Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Dosterschill.
Kyle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Hunger in the Wild shortly after moving to Dallas from St. Louis in 2016, but the real story started way before that.
Growing up, I was overweight, out of shape, and didn’t have much confidence. Training changed my life. Not just physically, but mentally. It gave me discipline, structure, and self respect, and it showed me that you can completely rewrite who you are if you’re willing to do the work. Once I felt that shift in my own life, I knew I wanted to help other people experience the same thing.
Before I opened my own place, I worked in a few gyms and saw how different the industry can be depending on who’s running it. Some places genuinely change lives, and some places just sell memberships and hype. I watched people get let down over and over. That bothered me, because I knew the coaching, the programming, and the environment matter. A lot.
When I moved to Dallas on June 5, 2016, which was actually my 26th birthday, I took a job at a gym in Deep Ellum. I put everything into it. Long hours, low pay, building programs, helping with equipment, posting on social media, whatever it took. I believed in what it could be. But the direction changed fast once outside “help” got involved and the priorities turned into profit over people. That was a big turning point for me.
So I quit. Not dramatically, just decided I wasn’t going to attach my name to something I didn’t believe in.
I rented a basement space under a CrossFit gym downtown and started Hunger in the Wild from scratch. It was as barebones as it gets. No money, no network in Dallas, no real equipment, no clientele, and a space that honestly felt like a dungeon. But I went all in. I coached nonstop, built relationships one person at a time, and just kept showing up every day.
After a few years, we grew enough to move into our own facility, and things really started rolling. Then COVID hit and shut everything down. We adapted, did what we had to do, and kept the community together. Right when we were about to reopen, our building burned down in an electrical fire and got condemned. That one was brutal.
But the community rallied, and with the help of my mentor and friend Jeff Horn, we found temporary space and operated there for two years while we rebuilt. Eventually we got back into our own facility again, and we’ve been here since.
Now, years later, Hunger in the Wild is still standing. And I’m proud of that because it’s been earned. It’s not just a gym, it’s a place where people come to change their life for real, and everything we’ve been through has basically reinforced the whole reason I started it in the first place: do it the right way, take care of people, and build something that actually matters.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not even close. It’s been a grind from day one.
When I started Hunger in the Wild, I had basically nothing. I was new to Dallas, didn’t have a network, didn’t have a client list, and didn’t have money to “do it right” from the start. I rented a basement space under another gym and built it one person at a time. It was rough, but it forced me to get really good at coaching, building relationships, and creating something people actually wanted to be part of.
After a few years of hustling, we finally grew into our own facility and things were rolling, then COVID hit and shut us down. That was the first big “are we going to survive this?” moment. We pivoted fast, did anything we could to keep people training, and leaned hard on the community.
Then right when we were about to reopen, our building burned down in an electrical fire and got condemned. That was a punch in the gut. Overnight we had no location, no normal operations, and no clear timeline for what was next. But the community rallied, and I was able to rent temporary space from my mentor and friend Jeff Horn, and we operated there for two years while we rebuilt.
Even beyond the big headline stuff, the day to day struggles are real too. Hiring and developing great coaches, keeping standards high, managing cash flow, and staying consistent when things get stressful. The hardest part is carrying responsibility for other people, not just members, but staff too. When you’re leading, you don’t really get the option to check out.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every setback forced us to get tougher and more locked in on the mission. And I think that’s a big part of why Hunger in the Wild is what it is today.
We’ve been impressed with Hunger in the Wild Gym, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hunger in the Wild Gym is a strength and conditioning gym in the Dallas Design District built for people who actually want results and want to be coached, not just “work out.”
We specialize in strength training, Olympic weightlifting, personal training, group training, and HYROX prep. That’s what we’re known for, and it’s what we do better than anyone because we take coaching seriously. Everything we run is structured, progressive, and built around long term development. Whether someone is brand new to lifting or they’ve been training for years, the goal is the same: get stronger, move better, and build a body that performs.
What sets us apart is the standard. Most gyms either feel like a free for all, or they’re all hype and no real plan. We run the opposite. Our coaching is hands on, our programming is intentional, and we actually care that people understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. We’re not trying to entertain people for an hour. We’re trying to build capable humans.
Brand wise, what I’m most proud of is the culture. Hunger in the Wild is a community of people who show up for themselves and for each other. It’s serious training, but it’s also a place where people feel supported and seen. We’ve been through a lot as a business and the reason we’re still here is because the community is real.
If I had to sum it up for readers: if you’re tired of random workouts and you want real coaching, real structure, and real progress, Hunger in the Wild is for you. We offer group classes, personal training, and online coaching, and we help people at every level build strength, confidence, and momentum that carries over into the rest of their life.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If I could leave readers with one thing, it’s this: you don’t have to be “fit” to start, you just have to be willing to show up and be coachable.
A lot of people think they need to get in shape before joining a gym like ours, but it’s the opposite. This is where you come to learn, build confidence, and create momentum. We meet people where they’re at, but we don’t keep them there. If you’re consistent and you buy into the process, you’re going to get stronger, healthier, and more capable than you thought you could be.
And I’ll add this too. Hunger in the Wild isn’t perfect because we’ve had an easy path. It’s strong because we’ve been tested. Between starting from nothing, COVID, the fire, all of it, the community has been the constant. That’s what makes this place different.
If you’re in Dallas and you’ve been looking for a gym that actually coaches, actually has a plan, and actually cares, come check us out. Even if you’re not local, we coach online too. Either way, the goal is the same: help you become the strongest version of yourself.
Pricing:
- Standard Membership: $220 every 4 weeks What’s included: 24/7 Open Gym access (train anytime) Unlimited coached group classes, including: Strength HYROX Engine/conditioning Olympic weightlifting Mobility Glutes Structured programming with progressions (not random workouts) Coaching every class: form, scaling, and how to progress over time Supportive community and accountability built into the culture
- Signature Membership: $360 every 4 weeks What’s included: Everything in Standard Membership 24/7 Open Gym access Unlimited coached group classes (strength, HYROX, engine, Olympic weightlifting, mobility, glutes) 100% custom programming built around your goals, schedule, and needs Weekly progress check ins to review progress and adjust your plan Direct coaching support so you stay accountable and keep moving forward
- Personal Training: $185 per session What’s included: One on one coaching tailored to your goals, needs, and training history A fully customized plan and session structure (strength, weight loss, performance, rehab focused, etc) Technique coaching and real time feedback every rep Modifications for injuries, limitations, and skill level Progress tracking and plan adjustments to keep you improving Accountability, support, and clear direction so you know exactly what to do and why
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hungerinthewild.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungerinthewild
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hungerinthewild/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16269028/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HungerintheWildGym/featured
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hunger-in-the-wild-dallas-5
