The Origins of TrailRecon
How did a retired Navy master chief end up being the creator of one of the most popular off-road and overland channels on YouTube?
That’s a question Brad Kowitz, creator of TrailRecon, gets asked a lot.
The easy answer is that it was a happy accident. But, as you might imagine, for a channel that has more than half a million subscribers and 90 million views, there’s a bit more to the story than that.
On a September afternoon in 2015, while still on active duty and stationed in San Diego, Brad pulled out of his driveway in a blue Ford Mustang GT and returned a few hours later in a new silver Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
He thought he was trading in a fast, fun ride for a vehicle that would be more practical for his family of five.
He thought he was trading in a 2-door car for one with 4-doors and more space for his twin boys (both over 6-feet) and all their gear when he picked them up from football practice.
He thought he was trading in a sports car for a capable 4x4 vehicle that he and his boys could use to explore some out of the way places in Southern California.
What he did not think was that trading in his Mustang for a Jeep would change his life. But it did.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d have a YouTube channel with half a million subscribers,” said Brad. “It’s pretty crazy, and pretty humbling, to have that many people who want to follow our adventures.”
In fact, Brad never expected to be making YouTube videos at all, let alone be doing it as a post-military retirement career. After retiring from the Navy in 2016, he had a perfectly fine job working as a government contractor at the Naval Health Research Center in their health and behavioral sciences division.
“I didn’t wake up one morning and say, ‘I want to be a YouTuber.’ Honestly, I don’t think I even knew that was a thing back then.”
Off-Road Adventures and Father-Son Bonding Time
Off-roading in the Jeep was simply a way for Brad to bond with his sons, Devyn, Jordan, and Justin, after spending so much time away from home while serving in the Navy. As an Independent Duty Corpsman, Brad deployed a lot during his 26-year career, including multiple shipboard assignments, tours with the Marines, and a combat deployment to Fallujah, Iraq in 2006.
“I knew I couldn’t get back any of the time that I missed when the boys were growing up,” said Brad. “But I knew we could have some fun new adventures in the Jeep, make new memories, and it would be a great way to reconnect with my sons by spending time outside and off the grid.”
So a month after buying the Jeep, Brad and Jordan went on their first father-son off-road adventure to the mud caves in Anza-Borrego. Unknown to Brad at the time, Jordan was filming the entire adventure on his cell phone.
“By the time we got home, he’d put it all together and edited it with music. I was blown away. I was like, this is so cool. Let’s do this every time we go out to make a video diary,” Brad said.
An Accidental YouTuber
There was no intent or strategy for building a YouTube channel. Their only thought was keeping a record of their adventures and sharing them with family and friends. In fact, there was no “TrailRecon” back then, only the “Kowitz Adventures” YouTube account. And if you scroll all the way back through the videos, you’ll even find a few family hiking trips as well as Brad’s Navy retirement ceremony.
After about six months of recording his off-road trips around Southern California and uploading them to YouTube, Brad noticed something—people were watching his videos. And they were asking questions—lots of them.
“They wanted to know about the trails in the videos, if I thought their vehicles could make it, and what modifications I’d made to my Jeep,” he said. “Back then, there weren’t a lot of off-road channels on YouTube and even though this was really just a hobby for us, we decided to try and answer some of those questions for folks.”
Somehow, without any plan to do so, he’d acquired 1,000 subscribers by June 2016. That’s also the point when he thought he should start taking things a little more seriously.
“I thought, wow! There’s a thousand people who want to follow us and watch our videos. That just blew my mind. I had no background in any of this stuff, I was a medical guy from the Navy, what did I know about making videos? But this motivated me to really figure out how to film and edit better.”
And so Brad began to learn everything he could about video production and storytelling.
“I listened to a lot of podcasts on how to make interesting YouTube videos. I watched a lot of YouTube videos in many different genres to learn what was and wasn’t working for others. It’s been a lot of trial and error, and I’m still learning, figuring things out, and making changes to how I create content,” he said.
