Forge Performance NW

I’M SORRY.

I’m sorry to all of you who are named here, and those who are unnamed, that we are not doing better by you.

I’m sorry that while people they seem to have stopped caring as much about your sacrifice and your family’s losses.

I’m sorry that 34 people wouldn’t make eye contact with us on the 110-floor climb.

I’m sorry another 9/11 has come and gone and we are no better than we were last time.

I’m sorry.

Labor Day means more than simply a Monday off...it is the day that everyone has the chance to recognize and thank our laborers for the work they do “keeping the lights on”.

I, for one, am eternally grateful to the trades...since they built my family.

My grandfather spent 40+ years as a lineman for My father spent 40+ as an electrician with My brother is an EHS Field Manager in

We are communicating literally right now on this platform because of every single trade worker and union doing the work that NEEDS to be done. It is not easy. It is not “social media sexy”. But it might just be the most important work of any kind, any where.

Thank you to all our brother and sister laborers from yesterday that got us here, today that keep us here and tomorrow who are taking us where we need to be going.

*Also…that light atop the Koin Tower…yeah…Dad put that fixture there almost 40-years ago.

Everyone knows our stance on archery and what has and continues to mean to our community.

Archery is a tool that empowers discipline, hard work, resiliency, precision and commitment to succeed in. Is this not the EXACT type of activity kids should have an opportunity to learn in school?

Whether you partake or not, this is a monumentally important situation impacting everyone that ALL sides need to come together on and sustain in our schools.

Please read and listen!

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PLEASE-PLEASE READ! We need you to help SAVE ARCHERY and HUNTERS SAFETY in the SCHOOLS! I just launched podcast 336 on a critical subject about the Feds taking funding away from schools who involve National Archery in the Schools and also Hunters education! This nock on podcast 336 gives you direct insight from Dan Forster who is on the frontlines of this fight! PLEASE LISTEN & PLEASE TAKE ACTION spread the word. Podcast is available where you consume them! Thanks for your help!
Here’s a link to get your voice heard

https://actionalerts.archerytrade.org/a/keep-archery-in-schools

ALL I KNOW IS THAT I KNOW NOTHING - SOCRATES

The irony of trying to be a good parent…the more you do it the more you realize how much you need to get the hell out of the way. 

Parents SHOULD do everything possible so our kids become better versions of ourselves. The only way I know to do that is to try and put this girl in front of people far more competent, capable and worthy of her time than I am. 

Our relationship with is built on this foundation. Wayne and Lisa have created an environment of inclusivity and engagement not bound by any prejudice nor entitlement. Who you are is more than good enough for them and their family, no matter what, when you walk through those doors. 

This community is what gave Gabbi the chance to spend time with the icon thanks to Lisa. She could tell from Gabbi’s eyes how amazed she was to see the legend at work from across the shop. When Lisa asked if Gabbi wanted to meet him, all the normally hyper-verbal child could do was nod yes. 

With no hesitation, Mr. Hanes spent an incredible amount of time talking and sharing with Gabbi as though she was one of his own. He genuinely wanted to hear her story and how she made it to be there that day. His words of empowerment and wisdom left Gabbi borderline speechless. 

Back on the road she asked if she could shoot the competitive courses at the instead of the recreational she originally signed up for. I asked what made her change her mind since she was “too nervous” for that two months ago. Her response…

“Because Mr. Hanes believes I can.”

She walked away from the weekend with greater confidence in her capabilities and met amazing new friends. Inconsequentially, she also collected two 1st place finishes and a 2nd place finish in ALL the competitive courses for the Under-18 Female Bowhunter class. That was only possible because of Lisa and Cam who clearly know far more than I do…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 


Jake & Gabby stopped by the shop on their way to   was in the shop and chatted with them both and we got this pic! &bows

Pure Elevation only provides this view to those who earn it.

These women did just that and then some.

Wife. Mother. Grandmother. WARRIOR.

Someone far more educated and emotionally mature would have a more eloquent way of expressing the feelings I have and share with our entire Forge Family when we heard Nicole died yesterday morning.

Unfortunately that person isn’t me and the only thing I can manage to keep saying repeatedly is F**K YOU CANCER WE HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.

Nicole fought this war until the absolute end, receiving experimental T-cell treatment in an all-out, last ditch effort to buy more time with her family. Today would have been her 46th birthday.

She deserved that time. Her family deserved that time. Cancer stole what was rightfully theirs.

To her family, we are so incredibly sorry for your loss. Again, I lack the words to adequately describe the impact she had on our community every day. Please know that everything she was and represented to you inside the walls of your home, she was that and more out here to us.

We have some pretty tough people with incredible resolve in our community; warfighters, cops, firefighters, Cancer survivors. They all agree Nicole was far stronger and more fearless than anyone we have ever known.

She chose to take this battle head-on and fight it. She will forever inspire everyone here to do more than they think is possible. She was our WARRIOR.