In this episode of Mountain Mule Media, Tim sits down with Liz Shull, Director of Development at Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation in Bozeman, Montana. Liz shares how this Montana-based nonprofit helps post-9/11 combat veterans reconnect with purpose, community, and themselves through time in nature — and how Montana’s wild landscapes play a vital role in the healing process.
Listen to Episode 53
Finding Purpose After Service
Warriors & Quiet Waters was founded in 2007 with a simple belief — that time in nature can help veterans heal, reconnect, and thrive. Through its flagship program, Built for More, the organization supports post-9/11 combat veterans from across the country as they transition from military service into civilian life.
Each participant, known as a Warrior, joins a nine- to twelve-month program that combines outdoor immersion, community, and reflection. Whether through fly fishing, archery elk hunting, or photography, every experience begins and ends with a week-long retreat at the foundation’s Quiet Waters Ranch, just north of Bozeman.
The rest of the year involves small-group meetings, peer connection, and guided journaling to help participants rediscover identity, direction, and purpose. “We call nature our co-facilitator,” Liz says. “Our staff builds the structure, but Montana’s rivers, mountains, and wild spaces do the real work.”
The Power of Nature and Community
Liz explains that the Montana landscape isn’t just a setting — it’s a teacher. “Without Montana’s wild backdrop, we couldn’t deliver the same kind of transformation,” she says. Veterans are encouraged to take questions from the program into nature — to walk, fish, or sit in quiet reflection — and return with deeper clarity.
One of the biggest challenges veterans face after service is the loss of camaraderie. Warriors & Quiet Waters rebuilds that sense of belonging through small regional cohorts of seven to eight veterans who meet regularly throughout the year. “There’s a strong parallel between that and what you feel in a martial arts gym or a team,” Tim reflects in the episode. “It’s that shared mission, that accountability, that sense of purpose.”
Liz agrees. “The Harvard Adult Development Study found that the key to a thriving life isn’t diet or exercise — it’s the strength of your relationships. That’s what we’re rebuilding here.”
Inside Quiet Waters Ranch
Just fifteen minutes north of Bozeman, Quiet Waters Ranch spans 114 acres of pristine Montana landscape. The lodge feels like a home — complete with an ADA-accessible design, full kitchen, dining space, and three peaceful fishing ponds surrounded by mountain views.
“It’s the quickest way to feel like you’ve escaped the chaos of town,” Liz says. “You step into the ranch and you immediately feel at peace.” Wildlife often moves through the property — moose, elk, pheasants, and deer — adding to the healing energy that defines the experience.
In 2026, the organization plans to host community open houses so locals can see the ranch firsthand and understand the impact of the work being done there.
Upcoming Event: Salute to Service at The Elm
Warriors & Quiet Waters will host its first annual Salute to Service: A Night to Remember on Friday, November 14, at The Elm in Bozeman.
The evening will feature:
- A Wall of Honor for veterans
- A keynote address from Lt. General Mark Schwartz, retired Green Beret and former U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority
- A USO-style show with live music, a comedian, and a 20-piece Bridger Big Band
The event is open to the public and will become an annual tradition celebrating veterans and their families.
For details, visit warriorsandquietwaters.org/events.
Behind the Mission
Liz’s journey to Warriors & Quiet Waters began through her background in hydrology and conservation. After a mountain biking injury led her to fly fishing, she discovered firsthand how time on the water could bring clarity and peace. “That experience changed my life,” she says. “Now I get to help others find that same sense of purpose.”
Today, Liz works with local and national partners to fund programs, connect volunteers, and share the foundation’s mission: Thriving veterans make thriving communities.
You can learn more, volunteer, or donate at warriorsandquietwaters.org.
Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation, connecting Montana’s people, businesses, and stories.
YouTube Title
Montana Nonprofit Helping Veterans Rebuild Purpose Through Nature
YouTube Description
In this episode of Mountain Mule Media, Tim sits down with Liz Shull, Director of Development at Warriors & Quiet Waters in Bozeman, Montana.
Liz shares how the foundation helps post-9/11 combat veterans find peace, purpose, and community through Montana’s wild landscapes. From fly fishing to elk hunting to photography, every program is built around connection, reflection, and nature.
They discuss:
- How the Built for More program helps veterans thrive
- The role Montana’s outdoors plays in healing
- Community, camaraderie, and rediscovering purpose
- Details on the upcoming Salute to Service event at The Elm
- Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation — connecting Montana’s people, businesses, and stories.
