IWD406 Podcast Episode Release- Alexa Woods of Wild River Adventures and Air National Guard Fatality Search & Recovery Teams | Episode 45

Riding the Rapids: Leadership, Adventure & Service with Alexa Woods | Episode #45

What does it take to balance military service, entrepreneurship, and a love for the wild outdoors? This week on the IWD406 Podcast, we sit down with Alexa Woods, co-owner of Wild River Adventures, a premier rafting company in West Glacier, Montana, now celebrating 40 years of operation. From her early days growing up in Duluth, Minnesota, to enlisting in the Air National Guard, leading national Fatality Search & Recovery Teams (FSRTs), and building a business in the heart of Glacier National Park, Alexa’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Why Listen?

If you’ve ever wondered:
How do you turn a seasonal business into a legacy brand?
What’s it like to lead high-stakes search and recovery operations?
How does military discipline translate to entrepreneurship and outdoor adventure?
What draws people back to Montana’s wild rivers, year after year?
…then this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

The story behind Wild River Adventures and what makes it a must-visit experience
 Alexa’s journey from military officer to business owner
How she became the Lead FSRT Subject Matter Expert, training elite recovery teams across the U.S.
The challenges and rewards of running a family-owned adventure business
The magic of Glacier National Park and why it calls people back season after season

A Life of Service & Adventure

Alexa Woods has spent nearly 23 years in military service, currently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. While she has faced some of the most high-pressure recovery missions in the nation, she has also built a life centered around adventure, leadership, and family. As she and her husband, Justin Woods, celebrate four decades of Wild River Adventures, she reflects on the power of community, resilience, and the call of the wild.

Ready to be inspired? Tune in now wherever you listen to podcasts!
Watch the video version on YouTube.

Want to support our mission? Learn more about IWD406 sponsorship opportunities at www.iwd406.com or email us at iwd406@gmail.com.