Walking Away Empowered

Mark Goudelock and Tanee's Thomas-Tedford's Story

When Lexington County First Responder Mark Goudelock found himself struggling with the stressors of life, his partner Tanee-Thomas Tedford knew just the place to help him, The Big Red Barn Retreat. Now, they both consider their lives to be completely transformed for good.

Because of the impact PATHH had, both consider themselves "outreach representatives" for the Barn, spreading the messages of PATHH throughout their EMT training classes. Learn more about their journey by clicking the orange button below!

#GivingTuesday2023

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. On November 28th, show up for the issues and people you care about and consider supporting the BRBR on our mission to "Help Heroes Thrive"

Here at the BRBR, we help our nation's heroes change their legacy and transform their lives. We do this through the support given by our generous donors who fund 100% of our programs and services. If you'd like to donate to the BRBR for #GivingTuesday2023, click the the button below!

The Heroes Art Show

Join Mary How from "Create MORE" Art Therapy and the BRBR for the Heroes Art Show! The art in the Heroes Art Show includes original paintings, photography, and linoleum prints created by veterans and first responder artists who have participated in programs and services at the Big Red Barn Retreat (BRBR).

This art show is being held at 701 Whaley from October 2nd to December 1st. We are so excited to recognize the healing and creative work by all of our artists, some of which include participants from BRBR summer 2023 art workshops, along with other veteran and first responder artists who were invited to submit art for the show. Be sure to stop by this month and check out the outstanding creative work of our incredible Warriors! 

Form Up Friday- Going on Break!

This month (November 2023), there will not be a Form Up Friday class session.

Keep an eye out in our upcoming newsletters/social media (platforms linked at bottom of this email) for the next sign-up form!

Peer to Peer Coffee Group

Join us for coffee and conversation with fellow Veterans who understand your struggle first-hand. Enjoy the peaceful nature of the grounds, sip on some coffee, and take a deep breath with the peace and comfort you desire and deserve at the Big Red Barn Retreat.

Peer to Peer groups take place in the lounge, which is located on the first floor of the barn through the main, double doors, on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM. Please check our website to confirm the schedule before attending. See you there!

Have You Tried our FREE

Yoga and Tai Chi Classes Yet????

Veterans, Active-Duty service members, First Responders, and their immediate family members are eligible to attend any of our four FREE yoga and tai chi classes throughout the week, every week! Yoga and tai chi have been found to have numerous mental wellness benefits through the guided movements and controlled breaths it requires.

Any and all skill levels are welcomed to attend these classes. Please see our event calendar using the button below to sign up for your yoga or tai chi class today!

Class Schedule

All yoga and tai chi class sessions are held at:

830 Lorick Road, Blythewood, SC 29016 (the Cabin Garage)

Mindful Movement: Mondays at 6:30PM

iREST Yoga Nidra: Tuesdays at 5:30PM

Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 5:30PM

Flow and Restore Yoga: Thursdays at 5:30PM

Farm to Table Cooking Classes

When we come together to prepare a meal and eat with our friends or family, we are building lasting connections through the shared experience of eating together. For those that are struggling and feeling isolated, preparing a meal with trusted peers is a great way to create joy and purpose in their lives. Our Farm to Table cooking classes, taught by Farm to Flame Chef Jason Dersch, offer our Warriors the opportunity to learn new recipes and connect with their peers each month at the BRBR!

Veterans and First Responders are eligible to participate in this class. Spouses may also attend, as long as they fill out their own registration form and attend the class with the Veteran or First Responder. Farm to Table cooking classes fill up quickly, so please be advised that you may be asked to participate in a later course due to capacity.

Warrior PATHH Food Prep Volunteering

One of the most beloved aspects of the Warrior PATHH program are the purposeful and nourishing meals we get to serve our heroes during their 7-day stay. As the end of the year approaches, we are in need of gracious volunteers to help us prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner with our Warrior PATHH chefs!

By volunteering on a consistent basis, you get to see the extraordinary changes that happen within our PATHH participants as they advance through the program and create positive transformations in their lives.

Please be advised: we always try our best to make sure everyone receives a volunteer opportunity, but we cannot promise you will be scheduled. Spots are first come, first serve. You are not guaranteed a volunteer spot until you have received a confirmation message from the BRBR. Use the buttons below to sign up for our upcoming classes!

The "Workout Warriors" Initiative - Scholarships Available!

We are thrilled to announce Warrior Axe is sharing an incredible opportunity for you to earn a scholarship through their “Workout Warriors” initiative- PATHH graduates may join their new program Warrior Workout completely free of charge!

ONLY PATHH GRADUATES are eligible to reach out and inquire about the scholarships. Nikki Allman, Big Red Barn PATHH graduate and co-owner of Warrior Axe Fitness facility, is offering PATHH ALUMNI a chance to experience continued PTG growth for your body. This program will allow you to gain access to a supportive network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for managing, improving and maintaining your wellness triangle!

To take advantage of this limited-time offer, simply reach out to Warrior Axe at www.workout-warriors.org 

OR

Nikki.allmann@workout-warriors.com (yes, it’s .com) 

OR

Visit them at their new facility located at

739 Old Clemson Road

Columbia, SC 29229

to see if you make the cut. 

There are limited spots available, so don't miss out on this opportunity to become a part of the Warrior Workout community at no cost to you! If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to Nikki Allman at 318-560-1659

Good luck!!!

By donating to the Big Red Barn Retreat, you make a difference in the lives of our heroes and their families.

The Big Red Barn Retreat is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Given that status, our programs are fully funded by donations and grants so that our Veterans and Active Duty Military and their families can receive our programs and services at no cost to them.

Generosity comes in many forms, and it's often the best way for you to support important causes that matter the most to you in your life. When you give to the Big Red Barn Retreat, you help change lives and create more opportunities for our Warriors. By clicking the button below (to PayPal), you can donate to the Big Red Barn Retreat today. Thank you for your support!