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Our Story: Veteran-Led Coaching in Lenoir, NC


You don’t need another guru. You need someone who’s been through the fire and can help you walk through yours.

Tiger Tamers was built on the belief that the greatest transformations begin when you finally face the thing you’ve been running from.

The Tiger is inside you. Let's wake it up.

 
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COACHING IN LENOIR, NC

From Military Service to Coaching Transformation

Tiger Tamers was founded in 2023 by Dennis Narlock, a U.S. Navy veteran who spent decades leading in high-stakes environments and helping people break through fear, doubt, and burnout. After overcoming personal struggles with PTSD, purpose, and reinvention, Dennis realized his calling: coaching others to confront what’s holding them back and shape the life they truly want.

What started as leadership coaching for teams has now evolved into a bold, deeply personal coaching practice—one designed to help individuals in transition reignite clarity, identity, and momentum.

 
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Our Mission: Know Yourself – Know Your Team – Excel

SHAPING PASSION INTO HIGH PERFORMANCE


Tiger Tamers helps people who feel stuck take bold steps forward. Whether you're navigating a career change, recovering from burnout, or just asking, “What’s next?”—our mission is to give you the clarity, tools, and courage to answer that question with confidence.
We don’t create dependency. We create transformation.

Certifications & Professional Training

When you choose Tiger Tamers, you’re not just getting a coach—you’re working with someone who’s invested years in mastering techniques that deliver measurable results in mindset, resilience, and performance.
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Certified Neuroscience Coach

Harnessing brain-based strategies to create lasting behavioral change, improve focus, and enhance decision-making.
private coaching meeting focused on personal growth and clarity

Certified Firewalking Instructor

Trained to guide individuals and teams through safe, transformative firewalking experiences—unlocking courage, commitment, and mental strength.
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Certified Breathwork Facilitator
(F.I.R.E. Method)

Skilled in guiding structured breathwork sessions to reduce stress, boost energy, and create a powerful state of clarity.
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Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner

Accredited in using Havening—a neuroscience-informed approach that uses gentle touch and specific protocols to promote calm and anchor positive states.
Meet Your Coach
Dennis Narlock Owner of Tiger Tamers

Coach
Dennis Narlock

Dennis brings 37+ years of military, leadership, and coaching experience into every session. He’s a Certified NLP Practitioner, Firewalking Instructor, Nueroscience Coach, and Hypnosis.


"Fear is natural. Danger is real. But fear doesn’t define you — what you do with it does."


Most importantly, he’s someone who’s walked the path himself—from surviving crisis to leading others through it.
Kickstart with Dennis. Unleash What's Next.
close-up of bare feet stepping onto hot embers in a firewalking challenge
close-up of bare feet stepping onto hot embers in a firewalking challenge

Heart of the Tiger
We Coach from Experience—Not Theory

The Heart of the Tiger is a transformational coaching experience designed to help individuals confront their inner limitations, break through self-doubt, and ignite the courage to pursue a life aligned with passion, purpose, and power.


Grounded in our H.E.A.R.T. Framework™, this guides you from clarity to action—helping you build the mindset, habits, and confidence to lead yourself forward.
 

What You’ll Gain:

  • Clarity of purpose
  • Tools to overcome fear & procrastination
  • A 90-day action plan
  • Real, lasting momentum

The tiger is already inside you. Let’s awaken it.
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Testimonials & Reviews
What People are Saying

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"Few people have the ability to truly transform lives, and Dennis is one of them! 

I first met Dennis around 12 years ago when he became my Operations Director. Quickly he became a leader I would do anything for. He has an amazing talent of making you feel like you are the only person that matters to him at that time and his full focus is given to you in the moment. He makes you understand your why and the positive impact you can have on others, even when you are at your lowest.
Quickly, he not only became my mentor but also a trusted friend. Although the distance we have now is geologically challenging, he always checks in on me and my family.
As both my business and personal mentor, his guidance has been nothing short of life-changing. His wisdom, strategic insight, and unwavering support have not only helped me grow professionally but have also shaped the way I approach challenges, leadership, and personal development. I still pass on the things he has taught me to this day.
Dennis has a rare ability to see potential where others see obstacles, and his mentorship has empowered me to push beyond my limits. His impact extends far beyond just me, his teachings have influenced the way I lead, coach, and develop those around me, including my family and friends, creating a ripple effect of growth and transformation. His structured approach and personable manner is a perfect blend.
I owe Dennis a lot and he will never truly understand the impact he makes, yet he will always be humble and claim he just pointed me in the right direction and unleashed the tools I already possessed.
I would 100% recommend Dennis and his coaching to anyone, whether they are looking for business guidance, personal development or someone to talk to, he is your go to guy."
— Stuart Longhurst
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"Dennis has been a great coach to me where I have enjoyed working with him on some challenges within both my professional and personal lives. He has an engaging personality and a fluid coaching style where he is able to quickly identify and explore your particular concerns in a way that allows you to think through practical solutions to help you to move beyond your current thinking.

Dennis was able to help me explore my underlying beliefs and the limitations that were impacting how I approached the decisions I needed to make to get me back on track on the things that mattered to me. He has continued to provide ongoing encouragement and empowerment in what I want to achieve.

