the healthy body, right?
That's right.
Healthy body.
Healthy mind.
Tom (17:57):
Yeah.
I know.
Now we're, now we bothhave to go to Aspen.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Jodi (18:01):
And I bet, and they're probably real eggs too.
I was about a week ago old when Ilearned like hotels use powdered eggs.
Oh yeah.
Did you know that?
Oh no.
I did not know that.
Chris Joyce (18:11):
Shut it down, Jodi.
Jodi (18:12):
I need to go to Aspen.
I need to,
Chris Joyce (18:14):
I need to see this.
Veterans know powdered eggs very well.
That's kind of.
I
Jodi (18:20):
didn't even know it was a thing.
I spent a lot of time inhotels, hotels of late.
Plethora
Tom (18:24):
of knowledge from Jodi Vickery.
Apparently it's
Jodi (18:26):
a thing.
So yeah.
But I bet yours are for realeggs with for real bacon.
So now I'm hungry.
Thank you.
So talk about your team a little bit too.
I mean, describe the trips.
You mentioned that you do havethe licensed psychologist there.
If they want access to thatperson, that's kind of up to them.
But talk about the rest of the teamand who accompanies the group on the
trips and how is that structured?
Chris Joyce (18:48):
Yeah, so a program team or a program trip will have a team of two
trip leaders will have support staff, wecall them hut master and food coordinator,
and then our mental health coach.
So typically five, a five person team.
We try to keep our team veterans.
(19:08):
I mentioned Paul.
Paul Anderson started thisorganization and his son Tate was
there with him the entire time.
So Tate is still with us.
He's our base camp manager.
And he also writes grants orYeah, applies for grants for us.
So he is an an integral part ofour organization and our team.
(19:29):
He grew up in the Aspen area and knowsthese woods, like the back of his hand.
He's been on pretty much everytrail and then mostly off trail.
He, he can navigate anybody offthe mountain or onto the mountain
and it's just a wealth of knowledgeand a great, a great team member.
Our executive director, Eric Villasenorhas been with the organization
(19:51):
since 2000, an army veteran.
And he's, he's leading the wayfor our organization, both on the
program level and, and then, andthen raising funds for us and being
a representative of Hudson Pets.
And then we, we heavily rely on ourvolunteers to comprise the rest of those
staff and the team local veterans who.
(20:13):
We've been on the program multipletimes and love the mission just as
much as we do and volunteer their timeto facilitate these trips, whether
it's discussions, cooking, driving thetruck up and down the mountain there.
They're awesome.
We couldn't do it without.
Without our volunteers and ourteam members and our staff.
So then our board membersare just the same.
(20:35):
They, they are tremendous helpcomprised mostly of veterans.
We also have a few civilians andit's really important to have
our board comprised mostly ofveterans because as we're serving
veterans, they, they know the needsof veterans, veterans themselves.
Our board vice presidentis a Vietnam veteran.
Our board president is of.
(20:55):
OEF, IEF, and we also have one ofour mental health professionals,
Justin Lincoln, who's been with theorganization since I think 2013 or 14,
civilian, but has worked with veteransfor decades and offers a unique outside
perspective for the organization as well.
So yeah, tremendous leaders keepingus on track and keeping us growing.
(21:19):
Finding new solutions and avenuesas we continue to grow our
organization, our organizations.
Board meetings used to be coffeeand donuts once a month, and now
we're where you can professionalizeand investing and all this stuff.
So it's, it's really great to bepart of this growth and, and grow
our programming as we get more andmore applicants are we, we're getting
(21:43):
more applicants every single year.
So where we used to.
Have a hard time filling six trips.
We are, we try to offer six tripsa year during the summer months
between June and September.
So that that's about two trips a month,June, July, August, and maybe September.
We got to wait till the snowmelts and we got to get it in
(22:04):
before the snow comes again.
So.
And now Chris, you have a waiting list.
It sounds like, right?
Oh, yes.
Cause you're getting that, you'regetting that much interest.
So much interest.
And it's mostly word of mouth.
Veterans are, there's so many veteranorganizations out there that are,
they're helping this community.
