Dr. Gene Tynes is a retired Montana dentist, author, and coach whose work centers on helping people live stronger, more intentional lives through timeless principles. In this episode, Gene shares stories from his career, his family, his health journey, and the ideas behind his book The Antifragile Man, offering a thoughtful look at growth, adversity, and personal responsibility.

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From Dentistry to Principles That Endure

Gene reflects on his years practicing dentistry and how problem-solving, discipline, and mentorship shaped his approach to life. While technical skill mattered, it was the underlying principles, accountability, integrity, and consistency, that carried through every phase of his career. These same ideas later became the foundation of his writing and coaching work.

Adversity as a Turning Point

A major shift came when Gene was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that forced him to retire from dentistry earlier than planned. Rather than letting the diagnosis define him, he made a conscious decision to separate diagnosis from prognosis. That mindset opened space for new work, writing, coaching, and deeper reflection on how people respond when life changes unexpectedly.

Alignment, Gut Instincts, and Life Transitions

Throughout the conversation, Gene emphasizes the importance of paying attention to gut instincts and moments of misalignment. He describes life as a series of pivots, seasons where identity, priorities, and purpose evolve. Growth, he explains, comes not from avoiding fear or discomfort, but from responding to it with awareness and intention.

Mentorship, Family, and the Ripple Effect

Gene speaks candidly about the influence of his father, his wife Kelly, and the mentors who shaped him over time. Many of the most impactful lessons, he notes, were taught indirectly, through example rather than instruction. These influences created a ripple effect that continues through his children, grandchildren, and the people he now coaches.

Health, Mindset, and Personal Responsibility

The episode also explores health through the lens of prevention, epigenetics, and mindset. Gene explains how daily habits, nutrition, self-talk, and environment shape long-term outcomes. Rather than relying on motivation alone, he stresses systems, accountability, and discipline as the real drivers of sustainable change.

Becoming Antifragile

At its core, the conversation centers on what it means to become antifragile, not just resilient, but stronger through challenge. Gene encourages listeners to embrace discomfort, question inherited beliefs, and recognize that thoughts truly do become things. Wisdom, he says, is earned through experience, reflection, and the willingness to keep learning.

To learn more about Gene’s work and The Antifragile Man, visit his website. https://www.genetough.com/

Find his book on Spotify or here: https://www.amazon.com/Antifragile-Man-Tactical-Strength-Defies/dp/B0FMJ1J947

To learn more about Mountain Mule Media and Mountain Mule Transportation, visit https://mountain-mule.com/