In this episode of WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast, we sit down with Nick Robles, a Toyota technician and team leader, to talk about what it really takes to grow in technician life.

Nick shares his journey into the automotive industry, from early inspiration working around cars as a kid… to going through training, working at multiple dealerships, stepping into the exotic world, losing motivation, and ultimately finding his way back into a dealership where he could rebuild and grow.

This conversation is real and relatable for anyone in the shop.

Not just about success… but about the setbacks, the frustration, and figuring things out along the way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Getting started as an automotive technician
• The reality of technician training and UTI
• Dealership life vs exotic shop experience

• Losing passion and finding your way back
• Moving from lube tech to mainline technician
• Flat rate technician mindset and pay
• Shop culture and team dynamics
• Leadership, accountability, and development

This episode is for anyone who:

• Is trying to grow in technician life
• Feels stuck or behind in their career
• Wants to move from lube tech to mainline
• Is learning how to balance production and teamwork

One thing this episode makes clear:

You don’t become a great technician overnight.

It takes time, the right environment, and the willingness to keep going when things aren’t clicking.

Follow Nick Robles:
Instagram: @nickrobles_

WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast
Real conversations for real technicians.

1% better every episode.

automotive technician, technician life, flat rate technician, dealership technician, lube tech to mainline, shop culture, automotive careers, service department, fixed ops, mechanic life

In this episode of WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast, we sit down with Brett (@themacdoctor101), a McLaren technician who shares what it really takes to reach the highest level in the automotive industry.

This conversation goes beyond the highlight reel of working on exotic cars and gets into the reality behind it.

Long drives every week just to get to work.
Living out of a car while chasing certifications.
Time away from family to stay on the path.

This is what technician life can actually look like when you’re serious about leveling up.

🔧 In this episode, we cover:

• The path from dealership technician to McLaren technician
• What makes exotic car work different from traditional dealership work
• Why precision matters more than speed at the highest level
• The sacrifices required to grow in the automotive industry
• The reality of income and expectations for technicians
• Why new technicians need more transparency entering the field

This episode is for anyone who:

• Wants to work on exotic cars
• Is trying to level up as an automotive technician
• Is struggling early in their career
• Wants a real look at what it takes to succeed

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:

Be comfortable being uncomfortable.

If you’re willing to do what most won’t, you can get where most don’t.

Follow Brett (The Mac Doctor):
Instagram: @themacdoctor101

WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast
Real conversations for real technicians.

1% better every episode.

In this episode of WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast, we sit down with JJ the Tech (@thegreasiestmonkey) to talk about the real side of technician life that most people don’t see.

JJ shares her unconventional path into the automotive industry, starting with zero experience and working her way into shops like Tesla, Volvo, and now Galpin Autosports.

This conversation dives deep into what it actually feels like to grow as an automotive technician, especially when you’re struggling, learning, and trying to find your place in the industry.

🔧 In this episode, we cover:

• What technician life really looks like behind the scenes
• Flat rate vs hourly and how it impacts technicians
• Struggling early in your career and pushing through
• Failure, imposter syndrome, and learning on the job
• Shop culture and the importance of leadership
• Why mindset matters more than most technicians think
• Using social media to grow in the automotive space

This episode is for any automotive technician who has ever:

• Felt behind
• Struggled to hit hours
• Questioned if they belong in the industry
• Wanted to improve but didn’t know how

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:

Failure is not the end.

Failure is part of becoming a better technician.

Follow JJ the Tech:
Instagram: @thegreasiestmonkey

Listen to her podcast: Flag Time | Podcast on RSS.com

WOTPod | The Way of the Technician Podcast
Real conversations for real technicians.

1% better every episode.

Flat Rate vs Hourly Pay | Technician Life | Automotive Technician Advice

Is flat rate pay actually better for automotive technicians?

In WOTPod Episode 024, we sit down with Manny (@MannyMechanics), a Volvo master technician who shares why he prefers flat rate pay and how he has built a successful career in the automotive industry by maximizing efficiency, mindset, and work ethic.

This episode dives deep into technician life inside a dealership, including the realities of flat rate vs hourly pay, technician productivity, shop culture, and what it actually takes to consistently flag high hours.

