In this episode of the MTB Performance Project, Mickey sits down with Alex Hubelbank, a physical therapist and performance coach who has carved out a unique career path in the world of professional sports and human performance. Alex shares her unconventional journey from working at Apple for four years to becoming a PT and eventually landing roles in professional sports, including the NBA.

Her story demonstrates how non-linear career paths can actually provide valuable skills and perspectives that traditional routes might miss. Throughout the conversation, Alex discusses the importance of the "five whys" approach to understanding your true motivations, how to know when it's time to leave a position and make big life changes, and the difference between "top-down" vs "bottom-up" career approaches. She shares insights on working with professional athletes, including navigating complex stakeholder relationships between teams, athletes, agents, and medical staff, setting clear expectations, having difficult conversations, and the realities versus perceptions of working in professional sports.

Alex also explores cutting-edge training technology, particularly muscle oxygen sensors that help coaches make better decisions about when athletes are truly ready for their next set or exercise. She explains how this technology is changing the way coaches approach warmups and recovery, moving away from guessing with timers to using real data about what's happening inside the athlete's body. Whether you're a coach, trainer, or athlete, Alex's story offers practical lessons on building a meaningful career, working with elite performers, and embracing new tools that can take training to the next level

In this episode of The MTB Performance Podcast, host Mickey Bruckner sits down with Katie Dabrowski, partner at Old Bull Athletics in Miami, to explore how the lines between training and healthcare are disappearing. Katie shares her journey from starting a small PT practice to building a thriving cash-based facility where you can't tell if someone is there for rehab or performance training.

We explore practical strategies for working with clients in pain, the psychology behind fear during the injury rehabilitation process, and how to find "entry points" for challenging movements. Katie also opens up about the challenges of scaling a service-based business while maintaining quality care, and why she believes most training issues come down to being either undertrained or overtrained.

Whether you're a coach, trainer, or business owner, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building sustainable practices and helping people move better.

In this episode of the MTB Performance Project, host Mickey Bruckner sits down with Mike Guadango, owner of Freak Strength in New Jersey, fellow podcaster, and coach to elite athletes at all stages of their careers. Mike shares his journey from aspiring chiropractor to becoming a performance coach who integrates bodywork, acupuncture, and auto-regulated training into his unique methodology.

They dive into how Mike's early injuries led him to a career in performance and healing, and why he prioritizes fascial stretching, acupuncture, and hands-on therapy over traditional physical therapy. He breaks down his semi-private training model, where every athlete receives individualized, auto-regulated programming, and emphasizes the importance of meeting athletes where they're at, whether they're rookies or seasoned pros.

Mike also discusses how he balances coaching passion with business growth. He shares why practices like sauna, cold plunge, and simple living are non-negotiables for health and recovery. His no-BS approach to coaching, combined with his deep care for athletes, makes this a must-listen for trainers, business owners, and anyone interested in the intersection of performance and longevity.