MTB Performance Project

Mickey Brueckner
  • 5.0 (13)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hello, my name is Mickey Brueckner (MTB) and welcome to my podcast: "The MTB Performance Project." I am the founder and CEO of the ANNEX Sports Performance Center. I have almost 20 years of experience training athletes of all levels, running a business and building a brand. I am a husband, a father to three children, and I still train hard on a regular basis. The main goal of this endeavor is to uncover different aspects of human performance. I believe there are many layers to this pursuit: health, fitness, nutrition, mental, social - the list goes on. However, no matter what you are chasing, the principles across many of these disciplines are universal. Through interviewing people who I consider experts in there field, along with past and current ANNEX athletes, we can dive deeper into these disciplines and unpack different levels of performance. I named it the Performance "Project" because for me, this is a lifelong initiative to be in constant pursuit of ways to improve my overall health and performance. Thank you for listening.

  1. 031 | The Future of Training: Revolutionizing Athletic Performance with Alex Hubelbank

    JUN 11

    031 | The Future of Training: Revolutionizing Athletic Performance with Alex Hubelbank

    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

    1h 4m
  2. 030 | Training Is Healthcare with Katie Dabrowski

    JUN 4

    030 | Training Is Healthcare with Katie Dabrowski

    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.

    49 min
  3. 029 | Inside Freak Strength: Coaching, Bodywork, and Building a Business

    MAY 28

    029 | Inside Freak Strength: Coaching, Bodywork, and Building a Business

    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.

    1h 7m
  4. 028 | The Future of Performance PT: A Conversation with Mike Reinhardt

    MAY 14

    028 | The Future of Performance PT: A Conversation with Mike Reinhardt

    In this episode of the MTB Performance Project, host Mickey Bruckner sits down with performance physical therapist Mike Reinhardt to explore the intersection of rehab and athletic performance. Mike shares his journey from strength training enthusiast to PT, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between clinical rehab and sport-specific training. He discusses collaborative strategies for PTs and strength coaches, data-driven KPIs (like limb symmetry and force plates), and the pitfalls of overtraining or undertraining athletes.  Mike also shares his passion for mentorship through his unique performance programs. Whether you’re rehabbing injuries or optimizing performance, this episode is full of insights on athlete development, mindset shifts, and the future of performance therapy. Follow Mike on Instagram (@drmike_reinhardt) and subscribe to the MTB podcast for more.

    1h 5m
  5. 027 | The Power of Positioning: Chris Guarin on Posture & Performance

    MAY 7

    027 | The Power of Positioning: Chris Guarin on Posture & Performance

    In this episode, host Mickey Bruckner interviews Chris Guarin, a performance coach and founder of Guarin Posture Performance in California. Chris shares his journey into strength and conditioning, sparked by a love for sports and shaped through personal injuries. Over time, his work expanded from athletic performance to a specialized focus on posture and movement. The conversation highlights Chris’s commitment to continuous learning and his belief in the power of context, in both coaching and life. His story offers valuable takeaways for young coaches: stay curious, build strong relationships, and keep showing up.

    1h 11m
  6. 026 | A Coach's Journey of Service and Growth with Bobby Whyte

    APR 30

    026 | A Coach's Journey of Service and Growth with Bobby Whyte

    In this episode of the MTB Performance Project, Bobby Whyte shares his powerful journey from a self-doubting college athlete battling addiction to a respected coach and founder of Good Drills. He discusses how hitting rock bottom led him to rediscover purpose through service and sport, and how that transformation now shapes everything he does—on and off the court. Bobby breaks down his coaching philosophy rooted in honesty, environment, and athlete development over gimmicks or hype. He also talks about launching Good Drills, growing an online business, and how leaning into discomfort became his biggest growth driver. It’s a candid, motivating conversation about building something meaningful—and becoming someone you're proud of.

    1h 8m
  7. 025 | Built Around the Athlete: Smarter Coaching with Sean Smith

    APR 23

    025 | Built Around the Athlete: Smarter Coaching with Sean Smith

    Sean Smith joins the podcast to break down what it really means to coach with purpose. With experience spanning NCAA Division I athletics and IndyCar, Sean emphasizes the importance of meeting athletes where they are, building real relationships, and coaching with intention. He dives into how to maximize limited off-seasons, why in-season training is essential, and how he uses force plate data and athlete feedback to build smarter, more responsive programs. Whether you're in the weight room or working remotely, Sean’s insights highlight how clarity, communication, and context shape long-term success.

    1h 4m
  8. 024 | Redefining Performance: Integrating Strength & Therapy with Danny Foley

    APR 16

    024 | Redefining Performance: Integrating Strength & Therapy with Danny Foley

    In this episode, Danny Foley—founder of Rude Rock Strength and coach with Altis—shares his evolving approach to performance training. He walks us through his journey from traditional strength and conditioning to a more integrated model that blends injury rehab, performance optimization, and fascial-based training. Danny reflects on how his time working with Navy SEALs at VHP shaped his current philosophy and makes the case for closing the gap between strength and therapy to better serve athletes. From NFL combine prep to fascia-informed loading, this conversation is packed with insights on staying relevant, effective, and impactful as a coach.

    1h 8m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Hello, my name is Mickey Brueckner (MTB) and welcome to my podcast: "The MTB Performance Project." I am the founder and CEO of the ANNEX Sports Performance Center. I have almost 20 years of experience training athletes of all levels, running a business and building a brand. I am a husband, a father to three children, and I still train hard on a regular basis. The main goal of this endeavor is to uncover different aspects of human performance. I believe there are many layers to this pursuit: health, fitness, nutrition, mental, social - the list goes on. However, no matter what you are chasing, the principles across many of these disciplines are universal. Through interviewing people who I consider experts in there field, along with past and current ANNEX athletes, we can dive deeper into these disciplines and unpack different levels of performance. I named it the Performance "Project" because for me, this is a lifelong initiative to be in constant pursuit of ways to improve my overall health and performance. Thank you for listening.

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