I would recommend Dennis if you are looking for a coach who tailors his approach to you as a person and establishes the authenticity that allows you to work through the concerns you are experiencing and how to overcome these."
— Karen MacGregor
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"Working with Dennis changed everything for me. I came in feeling stuck—trapped in a job I’d outgrown, weighed down by self-doubt, and unsure how to take the next step.

From the start, Dennis saw through the noise and helped me reconnect with who I really am. His coaching wasn’t about fixing me—it was about helping me build clarity, confidence, and momentum.

By the end of our sessions, I had launched a passion project, left a job that no longer served me, and found the courage to lead my life with purpose. Dennis doesn’t just coach—he ignites transformation."
— Indee Swanson
Healthstyle partners
"We just had the most life-changing experience with Dennis and Tiger Tamers. Wow. Wow. Wow. We worked with a group at the Chamber of Commerce for an event, and he first led us through "Arrow Breaking," walking us through breaking past the things that are holding us back.

The next night, we did wood breaking—also an amazing experience—once again breaking past those thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve us.

Last, and probably the most transformative, was the "fire walk." What a mind-altering, spiritual experience. I can’t even describe how incredible it was. The "fire tenders" on his team were first-rate. My husband has been a fire tender, and he said they are the REAL DEAL.

Dennis, with his manner, professionalism, and skill, explained everything we needed to do, to know, and to fully understand—with patience, kindness, and a loving spirit. He is a true professional who puts his heart and soul into everything he does.

The highlight? The preparation before each "act," as Dennis explained. No, it’s not an act—rather an experience to break free, push through, and dig deep past the thoughts and beliefs holding you back from your greatest potential.

Thank you, Dennis! Very grateful!"
— Gina Stano
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"Dennis is a leader and a teacher. He draws from extensive military and private sector experience at many levels to apply that experience with business tools (like Lean/SixSigma), building leaders and improving teams. He provides training on critical business tools and concepts while allowing space for employees to grow and own their results. He helps break down challenges with a focus on achievable actions, setting a foundation for steady progress."
— Kent Lohrey
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"Dennis is a fantastic leadership speaker! He graciously shared his organizational leadership experience with our McLauchlan Leadership Fellows this past spring. His talk was organized, heartfelt, full of information, and inspiring to our MBA students in the program. Dennis talked openly and honestly about the challenges and opportunities of being a leader and shared the key principles and practices he relies on as a leader. We definitely want him back next year!"
— Leigh Shamblin
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"His coaching continues to be powerful, thought provoking and action biased.

He’s tapped into my motivations, and helped me think through a personal plan, stepping back and looking at where I am and where I want to be … Habit 7 … sharpening the saw.

I’m on track with my mental and physical health goals, my plans for travel with my wife, and preparing to re-enter the world of work once more.

Still loads to explore with Dennis, but wow, a great three weeks."
— Derek Stocks
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"Spending the day with Dennis Narlock and his Tiger Tamers was nothing short of transformational for our Mosquito Joe team. Dennis brought a powerful presence, grounded in authenticity and experience, that immediately connected with every member of our group.

Through stories, challenges, and moments of reflection, he led us through a high-impact experience centered on resiliency, embracing change, and the power of unified teamwork. His ability to simplify complex leadership lessons into actionable insights was inspiring — and exactly what our team needed.

Dennis doesn’t just talk about grit and growth — he lives it. His Tiger Tamers experience challenged my Mosquito Joe corporate team to lean into discomfort, trust each other more deeply, and recognize the strength that comes from vulnerability and shared purpose.

If you're looking to reignite your team's fire, sharpen their focus, and elevate their ability to adapt and thrive — Dennis is the one you want in your corner."
— Lou Schager
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"Dennis is the real deal. He is an insightful and skillful coach who offers everyone in his formal and informal span of care help, support, and encouragement. His penchant for serving and supporting others is not limited to his role or work. It's what he does because this is simply who he is. It just comes out of him naturally and organically. His direct and down-to-earth approach to coaching, personal change, and organizational development is on point and powerful. I count it a privilege to work and study with Dennis. I am better man, leader, and business man because our paths crossed."
— David VanderMolen 
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“I had a great experience with Jim Dixon being my coach. He
opened my eyes to quite a few things that I never thought possible. I served in the United
States Marine Corps and I have PTSD. Jim's coaching made me realize that I was a survivor and
that I have success in my life. Due to Jim’s coaching, he showed me tools and techniques that
helped me positively to look at the future and goal-setting in a better light. If you’re in need of
a great coach go to Jim Dixon he’s awesome and he’ll help you like he helped me.”
— Jason Lee, Former Marine
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"Working with Jim over these last couple months has been great. He's helped me work through some self-induced limitations that I was not even aware were holding me back.
 He tailored his methods to suit how my internal processes function and helped me to take more active control of situations. More importantly, he's shone a spotlight on the workings of my own mind, so that I can be mindful of my own strengths and idiosyncrasies.
 He's guided me to be able to explore my own core beliefs so that I can leverage my actions to their best potential. This isn't a coaching program to get me to conform to any specific “correct” way of doing things. It is a bespoke program which allows me to highlight my own internal processes and make my own way of doing things most efficient.
 Jim is great and very grounded in reality. His insight and know-how are unparalleled, and he has a knack for helping others unlock their own potential through very practical means."
— Chris Haun, Professional Scientist



YOUR STORY ISN'T OVER YET

The next chapter begins when you decide to stop standing still.
Let’s talk. Your first session is free.
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