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