Meet Jason Wilson | Content Creator: Backyard BBQ

Hi Jason, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
It was never my intention for Meat Therapy to become a business, I have a full-time job that I am passionate about. Respiratory Therapist by trade, I consider myself an above-average saver of lives and an average backyard BBQ’r. As a husband, father of three, Army Veteran, and proud healthcare professional- my cooks are my “therapy.”

My transition from the Army back to civilian life wasn’t the smoothest. I craved “normalcy” and I didn’t know what that looked like for my life anymore. While struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I threw myself into barbecuing, concocting and experimenting with rubs. Ten years and a whole lot of healing later, my father-in-law encouraged me to start a blog to capture and share my cooks with others. Meat Therapy was created (originally on Instagram) as a platform to share my love of barbecue, bourbon, and beer. As the business continued to grow, we expanded out to Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to try and connect with a larger audience.

These days we could all use a little therapy in our lives. I figured I couldn’t be the only one whose therapy came in the form of an outdoor grill and a prime cut of meat. In order to share this concept with others, my wife and I teamed up to share her passion of historic homes and my concept of Meat Therapy. This is how Therapy Sessions evolved.

Held at the Historic J.S Berry House in Waxahachie, TX, sessions include an interactive, personal grilling experience. This includes hands-on experience with the prep, process, and presentation of your meat of choice. In addition, enjoy a TX Whiskey smoked old fashioned or a local craft beer in the parlor and a cigar on the expansive front porch. Then you reap the fruits of YOUR labor gathered together chowing down around the dining table.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I can honestly say that being intentional and building relationships is what got me to where I am today professionally. Interacting with my followers and networking with companies that have similar visions helped me build the foundation of Meat Therapy. I set goals, but have realistic expectations. At times, it hasn’t been easy. Social media can be a black hole where one can get caught up in the analytics. I’ve learned to not worry about the numbers and just focus on connecting and engaging.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The week would start out at our historic 1900 home in Waxahachie, TX., just 30 minutes south of Downtown Dallas. We would visit the historic downtown square and go straight to the BBQ mecca…otherwise know as the Meat Church BBQ Supply flagship store. Next stop, my favorite local brewery Railport Brewing Company for an ice cold craft brew and live music.

Next we would travel about 45 minutes west to downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square. First stop Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge for a nice stick and pour. Then we would hit up The Flying Saucer for their bacon wrapped jalapeño appetizer. While on the west side of the metroplex a visit to the Stockyards is a must followed by a trip to a legit Texas rodeo.

There are so many amazing BBQ spots in the DFW area, including the most recently voted #1 Goldee’s BBQ. What I grew up on though was the OG, Angelo’s BBQ. It’s not the craft BBQ that is so popular now…it’s the old school beef, pork, poultry and smoke.

Next day, we are hitting up lunch at Hurtado’s for some of that mexi’que then washing it all down at a mixology event with our friends TX Whiskey at Whiskey Ranch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Throughout this journey, I have met so many great people from around the world and become connected as an ambassador and partner with some really stellar companies. I only work with and promote the best, products and companies that I genuinely believe in. I wouldn’t be here without my friends at TX Whiskey, Meat Church BBQ, Traeger Grills, Mammoth Coolers & Spaceman Knives. Community over competition really rings true within the BBQ world.

Website: https://meattherapybbq.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/meat.therapy/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/meat.therapy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDl926oYTAMlUNEMdOl6qZA

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@meat.therapy?lang=en

Image Credits
All images are owned by Meat Therapy