The Mission

We are forging a new standard in the MMA performance care landscape.

Building a Fighter began around the idea that we, as combat sports enthusiasts, coaches, athletes, and health care professionals, need to do better. We aim to create a unified system where-in the combat sports community speaks the same language, practices better, and wins. 

Dr. Austin Schoen
WHO WE ARE

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Austin grew up playing many different sports and enjoying everything that area had to offer. Through all of his activities, he developed a love for the sport of wrestling and made competing a large part of his life from the age of 7 through 22. It was this sport that pushed him towards the field of Chiropractic medicine. Upon finishing 3 years of his Undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse studying Exercise and Sports Science, Austin was offered early admission into the programs of Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and Masters in Sports Medicine, which he completed in September of 2019. While in school, Dr. Austin completed over 500 continuing education hours. He was the head of his school’s branch of Motion Palpation Institute and has taken multiple DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) courses. He has also become qualified in Dynamic cupping, Dry needling, IASTM and Soft tissue mobilization. Austin also has held his CSCS and has been the head strength coach for more than 15 UFC, PFL, Bellator and LFA athletes. 

Through a mix of good and bad experiences with various grappling injuries, Austin saw a disconnect between recovering from injury and returning to high levels of performance. Given this reality, Austin has made it his #1 priority to create an environment that promotes this idea of Performance Care. By blending Exercise Science, Strength & Conditioning, Chiropractic care, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation; He feels that he can help combat athletes the way they deserve. His mission for Building A Fighter is to disperse this type of care to the masses. By doing this, healthcare for combat athletes of all levels will elevate to the top!

Alex Friedman, MA
WHO WE ARE
With an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, a Master’s Degree in Coaching, six professional internships including one at the UFC Performance Institute, and 7 years of coaching -Alex is well versed in the sports performance field.
 
While in the midst of his collegiate wrestling career, Alex questioned the methods of his training and pursued to do better. Through personal experiences in wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Alex has found a niche in grappling sports and performance training.
 
Alex completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in Exercise Science while minoring in Nutrition, and Business Administration. While at UW-La Crosse Alex was a 4-year wrestler, captain his senior year, and three-time Academic All-American. Alex then went on to pursue sports performance and a Masters of the Arts in Sport Coaching through the University of Denver. Alex accumulated a variety of Sports Performance internships and landed a dream experience at the UFC Performance Institute, where he learned from the best in the MMA field. Alex now carries that knowledge with him as he coaches at Landow Performance in Denver, CO. Alex assists with the professional MMA team at Factory X in his current role.
 
Alex is focused on developing every athlete to achieve their athletic potential as well as utilizing the best training methodologies in the process. Using specific means within an individual sport like MMA is key. Alex believes that through intentional work and a high work ethic every athlete can achieve their own mastery of martial arts.
 
Alex is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach through the NSCA, a Level 1 USA Weightlifting Coach,  and has multiple other certifications.
 
Alex enjoys training at Jiu-Jitsu, where he is a blue belt, as well as spending time with his wife, and dogs at home.
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Coaching is teaching in disguise. Learn how to further your coaching practice through our consultation Programs.

Personal consultation designed for every practitioner in the field. Our experiences as combat athletes and practitioners in the field lead our knowledge about strength and conditioning, healthcare, dietetics, and skill coaching. Getting everyone on the same page and using the same language is a huge part of the Building a Fighter mission. 

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