A Mountain Man’s Guide To Yoga

Many guys I talk to say, “Yoga’s too slow,” or “I don’t like the mystical side of it.” There’s nothing wrong with the more traditional, meditative approach—some people enjoy it. But if you’re like me and prefer no frills, we designed MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily to eliminate the chanting and crystal talk, focusing instead on power, stability, and mental toughness. It is the perfect complement to your heavy lifts and will enhance performance afield.

A few years ago, I thought I had it all figured out. My training regimen was intense: heavy strength workouts, high-intensity intervals, marathon trail runs, HYROX races, and grueling backcountry hunting. I understood the importance of recovery and mobility work—at least in theory—but I often found an excuse to skip stretching. Eventually, that approach caught up with me.

One day, I was back squatting in the gym when I felt a pop in my lower back. I had bulged my L5-S1 disc and literally could not get up off the floor. We ended up calling a chiropractor to the building just so I could stand.

What followed was a year of frustration. My back would feel fine for a while, and then I’d push too hard, and it would give out again. On one occasion, I was stuck on my bedroom floor for 16 hours, unable to move. Finally, an orthopedic specialist told me I was facing two choices: surgery or yoga. That news freaked me out because back surgery can be life-changing—either for better or worse. So, I decided to give hot yoga a try.

Within just a few weeks, I was amazed by how much better I felt. The poses aligned perfectly with the recommendations of physical therapists for strengthening and stabilizing the spine. More importantly, the classes compelled me to stay mentally present—whenever my mind wandered to work or other worries, I’d lose my balance and topple over. That mental focus was a game-changer, especially regarding stress relief.

Now, I practice hot yoga at least three times a week. If I miss my sessions, my back starts acting up again. No joke, I believe yoga has saved me from surgery—and, in a very real way, it has saved my life.

From the moment I experienced these benefits, I knew I needed to bring yoga into the MTNTOUGH community. If I had this blind spot in my own training, I figured that plenty of mountain athletes, backcountry hunters, and high performers had it too. We needed a power-focused, gritty style of yoga that addresses mobility, joint health, balance, and mental toughness head-on.

That’s exactly why we developed MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily. Targeted at those who crave a challenging workout that tests both physical strength and mental resilience, it’s not your typical slow-moving, meditative yoga. The joke around the MTNTOUGH lab was “Broga”—yoga for guys who thrive on intensity but still need mobility and core strength in their routines. Here’s what it entails…

Daily Guided Sessions: We offer 30- and 40-minute yoga workouts every weekday. Each day’s session is fresh, so you’ll never get stuck in a rut.

Grit-Focused: We keep it heavy on the power poses, stability drills, and mental challenges—so yes, you’re going to sweat.

Mobility & Injury Prevention: Perfect for those dealing with stiffness, poor flexibility, or chronic joint issues, these sessions target the exact areas that get beat up by intense lifting and rugged mountain pursuits.

Mental Resilience: Every session requires you to push through that mental wall—if you’re not locked in, the workout will humble you quickly.

If you’re anything like I was, you might be neglecting flexibility and concentrating solely on strength or endurance. This approach can lead to burnout, plateaus, and potentially debilitating injuries.

We incorporate the mental toughness approach that defines MTNTOUGH—from maintaining laser focus in poses to embracing the discomfort that fosters growth. You’ll train your mind to handle adversity even more effectively than before.

1) Improve Mobility & Joint Health: Target stiff areas to reduce the risk of injury.

2) Build Mental Grit: Stay calm under pressure—whether you’re holding a tricky pose or pushing through a difficult workout.

3) Stay Consistent: Daily sessions keep you accountable. You’ll always have a structured plan waiting for you.

4) Prevent Burnout: By blending physical challenge with mindful focus, you avoid the “red line” that comes from constant high-intensity work.

Did you know that even elite soldiers and top-tier athletes are embracing yoga as a secret weapon? The ability to move fluidly under stress, maintain focus while fatigued, and recover faster is what separates good performers from great ones. If you want to be that alpha who conquers any mountain—literal or metaphorical—you need a regimen that strengthens both body and mind.

Remember, the world isn’t slowing down. The demands placed on our bodies and minds are greater than ever, leading many individuals to experience burnout or chronic aches. MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily is here to help you overcome these challenges by engaging in a practice that combines grit and grace. Our core pillars are:

Mental Toughness: Sustained focus and breathing under tension build resilience.

Physical Performance: Enhanced mobility, stability, and joint health elevate any workout routine.

Pain Prevention: Counteract the wear and tear from heavy lifting or repetitive cardio.

If you’re looking to elevate your training—if you want to remain agile, prevent injuries, and perform at your best—don’t wait until you find yourself on the floor with a slipped disc. Begin incorporating yoga now, and discover how it can transform not only your workouts but also your life.  

Editor’s Note: MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily is now available in the MTNTOUGH App. Each weekday, you’ll receive a new guided session that combines the physical intensity of power yoga with the established mental toughness philosophies that define MTNTOUGH. Join us, discover your edge, and never look back. 

While you’re thinking about it, here’s a free 30-minute yoga daily workout: FREE TRIAL WORKOUT: 30-Minute MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily

When we set out to build MTNTOUGH Yoga Daily, I knew we needed someone with the perfect balance of technical yoga skills and an understanding of hardcore athletes. We found that in Dannie—the same power yoga coach who helped me recover from my back injury.

Dannie’s style is gritty, direct, and designed to help you forge an unbreakable mindset. She doesn’t waste time with anything that won’t make you stronger, more mobile, and more balanced—both physically and mentally. For more information, visit MTNTOUGH.com. 

KEEP HAMMERING: With my active lifestyle, I regularly reach for my MTN OPS Cam Hanes Keep Hammering BCAA (Branch-Chain Amino Acids) Formula made specially to aid in muscle growth and recovery before, during, or after exercising. Designed with the ideal BCAA ratio of 2:1:1, Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine give your muscles key building blocks to aid in protein synthesis. It’s available in Tropical Punch and Pineapple flavors. 

SLUMBER GUMMIES: There are times during the week when my mind gets going, and it becomes tough to turn it off right around bedtime. For times like that, I lean on MTN OPS Slumber Gummies. With 2.5mg of Melatonin and 1000mg of Tart Cherry Concentrate, these soft chew gummies help me doze off effortlessly, allowing me to recharge with a great night’s sleep. For pricing and more, visit MTNOPS.com.