Maximum Octane

Maximum Octane is the high-performance podcast for automotive shop owners ready to accelerate their leadership, culture, and profitability. Hosted by industry veterans Kim Hickey and Jason Patel from Automotive Training Institute (ATI), each episode takes you under the hood of the nation's most successful auto repair shops to uncover the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts fueling next-level results.

This season, Maximum Octane brings raw, real conversations from ATI SuperConference 2025 in Hawaii—featuring shop owners who are transforming their businesses by investing in what matters most: people, process, and purpose. From using Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs) to create superfans and elevate trust, to building training-first cultures that unlock loyalty, growth, and long-term success, these are the stories that inspire action. The season explores the shift from technician to technologist, the power of structure and team leadership, and the innovative thinking driving the automotive industry forward in a time of rapid change.

If you're a shop owner looking to scale sustainably, retain top-tier talent, maximize your Average Repair Order (ARO), or future-proof your business against ever-advancing vehicle technology—this podcast delivers the mindset and methods to get you there. You’ll gain field-tested strategies from ATI’s top-performing members, with deep dives into DVIs, workflow efficiency, culture-building, team accountability, talent development, technician training, and actionable steps to grow your shop’s revenue, reputation, and resilience.

Because in today’s market, it’s not just about fixing cars—it’s about building a business people believe in.