Growing a Successful YouTube Channel
As Brad continued to learn, the channel began to grow even more and he changed the family’s account name to “TrailRecon.”
“I considered a lot of different names but TrailRecon just stuck because that’s what we doing—searching for trails, doing some recon on them, and providing that information to our audience,” said Brad.
He also started changing up the content he was creating. Instead of just videos of a Jeep on a trail, he started filming the camping, the cooking, and even what he was doing in the garage.
“In the beginning it was just about the trails, but there is so much more to getting out on these adventures than just the trail,” Brad said. “I love every aspect of what we do, whether it’s about finding the right gear, the food we’re eating, the camaraderie around the campfire, or the installs and vehicle modifications…I just enjoy all of it. And I thought, maybe I should turn the camera on while I’m doing all these other things because other people might enjoy it too.”
And they did. Because 1,000 subscribers grew to 10,000 by January 2017, and then to 100,000 by September 2018.
“It was so humbling that this many people were following us, and I took it as a responsibility to make sure that I was delivering good content,” Brad recalled.
Seizing a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Even though TrailRecon was still just a hobby, Brad’s commitment to creating quality content, responding to comments, and everything else entailed with running a YouTube channel, as well as an Instagram account, a Facebook page, and a private Facebook group, quickly became a second full time job.
“It started to consume my life a little bit,” said Brad. “I had my full time job as a Navy contractor, and then I’d come home and start editing or filming video, and responding to social media comments. On the weekends I’d be out having an adventure on the trail or in the garage making more videos, and it got to be quite a lot.”
At this point, the beginning of 2019, Brad started thinking about quitting his “day job” because something had to give—either his job or the YouTube channel. And while Brad really enjoyed his job, he loved what he was doing with TrailRecon. And being able to create videos about off-roading and overlanding full time would be living the dream. He had a once in a lifetime opportunity within his grasp, all he had to do was take a leap of faith.
Add revenue from YouTube was good, if inconsistent, but he still had his military retirement and health benefits, and his wife Regena had a great full time job working as a civilian for the Navy.
So, in August 2019, with just over 200,000 subscribers and Regena’s support, Brad decided to take a chance and he quit his government contracting job to go all in with TrailRecon.
And he hasn’t looked back.
Inspired to Adventure
Nearly two and a half years later, the channel now has more than 500,000 subscribers, that silver Jeep has been joined by several other off-road vehicles in the garage, and Brad is a familiar face in the off-road and overland communities.
But more importantly, he is still doing what he set out to do when he first started making videos—spending quality time outdoors and off-road making incredible memories with his family and friends, and sharing his experiences on TrailRecon to inspire others to get out there and have adventures of their own.
“Every time someone tells me they started off-roading, overlanding, getting out in nature and spending more time with their families because of the videos we make, I’m so grateful to have had some small part in that. I never imagined the positive impact we would have on people’s lives and I hope we can continue doing this for many years to come.”
Related Videos
For your viewing pleasure, below is the very first TrailRecon YouTube video, shot and edited entirely on an iPhone. Oh my! We've come a long, long way since then!
15 Comments
Rich Brunnworth
I always wondered a bit about the back story "pre-TrailRecon" and how long Brad served. 26 years is a long career. Thank you so much for this look inside TrailRecon and how it came to be. I always look forward to seeing the adventures that are taken, the people you meet, and the FOOD Regena prepares. Can't wait to catch you someday on the trails and swap stories. Rich
Regena
You're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed the story of how it all got started! We've taken a bit of break over the holidays, but we're gearing up for some more trail adventures (and cooking!) in the near future. Happy Trails! Regena
Tommy McNicholas
Thanks for all the hard work. I didn’t get into this because of you but once I did find the channel it definitely upped my ambitions and excitement and I’ve even managed to fill a bit of it with plans to do more over time.
Regena
Thank you for watching! Otherwise, the hard work would be for naught! Whether TrailRecon inspired you to get started or just motivated you to keep on going, it's all good. The important thing is to just get outside and have a great adventure! :) Regena
Rich Pedersen
Thanks for writing, Regena (and Brad)!! ????
