Optimum Athletics' founder and CEO, Alexa Lobato, grew up on a cattle ranch in a small rural town in
southern Colorado. Outside of school, she spent her time helping tend to the animals and vast acreage,
but the majority of her time was dedicated to playing sports. Alexa earned varsity letters in volleyball,
basketball, and track throughout her four years in high school. Her senior year saw her being named 1st
team all-state in both basketball and volleyball. You might be wondering, "Why no awards in track?"
Well, it's not for a lack of effort but rather due to a biomechanical disadvantage she faced in shotput and
discus events.

Behind the glitz and excitement that accompanied her accolades, there was a darker side to Alexa's
sports experience. Throughout her sporting career, Alexa frequently found herself on the treatment
table, doing everything she could to stay healthy. It was during the countless hours spent in rehab that
Alexa met other athletes facing similar, painful situations. She realized their reality was far too
commonplace. Early morning rehab sessions became the place where Alexa discovered not just healing
for her body, but also her unwavering spirit and her passion for assisting athletes.

Upon high school graduation, fueled by her passion for sports and personal experiences with injuries,
Alexa moved to Texas to pursue a degree in physical therapy (PT) at Texas Christian University (TCU).
Although her organized sports days were over, she remained active in supporting many of the campus
sports teams. Her interactions and experiences with TCU athletes ultimately convinced Alexa to forgo
her plans for PT school and continue her education at TCU. Over two additional years, she earned her
master's degree in exercise physiology with a focus on sport science. GO FROGS!

Immediately after her studies at TCU, Alexa joined a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. While initially
excited and eager to be part of a professional team, her experience quickly shifted from a "dream job"
to a "harsh dose of reality" in professional sports. Alexa's role involved applying scientific principles to
enhance performance, increase player availability, and reduce injuries within the team. However, her
efforts were met with skepticism from the coaching staff, limited resources from the club, and
resistance from athletes due to league-wide distrust. As she was trying to navigate the intricacies of the
league, a sudden coaching change within the team led Alexa to leave the MLS and join a small start-up.

For two years, Alexa dedicated herself to mastering the complexities of professional sports, building a
network with other allied health professionals, expanding her expertise in applied sport science, and
connecting with athletes, listening to their stories. She swiftly rose to the top of the company. However,
she soon realized she was on top of the wrong hill. This realization prompted Alexa to leave the
company and establish Optimum Athletics.

Through her work with countless athletes, Alexa knew her place wasn't within an organization but
alongside the athletes themselves, to educate, support, and empower them fully. It's Alexa's dedication
to treating each athlete as an individual, leveraging their strengths while addressing their weaknesses,
that makes Optimum Athletics truly exceptional.