Welcome to the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery.

In this episode of “Militarily Speaking,” Tom and Jodi are joined by Sean Gobin, founder and Executive Director of Warrior Expeditions. This veteran-focused nonprofit leverages the healing power of nature to help military servicemen and women transition back to civilian life through long-distance outdoor expeditions.

“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. 59 – How Nature Heals War-Torn Minds: Warrior Expeditions with Sean Gobin

The episode opens with an enthusiastic welcome to Sean Gobin, who founded Warrior Expeditions as a way to assist veterans in processing their wartime experiences. Sean is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served for 12 years and has firsthand experience of the challenges faced by veterans during their transition to civilian life.

The Inspiration Behind Warrior Expeditions

After returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Sean hiked the Appalachian Trail. This experience helped him process his wartime experiences, inspiring him to create a nonprofit organization to offer similar opportunities to other veterans. His venture has been particularly successful, combining outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and paddling with community support.

The Healing Power of Nature for Veterans

Sean outlines three key components that make outdoor therapy impactful:

1.    Time and Space in Nature: Long expeditions give veterans much-needed time and space to process and decompress from their wartime experiences.

2.    Camaraderie: Veterans often undertake these journeys with others who have similar experiences, fostering a supportive community.

3.    Community Support: Regular interactions with local communities along the trail help re-establish veterans' faith in humanity, which can often be shaken by their experiences during deployments.

Focus on Continuous Exposure to Nature

Sean emphasizes how the length of these expeditions—ranging from three to six months—provides significant therapeutic benefits. He contrasts this with shorter-duration programs, pointing out that long-term engagement with nature allows for deeper emotional processing and healing.

Outfitting Veterans with Gear and Support

Warrior Expeditions provide veterans with all the gear and support they need for their expeditions. Sean details the process of outfitting veterans and the extensive training they receive before embarking on their journeys. The organization collaborates with various gear companies and relies on both monetary and in-kind donations.

Community Support and Partnerships

The organization has built a robust network of community supporters and partners, including veteran service organizations and land management entities. This network enhances the logistics and safety of the expeditions, making it a coordinated and comprehensive effort.

The organization is continually looking for ways to expand and improve, supported by an impressive network of donors and community partners.

How You Can Help

For those looking to support Warrior Expeditions, there are multiple avenues, including financial donations, in-kind donations, and community support. Sean encourages veterans who resonate with the organization's mission to apply and stresses the importance of ongoing support and participation.

Military Minute

Jodi introduces the Military Minute segment of the show, beginning by closing out last episode’s Military Minute.

●     Last episode’s Military Minute: Which movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1979?

●     Answer: Deer Hunter

●     This week’s Military Minute question: What three trails constitute the triple crown of hiking?

●     Watch for Facebook and Instagram posts about this episode.

●     Answer with the correct answer and you plus a charity of your choice can each win $50.

●     After a winning selection, Military Minute participants are eligible for another selection after 12 months.

Tom closes the episode by asking listeners to go to www.afbank.com and subscribe to the show, as well as leave a rating and comment on your favorite podcast platform such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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