Meet Our Guest Instructors

Mark DeJong, Nationally-Registered Paramedic and founder of Off Grid Medic LLC, has over 22 years of experience in treating victims of trauma and sudden illness. Mark has a degree in Emergency Medical Services and is a certified Paramedic Instructor. As part of a military assignment, he spent two years providing remote medical care to the indigenous people of the Philippines, where his passions for medicine and primitive living fused together. He serves on the Advisory Council at the Appalachian Center for Wilderness Medicine, and has trained alongside elite members of the US Army and the US Marshalls Service. Mark has served in several medical roles from field Paramedic, to Director of Emergency Medical Services for a rural system, to faculty at the Technical College System of Georgia.

He considers himself a lifelong learner and, when not immersed in medical material, Mark continues to hone his Bushcraft skills. He is often spotted making improvements to his seasonal residence and lives the off grid lifestyle. His teaching style is very interactive and informal, and he frequently uses personal experiences and humor to reinforce his material.

A Nationally-Registered EMT, Bill formed an interest in medicine and training while helping his mother become a Registered Nurse. Realizing the rewards of training and education, he began a lifelong, progressive path of medical study. After learning the basics of first aid as a Radiology Assistant at a local hospital and sports injuries as a football manager and a softball coach, his knowledge of human anatomy and physiology were further strengthened. Since then he hasn’t stopped learning.

Based out of Western Montana, he continues to use his skills to address the needs of injured and ill patients around the globe. Bill has encountered patients suffering from malaria and tuberculosis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), malaria and influenza in Ghana, routine injuries and exotic insect bites in Jamaica and Mexico, and even heat-related illness in Mexico and Peru. Realizing the value of medical training when separated from definitive care, Bill earned his WFA, WFR, and WEMT certifications, and is a graduate of The Pathfinder School’s Advanced Survival Program. He has also earned his Search and Rescue III certification, Swiftwater Rescue certification, and holds an Amateur Radio Extra License. Bill’s wide range of study in other countries as well as in various parts of the United States has provided an expansive knowledge around survival and improvised medicine in austere environments.

Matt grew up in Southern Michigan where he was an avid outdoorsman, spending much of his time hunting, fishing and running around the wilderness. He joined the U.S. Army as an Infantryman in 1996 and continues to serve. During his time in the Army, Matt has served roughly twelve years of his career in reconnaissance positions, including Long Range Surveillance Units designed to operate in small teams behind enemy lines.

In addition to receiving much advanced training, Matt has served as an instructor at both the U.S Army Ranger School, and the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leadership Course (RSLC). Though these schools teach students much about small unit tactics, Matt notably taught survival as one of his assigned classes for roughly four years during his time as an RSLC Instructor. Matt continues to enjoy teaching both the civilian and tactical applications of survival. He also spends as much time as he can hiking and camping with his family in remote areas of state and national forests in an attempt to pass on his love for the wilderness.

Jimmy Dunn spent over 20 years as a law enforcement officer with the National Park Service and was trained by world renowned tracker David Scott-Donelon and instructed for him for four years. During that time he accumulated a wide variety of skills, training, and experience. He worked closely with the local Sheriff’s Office, serving on their Special Response Team (SRT), and further developed as team leader for the county’s multi-agency Tactical Tracking Unit. Jimmy worked closely with local Search And Rescue (SAR) teams with high angle rescue as the primary responsibility. He also served as part of the National Park Service Special Event Tactical Team (SETT) in the Southeast Region and was the primary tracker for the team. SETT is responsible for a number of security and tactical operations in a wide range of events. Border security, drug interdiction, presidential inaugurations, and protests are just some of SETT’s responsibilities.

Jimmy has been involved in tracking operations over that time as well, both tactical/high risk and SAR. He has trained members of the US military, law enforcements agencies, and SAR teams in both individual and team tracking techniques. He is a tactical tracking instructor, a FLETC-certified firearms instructor, and FLETC-certified tactics instructor. In addition to his agency instructorships, he has taught survival skills for many years.

Hello, My name is Ryan Maguire and I am the owner and operate WYLD RYDE Outdoors, LLC. I am a primitive skills practitioner and wilderness guide, world-record holding endurance athlete, podcast host, hunter and devourer of any and all food.

