Dustin grew up on an adventure.

Raised in North Vernon, Indiana, he spent his childhood roaming woods and backstreets, hunting and foraging by age five under the guidance of his father and grandfather. He comes from a long line of hunters, foragers, and farmers—people rooted in the rhythms of the land.

As an adult, Dustin apprenticed under Kenton Whitman at Rewild University, where he lived as a forest monk and eventually became the program’s head instructor. RewildU offers deep immersion in wilderness skills and long-term mentorship, and it helped shape Dustin’s approach to nature as both teacher and temple.

After returning to Indianapolis, he joined White Pine Wilderness Academy drawn by its strong sense of community and shared values. His favorite moments at White Pine involve facilitating roughhousing, guiding new hunters, and watching students fall in love with the plant world.

Dustin’s favorite place in Indiana is Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area—his first and still-beloved hunting and foraging grounds. His areas of expertise include martial arts, meditation, archery, firecraft, and plant/mushroom identification.

Outside of teaching, Dustin is most at home with his family, studying deeply, and nurturing community wherever he goes. His perfect weekend includes camping, sharing meals around a fire, and wrestling with friends beneath the trees.

As our Protectors Club instructor, Dustin is a lifelong martial artist with more than 20 years of experience across multiple disciplines. Specializing in Tai Chi, he has earned the title of Sifu and is a six-time gold medalist in Tai Chi “push hands” competition. Combining a deep knowledge of martial application with the healing benefits of mindful movement, Dustin creates a safe yet appropriately challenging environment where students of all levels can build confidence, explore physical expression, and cultivate personal growth.