Host Dustin Defenderfer interviews Mark "Oz" Geist, Benghazi survivor and founder of Shadow Warriors Project, in this gripping MTNTOUGH Podcast episode. Mark shares his miraculous survival during the 2012 Libya attack (mortars landing feet away, near-death resuscitation), faith journey seeing God's protection, law enforcement traumas, nonprofit work aiding veterans/contractors/first responders with service dogs, financial help, and retreats—plus powerful insights on forgiveness, living purposefully each day, spiritual warfare, family protection, and America's revival through faith and service.

Join Dustin Diefenderfer, Founder of MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab and creator of the MTNTOUGH+ Fitness App in the top podcast for Mental Toughness and Mindset. (P.S. 🐏 Get Your First Month of MTNTOUGH Free Use Code "MTNPOD" @ https://mtntough.com/.) On this show, we delve into guests' purpose, mentality, and mental toughness so you can learn from the best of the best. Whether you're a seasoned backcountry hunter, an outdoorsman, or simply someone who wants to level up your mindset, this is your go-to source for inspiration, expert insights, campfire tales, entrepreneurship, and stories of perseverance and triumph.

Presented by Sig Sauer.

V I D E O S TO W A T C H N E X T

🎙️ More MTNTOUGH Podcast Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdAelJZ1bZWr5v6K_-IPix0tq8b7xH1ms

S U P P O R T O U R S P O N S O R S:

💊 Get 20% off MTNTOPS Supplements, Use Code "MTNTOUGH" Here at checkout: https://mtn-ops.sjv.io/LXkPEo

__________________________________________

W H A T I S M T N T O U G H F I T N E S S?

MTNTOUGH is The #1 Fitness App Trusted By The DedicatedOur premier functional fitness programming is conveniently packaged for hunters, first responders, military, and mountain athletes. Train at home, at the gym, or on the go.

Since 2016, MTNTOUGH has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal goals by creating a foundation for physical and mental toughness. The brand’s best-in-class programs are developed, tested, and proven by former Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and renowned physical trainers. MTNTOUGH+ programs are used by elite groups and operators, including special ops forces, wildland firefighters, backcountry hunters, professional mountain athletes, and more. The MTNTOUGH fitness lab is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, surrounded by some of the world’s top mountain athletes.

00:00:00 - Intro: Benghazi Hero & Faith Journey00:01:12 - Mark's Rural Roots & Military Path00:05:00 - Benghazi Attack: Miraculous Survival00:10:00 - Near-Death Experiences & God's Protection00:15:00 - Law Enforcement Traumas & Processing Pain00:20:00 - Founding Shadow Warriors Project00:25:00 - Service Dogs: Healing PTSD & Anxiety00:30:00 - Family, Fatherlessness & Spiritual Defense00:35:00 - Forgiveness, Daily Purpose & Revival00:40:00 - Golden Nugget: Live Like It's Your Last Day

In this powerful episode, host Dustin Defenderfer sits down with Keith Sivera, CEO of MTN OPS and 20-year sober recovering alcoholic, who opens up about his journey from childhood immersed in alcohol culture to rock-bottom isolation, shame, and addiction. Keith shares how AA's community, accountability, and spiritual surrender saved his life, replaced numbness with discipline, and fueled his transformation through fitness—ultimately leading to purpose, leadership, and helping men escape apathy, loneliness, and substance abuse for a life of grit and meaning.

Join Dustin Diefenderfer, Founder of MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab and creator of the MTNTOUGH+ Fitness App in the top podcast for Mental Toughness and Mindset. (P.S. 🐏 Get Your First Month of MTNTOUGH Free Use Code "MTNPOD" @ https://mtntough.com/.) On this show, we delve into guests' purpose, mentality, and mental toughness so you can learn from the best of the best. Whether you're a seasoned backcountry hunter, an outdoorsman, or simply someone who wants to level up your mindset, this is your go-to source for inspiration, expert insights, campfire tales, entrepreneurship, and stories of perseverance and triumph.

Presented by Sig Sauer.

V I D E O S TO W A T C H N E X T

🎙️ More MTNTOUGH Podcast Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdAelJZ1bZWr5v6K_-IPix0tq8b7xH1ms

S U P P O R T O U R S P O N S O R S:

💊 Get 20% off MTNTOPS Supplements, Use Code "MTNTOUGH" Here at checkout: https://mtn-ops.sjv.io/LXkPEo

__________________________________________

W H A T I S M T N T O U G H F I T N E S S?

