Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC How Veterans Rebuild Purpose After Service | Montana Vet Program | EP 428
Jan 23, 2026
Join Luke Urick, Executive Director of the Montana Veterans Project, and Bryon Gustafson, Deputy Director and veteran, as they discuss innovative ways veterans can rediscover purpose through therapeutic outdoor adventures. They explore how wilderness experiences foster connection and healing, contrasting traditional care methods with veteran-led initiatives. The conversation touches on overcoming victim mentality, the significance of shared struggles, and how backcountry trips can build community and combat isolation, ultimately aiming to reduce veteran suicide.
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Iterate Trips From Real-World Feedback
- Start small and iterate; MVP's founders learned program design by doing and correcting mistakes.
- Luke converted early failures into structured practices and rules for future trips.
Mistakenly Signed Up For A Work Trip
- Bryon joined MVP thinking it was a fishing trip but learned they did hard work like digging latrines on Smith River.
- That experience and morning routines ("combat yoga") convinced him MVP was impactful.
Use Media To Amplify Impact
- Document trips with photos and video to reach more veterans and normalize participation.
- Bryon volunteered to improve MVP's online presence so more vets would learn about the program.