And the word gets passed around prettyquickly of, of which organizations
are doing it right and really helpingveterans and doing what they say
(22:28):
their mission is there to offer.
And we're lucky and honored thatwe're amongst the top of them.
Uh, are getting recommended and, andveterans are wanting to come back.
Your alumni wanting to come back.
And we try to focus on veterans who,who haven't been through our program and
with offering six trips a year and 10 to12 veterans per trip, we get to serve.
(22:52):
around 60 to 70 veterans, but we wouldlove, obviously we would love to send more
veterans on our trips as, as we're gettinghundreds, hundreds of applications.
So unfortunately we're, we'renot able to accept everybody,
but that keeps us motivated tokeep growing and keep finding.
Tom (23:07):
Yeah.
It's, that's probably one of thegood problems to have, right?
Is that there's that much interest and it
Jodi (23:13):
means you're doing it right.
Tom (23:14):
Yep.
Absolutely.
Jodi (23:18):
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(24:28):
It's also nice to see from a boardcomposition standpoint and to have
representation from many branches ofservice, if not all branches of service,
maybe minus the Space Force, but it'sjust, it's, it's a good diverse group.
And typically if you're 10 to 12participants might be coming from all,
from all different branches of service.
So you've got your board thatunderstands that just as we do as a bank.
(24:52):
with the people we hire.
80 percent of the people thatwork in our banking centers
have a military connection.
So we understand the lifestyle,we understand the needs, and we've
walked in their boots, as they say.
So we get it.
Jodi (25:05):
Yeah, definitely.
And so I'm sure the answer is pointingthem back to the website, hutsforvets.
org.
But I assume that if folks hear this,and whether they're an organization
or just an individual, whether they'veserved or not, that they would find
ways on the website to connect with you.
Whether that's to donatefinancially, donate their time.
I mean, is it the case that all pathssort of run through the website for that?
Chris Joyce (25:28):
Yeah.
So if anybody has any questionsabout our organization or wants
to donate money, time, resources,definitely go to hutsforvets.
org or also on all those socialmedias at hutsforvets, that's a
great way to reach us as well.
If that's more of your, your speed.
Tom (25:46):
Okay.
Great.
Hey, we're at that time of theshow, Jody, where we have this
special moment where we were.
Jodi (25:53):
I apologize.
I have no idea where we were,
Tom (25:55):
where we, we recognize our guest nonprofit with a testimonial
that's out there for you.
My huts for vets retreat wasnothing short of amazing.
The huts for vets.
team has done an incrediblejob programming these retreats.
So kudos to you, Chris.
From the opportunity to hike inthe Rockies with amazing views, the
camaraderie experience with othervets, and the ability to step back
(26:18):
for a few days and focus on healing.
I would highly encourage all vetsto consider this opportunity.
I'll just call it an anonymous,but you've got certainly some
great testimonials out there.
And I, I could take the rest ofthe show talking about these pages.
Uh, testimonials that you get forkudos to the work that you do.
So my next, I'm going to,you can't respond to that.
(26:39):
So I'm going to keep going, Chris,the, I'm sure there's a blend, right?
Of active duty and veterans thatgo on these trips, but is there,
is it skewed one way or the other?
Is it more towards the veterancommunity or do you, what's the mix
that you typically get on these trips?
Chris Joyce (26:54):
Yes, I would say majority of our participants are veterans.
I would say close to 95 percentof our, our participants are
veterans, very few active duty.
I would say that's because activeduty you're, you're busy with the
mission that's currently going on.
However, I would say this year we hada few active duty air force men come
(27:17):
on our trip who were in the process of.
transitioning out of, of themilitary, which is tremendous.
I think that's, I mean, that's,I think that's the way to do it.
If you're active duty, our organizationwould be a great transition process,
a journey to, to go on, to learn fromveterans who have been out for a while to
(27:38):
gain perspective on how to transition out.
To gain tools on, on, and perspectiveof like, Hey, this, this was
an offer to me when I got out.
This is my, my journey of getting out,or these are the troubles that I had.
So I think, I think active duty membersor even reservists who are looking
(27:59):
to leave the military service, a triplike ours would be perfect to attend.
as they look to separate just to gaintools and perspective on and strategies
on how to exit the military seamlessly.
