Overlanding Saved Me 

Talking about mental health is definitely not a distraction. Our hobbies, our work, our mental health...they're all integrated. Keep doing what you're doing, you've been so helpful with me and my Bronco. Just make sure you always take time for yourself. Even RU-vid and social media is work. Your drone and trail side videos take time and effort to set up, shoot, and then edit for publication. Most importantly, stay open and keep talking with your friends and family; your support network will help bring you back to center when life starts pulling you off stable ground.

If you haven't already, turn your channel into an LLC. That way you can write off nearly everything related to your channel. The Bronco itself, tires, accessories, fuel, trip food, office supplies, ect. It all adds up to a lot at the end of the year. Hope this helps!

My wife just received her custom built four door bronco. She pulled the trigger on this new financial endeavor in part because of your videos with your wife, kids and pets. She wants to do the same. So thank you for being here, doing the best you can, and hanging out with other RU-vid creators who share that struggle and drive. God bless brother❤

Thanks for sharing man! Fellow Vet here. Overlanding and hiking saved my life. I think everyone needs to find a healthy outlet. Glad you found something that works.

You’re doing great, David. I’m glad you’re finding your path and you know I’m here anytime you need someone to talk to and my door is always open.

I knew there was something about you that I liked. I either figured you were in the emergency services or military. Good for you buddy, keep up the great quality videos and focus on your wife and kid(s) 😊 I’m in the emergency services and camping/overlanding is a great reset for me and my wife loves to tag along

The channel keeps me safe. It seems every content provider goes through this sort of thing.

Thank you for your service. Hope to see you on the trail some day.

This is powerful. My son is currently overseas, and is having massive difficulty. I am going to refer him to your channel. It takes a lot of courage to open up like this. I hope you continue down this road and keep chasing your dreams. That's one thing I have always told my son... No matter what. No matter who. Always, ALWAYS - Chase your dreams. They won't chase you back. Thanks again for what you do. I'm here for the long haul w ya man!

This is not a distraction, and should not be in an apology. You should hold your head high and be proud of what you’re doing. More people, like you, need to share their stories, and need to be proud of what they’re doing for themselves, their lives, and their mental health. Don’t apologize for who you are, where you are, and what you’ve been through. I, personally, watch some of these stories, and I seek help through your shared experiences and inspiration. Keep posting.

Similar story here, only 30 years ago. Fresh out of the military, and not a clue where my life should go next! I absolutely did the wrong thing by just trying to "power through". I have sense made some good choices and ended up getting married to an absolute angel of a woman who helped me in so many ways. I admire the choices you have made, and I am looking forward to following you on your journey! And thank you for your service!

We appreciate you and your content. Thanks for opening up. Looking forward to more adventure videos 🏔️🏕️🥃

Thank you for your service 🇺🇸🙏 This video is honestly an incredible ‘foundational’ video for your channel. I hope that this one makes it to your subscribers and beyond as there is a great message here of how to overcome! Many people are looking for this type of inspirational story, in a world where the news mainly points to failures. Full support brother! 👊🏼

I know it’s hard but thanks for sharing. This testimony will bring you rather closer to the viewers. I like your product reviews and trust you. Someone got to do it for the newbies in overloading. I have recently bought the Wildtrack trim and product reviews and installation videos helped me a lot. Thanks for that. I would keep reviewing products for viewers like me, lol. I’ve learned a lot from you and always look forward to your new videos. You’ve a beautiful family. God bless you all! 🙏

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I greatly enjoy your videos, and I admire your integrity.

I'm active Navy for 9 years now and just found your channel. Saw this video mentioned through another comment and had to check it out. I'm glad I did because mentally I'm struggling pretty bad. From hard pushing chain of commands that just don't care to the excessive workload that doesn't end. Was an avid speed guy so been through a ton of sport cars but decided that hobby honestly isn't in the best of my interest after years. So, I traded in my type R for a Ranger and decided to start getting back into going into the outdoors again. Some of the best times I've ever had were going on roads trips with my best friend and stopping to see the random places along the way. I'm rambling but your videos that I've gone through so far have helped quite a bit and I just want to say thank you for sharing your experience openly man. Makes me feel less alone. Hope to see you out there one day. I appreciate what you're doing and look forward to more videos.

