Arno Ilgner

Arno Ilgner distinguished himself as a pioneering rock climber in the 1970s and ‘80s. His experiences as a rock climber are the foundation for his unique physical and mental training program–The Warrior’s Way®. In 1995, after much practice in the great warrior traditions, Ilgner founded the Desiderata Institute, and began teaching his program full time.

Since then, he has helped rock climbers and non-climbers improve their mental fitness by sharpening their awareness, focusing attention, and understanding their athletic (and life) challenges within a coherent, learning-based philosophy of intelligent risk-taking. Ilgner considers the joy and satisfaction in the effort – the “journey” – intimately linked to successful attainment of goals, the “destination.”

Ilgner has taught clinics across the U.S.A. and abroad. He holds a BA in geology, spent several years operating his own geological consulting firm in the Wyoming oil fields, acted as Chief Financial Officer for an industrial tool distribution company, attended the Army Ranger School, and served a non-combat tour of duty in Korea. He currently resides with his family near Nashville, Tennessee.