Jodi (28:13):
Yeah, no, that's a big transition.
No matter what the circumstance.
So yeah, yes, we did notice toothat you had as an organization
participated in a study with theEastern Psychological Association.
It had some pretty significant findings.
I think anecdotally it makes sense,kind of, kind of what, what we
(28:33):
would all believe to be true aboutthis kind of immersive experience.
But could you share some of thefindings from that survey with our
audience that just further supportthis, this process and this journey
that you're taking veterans on?
DrMR
Chris Joyce (28:45):
Yeah, the, these, we've been a part of a few studies now
and, and as operations guy, I don'treally pay too much attention to
the studies, but I, I obviously.
They're super important for, forresearch because research backing
our, our modalities is goingto lead to more funding, which
allows us to serve more veterans.
(29:06):
So I'm very honored to be a part ofthese, these studies and they find, like
you said, we, we, we see the anecdotal.
Results of our trips where people areleaving with like a renewed sense of
purpose or a set of tools that theycan take back home to, to cope with
stress or depression or anxiety.
(29:28):
But the results from the studiesare showing a significant decrease
in depression, anxiety, stress, andan increase of a sense of belonging
and all these other positivefactors, happiness and, and just.
Optimism.
So.
There is this interesting find that fromthe baseline of say a factor of negative
(29:54):
affect, it goes down tremendously frombaseline to the last day of our trip.
But we see all, with all these typesof measurements, we kind of see
this kind of like an uptick back.
We call it the post trip blues wherethe, we're veterans, they go on this
tremendous trip and they have a greattime and then they get back to reality.
And they're like, man, I reallyThat trip was so awesome.
(30:15):
I miss it.
You know, I just,
Jodi (30:16):
I'm going to go live out in the mountains, right?
Yeah.
I think it's, yeah, that would happen.
Chris Joyce (30:20):
Yeah.
So I always find that interesting too.
And that's, that's where I kindof come in as part of my duties.
And, and my mission with Hustler Vetsis to keep in touch with veterans
as much as I can as the yearsgo on, there's so many veterans.
So.
It can be challenging to, to keep upwith all of them, but I like to touch
base with them periodically and see howthey're doing and see what kind of tools
(30:44):
that they're still utilizing and kindof challenge them to connect with local
veteran organizations in their areaand stay in tune with that community.
So yeah, these studies are great.
I think we're currently working on a,another, another study to be a part
of, and it's just going to benefitveterans and veteran organizations.
Jodi (31:06):
Yeah, no doubt.
I mean, and we do studies sometimeshere too on, on different things,
you know, financial impactson military families are ready
Tom (31:12):
to stop.
And
Jodi (31:13):
it's often the case that Because we live it and because you live it
every day, you know, these thingsare true because you've seen it with
your own eyes and the people's livesthat you've changed the same with us
and our clients that we've helped.
But it's, it's sometimes helpful to makethe case to outside eyes when you can
say, and here's a data study to support,you know, whatever, whatever it is that
you're, you're relaying about the program.
(31:35):
So
Tom (31:37):
Chris, we're coming, we're coming towards the end, but, and I'm getting.
Post podcast blues, which is what Jodyhas every time, every time I leave,
every time I leave your company, whenshe and I get together like this,
it's like, does it really have to end?
How did you know?
I mentioned, I mentioned earlier, Chris,we were talking about the nature, talking
about team building, talking aboutsharing the connections, the common bond.
(32:01):
I think we've danced aroundit a little bit to know what
the nature is, the outdoors.
It's almost the escapism, the fact thatyou're one with nature, the fact you don't
have all these, I guess all these textmessages going off and all these emails
coming in and just the noise of life.
But what do you think it is aboutthe beauty of Aspen or just being
outdoors, 10, 000 feet above sea leveland, and just hanging out with 10
(32:24):
or 12 people to be one with nature?
What is, what is it aboutit since you've lived it?
Chris Joyce (32:29):
It was a great question.
Wilderness.