David I recently found out about your channel, I live in the pnw as well and I feel very inspired by your trips and loveeee the content, I hope to be able to get out more this summer even on 1 night trips, I honestly really hope you blow up and make a living out of something you love to do, because that’s something that I would wanna do in my life, I’m hoping one day that I can get out of my job and just be out there exploring the beautiful states of Washington and Oregon and eventually America, keep pushing, keep being consistent, and people like us will stick around, and next thing you know you’ll be making a video titled “thank you for 1 million subscribers”💪💪

I get what you mean about the video being a "distraction" from the channels typical content, but it was worth making. First off, thank you for your service. Secondly, youre the MAN! Currently My and I am sure many others favorite outdoor/overlanding channel. Videos like this is why! Raw and unfiltered, tell it as it is. I haven't missed an upload in a very long time and when you do collaborations with other brands you do very well at staying on course with your brand. I think you do great, and it's only a matter of time before your subscribers/views show that! As always keep up the great work!

And thank you forever, for your service to this great country. Appreciated more than you will ever know. From an American to an American, thank you for your service, and service and entertainment you provide on this platform for us viewers that care about not only your content, but YOU.

Thanks for serving! As a fellow vet, I hear ya. You'll always have an ear here. Unconditional! Being a combat vet from Nam, I have my own cross to carry. Sometimes successfully sometimes not. Keep your backside covered!

Thanks for sharing this with us also thanks for your service to our country as well. Love your videos man you will keep getting traction just stay the course.

Much respect for your transparency. I love your message and sincerity. Finding our way through life, especially post military is no easy feat however I know you are doing it right by talking about it and that takes courage. I wish you and your family all the best as you navigate the transition. I've had similar struggles and managed to surround myself with people who had my back and believed in me. Keep on keeping on brother!

Wow, we have a pretty parallel story. I was fully prepared for a full military career, but after a few years in I got really injured multiple times, and after another 1.5 years of many surgeries, failed physical therapy, and everything else, they finally told me I was too broken to fix, gave me a check, and said "beat it kid." I didn't want to be around people, or in cities. So I went back to NM and got into a small mountain town college, and back into nature. I was only 50% disabled for physical, but the VA tried so hard to get me to go the 100% for ptsd. I wouldn't do it though. Over the years, being in nature is what ultimately fixed me (mentally, the physical stuff is still broken, lol). I'm not an overlander. I'm just a photographer with a Subaru who can't afford a real rig, lol, so I use what I have, but it's mine and it gets me most of where I need to go. I love your channel and have watched for a while now. It's very calming and inspiring to watch your adventures. I will also say that I did the same thing as you. After I finished school and got my degrees like everyone told me to I went got real jobs, one was for DoD doing what I did in the navy but with way better pay; however it was even more stressful, no advancement, and very bad for my mental health, so I quit and went back to being a scientist in the private sector. Did that for a while until photography started paying more than the science. So I quit and went full time photography and RU-vid. It took a few years before RU-vid was big enough to pay the bills, but that's where I'm at now, so if you ever want someone to talk to about the whole thing, I'm always down. You can email, text, or call me anytime if you want to chat about the military stuff, life, art, RU-vid, or whatever. brent@hallofthewildstudios.com is my email.

I have retired and moved to Vancouver Island. Being older and somewhat immobile your videos are a blessing! you make your experiences so realistic and entertaining that they are a joy to watch! I hope you realize how excellent the production values are for all of your videos. You are amazing And I thank you so much for all of the time and trouble - and expense! - That you put into making them. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for your honesty and for your channel! Overlanding and all that comes with it has been helping me through a really tough time in my life as well. Nice to know we’re not alone! Hope to meet you sometime on the trail!

Not a distraction at all. Thank you for doing this. Men do not talk about mental health nearly enough... I appreciate your vulnerability in this and I have a whole new level of respect for you and your channel. Keep doing your thing brother... we will be right here to support you in whatever we you can. Thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you've made... (not all wounds are visible.) Keep up the good work!

Fully understand. You're never alone. Together, we're all greater than the sum of our parts.

Glad you find a deeper purpose and meaning in overlanding. Inner perspective is a peace you can't buy or work for, but its something to live for. Live for it and keep doing what you do.

