#117 Is Hiking a Cure for PTSD? Sean Gobin

Can vets walk off the devastating impacts of PTSD? Do long-distance hiking, biking and river paddling journeys offer far better treatment for the emotional and psychological damage of war than pills or therapy offered by the VA? 

Sean Gobin is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served 12 years as an Infantry Rifleman and Armor Officer. He tells us his own personal story. 

After returning home from several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Sean hiked the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail. In 2013, he founded Warrior Expeditions and now serves as the Chief Executive Officer.

Since 2013, Warrior Expeditions has provided veterans with everything they need to complete a three to six month-long outdoor expedition at no cost. Their journeys offer them the opportunity to decompress from military service and come to terms with wartime experiences.

Participants have reported significant improvements in physical, mental, and social well-being during and after their journeys.

Warrior Expeditions outfits veterans with some of the most highly rated equipment and clothing available from the outdoor retail industry. Participants get a monthly $300 stipend to purchase what they need. Community support is an important part of the program, with volunteers offering vets transportation, lodging, and food along the route.

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