So steal, steal some wordsfrom Doug Peacock, an author,
a Vietnam veteran, Green Beret.
past few hundred years have littleeffect on our genome, the human genome.
We, we evolved out, out in the wildernesson the native American population
(32:51):
questions, the word wilderness to beginwith, like what's, what's wild about it.
This is out there is where weevolved, where we connected, where we.
Survived and thrived.
That's where our genome belongs.
And that's so we bring veterans outthere to kind of go back to this
elusive center that we've kind ofwandered away from being confined
(33:15):
and cement walls and, and the buzz ofelectricity and technology and all that.
So all this stimulus, all this, Currentsocietal stimulus is overwhelming.
It's a lot of input.
So bringing veterans out intonature away from the screens and
(33:36):
electricity, this buzz begins to fade.
And we have a, we have a reading in ourcurriculum that talks about this three day
effect and after three days in wildernessaway from technology and electricity
and all the buzz, you can just feel thisalmost like a weight off your shoulders.
Even like a physical buzzingout of your ears, minus the
(33:58):
tinnitus that most veterans have.
It's, it's origin.
It, I mean, that's, I would say if therewas one word for it, it's origin, heading
back to the origin of, of humanity.
And, and another aspect of, aboutnature is relating to animals.
It's funny, we being in, in, Themiddle of Colorado in the mountains,
(34:20):
we'll, we'll run into deer, elk, moose.
We'll see bear sign.
We haven't run into any bear,bear lately, thankfully.
But if we do see an animal, sometimesI walk up on a group and everybody's
looking in the same direction and kindof everybody's body is facing towards the
certain direction and I happen to look andit's, it's probably a deer, a big buck.
(34:41):
And that's the power of, of animalsand out in nature is that it's just,
it holds, it holds everybody captivebecause it's animals don't tax themselves
in the forethought of grief for thedoom or anxiety of societal pressures.
And so to have this spectacle of an animalin the most natural setting possible, we,
(35:07):
we take all, we were almost taking notesof, of just how to be in that and how to.
Run on instinct.
It's a tremendous feeling.
And that's what nature provides is thiskind of reset this guidance back to origin
and it's literally grounding as well.
And some people might findit woo, but I love grounding.
(35:28):
I like get my bare feet on theground and the dirt and the mud.
So I encourage our participants to dothat when we're doing yoga or cheek
on or just relaxing, like take yourshoes off and, and feel the dirt.
Underneath your feet and releasethat, that tension, that anxiety,
that excess buildup of electronsand send it to the ground.
(35:49):
And many, many take me up on it andthen they end up thanking me later.
Awesome.
Jodi (35:55):
I'm relaxed.
Just hearing him talk about it.
I'm going to have to go havesolo time this afternoon.
And so, I mean, I know that you foundyour niche with the, with the veteran
community, but hearing you describethis, I mean, I think if all adults,
I mean, just based on how high strungeverything in society is today.
(36:15):
Gosh, there's such a place foreverything that you're describing.
I mean, I think about when I goon vacation, it takes me two or
three days to start to unwind.
I get like one day of relaxation.
And then I spend the last two orthree days stressing about all the
stuff I have to do when I get back.
So
Tom (36:28):
by the way, when Chris was quoting somebody, I was hoping he would quote
Henry David Thoreau, but he just.
You let me down, Chris,but that's all right.
You gave
Jodi (36:36):
a really great answer, though.
Tom (36:37):
He's going to give me one, watch.
Chris Joyce (36:39):
Henry David Thoreau is definitely in our program.
He's, you can't have a naturecurriculum without him.
Without him.
Side by side.
Yep.
Yep.
Tom (36:48):
Yep.
Jodi (36:49):
Uh, and this may be, this may be the toughest question of the day.
I don't know.
But as your, as your list of, of peoplethat have been on this journey with you
has grown, is there, is there one thatstands out to you, obviously without
disclosing any personal information, butone that stands out to you that you think
about when you're, when you wake up andyou're like, this is why I'm doing this?
Yes.
One that you couldshare with our audience.
Yeah.
Chris Joyce (37:09):
So we had a participant on a trip a few years ago, we'll
call him Justin, Army veteran.