My love for nature starts at the beginning. As a child, I moved around a lot. No matter where I lived, I was always outside. Running around barefoot, fishing and playing in creeks, building shelters, and playing sports.

Not much has changed. In my early 20’s I decided to take a big step and pursue a life of adventure with all that I had. Since then I have lived and survived in nearly every environment in various modalities. I am the type of person that loves to test myself. From Winters living in caves high in the rocky mountains, to multi-week walks and runs through various deserts, I seem to feel most authentically like myself when I am living as close to the land as possible. I am a lifelong learner and nature is the greatest teacher. As such, I try to soak in as much wisdom as she is willing to offer. That which I learn first hand, becomes part of my offering as an instructor and guide. 

My goal as an instructor is to first understand what the student’s goals and needs are. Once that is accomplished, I aim to create a joyful and productive environment for folks to truly learn and connect. 

I truly believe that time spent in community with the land is the biggest void of modern day humans. It takes intentionality to seek it out, because it is not a necessary part of modern survival. However, I believe those that do seek out will live a more authentic and fulfilling life. I hope to see you around a campfire soon!

Adam Watson is a highly respected leader in the field of K9 training, bringing over 20 years of experience across the United States and internationally. As the founder and owner of Phoenix K9 Services International LLC, Adam has established a company that is at the forefront of K9 services, known for its excellence and innovative approach.

Adam’s credentials include international accreditation as a K9 trainer, and he served as a K9 trainer at the Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine. His expertise is widely recognized, having trained numerous law enforcement, military, and special operations units. His training programs are renowned for their effectiveness and their ability to enhance the operational readiness of the
units he works with.

In 2018, Adam faced a significant personal challenge due to a life-changing injury.
Demonstrating resilience and determination, he turned this experience into an opportunity by founding Phoenix K9 in 2019. Under his leadership, the company has grown to become a leader in the industry, pushing the boundaries of K9 training and setting new standards for excellence.

Adam Watson’s career is marked by a commitment to advancing the field of K9 training as well as various other disciplines such as tracking , and his work continues to have a profound impact on both the industry and the many teams he has trained.

Adam’s journey is more than a career—it’s a mission, one that continues to shape the future of training and elevate the performance of civilian, military, and law enforcement personnel.

Farmer, teach and perpetual life student, Kirsten grew up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and continues to call it home.  She developed a close relationship with the plants around her from an early age.  Growing up on a family homestead; gardening and plants were a very important part of her life and would be the foundation for herbalism as she grew older.   Empowered by her experiences, she began exploring the simple remedies and preparations she had grown up with more in-depth. 

With becoming a mother in 2015, this made not only adding to her knowledge more important than ever, but she wanted other parents to feel empowered to grow, wildcraft, and add plant allies into their own wellness routines.  “Plants aren’t just about remedies, but are for helping to create a broad and unified approach to overall health and wellness.” 

For Kirsten, teaching herbalism to others in an informal, hands-on and immersed setting helps to integrate herbalism into the daily life. “There is nothing more rewarding than watching students learn about and identify a plant then take it from the field or forest, the mountain or the water’s edge and utilize it.  To process that plant and create something from it in a tincture, decoction, or salve for example that will benefit ones health later in the season is truly remarkable.  It’s not only learning several new skills, but the ultimate way to invest in one’s future on a new level.”

In addition to her passion for herbalism and the outdoors,  Kirsten started training in martial arts in 1991 in Taekwondo and opened her first training center in 1999, as a 3rd degree black belt (WTF Kukkiwon). Wile in the process of competing for the Olympic Team Trials in 2000 she began training in the Israeli self-defense system of Krav Maga.  At the time this was only the second instructor certification course for Krav Maga Worldwide, making her the only female instructor in the Pacific NW, including Canada and Alaska.  Having found what she was looking for with the "nuts and bolts" approach to self-defense that Krav Maga provided, Kirsten left her traditional martial arts behind and focused on Krav Maga.

