Anchored Podcast

Anchored Podcast Ep. 167: Chad Brown on Battling PTSD with Fly Fishing

Anchored Outdoors
August 5, 2020

We all know that fly fishing is good for your mental health, but Chad Brown learned that it can be life-saving. When Chad joined the military he wanted to pay for college but he ended up coming back with more than just the GI Bill. PTSD hit hard and caused him to lose everything. This episode is jam-packed with depth: you’ll hear how fly fishing changed his life, why he started his nonprofit, Soul River, and how he feels about being a black angler and outdoorsman.

Outline of This Episode

[3:15] Fishing came later in his life
[8:22] Fish more was his new prescription
[17:33] Joining the military was the beginning of the roller coaster ride
[19:54] Chad describes PTSD
[26:45] PTSD looked different in each different war era
[36:57] He didn’t even know what fly fishing was
[42:07] How did Soul River start?
[49:47] How does a troubled youth find Soul River?
[1:00:22] How can people help?
[1:03:44] Should we see colour?
[1:13:19] How to get involved without tokenizing the situation?
[1:20:25] What is the best way to connect on the river?
[1:25:27] A challenge for the listener

Where did Chad Brown come from?

Chad Brown was born and raised in Texas. He spent his childhood between Austin and a farm in Cuero, Texas. He was blessed with an upbringing that involved the outdoors, however, fishing came later in life. His family was involved in black rodeos and his dad even wrestled bulls. After the military and his education, he became a photographer and designer. But after a while, PTSD set in and he totally lost it. He couldn’t hold a job and ended up homeless earning money by giving blood. One day while doped up on medication he attempted suicide.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is caused by a traumatic event or a series of traumatic long term events. It sets in after dealing with events that the body and mind aren’t made to cope with. PTSD can cause depression and anxiety. Smells, colors, or sounds can be a trigger for someone who has PTSD. It’s a crippling ongoing mental disease that can break up relationships and families. People with PTSD need to be equipped with a skillset to help them battle its effects.

Fishing became his therapy

After his suicide attempt, Chad spent 7 days in the psych ward at the VA. Upon his release, a lady introduced him to fly fishing. His first catch changed his life. He was hooked. For years he had been doped up on medication for the PTSD and he spent his life like a walking zombie. Fishing made him feel alive for the first time in years. Fishing chased the demons away and suddenly he couldn’t get enough. Even the doctors at the VA agreed, fish more was his new prescription.

How did Soul River start?

Chad wanted to give back to the populations that he knew needed the most help. He decided to use his passion as a way to bring people together. Soul River brings together at-risk youth and veterans to experience the outdoors in lifechanging ways. His goal was to have each youth and veteran experience that same amazing moment he felt when he caught his first fish. Chad’s ultimate goal is to create the outdoor leaders of tomorrow. Listen in to hear about Soul River’s deployments and the good that Chad is doing in the world.

Resources mentioned on this episode