He was in an explosion that rattledhis brain so much that he would,
he lost his ability to read.
Not only could he not read, he couldnot understand what numbers were.
Meaning if I held up three fingers, he,he couldn't tell me what that meant.
(37:30):
So he spent years and years, he wasdischarged and spent years rehabbing,
relearning how to read, how to count.
He was married, had a young daughter.
That was what kept him, in hiswords, that's what kept him alive.
This, it was such a struggle forhim to, to really learn how to read,
to, to be a basic functioning human.
(37:54):
He contemplated suicide multiple timesand he always came back to, I want
to be able to read to my daughter andthis is all after he's on a trip with
us and we have these group discussionswhere we're reading out loud passages
and, and Justin's raising his handto read and he's doing his best.
He's, he's reading, he's fumbling onwords, mispronouncing, he's getting
(38:17):
lost in the, in the sentences.
At first we're like, Okay.
Like not everyone's a strong reader.
That's okay.
And, but he kept volunteering to read andafter a while, like, why is Justin, like,
he's obviously not the strongest reader.
Like, why is he, why doeshe keep offering to read?
And then he tells us his storyand I'm just thrown back.
(38:39):
I'm like, wow.
The courage that Justin had to not onlyshare his story, but to continue to
volunteer to read in front of his peers.
a peer, a peer group that isprobably the harshest peer group
that you'll ever have or be a partof because iron sharpens iron.
But he had the courage to continueto read in front of us, despite His
(39:01):
imperfection being around Justin.
I can never complain about a minorinconvenience or even a major
inconvenience because I mean, yeah,this man, this man overcame some of
the most tremendous obstacles andthen to not only come overcome them,
but to, to test them, to continuallytest his, his standing amongst,
(39:21):
amongst his peers to be vulnerable.
It's just a tremendous inspirationand I'll never forget Justin and
his courage around the great story.
Yeah.
Thank you for
Jodi (39:32):
sharing that and I think about the fact that that that's, that's
a testament to the environment thatyou have created in this program.
So you've created this place whereit was safe for him to be courageous
and vulnerable and to do that.
Absolutely.
Tom (39:45):
Is it time?
Jodi (39:47):
I think that it is.
I think that it is.
Unless there's anything else, Justin,that we have forgotten to ask that you
think it would be really important forour audience to know about Huts for Vets.
Chris Joyce (39:56):
Well, like I said earlier, Hudson rats is continuing to grow.
We're, we're finding new ways to,to strengthen our programming.
Not only do we want to continue to offerwomen's trips, men's trips and coed
trips, but we're looking, we understandthe dynamic and the hardships that a
military life can have on a family unit.
(40:16):
So we're looking, we're experimenting withhaving trips that bring along spouses.
And that way they can, can have thisprogram and these experiences and tool set
to heal and, or be vulnerable together andto heal together and to, and bring back
(40:38):
this tool set to their home life and, and,and grow together in a positive manner.
Jodi (40:44):
I love that.
Tom (40:44):
Love it.
Yep.
Yes.
Yeah.
Tom, I think it can be time.
It's time for the military minute.
This is our favorite part of theshow as we get to the end of it.
Okay, Chris.
If you get the last podcast tributequestion right, Jody sends you a
gift card for a thousand dollars.
(41:05):
All right.
Out of my personal account.
Right.
Wow.
Wait, there's fine print here somewhere.
But this question, he might knowthe answer to the last podcast.
Podcast question.
Yeah.
Because of the nature of it.
Jodi (41:16):
Yes.
So we'll see.
You can, you can answer this one.
The second one, we're not goingto let you take a stab at, but
on our last military minute, itwas a question about our previous
guests from the headstrong project.
If you remember, and it was whatpercentage of clients who come for a first
session return for further treatment.
Tom (41:33):
So if you were to guess, Chris, knowing in the mental health profession
from zero percent or having connectionsto that, yeah, so he's got a, he's got
Jodi (41:41):
a hundred.
You got a one in 100 chance of getting it.
Oh, that's easy.
Pretty good.
I like those,
Chris Joyce (41:47):
like those odds.
Jodi (41:47):
I like those odds.
