Founder / CEO/ Head Trainer

Dustin Diefenderfer helps individuals reach their specific personal and professional goals by pushing them to become more mentally tough. An ultramarathoner and backcountry hunter, Dustin focuses on mountain and hunting conditioning to achieve success in all aspects of life. A National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, Dustin’s overall philosophy is based on work ethic, grit and helping his clients learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

Head Trainer

Sarah graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, after playing 4 years of Division 1 Varsity soccer for the Commodores. After training with some of the finest in the SEC, she discovered her passion for coaching, working to develop strength and fitness in all levels of athlete. Sarah has been a NASM-certified personal trainer and strength coach for over 16 years, coaching youth, boot camp athletes, professional athletes, backcountry hunters, and military operators. She holds a Performance Enhancement Specialization as well as a Corrective Exercise Specialization. Sarah is gifted in the design of creative programming to motivate and inspire MTNTOUGHers to conquer both physical and mental challenges. Her insight and quality coaching creates connection, motivation, and discipline in the lives of those she serves, all while encouraging physical longevity and resilience for the mountain athlete.

Physical Therapist and Strength / Conditioning Specialist

Passionate about bridging the gap between rehab and performance, Dr. Nick Bechtold has been coaching mountain and military tactical athletes for over two years while also running a physical therapy practice, Movement Physio, with his wife, Anna, in an office directly located within the MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab. An orthopedic physical therapist, Nick is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He’s also certified as a strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. A Montana native, Nick was born and raised in Billings, and earned a B.A. in human biology and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana.

Director of Mindset

Phil brings this unique, experience to improve mental toughness to the MTNTOUGH Community. Building top performing leaders and teams has been a critical part of Phil Kornachuk’s life for the last three decades. Corporate leadership, collegiate sports teams, elite military units, non-profit leaders, emergency services and other organizations have all been impacted by Phil's unique approach to forging elite leaders and teams. He leverages over 22 years of experience serving, leading and developing elite teams within the US Army Special Operations Community. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Tactical Strength Coach

Retired Major Donny Bigham has over 27 years of service in the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army with 48 months of combat deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Yemen. Major Bigham is known as the first ever strength and conditioning coach for the U.S. Army (Conventional Forces) He co-authored the Occupational Performance Assessment Test for initial screening of future soldiers and designed the Tactical Athlete Performance Center (TAP-C) at Fort Jackson and Fort Benning, emphasizing true strength, mobility, and speed to increase lethality and survivability. He currently holds multiple world records in powerlifting and was named the International Powerlifting Federation World Powerlifting Champion in 2015, 2016 and 2019 (bronze). 

Backcountry Dietitian Nutritionist

Kyle's own experience in losing 140lbs many years ago birthed a passion in him to help others achieve their own goals.  He is a registered dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and passionate about helping people prepare for and perform optimally in the mountains by tailoring their nutrition in accordance with their training in a realistic, simple, and effective way.

Dr. of Physical Therapy

Tom is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Tom has a bachelor of science (B.S.) in exercise science at Montana State University and then earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree at Chapman University in Southern California. Afterwards, as well he completed a residency in orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) and a fellowship in lower quarter functional biomechanics.

Spiritual Growth Coach

Jim Ramos, married since 1992 with three adult sons and an extensive background in full-time ministry and men's leadership, introduces participants to the comprehensive toughness philosophy of MTNTOUGH, which includes physical, mental, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual toughness. As someone who personally benefits from MTNTOUGH's programs in his health, diet, strength, and endurance, Ramos brings a unique perspective on integrating spiritual resilience and moral fortitude into personal development.

Spiritual Growth Coach

Brian Van Eps is a passionate, driven, leader of leaders. His primary focus is to help men grow and develop in the deeper work of life to become the husbands, fathers, and leaders. Drawing from his 20 years of pastoral ministry experience (M.A. Denver Seminary) and now owning and operating his company, Legacy Guides, Brian helps, “craft the story that others will tell.” His approach is a unique blend of exploring the wild places on the river and the mountain, while being drawn into the depths of the untamed places within our souls. Van Eps purpose is it to, “live fully and adventurously by passionately following Jesus,
lovingly leading his family, and boldly guiding leaders. “

Mobility Coach

Heather trains individuals and groups across multiple modalities, concentrating her fitness practice around a holistic approach to physical training, nutrition, mindset and spirituality. With over 25 years of coaching and training experience, she has led fitness and yoga retreats around the world while continually taking classes to evolve her training and improve her understanding of the body and mind.  “I strive to coach with passion and compassion using knowledge and experience,” says Heather. “I teach people to be patient with their practice.”

Tactical Advisor

Alex Fichtler was born and raised in the Big Sky state of Montana. He’s a former Navy SEAL that spent time not only in Afghanistan and Africa but has applied his fitness in some of the toughest conditions on the planet. He believes in setting the bar high and living the standard of being forged by the fires of trials so that we can overcome them verses being overcome by them. “I train in the gym and on the mats, I learn, I hunt, I shoot, and I perform so I can be the best man I can be. Empowering others to find the mental toughness inherent in all of us, to help them dig down and find their grit, and to ultimately become stronger, faster, and healthier is my target.”

Athletic Advisor

Bozeman native Jimmy Alsobrook Jr. grew up on the great rugged terrain that Montana is known for while becoming an avid hunter and angler. No stranger to backcountry ventures, Jimmy has climbed treacherous mountains in search of bighorn sheep and fished the expansive waters of Fort Peck Reservoir and he’s always after another adventure to add to his collection. Certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Jimmy has been a personal trainer for the past 12 years. He specializes in functional training and sports conditioning and has devoted his career to helping his clients achieve their personal goals in fitness like climbing Mount Everest. 

Fancy gear and shooting practice won’t matter if you haven’t trained for high elevation and tough terrain. With MTNTOUGH, your fitness level won’t be a limiting factor in your life.

You might not start as an elite athlete, but MTNTOUGH programing will get you to elite status. With thoughtful programing we meet you where you are at to achieve your goals.

MTNTOUGH is all about longevity and injury prevention. Prehab stretches that address old injuries and prevent new ones are integrated into our programs to keep ready for the Mountain.