Regena
I did the writing because that is not Brad's strong suit (his spelling is...creative). He was kind enough to answer my interview questions and I took it from there! :) Regena
Edgar
I would like to thank you. I have been going out making my own memories with family and friends. I don’t have any of the fancy cookware or cool tents. But you have inspired me to go out with what ever we had. Like you said just get out and enjoy the time and adventure. Thanks again, Edgar
Brad
I've always said you don't need much to get started overlanding. Just the basics of shelter, safety, and food. The most important thing is that you just get out there and make awesome memories and it sounds like you have that down. Thank you for watching the channel! Brad
Milo Netzler
Enjoy your channel so much. Please add me to your list.
Regena
Thank you so much! :) Regena
Ryan
TrailRecon definitely gave me the overlanding bug back in 2019. A friend of mine had just purchased a 2 door JL and was trying to convince me to get a jeep to go wheeling with him. To be honest I was never really a fan of Jeeps or the stereotypical “Jeeper” persona. However, after watching the Mojave Road video I was sold. My wife and I at the time were avid hikers, and always wanted to get into camping but weren’t fans of crowded campgrounds. TrailRecon opened my eyes to overlanding, and all of the adventures that come with it. We’ve been on several big trips all across California and Colorado. We haven’t been able to get out much over the past year because we been waiting for our daughter to get a little older. This year will be the year when we start introducing her to camping and overlanding, all in our built out Jeep. Thanks for the content and inspiration!
Brad
We did a lot of hiking too and first "overland" trip was us just throwing our backpacking gear in the back of the Jeep. We aren't fans of campgrounds either and enjoy getting away from it all. Thank you for watching our adventures!
Steven
Brad, Absolutely LOVE this tale of adventure! Been a long-time subscriber since the first Silver Jeep wrap, and finally joined the Jeep community for real with our own 2020 JL 2D. Retirement for us is around the corner and we also plan to do more outdoor family adventures between horses and Jeepin. Thank you for being an inspiration Brother, and one day I hope to see you out on the trail! HOOYA!
Brad
Thank you so much for watching and congratulation on your upcoming retirement!
Paul Erickson
Regena, excellent post and story about TrailRecon's beginnings. Those leaps of faith can be terrifying, but with the love and support of an awesome spouse and kids, I'm sure it helped when that leap was made. So Thank YOU for helping with all of this! I can't think of a better way to dive into a labor of love that can also help others as well as be a source of income! We appreciate everything your family does to entertain, inform, and educate the offroad and overlanding communities. I know it has given my wife and I ideas of possible adventures!
Regena
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I was definitely a bit nervous as I'm probably the more conservative person in our marriage when it comes to things like this. And we are fortunate to have Brad's military retirement and his health care benefits as a bit of a safety net. But...nothing ventured, nothing gained! :) Regena
Pete Ramos
Brad.. its been exciting to see your channel and everything offered here on your website. When covid struck in 2020 I told my family " its time to gear up and go outdoors" Since then its been a life saver . Thank you and your wonderful family for this great advice and adventure !
Brad
Thank you for watching! So glad you find the videos helpful and yep, just get out and go! Brad
Steven Forrest
Michelle and I live in Borrego Springs. We'd pushed our Subaru Outback to the limits of Stupid out in the back country, but we always longed for a Jeep, partly just so we would be safer. We bought a 2018 Rubicon JL a couple of years ago. It's still WAY more vehicle than we deserve, but we love it. We've been learning about offroading from a mix of "just doing it" and watching TrailRecon videos. I want to thank you for all the help you've given us. I can't tell you how many times I've freeze-framed one of your videos just see exactly where you placed your tires. Bottom line, you've boosted my confidence with your good teaching and I am very grateful. I also appreciate the tenderness between you and Regena and with your boys, along with your great attitude about respecting the trails and not being a thumb head out there. And Marco's recipes are terrific!
