Evidence based studies have long demonstrated the power of being outside in the sunshine and fresh clean air. And for those who raise their right hand, it may just be the key to deep healing.
Retired Army Green Beret Travis Wilson spent 21 years on active duty – continuing to serve even after the devastating free-fall accident which almost took his life. Though he healed and repaired his body with metal pieces, there were invisible wounds he’d only scratch the service on after his transition. It was an alligator hunt which would be the catalyst for creating Alpha Elite Performance Outdoors.
“It was that camaraderie and brotherhood bond leading up to the hunt. Then after we finally got it and all the talking afterwards,” he explained. “When you get all the veterans together, they tend to talk more about things that they can’t talk about in front of civilians. It was moving.”
Wilson had already been running his nutritional supplement company (with the same-ish name, minus the outdoors) for a few years at this point and was plenty busy as the lead ambassador for the Green Beret Foundation. But, the need was there.
“If there’s a way for me to give my money to deserving people, that’s what I’m going to do,” he added.
The nonprofit organization just had its first successful retreat for active special forces operators and veterans with three days of sport fishing in Cabo, Mexico. By partnering with Redrum Sport Fishing, a veteran-owned company, they gave 11 warriors the trip of a lifetime.
“It was an adrenaline filled trip of catching big old fish. Those dudes loved it. It brought back the ribbing, the joking and making fun of each other. And it’s a lot of this stuff that they miss, because most of them are out now. They’re away from the team life, the team aspect, that team family mentality which is addictive and we miss it,” Wilson shared candidly. “We would go on deployments for so long, and be like, ‘I cannot wait to get home to my family’. But then the very next day, you’re like, ‘I wonder what the guys are up to? I wonder if they’re doing okay’. You know, so that’s essentially what this is. An opportunity to get these warriors back together.”
According to the AEP Outdoors website, its mission isn’t to raise awareness — they want to stand in the gap and be a part of the solution. “As an organization, we’ve witnessed the power fellowship and bonding can do for one’s warrior spirit and mental health. It’s our aim to provide the excitement and rush of adrenaline we craved every mission and rode throughout our careers. That fight or flight response? We want to help you own it again.”
There were unexpected moving moments within the first AEP Outdoors trip. “These two Mexican brothers own a restaurant down there and comped our entire meal. One of them got extremely emotional talking about the patriotism and admiration they had for American servicemembers because they don’t have it in Mexico,” Wilson shared. “They supported this cause and this fishing trip and dinners because they appreciate what we do as Americans, for other countries like theirs who can’t defend themselves.”
It was hard to find a dry eye in the room. Wilson added how he visibly saw the impact of the words on some of the veterans feeling jaded in the aftermath of a 20-year war. Many in the room had not only witnessed traumatic events as warriors – but the loss of friends even after returning home.
“I’ve talked to some guys who were suicidal. When they, like myself, felt like they lost everything, their families and their careers. Their purpose in life,” he said. “I feel like I’ve lost as many guys that I’ve known to suicide than I did in combat. It’s insane.”
Though the stigma behind mental health has been fading, it’s still a very real reality for many in the military community but especially so for SOF.
“They are afraid of bringing it up because it feels like a sign of weakness and it jeopardizes their ability to stay on the teams,” Wilson said. “You live that until you get out but then you find yourself with all of that pent up emotion. It affects all of us in a negative way.”
AEP Outdoors isn’t stopping at retreats and encouraging outdoor time, they’re heading to Africa to assist with anti rhino poaching, too.
“It’s rehabilitation through conservation. I was asked to set up an anti poaching program utilizing special operations veterans,” Wilson shared. “Their food and lodging will be paid for by the organization located in Namibia.”
Wilson hopes to stand in the gap for veterans by offering unique opportunities outside, filled with moments of comradery and hopefully – setting the stage for healing.
“I don’t know anybody that doesn’t get outside and isn’t happy from getting on a boat on the lake fishing or hunting,” he explained. “Just being out there and breathing in fresh air and being under the sun or in the rain. God, I love being in the rain. I like to ruck march in the rain, even if it’s a downpour and just take off. You just get into this mode. It’s kind of like meditation.”
To learn more about Alpha Elite Performance Outdoors, click here.
