I Was Anti-Hunting… Now My Life Is Built Around It

For our 100th episode of Country Outdoors, I wanted to sit down and actually tell my story — not just the highlight reel.I grew up in Australia between the beach and the bush, and years later I moved to the other side of the world with about $5,000 and no real plan. No backup. No guarantees. Just a pull to build something.This episode is about what happened after that.Losing my dad changed everything for me. It forced me to rethink why I was doing any of this in the first place — and whether it actually meant anything beyond myself. This podcast became one of the few things that gave me purpose during that time.Along the way, there have been moments that tested everything — including the night our camper burned down in South Dakota, losing gear, almost losing our dog, and realizing very quickly that nobody was coming to save us. But even in that, there were moments I can’t explain any other way than faith. Everything burned... except my BibleI talk about building Country Outdoors, learning how to tell real stories, becoming a mom, and how that completely changed the way I look at time, hunting, and life in general.I also share what I’ve learned the hard way — about grief, marriage, growing up, turning 40, and the reality that nobody owes you anything. If you want a life like this, you have to show up for it.This one is personal. If you’ve been here for a while, thank you. If you’re new, this is probably the best place to start. To celebrate 100 episodes, we’re doing a giveaway — comment your favorite episode and tag two people so be sure to enter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a story about perspective. Alyssa Hall didn’t grow up hunting. In fact, she was completely against it. Like a lot of people, she believed meat came from the grocery store and never thought about where it actually came from or what hunting really meant. Now, her life looks completely different.  @alyfromalabama  her husband both work in the hunting industry with  @Buckmasters.Outdoors  fully immersed in the outdoor lifestyle she once didn’t understand. In this episode of the Country Outdoors podcast, Ally shares how she went from being anti-hunting to working in the hunting industry. We talk about the moment her mindset started to shift, what she misunderstood about hunting, and how being around the right people changed everything. If you’ve ever questioned hunting, grown up outside of it, or wondered how someone makes that kind of transition, this conversation will give you a real, honest look at it. We also get into: what hunting actually means beyond the stereotypes conservation and respect for wildlife how the outdoor industry welcomes new people the reality of stepping into something you once disagreed with building a life and career in the hunting industry This episode is about more than hunting. It’s about being willing to change your perspective. Watch / Listen to more Country Outdoors: 🎙 Full episodes every week 📍 Country music, hunting, faith & real stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s not cool to find God in Hollywood.” Actor AJ Buckley — best known for his role as Sonny Quinn on SEAL Team — opens up about faith, fatherhood, identity, and what really changed when he stopped chasing ego and started getting grounded in God. AJ Buckley has built a successful acting career spanning decades, from CSI: NY to SEAL Team, where he became a fan-favorite portraying one of the most intense and loyal operators on Bravo Team, Sonny Quinn But behind the scenes, AJ’s real story is deeper. In this conversation, he shares what it’s actually like to speak openly about faith in Hollywood — where he says it’s “not cool” to talk about finding God — and why he refuses to stay quiet about it. From becoming a father and realizing how much it softened him, to confronting pain from his past and recognizing he wasn’t as present with his family as he thought, AJ gets honest about the moments that made him change. He also talks about: - The pressure of Hollywood culture vs personal beliefs - Letting go of ego and chasing purpose instead of fame - The turning point that reshaped how he shows up as a husband and father - Why discipline, faith, and accountability now drive everything he does — including his brand Born of Discipline If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, purpose, or what it costs to stand firm in your beliefs — this conversation will hit. New Content Weekly! https://linktr.ee/countryoutdoorsoffi... Get Country Outdoors merch here! ➡️ https://countryoutdoors.com/shop ---------- OUR Partners : Field and Stream https://bit.ly/3MpZgp4 OnX Hunt https://bit.ly/3UyuOKN Yuengling https://bit.ly/yuenglingbeer #AJBuckley #SEALTeam #Faith #Hollywood #Podcast #CountryOutdoors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I slept in my truck more than I slept in a bed for two years.” - Cooper GallantBassmaster Elite Pro Cooper Gallant joins host, Mary O'Neill Phillips on the Country Outdoors Podcast. No plan B. No backup. Just a dream. Before the Bassmaster Elite Series, this is what it actually looked like — sleeping in parking lots, running extension cords from a church, and doing whatever it took to keep going.From Ontario, Canada, Cooper Gallant didn’t just grow up fishing. Before going all-in on bass fishing, he was chasing a completely different path as a snowboarder — until everything shifted.With his dad behind the camera documenting the journey, Cooper bet on himself and committed fully to becoming a professional angler.In this episode, he shares the real story behind chasing a career in fishing — the grind, the sacrifice, and what it truly means to go all-in with no plan B.This is the side of pro fishing no one talks about.New Content Weekly! https://linktr.ee/countryoutdoorsoffi...Get