Jason Matzinger: Raising Hunters, Wild Places & Grizzly Bear Truth | MTNPOD #163

About this episode

Jason Matzinger discusses fatherhood, conservation, and the role of hunters in protecting wildlife.

Jason Matzinger, creator of Into High Country, returns to the MTNTOUGH Podcast to discuss fatherhood in the outdoors, how wild places build self-reliant, problem-solving men, and why hunters are essential to protecting wildlife. From early film days to season 17, Jason shares lessons on patience, conservation, and raising boys who understand the circle of life. He dives deep into the grizzly bear debate, genetic connectivity, political interference, and why hunters—not activists—are the true frontline conservationists. A raw, hopeful conversation on technology’s impact, present-moment living, and leaving wild places better for the next generation of mountain hunters and backcountry 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…

People in this episode

Host: Dustin Diefenderfer

Guest: Jason Matzinger

Topics covered

• fatherhood
• outdoors
• conservation
• hunting
• grizzly bears
• mental toughness

Keywords

• hunting
• conservation
• grizzly bears
• fatherhood
• outdoors
• mental toughness
• wildlife

Sponsors

Sig Sauer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MTNTOUGH Fitness

Books & works: Into High Country

More episodes of MTNTOUGH Podcast w/ Dustin Diefenderfer

• Zach Bitter: The Brutal Truth About 250-Mile Races | MTNPOD #171 · June 8, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Jim Shockey: Truth About Hunting and His Final Thoughts | MTNPOD #170 · June 1, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Fitness Lab Discussion: Fully Guided Nutrition with Kyle Kamp · May 28, 2026 · 43 min
• Mark Huelsing: The Mindset That Separates Elite Hunters From Everyone Else | MTNPOD #169 · May 25, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Dean Karnazes: Ultra Marathon Man on Longevity, Greece & Never Quitting | MTNPOD #168 · May 18, 2026 · 55 min
• Fred Eichler: Closest to Death in Africa & Why He Still Hunts Recurve | MTNPOD #167 · May 11, 2026 · 58 min