We were lucky to catch up with Kyle Dosterschill recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kyle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Establishing Hunger in the Wild: From Basement Beginnings to a World-Class Barbell Club
It didn’t start glamorous. No outside investors. No A/C. No windows. Just a basement in Dallas in the middle of the Texas summer, and a fire inside me that burned hotter than the air around me. That’s where Hunger in the Wild was born—in 2016, out of a conviction that people deserved better coaching, better programming, and a better atmosphere than what they were getting from globo gyms and watered-down CrossFit boxes.
At the time, I was transitioning out of competition after nearly a decade of training and competing at the highest levels in Olympic weightlifting. I’d trained under some of the best coaches in the world—legends like Derrick Johnson and Luis Lopez. I had stood on national platforms, broke records, and fought my way back from surgery. But I always knew my legacy wouldn’t be built on medals. It would be built on people.
So I walked away from the athlete life and stepped into the role of coach and business owner. My first gym space was 800 square feet beneath a CrossFit box. Leaky roof. No electricity. No excuses. That’s where the vision took shape—a gym that prioritized technical excellence, individual growth, and an unbreakable community.
Building the business was trial by fire—literally. In 2020, right before we were set to reopen from the pandemic shutdown, a fire destroyed everything. Tens of thousands of dollars in equipment gone overnight. But quitting wasn’t an option. Within 11 days, I moved our training into a temporary space and never missed a beat.
Fast forward to today: Hunger in the Wild now operates out of a permanent 7,000 square foot facility in the Dallas Design District with competition-grade equipment, a full coaching staff, and over 10,000 athletes served worldwide through in-person and online training. We’ve built a name that stands for more than fitness. It stands for grit, excellence, and relentless personal growth.
Advice to anyone looking to start their own business?
Get clear on why you’re doing it—because if it’s just for money, you won’t last. You’re going to be tested. You’ll bleed, cry, and sacrifice more than you ever thought possible. But if you stay committed to your mission, back your vision with action, and keep showing up—especially when everything around you burns—you’ll build something unshakable.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The hardship carved the character. The fire refined the mission. And the struggle built the community. That’s what Hunger in the Wild is all about.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
About Me & Hunger in the Wild
My name is Kyle Dosterschill. I’m the owner and head weightlifting coach of Hunger in the Wild, a strength training facility based in Dallas, Texas. We specialize in Olympic weightlifting, personal training, and expert-led group strength classes for both adults and youth. I’ve been an athlete my entire life—football, powerlifting, golf, and eventually Olympic weightlifting at the national and international level. What started as a relentless pursuit of personal greatness eventually turned into something far more impactful: building a place where others could pursue theirs.
I got into this industry because I was tired of seeing it done wrong. Sloppy technique. Cookie-cutter programming. Coaches more focused on selling than serving. I knew it could be better—so I built it.
At Hunger in the Wild, we offer more than just workouts. We deliver results. That means:
Custom Programming that adapts to each athlete’s goals and level of experience.
Olympic Weightlifting Coaching rooted in world-class methodology.
Group Classes that blend intensity, structure, and coaching—so you’re never just “exercising.”
One-on-One Personal Training for clients serious about real change.
Online Coaching for athletes around the world who want elite programming and guidance, no matter where they live.
What sets us apart is our standard. We’re not here to make you sweat—we’re here to make you stronger. We build technicians. We coach with intention. We hold the line on quality when other gyms are cutting corners. And above all else, we treat your goals like they’re ours.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built—people from all walks of life who show up every day hungry to be better. From competitive weightlifters to beginners walking into the gym for the first time, we meet you where you are, and we coach you like it matters—because it does.
And our reach goes beyond the gym. Through my nonprofit, Uplift Dallas Academy, we provide Olympic weightlifting scholarships and mentorship opportunities to underprivileged youth in Dallas. It’s not just about building athletes—it’s about building leaders, creating opportunity, and rewriting what’s possible for people who’ve been overlooked.
To anyone thinking about training with us or following our work: understand this—we are not the easy option. We’re the option that works. If you’re serious about changing your body, your mindset, and your life—we’re the place you come to do it.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I started with no marketing budget—no paid ads, no outside lead generation, nothing. So every ounce of growth had to be earned the hard way. And honestly, that’s still how we do it today.
Our growth has come from two core strategies: organic social media and word-of-mouth referrals. On social, we focus on providing real value—educating, inspiring, and showing the real work that goes into building strength. We’ve earned trust by being transparent, consistent, and results-driven. When people see that, they feel confident walking through our doors.
But the biggest driver by far has been referrals. Not because we ask for them, but because we earn them. When you help someone change their life—physically and mentally—they want the people they care about to experience the same thing. That kind of growth can’t be faked or bought. It happens naturally when client results are your top priority—and they always have been for us. Results build trust. Trust builds community. And community builds a brand that lasts.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I started with no marketing budget—no paid ads, no outside lead generation, nothing. So every ounce of growth had to be earned the hard way. And honestly, that’s still how we do it today.
Our growth has come from two core strategies: organic social media and word-of-mouth referrals. On social, we focus on providing real value—educating, inspiring, and showing the real work that goes into building strength. We’ve earned trust by being transparent, consistent, and results-driven. When people see that, they feel confident walking through our doors.
But the biggest driver by far has been referrals. Not because we ask for them, but because we earn them. When you help someone change their life—physically and mentally—they want the people they care about to experience the same thing. That kind of growth can’t be faked or bought. It happens naturally when client results are your top priority—and they always have been for us. Results build trust. Trust builds community. And community builds a brand that lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hungerinthewild.com
- Instagram: @kyledosterschill and @hungerinthewild
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hungerinthewild/ and https://www.facebook.com/coach.kyle.dosterschill/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hungerinthewild/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HungerintheWildGym/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hunger-in-the-wild-gym-dallas