Makes me appreciate ya even more man ...great video and topic...I am just one of the people you've inspired to not only get into the lifestyle but you've also helped me out quite a bit with my build. Keep up the great content broski!

By making yourself better and sharing the journey, you help others as well. Lot's of crap we can do in life, but making a difference is a fantastic path.

I’m in a similar boat, man. And I’m considering doing this full time due to my life being completely upended.

Heartfelt and helpful. Thank you.

I just want to let you know that you inspired me to find something new in my life which is camping, I just ordered a Bronco Outerbanks 4 door because I so much love yours so thank you for your inspiration. I'm newly retired in my late sixties divorced and talking about mental health is not easy so I thank you on that as well, looking forward to the Ikamper 3.0 which I also thank you for suggesting it in your video. I'm new to camping adventures like this and your videos gives me the strength and inspiration to do this new hobby because it's good for the soul body and mind. Please find the time for yourself and stay healthy, lots of people support you and I'm proud to be one of them. Cheers. Tony. 💙🙏🤟🌞

Good on you man. It's good to talk about it. You know my background. If you ever need to talk, you know how to reach me. Keep up the great content!

you are not alone. Many of us will never be as free as you are now.

Good evening David thank you for sharing some personal information about you. It’s not easy since I met you through Michael from conquest, Overland, I have seen you both getting better with your video and content, and both of you at Paton campout and will just keep the jiffy pop popcorn out of the conversation. What you’re doing well with your channel you will get there just going to take a little bit of time, so keep up the good work and I will see you out on the trails. This is going to be a great year 😊

Brotha, you are not alone. I felt that when I got out of the military as well. People don’t understand how much different the military is from the civilian world. I found nursing around the time I found off roading/overlanding. But I’m there with you in terms of the mental health we deal with

New Sub, great to meet you at SAVE! Stay strong brother! Like you said, you can’t bottle it all up and just power through.

Glad you posted this bro.

Thank you for your service. Appreciate you. Looking forward to more adventures.

Very powerful man. So so happy to see you able to reflect on your life situations over the course of time. I am proud to hear this, and I’ve been watching for 3 years since the Tacoma days. Much love brother. Head high, and always explore. Take care of yourself, and I’m looking forward to so much more content!

❤

Being vulnerable is something to be admired. You took a leap and did something to take care of yourself. Well done! I hope you keep on putting out great content. I always look forward to relaxing and watching your channel so thank you.

So many RU-vid channels have a ‘façade’ to them. Videos like this are never a distraction, they allow us subscribers see what you as content creation go though. The odd time we hear that it can be a lonely place but we the views, especially here “Off The Grind” are with you and hope we can inspire you as well with our comments. My girlfriend likes the broncos and my research into them is probably the reason why you channel was suggested to me months ago. I currently have a 2016 F150 set up for overlanding. So seeing you and the videos you have created is inspiring, making me want to get one, maybe one day I can build one out for my girlfriend .

We have a great friend who helped us with our overland stuff and he is an overland himself, he might have some connections or even opportunities to venture out with others like him. Always willing to help a fellow Washingtonian and bronco buddy!

Thanks for this. I got out in 2015 and am still working through some stuff, but always advancing. Being outdoors often feels like the only time I can focus or keep the internal noise down.

I am new to your channel (as of tonight, and I subscribed). I have seen you in some other YT videos, but I didn't know your story until tonight. Prior to landing on this video, I watched your recent eastern WA video, and I was drawn by your videography. So I subscribed. Then I watched this video, and now I am connected. I am a retired Army nurse and I understand exactly where you are coming from. Thank you for sharing your story. I too find solace in overlanding and photography. There is peace and beauty in this world.

Glad to hear people opening talking about mental health!! I think we all struggle, just various degrees of it...

First off thank you for your service, your story have inspired me for a lot of different reasons. Thank you for sharing your story, God bless you Man!

Absolutely not a distraction. Thank you for opening up because we as men need to know there are other things out there that can help us. We don't have as many options as women do, but knowing there's better out there is good enough for me. You gained a subscriber for life bro!