Country Outdoors merch here! ➡️ https://countryoutdoors.com/shop----------OUR Partners :Field and Stream https://bit.ly/3MpZgp4OnX Hunt https://bit.ly/3UyuOKNYuengling https://bit.ly/yuenglingbeer#CountryOutdoors #BassFishing #ProFisherman #FishingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast with Mary O'Neill Phillips, HunterGirl opens up about the moment she hit a breaking point — questioning her purpose, her path, and whether she was meant to keep going. After asking God for direction, something unexpected happened just weeks later… and it changed the trajectory of her entire career. This is a conversation about faith, doubt, and what it really takes to keep going when you feel like giving up. In this episode: Almost quitting music Faith and finding direction The moment everything changed The reality behind chasing a dream Staying grounded through success Watch / Listen to more Country Outdoors: 🎙 Full episodes every week 📍 Country music, hunting, faith & real stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan Patrick opens up about the moment she was done with music — and what almost made her walk away for good. In this episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Meghan shares her most honest story yet — from surviving an abusive relationship to losing her record deal and hitting her lowest point in Nashville. At one point, she was ready to quit music entirely. But that wasn’t the end of her story. We dive into how she rebuilt her life, found strength in her faith and marriage, and discovered a new path — both in her music and in the outdoors. Meghan also talks about her new album Golden Child (Final Chapter) and what this next phase of her career really means. This episode is about resilience, purpose, and what it takes to keep going when everything tells you to stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan Patrick opens up about the moment she almost walked away from music — and what pushed her to the brink. From losing her record deal to hitting her lowest point in Nashville, this is just a glimpse into one of her most honest conversations yet. Full episode drops tomorrow on the Country Outdoors Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texan and Country artist, Aaron Watson joins the Country Outdoors Podcast with Mary O’Neill Phillips for a conversation about family, hunting traditions, and building a career in country music on his own terms. Watson has spent more than two decades proving that independent country artists can succeed without following the traditional Nashville path. In this episode, he shares why time spent hunting with his kids matters more than trophies, how the outdoors has shaped his perspective on life, and what authenticity really means in modern country music. From raising a family around hunting culture to staying grounded in faith and values while navigating the music industry, Aaron talks about the experiences that have defined both his career and his life outside the spotlight. In this episode • Aaron Watson on hunting with his kids • Why family matters more than trophies • Building an independent country music career • Faith, values, and life on the road • The connection between country music and the outdoors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomorrow on the Country Outdoors Podcast, independent country artist Aaron Watson joins us for a conversation about doing things your own way — in music and in life. From the meaning of being an “outlaw” in country music to why he’d rather hunt with his boys than chase trophies alone, Aaron shares the mindset that’s guided his career outside the Nashville machine. Full episode premieres tomorrow at 6 PM CST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Country Outdoors Podcast, Mary O’Neill Phillips sits down with Hunter and Chase Farrior of Spring Legion and Austin Collins, founder of the Quack Shack Podcast — three young hunters building brands around their passion for turkey hunting, duck hunting, and the traditions of the outdoors. Hunter and Chase Farrior are the brothers behind Spring Legion, a brand rooted in the history and culture of turkey hunting. Hunter is also the author of Ballad of a Turkey Hunter and Any Given Spring Morning. Hunter draws inspiration from the storytelling traditions of legendary turkey hunters like Tom Kelly and Gene Nunnery and wants to be a bridge to the next generation of turkey hunters. Together, the Farrior brothers are committed to honoring the heritage of turkey hunting while helping preserve its future through conservation and storytelling. Austin Collins is the voice behind the Quack Shack Podcast, a waterfowl hunting platform built around his passion for duck hunting and the culture that surrounds it. Through Quack Shack, Austin travels, records conversations with other hunters and outdoor entrepreneurs, and tells the stories behind the people, brands, and traditions that make up the waterfowl world. Beyond the hunt itself, Austin is also a husband and father who believes the outdoors should be something worth passing down. For him, building Quack Shack isn’t just about duck season — it’s about creating a community and a legacy that his kids can one day be part of. In this conversation, they discuss: • The traditions and history behind turkey hunting culture• Building grassroots hunting brands from scratch• The influence of writers like Tom Kelly and Gene Nunnery• The role of conservation in the future of turkey and waterfowl hunting• Why storytelling and podcasts are shaping the next generation of hunters• The passion that drives hunters every spring and fall For these hunters, the goal isn’t just building a brand — it’s preserving the traditions of the outdoors and creating something worth passing down to the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices