Montana man brutally mauled by grizzly recovering in Seattle

STEVENSVILLE, Mont -- Stevensville Montana resident Dave Brzycki was brutally attacked by a grizzly bear earlier this summer and now residents in the town have now come together to put on a fundraiser to help him and his wife with medical and living expenses.


Brzycki has been a personal trainer and fitness expert at the PEAK in Stevensville for years. Steve Tenold met Brzycki at the gym about four years ago.

The two bonded immediately and formed a tight friendship.  Tenold said until he talked to medical experts about the bear attack he didn't understand just how close Brzycki came to death.

"The first responders who saw Dave thought there might be a totally different outcome in the morning when they heard that he was alive, they called it a miracle. I think that's a pretty powerful word," Tenold said.

Brzycki is currently receiving treatment in Seattle where he has been since the attack in June.  Those close to him say it's not a matter of if he'll return to being a physical trainer at PEAK Fitness again, - but when.

Tenold says he badly wanted to help his friend, and got the idea for a fundraiser shortly after the accident.

"The following day I knew I wanted to have a fundraiser for Dave. And while I was thinking that, countless other people were thinking the same thing. So we all, instead of doing our own little things, we all joined forces together and we started 'Team Dave Built to Endure.'"

Team Dave's first fundraiser will be held next Friday and Saturday in Stevensville - and will feature runs, auctions and haircuts for kids - with all of the proceeds going to help the family with their medical and living expenses.

Tenold said Brzycki competed in several Ironman triathlons over the past few years, and adds the knows Brzycki will be back stronger than ever after the ordeal.

"if anybody can make it through this, Dave will. If he chooses to be a trainer again, he'll be a trainer again. The sky's the limit for this guy. It's incredible.

Tenold said Brzycki is able to walk around, and has recovered well from the several surgeries that he has had to endure.