Episode 18: Kyle Wickert Finding New Life In Archery
Podcasts like these are exactly why we started HHAUSA. To hear how the sport of archery has turned one Veteran's life around warms the soul and is a stark reminder that there are others across the country in need of this same kind of healing.
I haven't met Kyle Wickert face to face...yet. Back in June, through business partner and friend Sam Ubl of Chase Nation, I came to know Kyle in an instant, confronted head on by the reality of the PTSD that plaques the Veteran community. Weeks earlier, Sam began work on an upcoming film project for HHAUSA documenting some of those battles and he quickly developed a much deeper appreciation for the men and women who serve our country hearing their stories first hand. He was shocked to see Kyle out his issues with PTSD on social media and immediately called David Wootten, a combat Veteran with his own story of post traumatic stress to see if he could help. The next call he made was a bit of a surprise as my phone rang, with Sam asking if I could lend some assistance as well. Having never been in the service, I was unsure of my role until Sam told me of his friend's ongoing battle with alcohol. Overcoming that in my own life a half dozen years ago through a rekindled faith, I was more than willing to share my story with Kyle if it could help in any way. After two brief phone conversations with complete strangers on that June morning, new friendships were born. Something overwhelmingly positive was growing inside a broken man so desperate for change. Hope had arrived.
Several months earlier, Brian Bitter, reached out to Kyle with a once in a lifetime opportunity for a coveted Unit 9 elk tag in Arizona. He jumped at the chance to spend 10 days in September chasing a bowhunter's dream with an old friend from his military days and Kyle had a new mission. Acquitting his father's used Mathews bow, decking it out with new accessories and getting it fit to his specifications, a familiar fire was starting to burn. That fire and a renewed faith in himself and his Creator, started to melt away some of the demons of his past. What happened next is nothing short of a miracle and will leave you wanting to share Kyle's uplifting journey with anyone willing to lend an ear.
So sit back for the next hour as Kyle draws you into his story. A story of new life and one that will give you chills, bring you to tears, have you pumping your fist in the air and hopefully, motivated more than ever to join us on our mission of exposing more Veterans to archery and the outdoors.
Kyle, thank you for the inspiration and thank you for your service!
For more information about HHAUSA, learn how you can support our mission, or attend an event, visit www.hhausa.org
To purchases HHAUSA hats, tees and hoodies, visit www.hhasports.com
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