Meet the Team

Founder

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.

Athletic Director
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.

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.

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. In addition to his clinical practice, he runs one of the world’s largest social media accounts dedicated to physical rehab (@rehabscience). From 2012 to 2019, he served as a full-time kinesiology professor at Westmont College and taught courses including: biomechanics, therapeutic exercise and pain science. 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.

Director of Spiritual Growth

Brian Van Eps has dedicated much of his life to helping people forge deeper, honest connections with themselves and the world. Van Eps brings a larger than life presence to his community as a pastor, and we’re incredibly excited to have his contagious positivity and uncanny insight.

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. 

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.”

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.”