Manny breaks down why many technicians struggle in flat rate systems, how mindset and organization directly impact performance, and why taking ownership of your career is critical in today’s automotive industry.

We also talk about:

• Flat rate vs hourly pay for automotive technicians

• How to flag more hours consistently in a dealership

• Technician mindset and daily work habits

• Why organization and efficiency matter in the shop

• Shop culture, technician complaints, and accountability

• Mentorship and learning from top-performing technicians

• Building multiple income streams outside of wrenching

• Long-term career growth in the automotive industry

• Why passion alone isn’t enough to succeed as a technician

Manny also shares insights from over 20 years in the trade, including his experience with Volvo training programs, dealership dynamics, and how technicians can position themselves to earn more and grow faster.

If you're an automotive technician, mechanic, apprentice, dealership tech, or someone considering a career in automotive repair, this episode gives real-world insight into how to succeed in today’s industry.

WOTPod is where technicians talk honestly about the trade, the mindset, and the systems that shape their careers.

1% better every episode.

Follow Manny-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannymechanics/

YouTube: @Manny_Mechanics

Support WOTPod on Patreon for early access, live recordings, and bonus content

https://www.patreon.com/wotpod

What is it really like working as an automotive technician today?

In WOTPod Tech Panel 2, we bring together another technician panel discussion where working techs share their real experiences inside dealership and independent repair shops. This conversation dives into the realities of flat rate pay, technician shortages, shop culture, productivity expectations, and what it actually takes to survive and grow in the automotive industry.

Panel episodes like this are where honest technician conversations happen. We talk about efficiency, diagnostic thinking, training, mentorship, career longevity, and the challenges technicians face every day in modern service departments. From younger technicians entering the trade to experienced techs navigating the pressures of flat rate, this discussion highlights the mindset and habits required to build a sustainable career in automotive repair.

If you're an automotive technician, mechanic, apprentice, shop foreman, service advisor, or dealership leader, this episode offers real perspectives from people working in the industry right now.

WOTPod exists to give technicians a voice and help the next generation of technicians build stronger careers in the automotive industry.

1% better every episode.

Support the show and access live recordings, bonus conversations, and behind-the-scenes content
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/wotpod

WOTPod EP 023 | Porsche Technician Life & Career Advice

Automotive Technician Podcast | Technician Life | Flat Rate Technician Advice

What does it take to become a Porsche technician and build a long-term career in the automotive industry?

In this episode of WOTPod – The Way of the Technician Podcast, we talk with Stephen (@Wrenching_Throttle), a Porsche technician who shares his journey through the automotive trade, from working tire shops and parts stores to eventually landing a position inside a Porsche dealership.

Stephen opens up about the early challenges many technicians face: toxic shop environments, low starting pay, learning the business side of automotive repair, and figuring out how to grow in the industry while building real technical skills.

We also discuss how working at a performance brand like Porsche changes expectations around quality, precision, and technician professionalism inside the shop.

This episode dives into real technician life inside the automotive industry, including:

• Becoming a Porsche technician and working in a luxury dealership

• Differences between tire shops, independent shops, and dealerships

• Automotive technician career growth and training paths

• Porsche technician certification and manufacturer schooling

• Hourly pay vs flat rate pay for technicians

• Automotive shop culture and technician retention

• Mental stress technicians face in the industry

• Why passion matters for long-term technician success

• Social media for technicians and building an automotive platform

• Advice for new technicians entering the automotive trade

Stephen also talks about Porsche training programs, technician certification levels, and how working on luxury performance vehicles changes the way technicians approach diagnostics and repair work.

If you're an automotive technician, mechanic, dealership technician, apprentice technician, or someone thinking about becoming a technician, this episode provides real insight into building a career in the automotive industry.1% better every episode.

Follow Stephen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrenching_throttle/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WrenchingThrottle92

Support WOTPod on Patreon for early access and behind-the-scenes conversationshttps://www.patreon.com/c/WOTPod

Mercedes-Benz Shop Foreman Joey B joins WOTPod to break down technician development, flat rate vs hourly pay systems, dealership leadership, and what real mastery looks like inside a service department.

