ABOUT



MTNTOUGH ETHOS



Our Story

MTNTOUGH was founded by Dustin Diefenderfer, a man who traded the corporate world for a path of purpose, hard work, and outdoor adventure. After entering the corporate world, Dustin and his wife made a bold decision to quit their jobs and move to Uganda, where they became Christian missionaries ran an orphanage for 240 children. In Uganda, Dustin’s days were filled with farming, teaching, and staying physically active—an experience that deepened his connection to hard work and physical fitness. Upon returning to Montana to start a family, Dustin was determined to pursue a life that merged his love for the outdoors, physical fitness, and meaningful work, leading to the creation of MTNTOUGH. His mission was clear: to develop fitness programs that build not only physical strength but also the mental toughness needed to conquer the toughest backcountry challenges.

Dustin’s personal journey deeply influenced the ethos of MTNTOUGH. From competing in ultramarathons and experiencing firsthand the weaknesses of cardio-focused training during a grueling pack-out, he realized hunters needed to train with the same intensity and focus as high level as elite athletes. His vision was to prepare backcountry hunters, tactical athletes, and anyone striving for peak performance with a program that emphasizes mental toughness as much as physical readiness.

In 2017, Dustin transitioned MTNTOUGH from a local training operation in Bozeman to a digital platform, launching an all-access subscription app available on smartphones and smart TVs. Whether you're at home, in the gym, or out on the road, MTNTOUGH offers a complete suite of fitness programs that can be done anywhere. These programs range from bodyweight-only routines to full-gym workouts, all designed with the goal of making you more resilient, durable, and ready for any challenge the mountains or life may throw your way.

At the heart of MTNTOUGH’s innovation is the MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab in Bozeman, Montana. The lab serves as the HQ where all training programs are developed, tested, and refined by elite athletes, military veterans, and backcountry hunters. Each program is rigorously evaluated in real-world conditions to ensure it meets the demands of mountain athletes and tactical professionals. It’s also where workouts are filmed, packaged, and uploaded into the MTNTOUGH app, bringing these cutting-edge fitness solutions directly to users’ fingertips. This unique hands-on approach guarantees that every program is not only effective but mission-specific, designed to prepare athletes for the most extreme challenges.

The success of MTNTOUGH is a testament to this philosophy. Today, it is the dominant authority in backcountry, tactical, and functional fitness, trusted by Special Operations members, wildland firefighters, and backcountry hunters alike. Dustin also brings his unique perspective to the MTNTOUGH Podcast, where he interviews mentally tough individuals—CEOs, Special Operations members, Olympians, and hunters—sharing stories that inspire others to push their limits.

What began as a flyer in a park has grown into a platform changing lives around the world. And Dustin’s vision for the future is even bigger: to help millions of people improve themselves holistically—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—by embracing the hard work, grit, and resilience that MTNTOUGH embodies.

As Dustin says, “We know when someone signs up for MTNTOUGH to get ready for one hunt, they’re really embarking on a journey that will transform their entire life.”