Beyond the Podium

Who am I?

What do I want to be?

These are questions we all ask ourselves at some point. The journey to understand our purpose in life is a never-ending quest that binds us all together.

This is Ivy O’Guinn’s quest — her hunt for purpose.

PREMIERE: Wednesday, June 12 at 7pm CST

A native Alaskan, Ivy grew up living an outdoor oriented life. Fishing was her family’s business and quickly became one of her fiercest passions. It taught her the value of self-reliance, living off the land and nourishing her body with clean, fresh, ethically sourced meat.

In high school, Ivy’s natural athleticism shined as her speed and endurance on the track propelled her ahead of the competition. Her achievements earned her a college scholarship, which enabled her to compete around the country.

Despite Ivy’s success, though, something was missing.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I didn’t really know who I was. I was kind of lost,” Ivy recalled of that period in her life.

After college, Ivy’s friends took her to a fly-fishing shop, which reignited her passion for fishing — outside the commercial space. In Alaska’s pristine rivers and lakes, she found a community of friends who became like family. She also found a refreshed sense of identity.

Though she had been exposed to hunting throughout her childhood, Ivy never had the opportunity to go on a hunt with her family. Her athletic pursuits took priority.

That all changed when she went on her first hunt in Kodiak, Alaska, at the age of 22. After successfully harvesting her first big game animal, a black-tailed deer, her eyes were opened to the world of hunting, and her purpose in life was cemented.

Even better, Ivy’s hunting pursuits drew her dad back into the sport, providing opportunity for the duo to embark on epic hunting adventures together.

In short, hunting helped Ivy O’Guinn discover who she is and her life’s purpose.

Hunting is a widely misunderstood pastime. It’s frequently vilified by individuals who have never done it, nor taken the time to try and understand it.

Hunting is not about killing.

It’s about connection — with oneself, others, and nature — self-reliance, spirituality, perseverance, knowing where your food comes from, and so much more.

It’s not a sport, it’s a way of life.

Ivy’s story embodies the spirit of hunting. We hope it inspires you as much as it does us.