In this powerful episode, Trevor Farnes—founder of MTN OPS and author of The Conquer Code—shares his journey from financial collapse and personal doubt to building one of the most recognized brands in the hunting and fitness industry. Cody and Trevor dive into deep conversations on faith, failure, purpose, and the long game of building a mission-driven life. Trevor opens up about losing everything, learning to pivot, and how connection—to family, mentors, and God—pulled him through. Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or just trying to find your path, this episode is full of hard-earned wisdom.
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3 Big Takeaways
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“Let Time Do the Hard Work”
Patience isn’t passive—it’s strategic. Trevor reminds us that consistency, perseverance, and letting time shape us is often the key difference between success and failure. -
Build a Life with Core Values as Guardrails
Mountain Ops doesn’t just preach values—they live them. Trevor explains how decisions, both personal and business, are easier when guided by clear principles. -
Mentors Are Everywhere—Even If They Don’t Know It
Whether it’s a personal relationship or following someone online, Trevor outlines how to build a “personal advisory board” and learn from others, even from a distance.
Guest: Trevor Farnes, Founder of MTN OPS and author of The Conquer Code
Topics Covered:
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The Myth of Overnight Success: Trevor shares his true origin story—including seven failed businesses and losing everything before MTN OPS ever existed.
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2007 Franchise Disaster: The hard lessons from signing personal guarantees on seven failed retail franchises and what it taught him about risk, cash flow, and resilience.
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Faith in the Valley: The role of spiritual connection and divine timing during the darkest years of his life.
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Starting MTN OPS: How a supplement created for his father’s heart condition turned into a massive movement in the hunting industry.
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Let Time Do the Hard Work: What this phrase means to Trevor, and why patience is the entrepreneur’s most underrated weapon.
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Launching with Purpose: Why Mountain Ops was never just a supplement brand—and how connection, mission, and core values fuel its success.
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From Founder to Visionary: Trevor’s intentional decision to step down as CEO to focus on storytelling, relationships, and impact.
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Mentorship and the Personal Board of Directors: Trevor’s framework for finding mentors, even if they don’t know they’re mentoring you.
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Essentialism and Saying No: How Trevor balances opportunity overload with what matters most—his faith, his family, and his mission.
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The Auction Dream: A vivid dream that changed Trevor’s perspective on time and attention forever.
Bonus Topics:
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Advice for 20-somethings and aspiring entrepreneurs
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How hunting deepened his relationships and reshaped his identity
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Insights from writing The Conquer Code
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Operation Conquer Hunger: MTN OPS’ impact initiative providing over 7 million meals to families in need
Resources & Mentions:
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The Conquer Code by Trevor Farnes → [Link]
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How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen
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Essentialism by Greg McKeown
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7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
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MTN OPS: mtnops.com
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Operation Conquer Hunger → [Link]
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