It's (almost) hunting season, ya'll!

Before I climb back into a tree after Virginia whitetails, I want to share something with you about my personal growth. I hope that my vulnerability will help a few of you out there.

I just returned from an incredible opportunity to participate in a veterans-only mission trip with Freedom Alliance in Costa Rica. That mission trip was capped off with my first deep-sea fishing trip, where I scored my first sailfish and then landed my second, third, and fourth by the end of the day. I'm no deep-sea fishing expert, but I'd say that's a damned good day.

Guess what? The deep-sea fishing trip was the least impactful thing I did that week. Together with three retired Marines, this Sailor helped build a greenhouse and a chicken coop for Costa Rican men battling drug addiction near Jaco, Costa Rica. At night, we veterans challenged ourselves and each other with testimonies and some uncomfortable truths about our failures, problems, and challenges in life. By the end of the week, my fear response was gone, and I finally learned to channel caution with optimism.

Yeah, I know this is a macho, smack Grizzly bears with your bare hands for the fun of the outdoor community, so admitting to all of you that I often shook in my boots on many hunting trips will not win many friends. But it's the truth.

It was my truth until, one day, I faced a fear that broke me. A few years ago, I had a terrible day that turned into a bad week and an awful month. Thanks to a good friend, I got some help with what I thought was depression, only to find out I was coping with post-traumatic stress. Now, more than four years later, I'm stronger, healthier, and happier than I have ever been - and so are the people I love because of the mental health work I did for myself.

I'm not the only one with a story, though. I know many of you have one of your own - or know someone who does. I'm telling you my story because it may help at least one of you ask for help or be the help that your friend needs to conquer his or her fears.

Could you ask the next time you head to the woods with your friend, "Are you okay? "Am I alright? "If not, ask for help or be the help. They're worth it, and so are you.

Have a great season,

Jay Pinsky
jay@theoutdoorwire.com