More Than a Game, It’s a Mission
Fighting for Mental Wellness Through Paintball
Our team is the driving force behind our mission to help those struggling with mental illnesses. Through the thrill of paintball, we’re building a community of support, resilience, and hope. Get to know the dedicated individuals who are turning paintball into a powerful tool for change.
I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Tami Adamson. I was introduced to this sport that we all love over 31 years ago by my cousin, Larry Whitaker. Who then introduced me to my now husband, Todd Adamson. Around 26 years ago, I was super tired of either sitting home on the weekends, or watching from the sidelines of a ten man field, and I decided to start a all female 5 (wo)man team, the Femmes Fatale. After a bit, it became a team that brought women f all background together, to whom would never have stepped foot on a paintball field.
Alongside Todd, we developed and branded our own paintball gear, started in 1996-97, called Extreme Rage. We’ve had always had a passion to better our gear that we used, or add onto it. With owning and building our own brand and both of us playing, Todd on Annihilators, Rage, Aftershock, Ironmen, and All Americans, we have developed a profound love and admiration of and for the paintball community and the people who we’ve surrounded ourselves with.
In those 31 years, we have numerous friends and associates that we have lost due to suicide or addiction from trying to overcome mental health challenges. We all suffer in our own way. The paintball industry is such a small community, that we all are pretty much within arms reach of someone who is struggling.
Mental Health struggles can come in all forms from SA, physical abuse, drug or alcohol addiction, PTSD, physical abuse, ADD, ADHD, eating disorders, postpartum, loss of a loved one, loss of a teammate/someone you served with, and many more……..
That’s why I have started Paintball for Purpose. We are a non-profit 501-3c and our main focus is to help our fellow athletes and Veterans to overcome the adversities and challenges of mental health. No one should suffer in silence. We are here to help with onsite counseling, mentorship programs, help to find counseling in your area, and educational materials. We are here on and off the field to raise awareness within the paintball community, and provide those in need the right tools to seek help.
Paintball is a small but mighty community, that I also call my family. So I ask you to help spread the word of Paintball for Purpose. In doing so you could very well save a fellow athlete or Veteran’s life .
Chris Hudson is a recognized political professional and the current Vice President of Political Strategy at Presstige Printing. His comprehensive background includes everything from government affairs management to campaign and grassroots management and nonprofit work, in addition to policy analysis and preparation of legislation while working at both state and federal legislative offices.
Chris spent 10 years prior to joining Presstige Printing with Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Chris was the AFP Florida State Director for five years and the VP of Government Affairs for the remainder of his time. Earlier in his career he worked for the Florida Senate, Republican Party of Florida and The Foundation for Government Accountability in various roles.
Chris is also the current Chairman of Optima Classical Network. Chris attended Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations. He lives in Naples, Florida with his wife and daughters, and is an avid paintball player.
Ms. Helgeson currently serves as a Director of Development for the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Industrial & Systems Engineering. She joined UF at the end of 2023 and is excited to be working with her alma mater. In her current role, Amy engages alumni, friends of the university and industry to engage with the department in meaningful philanthropic ways.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Helgeson was Vice President of Global Development and Relationships at Multiple, a nonprofit startup dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs with tech-enabled solutions for the autism community. She joined Multiple shortly after its inception in 2022. Ms. Helgeson played a pivotal role in scouting and engaging promising startups, connecting them with knowledge and potential funders to scale their business and impact.
Before Multiple, Ms. Helgeson spent nearly 12 years with Autism Speaks. Her journey with Autism Speaks began in 2017 as a member of Field Development, grew into Executive Director roles, and culminated in a regional position supporting numerous markets and staff. During her tenure with Autism Speaks, she supported the organization with significant growth in fundraising and launching new events. Before her impactful work with Autism Speaks, Ms. Helgeson held the position of Division Director at March of Dimes.
Adam Philpott is a 20+ year Florida civil litigation trial attorney and partner with the firm Beauchamp, Sang, Gonzales & Philpott, P.A. in their Winter Park office. He received his B.S. degree cum laude in legal studies from the University of Central Florida in 2000. Thereafter, he received his juris doctorate in 2003 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he earned dean’s list recognition honors. Mr. Philpott is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to all state courts in Florida as well as the United States Federal courts for the southern, middle and northern districts of Florida. He has volunteered with the Orange County Teen Court program along with other local pro bono organizations.
Mr Philpott played competitive paintball from 1994-2002 and then again from 2016-present. He has won more than 50 tournaments in multiple states and countries. He has played for numberous teams, including Sasquatch, Bad Karma, Impact (Florida), Strange, Speed, Florida Annihilators, Extreme Rage, Master Blasters, Ironmen and Chicago Aftershock.
Adam Lovejoy currently serves as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the St. Johns River Water Management District, one of five water management districts in Florida with regulatory authority over permitting water use and environmental permits for development, along with many other duties and responsibilities related to environmental restoration and conservation within its 18-county footprint. Adam previously served in various legislative capacities within state government and the private sector.
Adam resides in Ocoee, Florida with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Reid and Kara. His love of paintball began at the age of 12 at a birthday party in 1993. Living in Central Florida afforded him the opportunity to attend World Cup on multiple occasions in the mid 90’s. Two and half decades later, Reid fell in love with the sport at his 10th birthday party and paintball remains an important part of their lives. Having personally observed the pain and challenges of mental health issues in his personal life, Adam is passionate about serving the paintball community in this capacity with Paintball for Purpose and the good work that lies ahead.