“How are you doing?” If you’re like me, you probably responded, “I’m good,” or “I’m fine,” even when reality feels far from it. Sometimes, the tiniest crack in that armor can cause a flood of emotions. Experts claim that fatigue might be the root cause. Fatigue (burnout) is real, and it’s hitting many of us hard.
I recently talked with Peter Fink, an industry veteran and someone I’ve respected for years. He discussed a powerful point: “Most shop owners don’t know how to get rich.” He wasn’t talking about money rich. He meant rich in life, relationships, and well-being.
He spoke about the sacrifices shop owners make – spending 16-hour days in the shop, missing out on family milestones like school plays, birthdays, or even grandkids’ first steps. He called this a real problem in our industry, and this leads to burnout and fatigue.
In another conversation, this time with Jimmy Taylor, one of our ATRA techs, Jimmy told me about a shop down South that had closed its doors. The owner was 78, and his only R&R technician was 75.
This undercurrent is something many of us don’t want to acknowledge.
The Industry’s Reality Check
I recently discovered some statistics while preparing to speak at a supplier meeting, and they were staggering:
- The average age of automotive technicians is 40.2 years old, spanning the whole industry.
- Women make up 12% of technicians (shop techs, not front-end roles).
- Currently, there are 592,000 automotive technicians employed in the U.S.
- The kicker, between 2025 and 2029, the U.S. must hire 362,000 new technicians to keep up with supply and demand and the dropout rate.
Without energy and vitality how can we deal with this industry-wide crisis?
The Call to FUEL up with ATRA
Here’s the paradox that keeps me up at night. Mentorship is the key to ensuring this next generation thrives. But fatigue, burnout and exhaustion shut the door on opportunity. When you’re running on empty, stepping into the leader, teacher, and mentor role is almost impossible.
Imagine someone asking, “Hey, do you want to grab dinner tonight?” And in your mind, you’re already saying “No” before you’ve even considered it. “No, I’m too tired.” Sound familiar?
I’m thrilled to announce ATRA’s new video training platform, FUEL up with ATRA.”
We’ve partnered with MyFuel.io, a revolutionary company that shares our values of growth, well-being, and technical excellence. This isn’t just about improving your craft; it’s about creating balance, improving health, and building better personal and professional relationships as well as balancing the demands of life.
What “FUEL up with ATRA” Brings to You
When you subscribe to our platform, you’re not just signing up for training videos. You’re signing up for positive change. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Daily videos to inspire and push you to be your best, both technically and personally.
- Personalized content designed to motivate, teach, and uplift.
- Access for your entire team AND their families! Yes, your support network will benefit, too.
As an ATRA member, your only investment is time. We’ve added it as a valuable new member benefit, so your only question is, “Am I willing to invest some time in learning how to take back control of my life?” Companies like Coca-Cola™, Walmart™, and Apple™ already use this platform to inspire their employees. Now, you can have the same tool in your shop for all your employees and their families too!
Choose Positivity Over Fatigue
Here’s the question I want you to ask yourself today. Are you tired of running on empty? Are you ready to refuel every part of your life?
Because here’s the truth—I’m tired of the negativity of seeing shop owners burned out and scrolling through endless online posts of frustration. It’s time to reclaim that energy, that focus, and that joy you once had when you got into this industry.
“Pain is a call to action.” Please don’t ignore it. Take this step for yourself, your team, and your families. Be on the lookout for the launch email in your inbox soon and get ready to FUEL up with ATRA.
Together, we can revive our shops and our lives.
Here’s to the next step forward.