Brad
That's so awesome to hear! The more you get out there, the more confident you'll be. I was white knuckling it on my first trail and it wasn't a very hard one! LOL! Brad
Zach Smith
Regena, this was fantastic to read! I like others, have been watching TrailRecon for years and remember many of the videos from the beginning all the way to when Brad decided to go Full Time. It’s great to see the channel succeed like it has. I cannot thank you or Brad enough for the commitment and quality to the channel, it’s brought a lot of joy to my life while I was deployed and at home. It has been an inspiration to me and one of the big reasons why I started filming and sharing my own adventure with others. Thank you, guys, so much and cannot wait for the channels next adventure. And always remember ARMY beats NAVY!
Regena
That's so awesome that you stuck through some of those earlier videos! Haha! :) I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos and best wishes to you as you share your adventures. Just one thing...Go NAVY!!!! ;) Regena
will
So interesting to read about the milestones and transitions that happened as the channel grew. Best wishes for more growth and success as the two of you navigate videos, sponsorships, e-commerce, and whatever else you build with TrailRecon. Cheers!
Regena
Thank you so much! TrailRecon has been such an adventure...on and off the trail. :) Regena
Dale Karraker
Regena, first and foremost please accept my sincere gratitude for your and your family's sacrifices in service to our country and Brad's career. My own Navy career (CTI1(NAC)) was cut short by a closed brain injury that resulted in a stroke. Throughout my military service, my recovery, and post-Navy career it has been the unwavering support of my spouse (also a Navy vet) and family that made it work. As my old XO would say "Bravo Zulu, Good on yeh!" On to the TrailRecon channel and "jeep world". I had two different Wranglers (that I never modified in any way) during my military time and most recently acquired a 2021 Gladiator Willys. I study the TrailRecon content diligently and have gained a great deal of insight from y'all about what works and what has not during my build. That includes content about what will help the distaff members of our group adapt and enjoy the experiences - all in the spirit of getting out and enjoying the countryside! A final note: My spouse and I both grew up overseas and saw much of the world as a result. But most of our experience in our own country was from flying over it on our way to or from. Now its all about seeing the US from about 4' above the ground, and with dirt under the wheels wherever possible. Thank you again for supporting Brad's adventure, both in uniform and with TrailRecon. BRAVO ZULU!
Regena
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so sorry to hear how your career was cut short, but I'm glad you've recovered and are still able to get out there and enjoy our beautiful country...there is so much to see. And Navy spouses (all military spouses) are the absolute best--we can get through just about anything while helping everyone else around us, but you already know that! ;) Regena
Douglas Hiatt
Just wanted to thank Brad in a off topic sort of way... When my mom was bed ridden in her final days, I stumbled across a trailrecon video of Elephant Hill in Utah. This was a favorite trail of my parents and the memories it brought back to her made her flush with happiness. Thanks for doing what you do. Happy travels and trails.
Brad
I'm sorry to hear about your mom and I'm humbled to know that one of our videos made her happy. Thank you for sharing this because hearing about the impact we're having is what inspires me to keep going. Thank you! Brad
Ray Blackmer
Thank you the history lesson…especially that first video. It has been a pleasure to have been able to follow and sometimes participate in your adventures. Looking forward to more adventures with you and all the new friends that we have met and will meet along the way.
Brad
Thank you! And you really didn't have to go back and watch that first video. LOL! Brad
Mark
That is a great first YouTube. That looks similar to what my wife and daughter have done with their i phones. It's awesome how far you've come. Congratulations! I always look forward to seeing what you're up to next.
Brad
Thank you! Appreciate you watching. Brad
Scott
Thank you both for such a great channel
Brad
Thank you! Brad
Ryan
TrailRecon definitely gave me the overlanding bug back in 2019. A friend of mine had just purchased a 2 door JL and was trying to convince me to get a jeep to go wheeling with him. To be honest I was never really a fan of Jeeps or the stereotypical “Jeeper” persona. However, after watching the Mojave Road video I was sold. My wife and I at the time were avid hikers, and always wanted to get into camping but weren’t fans of crowded campgrounds. TrailRecon opened my eyes to overlanding, and all of the adventures that come with it. We’ve been on several big trips all across California and Colorado. We haven’t been able to get out much over the past year because we been waiting for our daughter to get a little older. This year will be the year when we start introducing her to camping and overlanding, all in our built out Jeep. Thanks for the content and inspiration!