I'm a Marine corps veteran and being outside overlanding, fly fishing, camping etc. has helped me exponentially more than I ever thought it would. I've camped my whole life but I joined the corps and came home after three deployments and lost myself. I found it again and haven't looked back. I'm sure you've looked into patreon and the other ways of funding the channel. Whatever you choose people will support you.

Just got into Overland out here in the PNW and a friend referred me to your channel. Being a retired combat vet myself, I can relate. 2002 was a rough year for me being deployed to Afghanistan, still lingers in my mind from time to time. Civilians can never relate and your military friends have heard the stories a million times, so chatting with someone who is a professional was helpful. I also, just had a friend of a friend (Marine) commit suicide last week, I seriously just ran into him two weeks ago at our local watering hole and I just found out this week. Just remember you are never alone in this struggle. Keep doing what you are doing!! Hang in there brother.

In the service, we knew our purpose. It’s difficult to find yourself in the world. Find like minded friends and surround yourself with them. Keep up the great work! 🤙🏻🇺🇸

I am so glad you are sharing this. Thank you. I too have struggled and it is important to get help. Thank you and I am glad you got help.

Appreciate your honesty and authenticity! Love the videos you make, keep them coming and good luck to you on getting the income you need to live your dream.

The best thing you can do for your channel is trade in the Bronco for a Jeep. 😉😂 JK. Can’t wait to see you and hang out this year. You’re doing great!!!

I think this video took guts. To express yourself. Kudos on that. Give us all some background on you Ok Nuff said. Got my Bronco you and I have talked about in the past. With your help , my research, it’s perfect. It’s amazing actually lol. Thanks for doing what you do. Stay strong 💪

Thanks for sharing, there are people who really need to hear that. I am glad you found overlanding and keep up the great work

Glad to hear your in a much better place now, the channels great. You and the channel are heading in the right direction and it's a pleasure to join in and watch it all happy on my screen. 👍

This is amazing! I cannot imagine what vets go through and all I can say is THANK YOU for your service. Going on record like this takes a lot. Thank you!

Glad you’re in a better place now man. Like others have said, it takes big balls to speak up about our internal demons. Good for you Brother.

Would definitely like to know more about your military service. Im a veteran as well, and i know all about how things can take a turn. Also, it might be cool to organize a meet-up to do a trail and overnight or weekend camp trip. I'm finally getting my 4runner lifted next week, and I'm itching to get into the mtns. May have to wait for Snows to melt a bit, but spring is near.

Thank you for your service. Watching these type of videos help me get through tough times I am having myself. Thank you for sharing this. Hope to see more videos from you soon.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I will be supporting your videos now and forever. You put out great content and now we get to see the great man behind it. Keep up the awesome work.

Jesus, I can 100% relate to you. After the long, awkward, and painfully slow adjustment to civilian life (I've been out for three years), I recently started my second career. I ordered my Everglades Bronco last month and have been watching your channel since then. Losing your identity is hard, losing it and being surrounded by people who have no idea and don't even operate the same way is way harder. Keep on trucking, homie, and thank you.

Thanks for your service! Certainly can understand the difficulty opening up about mental illness. Thanks for sharing your story.

It was great meeting you in Florida and hope we can go camping sometime. This video will help others. Many of us struggle with mental health to some degree. Me included. The last 4 years haven't been easy on any of us. So many people turn to youtube and videos like yours for a needed mental break, and to find inspiration. I agree there is no better therapy than being outside. Keep doing what you do. You are a genuine person. You make great films.

You may think your channel is small, but your videos made a huge impact on me. Love all of them. I’m already half way there to buy a Bronco and start offroading in BC Canada. I learned a lot from your channel and so far it’s the only source I have. Others just don’t speak to me that well ❤

Hey brother, thank you for this video, which meant the world to me. I'm a combat veteran myself and can relate to this 110% Still have struggles to this day, so I will check out your links you have provided. While I don't have a Bronco yet, I have a Cherokee Trailhawk and go light off-roading with it and have found serenity doing this. Stay vigilant and safe

I feel this, that lost feeling of not knowing who you are or where you're going is terrible. Especially after thinking you've got it figured out. Keep going, love the channel! 💪

God bless you!

I know it took a lot for you to make this video but I am glad you did. Thank you for sharing your experience and I pray that this channel grows beyond what you think. Cheers Brother!

