Phil Hopper: Ex-SWAT Officer Ditches Badge for Pulpit | MTNPOD #143

Phil Hopper: Ex-SWAT Officer Ditches Badge for Pulpit | MTNPOD #143

Author: Dustin Diefenderfer Founder and CEO of MTNTOUGH Fitness November 24, 2025 Duration: 52:37

Former Kansas City SWAT sergeant Phil Hopper shares his jaw-dropping story of surviving a near-fatal wreck, finding Christ, leading men to Jesus on the job, and how God hijacked his career overnight to turn him into a pastor. With a massive spiritual awakening sweeping America right now, he reveals how to know when God is truly calling you, why real faith has to feel dangerous, and how men break free from numbness to live with lion-like purpose.

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:

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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.

0:00 - When You Know God Is Calling You (You Can’t Say No)1:02 - Free 6-Week MTNTOUGH Training (Code Inside)2:27 - Massive Spiritual Awakening Happening Right Now in America3:57 - Planned Spontaneity: Spontaneous Baptisms Every Sunday7:45 - From Hunter to LEO-Dominated Community9:41 - SWAT Officer’s Prodigal Son Crash That Changed Everything13:29 - “I Went to Bed a Cop, Woke Up a Pastor”19:34 - No Plan B: How to Know You’re Truly Called26:33 - Men Are Made to Live Dangerously (Get Out of the Boat!)38:56 - The Supernatural Man Inside You: Dunamis Power Explained41:27 - Climbed Kilimanjaro… But Never Summited (Powerful Lesson)50:49 - The Lion Emerging in Christian Men Right Now


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
Podcast Episodes
Matt McPherson: Founder of Mathews Archery | MTNPOD #115 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:19
On this episode of the MTNTOUGH Podcast, Dustin sits down with Matt McPherson, the visionary behind McPherson Guitars and Mathews Archery. From revolutionizing bowhunting to crafting world-class guitars with groundbreaki…
Jim Burgen: The Hard Truth About Leading Men | MTNPOD#113 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:09
On this episode of the MTNTOUGH Podcast, Dustin sits down with Jim Burgen, Lead Pastor of Flatirons Community Church in Colorado. Jim shares insights from his leadership experience, the challenges of guiding a large chur…
TJ Dillashaw: Embracing Fear as a Privilege | MTNPOD #112 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:15
In this episode of the MTNTOUGH podcast, Dustin sits down with TJ Dillashaw and talks about his transition from MMA fighting to entrepreneurship, highlighting his retirement in October 2022 due to severe shoulder injurie…
Levi Lusko: Fitness, Mindset, and Life Seasons | MTNPOD #111 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:33
Join Levi Lusko on the MTNTOUGH Podcast as he dives into fitness training, mental resilience, and navigating life’s shifting seasons. Levi shares insights from his book Blessed Are the Spiraling, exploring midlife crisis…
Nick Jones: Breaking Isolation and Building Support | MTNPOD #108 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:41
Nick Jones is a Marine Raider who served in the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC). With a background in elite military service, he brings a wealth of experience in leadership, resilience, and…