Steve Hotz walked into a military recruiter’s office on a whim and told them he wanted to join the 82nd Airborne. Years later, after a decorated career that included counter-drug operations and multiple deployments, he found his next mission behind an anvil. In this episode of the Saving 22 podcast, Trevor Blaszczyk sits down with Steve to talk about how Black Horse Forge became more than a blacksmithing business—it became a lifeline for veterans and families searching for purpose after service.
From the 82nd Airborne to the Anvil
Steve’s military career was anything but conventional. After crushing the ASVAB and shipping out within two weeks, he served with the 82nd Airborne’s 325th regiment before transitioning into counter-drug work with the North Carolina National Guard. “I kind of got recruited to do counter drug work with the North Carolina National Guard. It’s additional duty special work.”
After leaving the military, Steve channeled the same discipline and grit into learning the craft of blacksmithing. What started as a personal hobby evolved into Black Horse Forge—a business that caught the attention of none other than Mike Rowe, who featured Steve on his YouTube series People You Should Know. That exposure connected Steve with a nationwide audience of people hungry for stories of real craftsmanship and authentic purpose.
How Black Horse Forge Builds More Than Metal
The real magic of Black Horse Forge is not just the knives and tools Steve produces—it is what happens around the forge. Steve opened his shop to veterans and families, creating a space where people can work with their hands, learn a skill, and connect with a community that understands the value of hard work and shared purpose.
Trevor and Steve discuss how the act of forging—heating metal, shaping it under pressure, tempering it to make it strong—mirrors the process veterans go through during and after service. The metaphor is not lost on either of them. Building something tangible with your hands has a therapeutic power that no amount of screen time or talk therapy can fully replicate.
Mike Rowe, Theo Von, and the Power of Being Seen
Trevor explains how he discovered Steve through a chain of connections—Mike Rowe featured Black Horse Forge, then mentioned Steve on the Theo Von podcast. “Mike ended up going on Theo Von, and he had something to say about Steve about an hour and a half in.” That mention led Trevor to look up Steve’s website, send a message, and set up the interview within days.
The story illustrates a principle Trevor believes in deeply: when you do meaningful work and put it out into the world, the right people find you. Steve was not chasing fame—he was building something real, and the recognition followed naturally. For veterans looking to start their own ventures, that lesson is worth more than any marketing strategy.
Finding Purpose Through Craftsmanship and Community
The conversation keeps circling back to a theme that defines the Saving 22 podcast: purpose is the antidote to despair. Steve found his at the forge. Trevor found his behind the microphone. Both men agree that the key ingredient is serving something bigger than yourself—whether that means mentoring young people, supporting fellow veterans, or simply making something beautiful and useful with your own two hands.
Have you found your post-military mission? Know a veteran doing incredible work like Steve Hotz? Tag them in the comments or reach out—we want to share their story.
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