I came across this video and I gotta say thank you Thank you for your service Thank you for your open and honesty of your story Much Respect You gained a new subscriber

Glad you were able to get to your happy place. Good on you for sharing! If you even keep one person from going too far down that dark road before seeking help you have changed the world for the better. When I retired I had that same feeling of pointless wondering. Making the compromise to work remote while still being able to get out for some dirt road therapy is my happy place. I don’t miss the circus, but I sure do miss the clowns. Keep chasing your dream Brother! Life is not the destination…..it’s the journey!

Semper Fi brother!! I myself have struggled with it myself, got out went straight to line work found really good money and now im starting my overland rig on my f150

Hang in there man you will figure things out and I'm sure there are good things coming your way. As far as your channel it has inspired and motivated me to get off the grind more often. If it wasn't for one of your videos I wouldn't have known about the refrigerator units that fit in the car with is very important for me because of meds that I take that need to stay cold. One other thing I want to mention about your channel is the final product. It's not just about filming the content it's also about the editing and producing...your content is truly cinematic and just a joy to watch so thanks for doing what you do.

As someone who left a job that was toxic to those I loved and caused depression in myself, I identify with what you’re dealing with. However, making a living on RU-vid, may mean having to take less ethical sponsorships and it makes you more prone to having depression again. I’ve revamped RU-vid for myself and absolutely love life right now. I think you should consider this. I don’t and will not rely on RU-vid for income anymore… it’s freeing. My main job will now provide 100% of the financial support to make off-road adventure videos. Most jobs have time off (mine didn’t till this year). The benefit of a job allows me to be more connected to my audience (who also works real jobs) while making awesome videos simply for fun. I’m so excited about filming with this mindset. Oh that last video didn’t perform despite editing it for weeks, now it’s no big deal. I’m not saying you can’t be a RU-vidr like Trail Recon or the Story till Now, but as someone who has had depression, full time YouTubing will likely bring it back. Find a job that you love, then make videos on the side… it’s realistic and makes RU-vid so much fun again. Whatever you do, good luck!

Man, this hit home. More than I'd like to admit. Good for you for chasing the dreams and being a great guy!

I appreciate and respect your honesty and vulnerability, it's refreshing. There's nothing wrong with product placement. There are many times that some of us don't have aclue on what may or may not work for us and honest reviews are very much appreciated. especially those of us who are on a very tight budget and still want to live our lives. Once again, thank you.

Thank you for sharing your story. 😎👍

You are doing amazing work. Stay North and don't say that you will never do a video like this again, Its who you are and thats what we expect the most. I know the love and pain of doing this form of Work-Love-Passion-Hobby-Therapy. Faith in doing what feels right will bring us the fruits to allow us to continue to move forward. Giving back is the greatest gift. It is done in many ways and you are doing now.

Amen brother. I have a feeling overlanding can be the answer for a lot people, especially prior military. With your experience in both, maybe you should start offering to lead low cost overlanding adventures for ex-military? I came across your videos when I was looking to buy a Bronco last year and have since been inspired by your trips. I hope to get OTG and out on my first OL trip soon, going out with someone experienced (even at a cost) would probably help get more people started. Good luck and God Bless.

Thanks for sharing man. Your channel is inspiring me to setup my Tundra for overland adventure to break away from my grind. Thank you for your efforts and your videos.

Powerful Video 💪

I feel this especially the first min of the video

This video is not a distraction. Sometimes it's the small videos that matter... Subbed!

As open as it gets! You got a subscriber for life! Your drive and passion for what you do, is going to ensure your success!

1st off THANK YOU for your service. 2nd thanks for putting your personal struggles to the forefront. There are so many people who struggle with mental health issues and if you can help even just 1 person its wonderful. 3rd keep doing what you're doing you will be rewarded.

No worries on commercializing your channel. You gotta eat and make a living, and we get it. Keep going and we’ll support you.

Thanks for your work and for for your trips. Take care of you! Hello from Romania!

Thanks for sharing, much respect. Can’t wait to see your next adventures.

