Stacy Bare on using adventure to help veterans, himself and others.
Not many of my interviews start with a story about getting kidnapped. But at six-foot-seven with an even bigger personality, Stacy Bare is not your average guy or storyteller.
Bare received a Bronze Star for his time spent serving in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, but struggled with depression, addiction and even contemplated suicide when he returned home from war. When a friend introduced him to rock climbing, the course of his life changed forever. Soon after, Bare created Veterans’ Expeditions and Adventure Not War, taking vets outside and even back to the places they experienced during war from the perspective of someone enjoying the outdoors. In 2014, he was named the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, a well-deserved title.
Stacy’s wild idea: To experience places he and others served in war through outdoor adventures, overcome addiction and use adventure (and humor) for good.
Currently the director of The Sierra Club Outdoors, the National Director of Programming and Operations at The Phoenix, as well as a brand champion at The North Face, he’s a sought after speaker and presenter with stories about him everywhere from Men’s Journal to Outside Magazine, and for good reason.
On this episode we talk about war, the power of the outdoors, how to start a movement, climbing with Alex Honnold, skiing in Iraq, addiction and so much more.
This episode is dedicated to Ann Krcik, an executive at The North Face, and a mentor of Stacy’s, who helped paved the way for many women (and men) in the outdoor industry.
Listen to this episode if:
- You or someone you know is a veteran.
- You’ve ever survived a trauma.
- You want to start a movement.
- You love getting other people outside.
- You want to laugh at a funny man telling a great story.