A documentary

We Defy

Not Dead Yet. Keep Going.

He wasn’t supposed to live. He wasn’t supposed to see again. He was never supposed to take another step. Now this Green Beret amputee will ruck 100 miles across the West Texas desert to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas.

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100Miles of desert
8,751 ftGuadalupe Peak
4–5Days on foot
1Leg. Still going.

Who he is

Daniel Carlton

A retired US Army Special Forces Chief Warrant Officer with two Purple Hearts from Afghanistan. A husband of over two decades and father of eight, living in Texas.

In November 2012, an IED took his left leg and nearly his right. Doctors told his family what to expect. He had other plans.

He doesn’t set out to be an inspiration or an influencer. He does the hard things he loves and shares them. That honesty is what makes an impact.

The Journey
Dan Carlton
Dan before his injury
Before
Dan in service
In service
They said
He did
He would likely die.
He lived. Married over two decades, father of eight.
He would never see again.
He regained his vision. Now he sees what matters more clearly than ever.
He would never walk again.
He saved his right leg. Now he’s walking 100 miles.

His answer every time: “I’ll show you.”

November 29, 2012 · Afghanistan

The two men who kept him alive

An IED took Dan’s left leg and nearly his right. A Special Forces medic reached him first. An Australian surgeon kept him alive. Both are part of this story.

MSG (Ret.) George Placke with Dan and Dan’s son George

MSG (Ret.) George Placke

US Army Special Forces Medic

Saved Dan at the point of injury. Pictured with Dan and his son George, named in his honor.

Captain Ian Young, Royal Australian Navy

Capt. Ian Young

Royal Australian Navy

The military surgeon who fought to keep Dan alive.

“Without these two, none of this would be possible.”— Dan Carlton

The expedition

100 miles to the top of Texas

Dan rucks beside his friend and mentor Terrence Ogden, founder of Official Project Grit, with a mobile crew carrying food, water, camping gear and prosthetic equipment.

01

The Desert

Day after day across the West Texas desert, 100 miles on foot with Terrence Ogden at his side.

02

The Community

On the final day, the trail opens to the people who carried him through war and recovery. They walk the last miles together.

03

The Summit

Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 feet, the highest point in Texas. Everyone leaves with a new perspective on what matters most.

Act I

Home

Texas, family and training. Who Dan is, and why this journey now.

Act II

The Ruck

100 miles toward the peak, woven with his service, injury and recovery.

Act III

The Return

The summit with his community, then home again, changed by the miles.

A 30–43 minute documentary. The outcome remains unwritten.

Dan in a wheelchair outside the hospital with Major (Ret.) Jared Leibold
2012 · Recovery
Dan resting on the trail, prosthetic leg beside him
The trail
A rider on a bucking bull in a rodeo arena
The arena
Dan rucking the open road
The road

Why we’re making this film

My story is everyone’s story.

Over the past year, people who follow my journey have reached out to me. Amputees who contemplated suicide after losing a limb. People struggling to accept what life handed them. People quietly facing challenges no one else can see.

They saw me keep going, and it gave them hope.

We Defy is for them, and for anyone standing at that same crossroads. This is not a vanity project. It’s a story of grit, determination and the community that carries us when we choose to defy.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988. Veterans, press 1.

Proven on the trail

An audience already following

First amputee

to complete Project Grit’s Immortal 32, a 75-mile ruck.

First amputee

to complete 3 of 7’s Rite of Passage: 24 hours in the mountains, never sitting down.

Film + podcast

The 3 of 7 film and Chadd Wright’s podcast carried his story to thousands.

Speaker

Audiences who heard his story asked him to share it on their stages.

Support the film

Help bring We Defy to the screen

We Defy is funded by people who believe in it. Every gift goes directly into making the film, from the first interview to the public release.

Funding goal

$70,000

  • Pre-production & prepDec 1, 2026
  • Filming · the main effortJan 15, 2027
  • Post-production & distributionMar 1, 2027
  • Finished filmApr 1, 2027

Your gift funds

  • Development, interviews and archival work
  • Expedition filming and logistics
  • Editing, sound, music, color and captions
  • Screenings and public release
Give to We Defy
G2 Impact: Honoring Warriors, Inspiring Resilience

Your gift goes further

Every dollar beyond the film’s budget supports G2 Impact, a non-profit serving veterans, first responders and those impacted by trauma.

Giving: Elizabeth Rodriguez · elizabeth@g2impact.org

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Partners

The people behind the miles

Expedition partner

Official Project Grit

Founder Terrence Ogden, Dan’s friend and mentor, rucks the desert miles beside him.

Impact partner

G2 Impact

Every dollar beyond the film’s budget goes to veterans, first responders and those impacted by trauma.

Your organization

Partner with us

Brands and organizations who share these values can help carry the film. Start a conversation →

Get involved

What will you defy?

Donors, partners, press and filmmakers: reach out to be part of We Defy. Follow the journey as it happens.

Contact Dan Follow on Instagram