Brad
We did a lot of hiking too and first "overland" trip was us just throwing our backpacking gear in the back of the Jeep. We aren't fans of campgrounds either and enjoy getting away from it all. Thank you for watching our adventures! Brad
Sonja Watkins
Thanks for these great videos! My dad had a 1942 Jeep when I was a kid, and he taught me to drive it when I was tall enough to reach the pedals...that was 8 years of age. I ending up driving that sane Jeep to high school. Several year later, he sold that Jeep and it is supposed to be in a museum somewhere in Oregon. But he then bought a 97 Wrangler and I inherited it a couple years later. I have always loved the desert and Jeeping, and my husband and I go out as often as we can. Had to make some recent repairs (for goodness sake...it is 25 years old!) and now we are ready to get back out there. We don't do overlanding, just day trips....but who knows what the future holds? Thanks again for the inspiring videos! I recently built a tailgate table and a shelf in the back for storage. It is so nice to see family entertainment without bad language and nonsense that is so prevalent on some channels.
Brad
As long as you're getting out there and having fun, that's what counts. And keeping things family friendly is very important to us. Thank you for watching! Brad
Benjamin
Very cool story, I always wondered how this story started. Just want to say thanks. I started watching your videos a little over a year ago and it is what started our own off-roading trips with my two infants and wife on my Gen 2 Tacoma with our own trailer. I hope 2023 brings the TrailRecon family more smiles and adventures. PS I just ordered from your website for the first time and I HAD to try that coffee. Cheers! -Benjamin
Brad
Thanks for following our adventures and best wishes with your own! Enjoy the coffee! Brad
Pete Acevedo
I really enjoyed this article and others you have written your insight is why the channel has grown. I wish you guys the best in 2023. Keep posting the positive content and this family will continue to watch. A fan from Colorado.
Brad
Thank you so much! Brad
Paul
Big Hoooahhhhhh to you for your service, from a retired Army helicopter mechanic! I started wheeling in 88 with my 87 Wrangler! I sold it back in 2003 or 4 and just bought a Bronco Wildtrak. I love seeing your overlanding trips, we just bought a Moby 1 trailer and plan on doing overlanding. Yes, I have done 8/9 trails in the Jeep and Bronco but, I think I am going to limit it to overlanding! Thanks again, maybe see you on the trails!
Brad
Thank you for your service and I appreciate you watching! Brad
Tony Leparulo
thank you for your service, and thank you for trail recon. following you, Has helped me in all of my jeep adventures. when I purchased my 2020 jeep Rubicon diesel you were very helpful with questions I had and you have a lot of great information and trails to go on. Thank you so much. You’re my to go site when I need information or anything to do with trails. Thanks again enjoy your success. You deserve it.
Brad
Thank you so much and it's good to know our videos are helpful! Brad
Stuart
I have subscribed to your channel since the silver rubicon days. I have been offroading for many years and have enjoyed seeing your progression and projects through the years. Even though you have visited many places that I have already been, seeing the new spots are interesting and thank you for doing the "Recon" for me. I also appreciate seeing Regena's point of view. Hope to meet you guys sometime on the Trail or at some event. Keep up the great channel for all of us!!!
Brad
Thank you for being a longtime subscriber! I've learned a lot along the way and I'm fortunate that Regena wants to hit the trail with me. Brad
Brett
Hi Brad & Regina Great story, I too have been watching your show for many years now and I can confirm that the videos have improved immensely and I can appreciate how much of a pain in the ass it is to stop all the time to get the shot but your effort makes watching the videos worth it. The videos I enjoy most are of you and Regina together camping. Even thou I’ll never drive the tracks that you show, living in Australia, I enjoy the adventure and seeing new places through your and Regina eyes. Well done and keep up the good work. Looking to your downunder adventure.