If you’re an automotive technician, dealership tech, shop foreman, or fixed ops leader, this conversation dives deep into:

• How to become a shop foreman

• Flat rate vs hourly pay for technicians

• Why certifications don’t always equal real skill

• Automotive technician mentorship systems

• Training entry-level techs without burning them out

• Building efficiency inside a dealership shop

• Creating a growth culture in the service department

Joey shares how he structures pay progression, mentors young automotive technicians, balances productivity with development, and leads inside a Mercedes-Benz dealership environment.

This episode is for technicians who want to grow, leaders who want to retain talent, and shops that want long-term performance — not short-term production spikes.

1% better every episode.

Join us on Patreon for exclusive automotive leadership content and behind-the-scenes conversations: https://www.patreon.com/c/WOTPod

In this episode of WOTPod, we sit down with Keith “Verge”, a 40-year industry veteran, shop foreman, and technician who has seen this trade evolve from carburetors and distributors to hybrids, ADAS, and modern diagnostics.

This conversation is about longevity.

Verge shares his journey from sweeping floors at 13, serving in the Army, working independent shops and multi-brand dealerships, stacking master certifications, and building a career that has supported his family for decades.

We talk about:

• Surviving and thriving in flat rate for 30+ years

• Why mindset matters more than the job you get

• Efficiency, production, and the real math of dealership life

• Beating flat rate times without cutting corners

• The difference between experts and true masters

• Why you must love this trade to survive it

• Tool debt, shop culture, and training the next generation

Verge also breaks down his “Rules of Auto Repair”... a set of hard-earned principles that every young technician should hear.

If you're serious about building a long-term career in automotive, this episode delivers real perspective from someone who has lived every phase of this industry.

Support WOTPod on Patreon and subscribe for more conversations that push technicians forward.

https://www.patreon.com/c/WOTPod

1% better every episode.

In Episode 020 of WOTPod, we sit down with Chris, better known as Dr. AMG, to talk about what it really takes to reach the highest levels as a Mercedes-Benz technician.

Chris walks us through his journey from community college to becoming one of the most recognized Mercedes master technicians in North America. We dive into the Centralized Diagnostic Technician path, what elite-level diagnostics actually demand, and why discipline matters more than raw talent in the long run.

This conversation goes beyond certifications and titles.

We talk about:

• The grind of the first five years in the automotive industry

• Financial discipline and working through flat rate pressure

• Mastering automotive diagnostics and electrical troubleshooting

• Communication skills and technician professionalism• Shop culture and accountability

• Why comparison destroys growth in flat rate environments

• Building a personal brand while staying grounded in the trade

Chris also shares stories from working on high-performance Mercedes and AMG platforms, becoming an AMG Product Expert, and how social media unexpectedly expanded his influence within the automotive industry.

If you’re an automotive technician looking to sharpen your diagnostic skills, elevate your mindset, and build long-term credibility in the shop, this episode delivers real perspective from someone who has lived it.

Follow Chris:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctoramg/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctor_amg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorAMG

Support WOTPod on Patreon for early access and extended conversations, and subscribe for more discussions that push technician growth forward.

https://www.patreon.com/c/WOTPod

1% better every episode.

In this episode of WOTPod, we sit down with Paul Dosescu, a national training consultant with a deep background in fixed operations, to break down one of the most overlooked skills in the automotive industry: communication.

Paul shares his journey from sales into service advising, management, and training, and explains why the advisor–technician relationship is the backbone of a successful service department. We talk about how diagnostics are presented to customers, how to build value in technician time, and why educating customers is more effective than simply quoting prices or saying “we couldn’t duplicate it.”

This conversation dives into real-world scenarios advisors and technicians face every day, including customer objections, AutoZone code scans, warranty concerns, and internal friction between the service drive and the shop. Paul explains how better communication improves efficiency, trust, technician morale, and long-term customer loyalty.

If you’re a technician, service advisor, manager, or fixed ops leader looking to improve workflow, reduce friction, and build stronger teams, this episode delivers practical insight you can apply immediately.

Support the show by subscribing and consider joining Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/WOTPod) for extended conversations and behind-the-scenes discussions.

1% better every episode.

Follow and Connect with Paul:

Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldosescu/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/pauldosescu/

TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@pauldosescu