PHOENIX Magazine (Sept/Oct 2024) by Mare Czinar

Tucson Native Michael “Chappy” Chappell took the long way around finding his purpose as program director of Veteran Engagement & Trail Stewardship (VETS) with the Arizona Trail Association – a project that promotes outdoor therapy as an adjunct to traditional health interventions.

Chappell joined the Navy right out of high school and served two combat tours between 1999 and 2004. Post-service, he bounced around working as an EMT, photographer and community outreach specialist. But something wasn’t clicking.

“I’ve always gravitated to nature and wanted to find a career that centered around the outdoors,” Chappell says. “So, I found NOLS [National Outdoor Leadership School] in Wyoming. I got a huge dose of humility there that really transformed me. I became a hippie overnight.”

Through his work with NOLS, Chappell met Matt Nelson with the Arizona Trail Association, who asked him to start a volunteer service program for military veterans to work on the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT). Chappell didn’t hesitate, and the VETS program kicked off in March 2021.

To read the rest of the article, pick up the Sept/Oct 2024 issue of PHOENIX Magazine, or click here.