Tyler Wantulok | Volunteer Spotlight
“I have always loved giving back, but Big Sky Bravery is different. It is a culture of giving more than you take and of standing beside people who need it far more than you do.”
Big Sky Bravery is built on the heart and grit of our volunteers—the unsung heroes behind every life we impact. Our monthly Volunteer Spotlight honors their selfless dedication and gives you a chance to meet the remarkable people who help make our mission possible.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN a VOLUNTEer with BIG SKY BRAVERY?
I believe it has been about six years. I did miss one year after tearing my ACL, that was a tough year.
What made you want to get involved with Big Sky Bravery?
I was first introduced to Big Sky Bravery by Josh McCain. At the time, I did not fully understand what it was about, but it immediately caught my interest. I got involved early on, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
Once I truly understood the mission, I was all in. I have always loved giving back, but Big Sky Bravery is different. It is a culture of giving more than you take and of standing beside people who need it far more than you do. Every task force has been life-changing. It has challenged me, shaped me, and ultimately made me a better person.
Can you share a moment that has had the most significant impact on you since joining Big Sky Bravery?
What stands out most is how Big Sky Bravery helped me during one of the darkest times of my life. When I first got involved, my mom had been sick for several years, and I was carrying a lot of pain. On every task force, I chose to be open about what I was going through. Sharing that vulnerability not only helped me heal but also encouraged recipients to lower their guard and share their own stories. That mutual openness created bonds that were incredibly powerful.
Over the past four years, I have also lost both of my parents. Walking through that grief while being part of Big Sky Bravery has been healing. Each task force gave me the chance to be honest, to let my guard down, and to be lifted up by these men just as I tried to lift them up. Those connections, having someone truly have your back in ways that cannot be put into words, are what make these experiences so profound.
These task forces take everything out of you mentally, physically, and emotionally, and it can take weeks to recover. But that is also what makes them meaningful. You give all of yourself, and in return, you gain something that cannot be described until you experience it. I will always be grateful to Josh for introducing me to Big Sky Bravery.
How has Big Sky Bravery's motto, 'Give More Than You Take,' influenced your mindset or actions?
“Give more than you take” sounds simple, but you only realize how powerful it is once you experience a task force. These men embody that principle every day. Sitting around a fire with them, you see that all they want to do is give and protect this country. It makes you stop and truly appreciate how lucky we are to have them in our lives.
When I volunteer, I try to give everything I have. I am open and emotional, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. By the end of the week, they know everything about me. I do that because I want them to feel safe enough to be vulnerable too, and to let go of things they may not even realize they are carrying. That has changed me as a person in countless ways.
Is there anything you see differently or appreciate more deeply since your time with the SOF community?
I see life differently now. The sacrifices and daily commitments these Special Operations Forces make to protect us are almost impossible to fully grasp.
Since joining Big Sky Bravery, I have come to appreciate life more deeply. Meeting these incredible men, hearing their stories, and sharing my own has been life-changing. What begins as a guarded introduction often ends in genuine connection. By the end of the week, those bonds feel like family, and they stay with you long after the task force is over.
Where did you grow up, and what kind of work fills your days when you're not volunteering with us?
I grew up in Bozeman, one of the few left. My family owns a specialty food store called Joe’s Parkway that has been around for 50 years. My grandfather started it, my mom ran it for 25 years, and now my wife has been running it for the past 15.
I spent about 15 years running a marketing company with my sister before moving into the wheelchair industry, doing digital marketing for Comfort Company and later Permobil. Today, I work with a startup called Anthros as the Director of Marketing for their office chair company, and I am really enjoying it.
When I'm not serving with Big Sky Bravery, I'm most passionate about…
When I’m not serving with Big Sky Bravery, I love spending time outdoors. Having lived in Bozeman my whole life, I take full advantage of everything Montana has to offer—skiing, golfing, hiking, fishing, and wake surfing, really anything that gets me outside.
But above all, I am most passionate about my family. My wife Tara and our two boys, Brekken (14) and Cooper (12), are my world. They support me in everything I do, and I love watching them dive into every sport and truly enjoy life to the fullest.
Every time I come home from a task force, the first thing I want to do is share the stories and experiences with them. My family is everything to me, and they are the reason I try to give my best every day.
Is there a particular quote or saying that guides or inspires you?
“Live like you are dying.” I believe in that more than anything. Life moves fast; kids grow up, loved ones pass, and time slips away quicker than we realize. That is why I stay focused on living each day to the fullest.
Living with that mindset keeps me present and more connected to the world around me. I truly believe everyone should live this way, because it changes how you see life and how you spend your time.