Håndverk Farms

Pete is a highly skilled and versatile professional with a distinguished background in the US Army Special Forces. With extensive experience as a Medic and Sniper, Pete has honed his expertise in some of the most demanding and specialized fields. As a Mountaineering Instructor and Crisis Response Specialist, he has proven his ability to navigate and lead in challenging environments.

Beyond his military service, Pete has continued to develop a wide range of skills. He’s a Nationally Registered Paramedic, and a HAM Radio General Class Operator. His commitment to training and resilience is evident as a Master Resilience Trainer and Special Operations Combatives Program Instructor.

Pete's dedication extends to his personal life as well. A devoted husband and father of four, he balances his professional accomplishments with his role as a family man and homesteader. Whether it’s teaching combat driving, perfecting his gunsmithing craft, or mentoring others, Pete brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and integrity to every endeavor.

Phillip Liebel started exploring his Cherokee heritage after hearing stories from his mother and grandmother. It began with learning how the Cherokee made their bows and gradually moved into primitive trapping, and eventually primitive living skills in general. Phillip specializes in primitive shelters, friction fire, water procurement and purification (specifically without containers), primitive traps and snares, primitive cordage making, primitive archery and hunting, primitive fishing, fish traps, natural fish poisons, wild edible and medicinal plants, flint knapping, and stone age living skills in general.

He considers himself a lifelong learner and, when not immersed in medical material, Mark continues to hone his Bushcraft skills. He is often spotted making improvements to his seasonal residence, the Tarp Mahal, at the Georgia Bushcraft Base Camp. His teaching style is very interactive and informal, and he frequently uses personal experiences and humor to reinforce his material.

Phillip is the Owner and Instructor at Primitive Wilderness Survival School.

Mike Essam has been hunting, fishing and foraging in the Pikes Peak region for almost 2 decades. He has been affiliated with the Pikes Peak Mycological Society (www.Pikespeakmyc.org) for 15 years, serving on the board of directors 6 of those, and is currently the 2018 President. He teaches mushroom cultivation classes, lectures to organizations about fungi, provides private forays and identification services and sometimes sells wild mushrooms www.manitoumushrooms.com). He is one of a handful of individuals in Colorado that has acquired the certification of "Wild Mushroom Expert" from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

Education/Certifications: SFA, CSU, CTE Credential

Cattail Bob has been teaching outdoor education classes since 1975 with an emphasis on ethnobotany and wilderness survival. He has taught for such institutions as The Colorado Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver Botanic Gardens and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Cattail has conducted intensive multi-week survival treks, overnight field trips and simple day outings for students of all ages. His book "Best-Tasting Wild Plants of Colorado and the Rockies" was published by Westcliffe and has sold over 17,000 copies. His new book, “Survival Plants of Colorado” with 214 useful wild plant descriptions and over 850 photographs was self-published in July 2012. Cattail Bob has been a guest on local, national and international television and radio shows, including NBC’s The Today Show. His outings, hikes and slide shows are fun and educational. Other interests and training include photography, first aid, search and rescue, edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, wild fire mitigation and suppression, crisis center/suicide hotline, "green" homebuilding and all-around self-sufficient living. Cattail currently lives in a self-built, off-grid, solar cabin on 7 acres near Drake, Colorado.

www.survivalplants.com

Ashleigh, partner of Freebird Outdoors Garden Consulting, has been growing food in Colorado for 15 years and comes from a family of gardeners. She’s consulted in creating dozens of new garden spaces across the front range, including the TSU camp. She has a deeply seeded mission to share her knowledge and encourage others to reach their goals of freedom found on their journey of sustainable living through food production and local community.

Matt Graham has been in the primitive skills survival space since a teenager. Living in Yosemite Valley then inspired his lifelong love for Earth Skills. He is also a climber and mountain runner well known for his hunter gatherer living skills and ultra distance running. Matt instructed with Boulder Outdoor Survival School for 11 years, leading and revamping all their hunter gatherer courses. Eventually he went on to lead his own courses, traveled the world, learned from other tribes, and began a career in film education. Hosting for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and others, Matt was involved with over 8 successful Television series, has been an Author of survival articles, and the book “Epic Survival”. Matt has also been leading Primitive Runner courses the past 4 years based in Utah. His love and passion for sharing Primitive skills comes from a genuine foundation and connection with Earth.