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Recent Episodes
  • Cutting the Surcharge Cord: Customer-First Payments with Dr. Mark Hale
    Jun 10, 2025 – 43:19
  • From Wrenching to Leading. The Power of Accountability with Clinton Jones
    May 27, 2025 – 32:28
  • How to Stop Tool Hunts, Boost Accountability, and Run a Smoother Auto Repair Shop, with Reiny Salmen
    May 13, 2025 – 33:49
  • How To Turn Tech Training Into Your Auto Shop's Superpower with Angie and Ken Rocha
    Apr 29, 2025 – 46:51
  • Throwback To Ep# 91 | How To Maximize Your Auto Repair Shop's Social Media Potential
    Oct 1, 2024 – 34:54
  • Throwback to Ep# 30 | Breaking Things Down Into Little Pieces and Living More Intentionally with Wendy Hawks
    Sep 17, 2024 – 27:33
  • Little-known Benefits of Specializing in the Automotive Industry with Chris Fraser
    Sep 3, 2024 – 35:48
  • A Quantum Leap to Mental Wellness. Lessons from Eric Gibson's Inspirational Story
    Aug 20, 2024 – 28:32
  • Make it Sticky. How To Turn Your Auto Shop into Internal Customers' Third Place with Anthony Wrixon
    Aug 6, 2024 – 37:06
  • Total Gain. How To Take Your Collision Shop To the Next Level with Jeff Zalis
    Jul 23, 2024 – 35:32
  • Small Town Big Growth: Insights from Robbie Windham on Body Shop Expansion Strategies
    Jul 9, 2024 – 32:16
  • How Convenient Is Your Auto Shop? The Human Business of Auto Repair with Geoff Berman
    Jun 25, 2024 – 32:22
  • Transparency, Accountability, and Clear Communication at the Service of Auto Repair Growth with Fred Gestwicki Jr
    Jun 11, 2024 – 35:21
  • The Importance of Strategic Planning in the Face of the Unexpected. The Story of John and Jackson Blanton
    May 28, 2024 – 38:05
  • Is AI Here To Fix the Automotive Industry? An Insightful Conversation with Dan Garlock, Mike Bennett, and Ricky Jordan Jr.
    May 14, 2024 – 39:30
  • Cracking the Recruitment Code: A Deep Dive into Internal Customers' Growth with Dan Garlock and Ricky Jordan Jr
    Apr 30, 2024 – 41:57
  • Give 'Em the Pickle! Building an Outstanding Auto Repair Shop from Scratch with Kori and Troy Vaninetti
    Apr 16, 2024 – 46:45
  • Turning A Passion for Cars into A Profitable Auto Repair Shop with Terry and Travis Griffith
    Apr 2, 2024 – 36:22
  • How To Make Your Auto Shop Start Like the Lions and End Like the 49ers with Jason Patel and Geoff Berman
    Feb 13, 2024 – 39:43
  • How To Recruit A Swifities' Army for Your Auto Repair Shop with Jason Patel
    Jan 30, 2024 – 32:16
  • Throwback To Ep# 5 | Mixing Business and Family the Right Way with Kelli and Lee Weatherby
    Dec 12, 2023 – 44:10
  • Throwback To Ep# 72 | Is Your Auto Repair Shop Undercharging For Its Services? with Brian Hunnicutt
    Nov 28, 2023 – 31:24
  • Throwback To Ep# 60 | The B-side of Holidays with Mike Warren
    Nov 14, 2023 – 31:49
  • Throwback To Ep# 61 | A Miracle From God with Lee Anderson
    Oct 31, 2023 – 37:07
  • Throwback To Ep# 55 | Everything You Need To Know About Your Auto Policy with Richard Sharman
    Oct 3, 2023 – 31:49
  • Rev Up Your Marketing Efforts and Make Your Competitors Eat Dust with Kim and Brian Walker
    Sep 19, 2023 – 35:06
  • You Can Become an A-Tech and Repair Your Own Mind with Cally Rampis
    Sep 5, 2023 – 37:22
  • How to Choose the Perfect Software for Your Auto Shop with Kirk Mize and Jesse Meddaugh
    Aug 22, 2023 – 35:28
  • How To Maximize Your Auto Repair Shop's Social Media Potential
    Aug 8, 2023 – 34:55
  • Why Aiming for Profit Will Help You Put People First with Ron Saharyan
    Jul 25, 2023 – 39:35
  • Build Trust Before You Build Dollars And Money Will Follow with Roy Niemi
    Jul 4, 2023 – 35:16
  • Run Your Auto Repair Shop As Effectively As A Big Corporation with Drew Bryant
    Jun 27, 2023 – 33:37
  • Why Every Auto Repair Shop Should Think Of Getting A CPA with Eric Joern
    Jun 20, 2023 – 32:40
  • Using Culture And Reputation To Build A Bench For Your Auto Shop with Roy Keiser
    Jun 13, 2023 – 24:03
  • Turning Auto Shop Customers' Data Into Revenue with Justin Rae
    Jun 6, 2023 – 36:30
  • What Makes A Perfect Auto Repair 2nd In Command with Andrew & Rachel White and Will Ogles
    May 30, 2023 – 34:11
  • Helping Auto Repair's Internal Customers Make The Right Choices with Al Sutherland
    May 23, 2023 – 33:54
  • Create More Than A Great Environment In Your Auto Repair Shop with Bianca Gosser
    May 16, 2023 – 27:40
  • Thinking Big On Small Auto Repair Shops' Marketing with Phil Jackson
    May 9, 2023 – 37:32
  • How To Make Workers' Comp Work Both Ways with Paige Hazeltine
    May 2, 2023 – 37:09
  • A Peep Into The Self-Driving Automotive Industry with Chris Chesney
    Apr 25, 2023 – 34:06
  • Put People First And Think About What They Want with Lisa Coyle and Jesse Meddaugh
    Apr 18, 2023 – 31:10
  • Why You Should Train Your Trainers with Jim Bennett
    Apr 11, 2023 – 34:33
  • Take Your Auto Repair Shop Further Faster with George Zeeks
    Apr 4, 2023 – 34:00
  • Is Your Auto Repair Shop Undercharging For Its Services? with Brian Hunnicutt
    Mar 28, 2023 – 31:24
  • Hire The Right Service Advisor And Level Up Your Auto Repair Shop with Jodi and Darren Knepper
    Mar 21, 2023 – 30:32
  • Build An All-Star Bench For Your Auto Repair Shop with Geoff Berman
    Mar 14, 2023 – 35:46
  • Hope For The Warriors with Leslie Hunt
    Mar 7, 2023 – 32:06
  • Throwback To Ep# 32 | Don't Be Cheap! Pay Your Freedom Tax with Bruce Spencer
    Feb 28, 2023 – 22:44
  • Set Your Business In Front Of The 2023 Automotive Industry's Trends with Mike Bennett
    Feb 21, 2023 – 37:52
Recent Reviews
  • Surfit18
    Love the connection and analogies
    Love the connection between automotive industry and leadership. Excited to hear where you go with this.
  • Ryker828
    Great perspectives
    Thank you for making me think harder about business.
  • jimjustjim
    Maximum Octane
    I’ve known Kim was a rockstar for years, but with the podcast she really shines. Any other podcasters should be jealous.
  • Grateful Emily
    I love this show!
    I don’t know anything about cars, but I do know about compassionately operating a business, and Kim is stellar at doing this. She is so inspirational and full of great advice. I highly recommend this podcast for anyone with a business or thinking about having a business!
  • ATIKevin
    Exceptional Listen
    Kim does an amazing job bringing discussions to the table that are real word and relevant to today’s business owner.
  • My Tebow
    Raising the bar!
    Kim is so knowledgeable of our automotive industry and an expert in customer service, Organization and implementation of successful actions. We are so thrilled to have somebody this talented represent the automotive industry. 5 star coach!
  • msorro
    Kim is the real deal!
    What a refreshing podcast! Kim is a passionate leader who walks her talk. This one is a must listen!
  • TBGPhD
    So practical!
    Kim has got to be one of the most practical coaches I’ve heard in a LONG time. Her examples and insights are so real and applicable to all business leaders. Excellent perspective and advice about caring for internal customers.
  • Virgylee
    Honest & heartfelt
    Kim is a true leader in what matters in the automotive industry and beyond! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insights, I can’t wait to see who your guests are and what we will learn next!
  • Debra Dinnocenzo
    Max WOW!
    Save yourself a carload of troubles! Kim offers important insights from her experience that will help you avoid problems, learn important techniques, and be more successful. Maximum Octane is your go-to podcast for mastering the keys to service leadership excellence!
  • greenlane pa
    Filled with Energy
    So much fun to listen to Kim and loved everything about the podcast!!
  • With an Open Heart
    Energy full tilt
    Maximum Octane is perfectly titled. Kim is a ball of beautifully inspired energy who knows what she's talking about. Kim carves her own path. She's truly a BossBabe who tells it how it is unapologetically and with style. Vroom Vroom BABY!!
  • laylatusko
    Informative and Inspiring Podcast
    Very interesting and informative podcast on running a business! Being a business owner, this podcast is relevant to running my business even though I am not in the auto industry. Love Kim’s energy and approach! Aha moment with thinking of my employees as an internal customer!!!
  • Barney Fein
    Go to the Front of the Pack
    Take it to the Max with Kim, her peddle to the metal energy and insight will spark your buisness success!
  • rick9560
    Insightful
    Kim is an expert in the daily running of automotive repair shops. I have worked with Kim for nearly 10 years. She has amazing insights and can really relate to shop owners.
  • SafiRae
    So good!
    Kim is an amazing ring leader. Love her energy and her focus on success and balance. Her approach is real and authentic! Highly recommend.
  • Steveraven1
    Wow!
    Never thought of my employees as internal customers! Thanks for this light bulb moment.
  • amyrookwood
    CEO Insights
    Wow! Never would have thought a podcast by an auto repair shop would have such useful information for a life coach! Kim is open, unconventional and totally easy to listen to. Loved her background story and this non-auto centered woman can’t wait to hear more!
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