Jaz Duncan

Peer Mentor (He/Him/His)

SPECIAL INTERESTS: ALCOHOL RECOVERY | FAMILY AND PARENTING SUPPORT | OUTDOOR RECREATION | MEDICAL TRAUMA RECOVERY | CAREGIVER SUPPORT | GRIEF | MEN’S WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH

Jaz was born and raised in the Chippewa Valley. At an early age, Jaz’s parents were divorced due to alcoholism, and he was raised by a single mother. Jaz lived in the country near a river, creek, and pond. Through these challenges, he discovered his love and passion for fishing and his enthusiasm for everything outdoors. Jaz and his brother and friends would get their fishing poles and lose track of the day fishing and outdoor adventuring. Jaz had a natural talent in sports and loved to play basketball, football, and baseball for Altoona where he graduated.

After high school, Jaz entered the working world and took courses at CVTC. He struggled with alcohol and went through many different manufacturing and distribution jobs. Jaz always enjoyed learning new skills and joining committees and project groups whenever he could help the team. He continued this path until he experienced medical trauma and grief.

When Jaz was 25 years old his mother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Jaz took off work for a considerable amount of time to help care for and spend time with his mother, who eventually passed away at a very young age.

Jaz continued with his passion for playing sports. He played basketball and slow-pitch softball with friends in many different recreational leagues and tournaments. At 27 years old Jaz was playing an annual alumni basketball tournament when he started feeling pain in his chest and arm. After arriving at the hospital Jaz learned that he was having a heart attack, due to a blood clot. After surgery and lifestyle changes, he eventually recovered, got married, and started his own family a couple of years later.

Unfortunately, Jaz’s experience with medical trauma didn't stop there. Nine years later, while attending an out-of-town wedding; Jaz came down with a headache that lasted days. With the history of his mom’s brain tumor, the stress level was high. After going to the ER several times and being sent home with a migraine diagnosis, he was admitted to the hospital finally. After several days spent in the hospital, the final diagnosis was a rare brain blood clot. This was another very scary moment, but Jaz eventually recovered with some new chronic medication regimens. Jaz has firsthand knowledge of the abundance of obstacles medical conditions bring to individuals, families, and caregivers.

As Jaz was working on getting his own health in order, another medical emergency would strike. Jaz’s daughter, at 18 months old, went into a seizure just before the Christmas holiday. This event eventually led to a medical helicopter emergency and hospitalizations with several trips to Mayo Clinic Rochester specialists over several years.

Jaz has been blessed with the opportunity to be a mentor and a legal guardian for youth furthering his empathy and compassion for the challenges of others. This also helped him see firsthand how coping mechanisms can be found even in unique circumstances and utilized to help create a healthier environment.

Jaz is a family man first and loves to travel with his wife and kids. He loves to fish and shares this passion with youth and others who wish to learn. He believes fishing is an activity that anybody can benefit from, whether it be food for the table, quiet peace of mind, or just embracing mother nature. Jaz believes the outdoors and everything it has to offer can relieve chaos in challenging times. He brought his passion for fishing to the competitive level by participating in pro/am style bass fishing tournaments. He also enjoys watching and coaching youth sports and passing on his passion for the game within the community. Jaz enjoys helping create healthy outlets and being able to watch others grow.