Brad
Thank you so much for watching our adventures. It's a lot of work, but I know just how lucky I am to get to do this. Best wishes! Brad
Chad
Brad and Regena, love your channel and this little bio (great storytelling) of your path is enough to help my wife and I get serious about our own channel. I was a Marine in 7th comm at Kbay and then Okinawa in the early 90’s. I saw your 7th comm flag in your garage. I have been a pastor for the last 20 years and in the last 5 we have adopted seven kids to add to our three. Your videos helped light the fire for taking our crew of 12 off-road. Last few years, with my seven sons we have built two xj’s, a gladiator and a 12 passenger Nissan NV. We did the rim rocker in may after watching your videos and recorded as much as we could. Anyway thanks for sharing your story Regena. Hope to see you out on the trails Doc.
Brad
Oohrah! I was with 7th Comm in the early 2000s for my second tour on Okinawa. Glad you enjoyed the story Regena wrote and thank you for sharing that we inspired you to get out there with your family. Thank you! Brad
Ricardo
I love your videos and all your adventures! You have an awesome family, awesome friends and you are a great storyteller! That is why we all love your videos!
Brad
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words and thank you for watching the videos! Brad
Richard Lewis
I’ve been saving this email to read about how your adventure came to be and I’m glad I finished it. My wife and I purchased our first Jeep in 2019 and I found your channel searching for what to do with the Jeep. And I’ve been hooked since. I’m still active duty military but retire this summer and have the summer off planning to hit a lot more trails. Your channel has really inspired us to get out. So much so that I went out last week and added a second Jeep. Now we have a JL and Jk rubicon. Our son just turned 15 and he’s been getting in the garage with me to learn and wants to get a TJ. Anyways thanks again for this awesome content and providing the motivation for others to get out there and explore what this great country has to offer.
Brad
Glad you enjoyed the story and the content on the channel. It doesn't get much better than having your family with you on adventures and your son in the garage with you. Best wishes on your upcoming retirement and thank you for your service! Brad
Dylan Anderson
My wife never understood the coffee fixation until she got hooked watching your channel with me. I think it was the moment she saw your BAS guideon hanging in your garage that she made the connection by exclaiming, " Hey, that looks like your flag thingy hanging in your office... lol. Semper Fi Devil Doc! I truly enjoy watching and learning as i transition over to overlanding. Have always been a boots on the ground guy, but age creeps up on you and well the knees and waistline are not what they use to be. So my JK gets upgrades pretty regularly and we head out to parts unknown. Would really look forward to sharing an adventure or two if you have any more group roundups. Hope to see you downrange sometime. HM1 JD "Andy" Anderson ret. 3rd Mar Div PS Western New Mexico and Eastern Arizona are some spots your missing out on... (Chiricahuas, Gila, Blue and Black Range,)
Brad
Thank you for your service, Doc! I appreciate you watching the channel and for the tips. Stay tuned for some upcoming adventures in New Mexico! Brad
Jim Kirkland
Hey Brad and Regina. Thanks so much for your service to us and your country. We all can tell how much you treasure your time with the Service. I did my time with the Air Force and have great memories from it but only did a short short time compared to you Brad. So many thanks for your videos...you are our Go To Guy and Gal!! So much insight and presented so incredibly well. Its a fun retirement day when a new video pops up. I want to add a fun coffee comment too....I just the other day opened a brand new bag and oh man the fresh aromas were dazzling....I just took it all in and enjoyed every second of that brand new aroma. Love the flavor of your coffee. The Bourbon and Maple are the perfect add ons. I tried a little Hazelnut creamer the other day to go with the Maple and man it was incredible. Our units Air Force coffee was nothing like yours ha!.
Brad
So glad to hear you're enjoying the coffee! Regena and I had fun taste testing several different version before deciding on this one. Definitely better than any coffee I had in the Navy. Brad