Taylor Kitsch Builds Healing Space in Bozeman, Montana

You might recognize Taylor Kitsch from Friday Night Lights as Tim Riggins or from Netflix's American Primeval. He recently traded the Hollywood life for life on the dirt roads in Bozeman and is putting his 22-acre property to good use for so much more than the man off-camera. He is constructing a sober nature retreat to honor his sister Shelby, who is in recovery from years of opioid addiction.

Family is first

Many celebrities speak about “time off.” As it turned out, Kitsch did that for Shelby in the mid-2010s, taking care of her and supporting her through recovery. He describes it as his proudest achievement. So instead of moving on, he has turned his ranch into a place where people who are in recovery to simply take a breath.

So what will this retreat look like?

Fishing spots, walking trails, quiet corners to scribble or read, and even a sweat lodge run by a local shaman...WILD. This is not only for the sober community. This will be a space for vets, kids, and anyone needing to get away from the noise.

Art imitating life

He revealed that Shelby actually taught him the serious downsides of living with opioid dependence long before it came into play for a role in Netflix’s Painkiller, where he plays a man wrestling with addiction. He calls it a “cathartic” experience and is even considering writing and directing something based on her story. If it looks anything like this retreat idea, it's going to be right in the feels.

Why this hits different

Not some superstar doing charity just for good PR. This is a guy who has lived the memoir and now opened the door to lead others onto a similar path. And he is doing it in Montana. You cannot get any better than that.