I'm going to play, I'mplaying Powerball tonight.
Chris Joyce (41:52):
Um, I'm going to go with, I'm just going to go with one of my favorite
Tom (41:55):
numbers.
I'm going to say 81%.
Ooh, I was gonna say go one less than 98.
That would've given a, been a good hint.
, but 97%.
Oh wow.
97%.
Which is pretty
Jodi (42:06):
remarkable number.
Yeah, I know.
Tom (42:08):
80, 81 would be remarkable.
Yes.
Jodi (42:10):
97 stellar.
And so if you answer 97%, if you werea good listener, 'cause that one was
in the podcast last time it was answer,you didn't have to go do research.
So thank you.
We'll blame Chris.
'Tom: cause Chris didn't prepare well enough.
Dang.
And listen to all 60 some oddepisodes, yeah, from start to finish.
So if you answered 97%, watch for your name to drop as the lucky
(42:33):
winner of 50 for yourself and 50to a charity of your choice, like
Huts4Vets, you can go to huts4vets.
org and take care of that.
This week's Military Minute,which none of us can answer.
I did not know the answer.
I am terrified about the next podcastwhen I have to pronounce the answer.
Oh,
Tom (42:52):
that's it.
See, that's a spoiler alert, Jody.
Come on.
It's
Jodi (42:55):
not.
So there is a song calledRocky Mountain High.
You might be familiar with it.
Look, he just
sang the first verse of it.
Sing a little bit.
Yeah, we're going to sing it here in a minute together.
We know the artist is John Denver.
And, however, that was not his real name.
I was today years old when I learned that.
Tom (43:14):
I would have thought that his name was.
Jodi (43:16):
I mean, that's such a cool name.
But now that I get it, RockyMountain High, Denver, that's
yes, totally a made up name.
But I was today yearsold when I learned this.
But what was his originallast name, audience?
Nobody answer.
Tom (43:28):
Not Trish Joyce.
Jodi (43:30):
It was not Chris Joyce.
Tom (43:31):
No, no, he's, he can't answer it.
And it's not Henry David Thoreau.
Consult your friend
Jodi (43:36):
Google, wherever you find tidbits about random musicians
and drop your answer when yousee this week's podcast drop.
And if you answer correctly, youtoo could win 50 for yourself and
50 to a charity of your choice.
Tom (43:49):
That's her vets.
Beautiful.
I feel smarter.
Can you sing another John Denver song?
Or can you name another John Denver song?
Jodi (43:56):
Is he the one that sings Take Me Home Country Road?
Tom (43:58):
That's right.
Yeah.
Isn't that what this, when they playlike in Germany, in the NFL, I know Sweet
Caroline is what they play in London.
Right.
I think they play that too.
But they play, you know,Country roads when they play
in the German, Germany, West
Jodi (44:11):
Virginia, University of West Virginia, don't they?
No, no, no.
Yeah.
They're in Tennessee.
Tom (44:15):
What's West Virginia's Mountaineers?
Right.
Okay.
Wow.
Oh, is Crystal here?
Sorry.
All right.
So if you enjoyed today's episode asmuch as Chris Joyce did go, go out to AF
Bank dot com and subscribe to the show.
You can also rate us.
Leave us a comment on your favoritepodcast platform like Apple podcast.
(44:36):
Spotify and YouTube.
So Chris, you're going to be famous again.
Yes.
And be on all thesedifferent podcast platforms.
Thank you.
You have a great passion for what you do.
Thank you for representing yourorganization so well today.
Chris Joyce (44:50):
Thank you very much for having me and, and share
the mission of Butts for Vets.
We're, we're a small organization.
We, we like it that way, but wealso want to serve more veterans.
So we gotta, we gotta expandand we're looking forward to it.
We, we always want to get biggerand, and, and serve more veterans.
So.
Yeah.
Thank you for having us.
All right.
Jodi (45:09):
You've got the great foundation for it.
You do.
So thank you so much.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
Likewise.
Thanks,
Tom (45:13):
Chris.
Thank you very much.
All right.
See you, Chris.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Bye bye.
Take care.
Have a great day.
Bye.
You too.
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(45:34):
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