MTNTOUGH is The #1 Fitness App Trusted By The DedicatedOur premier functional fitness programming is conveniently packaged for hunters, first responders, military, and mountain athletes. Train at home, at the gym, or on the go.

Since 2016, MTNTOUGH has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal goals by creating a foundation for physical and mental toughness. The brand’s best-in-class programs are developed, tested, and proven by former Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and renowned physical trainers. MTNTOUGH+ programs are used by elite groups and operators, including special ops forces, wildland firefighters, backcountry hunters, professional mountain athletes, and more. The MTNTOUGH fitness lab is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, surrounded by some of the world’s top mountain athletes.

00:00:00 - Intro: Why American Men Are Numb & Apathetic00:01:49 - Guest Intro: Keith Seiver, MTN OPS CEO00:05:06 - Keith's Early Life Immersed in Alcohol Culture00:09:16 - Rock Bottom: Shame, Isolation & Addiction00:12:30 - Finding AA at 25 & Immediate Transformation00:15:15 - Replacing Alcohol with Fitness & Discipline00:22:24 - Why AA's Model Works: Community & Accountability00:27:58 - Loneliness Epidemic & Need for Brotherhood00:34:14 - Spiritual Connection & Filling the Hole00:45:51 - Embracing Struggle Over Comfort01:10:19 - Golden Nugget: Switch It Up to Stay Disciplined

In this episode, host Dustin Diefenderfer sits down with Ryan Watson, MTNTOUGH's growth leader and former OnX Maps director, to discuss the brand-new 2026 app relaunch. Ryan shares his journey from OnX to MTNTOUGH, the bold leap from comfort to risk, and dives deep into the app's upgraded features—like seamless music integration, workout tracking, dynamic filters, calendar planning, notes, wearables support, and the upcoming in-app community—designed to deliver more value, accountability, and life-changing results for backcountry hunters and everyday athletes.

Join Dustin Diefenderfer, Founder of MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab and creator of the MTNTOUGH+ Fitness App in the top podcast for Mental Toughness and Mindset. (P.S. 🐏 Get Your First Month of MTNTOUGH Free Use Code "MTNPOD" @ https://mtntough.com/.) On this show, we delve into guests' purpose, mentality, and mental toughness so you can learn from the best of the best. Whether you're a seasoned backcountry hunter, an outdoorsman, or simply someone who wants to level up your mindset, this is your go-to source for inspiration, expert insights, campfire tales, entrepreneurship, and stories of perseverance and triumph.

Presented by Sig Sauer.

V I D E O S TO W A T C H N E X T

🎙️ More MTNTOUGH Podcast Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdAelJZ1bZWr5v6K_-IPix0tq8b7xH1ms

S U P P O R T O U R S P O N S O R S:

💊 Get 20% off MTNTOPS Supplements, Use Code "MTNTOUGH" Here at checkout: https://mtn-ops.sjv.io/LXkPEo

__________________________________________

W H A T I S M T N T O U G H F I T N E S S?

MTNTOUGH is The #1 Fitness App Trusted By The DedicatedOur premier functional fitness programming is conveniently packaged for hunters, first responders, military, and mountain athletes. Train at home, at the gym, or on the go.

Since 2016, MTNTOUGH has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal goals by creating a foundation for physical and mental toughness. The brand’s best-in-class programs are developed, tested, and proven by former Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and renowned physical trainers. MTNTOUGH+ programs are used by elite groups and operators, including special ops forces, wildland firefighters, backcountry hunters, professional mountain athletes, and more. The MTNTOUGH fitness lab is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, surrounded by some of the world’s top mountain athletes.

00:00:00 - Ryan's Montana Roots & OnX Journey00:02:32 - Why Ryan Left OnX for MTNTOUGH00:05:27 - First MTNTOUGH Workout Experience00:07:50 - Marketing Toughness vs. Easy Tools00:11:21 - Taking Risks: Leaving Comfort for Unknown00:18:54 - Changing Lives Beyond Fitness00:24:19 - Why Rebuild the MTNTOUGH App00:30:17 - New Music Integration & Playlists00:32:36 - Tracking, Calendar & Notes Features00:37:41 - Filters, Wearables & Bridger Watch00:40:51 - Upcoming In-App Community Launch