David, This video is not a distraction, it is your voice affirming its purpose. Your struggle forced you diving for cover from confusion and frustration. The cognitive dissonance that brought you to your knees culminated into the very grind your productions attempt to escape. Happiness is obvious when you are behind the wheel trekking through amazing places, environments conjuring a sense of peace and belonging. You can love your truck, you can love camping, yet their combination conveys a wonder you strive to amplify. Nearly 35,000 individuals subscribe to this channel for various reasons, but they all have a singular component in common: You. Thanks for sharing all the good stuff, and more importantly thank you for sharing your crisis. Our influence on others cannot be properly measured. Beyond the Ford fans or overlanding enthusiasts, true connection to your audience comes from the bravery it takes to confess humanity. Videos like this are powerful and I hope it is not the last of its kind you release. Overlanding may have saved you, but do not neglect to acknowledge your own daring could be another’s rescue.

Pretty raw, honest and courageous. Be well.

David this was such a good video to put out and tell your story, I am sorry it took me so long to get to it. Thank you for your service and know many of us are dealing with mental health issues that we find it hard to discuss with anyone, even our closest friends and family. Organizations like Homeward for Heroes helps vets in a big way utilizing overlanding as a way to get out in nature and try to heal the soul. They are a great group!

You are probably the best so called bronco overlander on YT. Keep doing that bro, your vids inspired me a lot❤

I appreciate this. I know that when you make a comment like this, you might be kind of uneasy about it and now it might be accepted. You and I have a very similar path. The differences is that you followed through with your videos. I had to take another step back. Over landing, saved me . I had bought a Jeep Wrangler during Covid and sometimes I think I spent too much money modifying it for Overlanding but then I’m reminded that if I didn’t do that, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.. I leave in a couple weeks to go on my next Overlanding trip through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana yet one more time . I don’t really plan much and I get up in the morning and I just decide how I wanna be there and where I wanna go. Sometimes I simply just drive and figure it out as I go. there’s so much thoughts inside my times feels good to release. I have the full set up with solar panels and the rooftop tent and everything so I can just live out there as long as I want. I get it. It’s hard to describe. It’s also, like I said, dicey trying to explain it to other people. They either number one don’t understand it or number two think that there’s something seriously wrong with you like you have a disease when you have some mental issues. He wind up in a place where you just don’t even tell anybody about it and you fight that inside without any help because others can’t understand. That is why I isolate with Overlanding. I tried with a RU-vid channel, but there was too much going on so I couldn’t edit all my video . I use Final Cut Pro X, two different drones, and camera gear. my channel just exist for an escape for some people with just simple meditation background of some of the travels that I’ve done where I have literally gone out into areas were no humans have gone before. I think that’s part of it is trying to take a risk because of the way you don’t care.. that’s good and that’s the bad. If you look at my channel, one of them has the bamboo rainforest in Maui. I had to go through some pretty treacherous terrain, wild, pig, trails, and almost break my leg a couple times to get to that spot to do those recordings. The places that no humans have ever gone. It’s a risk and the reward. Maybe we’ll cross our path during Overlanding sometime here this summer? And I understand if we did cross our pass it would be briefly because we need our isolation.

Thanks for sharing ❤

Thank you for your service and thank you for sharing this video. 💪🏻 Keep on, keeping on!

Keep on keeping on! We love your channel and appreciate every video. Cheers 🍻

This video was not a distraction. I have not yet had the opportunity to go overlanding, but I hope to go someday (work, dogs with separation anxiety, old age, etc..) In the meantime, I spend lots of evenings watching overlanding channels instead of television. In a sense, when you share interests with people, even through social media, it is like we are all friends in a sense. That is one of the amazing things technology has brought us. It is never a distraction to talk about challenges you have faced or to be honest with friends. Thank your or your service and thank you for all of your videos. I first found your channel back when my wife was considering getting a Bronco. We did not know a lot about off-roading. That first video I watched on what your bought a Badlands helped us decide we needed a Badlands instead of a Wildtrack. We both ended up getting Rubicon's; however, I still regularly watch your content. It is well done and very helpful. I have watched your trip to Idaho with @Venture2Roam and @RevereOverland several times. Just something about the cool winter scenery. I found myself playing it a lot in the background on mute while doing research or playing Starfield this winter. Good luck with the channel. Always do what is best for you and your family. I am sure all of us fans of the channel would agree.