About the rider.

My name is Bryan Belcher, and I enlisted in the Army in 2005 as a combat engineer (12 Bravo), stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In April 2006, I deployed to Afghanistan, where I served along the eastern border conducting route clearance missions. My main responsibility was to detect and neutralize IEDs to safeguard coalition forces. During one routine mission, my Humvee was struck by an RPG, and I was immediately engulfed in flames. I managed to escape the vehicle and attempted to put out the fire by rolling on the ground, but I was shot in the leg during the process. As a result of the attack, I suffered burns covering more than 30% of my body, multiple shrapnel wounds to my hands, face, and legs, the amputation of my left index finger, and a gunshot wound to my right thigh. After spending over a year and a half in burn centers and various hospitals for recovery, I was medically retired from the Army in 2014.

After my service in the military, I faced the physical and mental challenges of adjusting to life after injury. In 2017, I discovered snowboarding as a way to reconnect with myself and heal. The sport quickly became an outlet for managing the stress and anxiety that stemmed from my experiences in war. Snowboarding has not only provided an exhilarating escape but also helped me find peace and focus, offering a fresh perspective on life and a powerful tool for my mental well-being. Since then, it’s been a key part of my healing journey, blending adrenaline with mindfulness and connection to nature