Donald, or "Dusty" to his friends, is the Michigan-born son of an auto assembly worker and a hotel manager, and has a twin brother as well as a younger brother. His athletic career has included high school and college varsity baseball and football, as well as amateur hockey.

Over the years, he has been a chef, professional bodyguard, heavy equipment operator, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle mechanic.

When not in front of the camera, Dusty can usually be found on one of his motorcycles.