Mike Hernandez: Near Death Crash and Self-Reliance Secrets | MTNPOD #139

Mike Hernandez: Near Death Crash and Self-Reliance Secrets | MTNPOD #139

Author: Dustin Diefenderfer Founder and CEO of MTNTOUGH Fitness October 27, 2025 Duration: 1:03:17

In this episode of the MTNTOUGH Podcast, host Dustin Diefenderfer chats with Mike Hernandez, CEO of Fieldcraft Survival. Mike shares his harrowing near-death truck crash in Colorado, crediting divine intervention for his survival. They discuss his journey from 15 years in behavioral health fostering troubled boys to leading Fieldcraft, blending self-reliance training, overlanding, and survival skills with faith-based ministry. Topics include overcoming adversity, mental toughness, outdoor healing, and biblical mandates for strength and love, inspiring listeners to unplug, build resilience, and serve others.

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.

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

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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 - Podcast Welcome and Host Introduction00:02:50 - Mike's Near-Death Truck Crash Story00:05:11 - Reflections on Guardian Angels and Faith00:06:18 - Rescuing the Totaled Rig00:08:03 - Shifting Focus to Family Over Materialism00:08:33 - Mike's Journey from Behavioral Health00:10:01 - Fostering Boys and Success Stories00:11:33 - Combining Mechanics with Therapy00:12:23 - Joining Fieldcraft Survival00:13:40 - Transition to CEO Role00:15:06 - Navigating Business Adversity00:20:20 - Negotiating Contracts with Humility00:24:35 - Fieldcraft as a Ministry00:29:56 - Self-Reliance Against Modern Dependency00:36:06 - Outdoor Healing and Mental Tools00:40:06 - Alaska Trip and True Self-Reliance00:44:33 - Breaking Free from the Matrix00:47:03 - Rejecting Toxic Masculinity Narratives00:50:21 - Call to Action for Men00:52:58 - Always Ready Mindset00:55:04 - Biblical Strength and Love00:58:03 - Plugging into Fieldcraft Training01:00:18 - Recent Medical Training Courses01:01:35 - Episode Wrap-Up and Appreciation01:02:37 - Golden Nugget: Tenacity in Adversity


Hosted by Dustin Diefenderfer, founder and CEO of MTNTOUGH Fitness, the MTNTOUGH Podcast w/ Dustin Diefenderfer digs into what true toughness means for those who push their limits in the wild. This isn't just about gym routines; it's a deep, practical conversation on building a resilient body, a focused mind, and a grounded spirit, all forged through the demands of backcountry hunting, military experience, and mountain sports. You'll hear unfiltered stories and actionable advice drawn from the trenches-whether that's a steep elk hunt, a high-stakes rescue, or a personal breakthrough. The discussions in this podcast are built for hunters, first responders, and anyone who finds their clarity off the beaten path, offering expert insights that translate directly to performance in unpredictable environments. It’s about functional fitness for real-world challenges, moving far beyond generic workout tips to explore the holistic grit required to thrive when things get hard. Tune in for honest reflections and hard-won lessons that aim to fortify every aspect of your life, naturally connecting the principles behind the MTNTOUGH app to the raw experiences that inspired it.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

MTNTOUGH Podcast w/ Dustin Diefenderfer
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