Body Bangin' – Details, episodes & analysis

50-60% of the parts on an average collision claim are plastic. Yet, most of the industry is still operating in the "wild west" when it comes to repairing them.

In this eye-opening episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Mario Dimovski, a 35-year veteran of the industry and the Head of the Plastic Repair Alliance Council, to discuss the massive knowledge gap in plastic repair… and the global initiative that is about to change everything.

Mario has spent his entire career in plastics. He explains why the "chicken wire and hot glue" approach is failing shops, why OEMs are finally paying attention, and how a new set of global standards is being built to help shops repair safer, cheaper, and better.

This episode is a wake-up call for every shop owner who wants to stay ahead of the curve on the most common material in the bay.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧪 The "Wild West" of Plastic Repair Why the industry currently lacks uniform standards, leading to "band-aid" solutions that fail, cost shops money, and frustrate customers.

📊 The 50% Reality Check With plastic making up over half of claim parts, Mario breaks down why shops can no longer afford to "wing it" on tools, materials, and processes.

🌍 Introducing Plasnomic: The Global Standard How a council of experts from around the world is uniting to test data, define best practices, and finally give shops a playbook for proper repair.

⚠️ Safety & Sustainability: The Hidden Costs From dangerous fumes to massive landfill waste, we discuss the environmental and health impacts of improper plastic management, and the new government pushes to fix it.

🛠 What Shops Need to Watch For in 2025 The timeline for when these new standards, tool recommendations, and material guides will hit the market (and how you can access them).

Meet Mario Dimovski

Mario is an industry veteran with over 35 years of experience specializing in plastic repair innovation. He is a global ambassador for IBIS Worldwide and leads the charge at Plasnomic to create the first unified global standard for automotive plastic repair.

🔗 Connect with Mario: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-dimovski/

👇 Listen to Body Bangin’

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

... This episode will challenge how you look at every bumper cover and headlight tab in your shop, and prepare you for the new standards coming down the pipe.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to attract great technicians, train them the right way, and build a shop culture that actually keeps them?

In this power-packed episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Jason Bartanen, industry educator, trainer, and founder of Collision ProAssist, to break down the real reasons shops struggle with talent… and what the best operators are doing differently.

Jason has trained thousands of technicians across the country. He’s seen what works, what fails, and why some shops keep losing people no matter how much they pay.

This episode is a roadmap for every shop owner who wants to build a team that’s skilled, confident, and loyal.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔧 Why the tech shortage isn’t about “no talent”. It’s about no development
Jason explains the mindset shift shops must make if they want to build a pipeline of skilled technicians.

📚 The training model top shops use to grow techs internally
And why relying only on “experienced hires” is a losing strategy long-term.

⚙️ The new competencies techs actually need with today’s vehicles
ADAS, calibrations, documentation, and why shops fail when training doesn’t match real workflow.

🧠 How leadership impacts technician retention more than pay
From communication gaps to unclear expectations, Jason outlines the hidden problems that push techs away.

📈 What shops must do now to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond
Practical steps to build structure, improve onboarding, and run stronger production.

Meet Jason Bartanen

Founder of Collision ProAssist, a platform helping shops train technicians, improve documentation, and streamline processes.

🌐 Website: https://www.collisionproassist.com/
🎟 30-Day Free Trial: https://whop.com/backbaytrial
💼 Full Service Access ($40/mo): https://whop.com/backbaypro
💸 Use code “GCIA” or “Micki” for 20% off your first 6 months

🔗 Connect with Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-b-bartanen-03519935/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bart22972
Collision ProAssist FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574989843394

👇 Watch the Body Bangin’ Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BodyBangin
...
This episode will challenge how you think about hiring, developing, and keeping great techs, and give you the playbook to start fixing it today.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

In this powerful episode, Micki Woods is joined by Jeff Butler and Justin Lewis—two shop owners who fought for years to protect collision shops and consumers alike, and won.

They helped pass a groundbreaking Right to Appraisal (RTA) bill in Washington, and they’re here to share what every shop owner needs to know about it—and how to take action in your own state.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ What RTA Actually Is: Why it matters, how it works, and why most shops are still misunderstanding it.
✅ Why WA Had to Step Up: How insurers were writing RTA out of policies—and how Jeff and Justin fought to make it mandatory.
✅ “Competent Appraiser” Defined: What that term really means (and why a boat damage appraiser has no business near a Tesla claim).
✅ What Shops Can Do Now: Whether you’re in WA or not, here’s how to educate customers, document better, and fight smarter—not harder.

If you’ve ever been short-paid, ignored by insurance, or frustrated with the lack of leverage, this episode is a must-listen.

🔔 Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss what’s next.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:
🎧 Subscribe to Body Bangin’ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

▶️ Watch more Body Bangin’ episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCwbN0Tv3xo9RFBDNN2G5SjQ 

📧 Connect with Jeff Butler & Justin Lewis: 
Jeff Butler: Jeff@hauryscollision.com
Justin Lewis: justin@accurateab.com

🔗 Follow Micki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121

🚀 Need help growing your shop with marketing that actually drives leads? DM Micki or visit https://mickiwoodsmarketing.com/

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

Today we talk with Frank Rinaudo, owner of Frank's Accurate Body Shop in Slidell, Louisianna. I found Frank on LinkedIn and loved the videos he was making which showed the difference between an improper repair and a proper repair. As a non-DRP shop he understands the importance of education his guests and this was a way he could do so.
He also shares with us some great information on becoming a non-DRP shop if that's the direction you are thinking of going in your shop.

Full YouTube video showing a Tesla that was improperly repaired vs. a properly repaired Tesla:
https://youtu.be/FQ6moVzQfI8

Connect with Frank  -
Email: frank@franksabs.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-rinaudo-a117693a/
_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

Greg Lobsiger is a body shop owner out in Indiana at Loren's Body Shop where he does about $300k/mo which is about 3.5 cars/day or 65 cars/month. He says "It's not about creating dollars. I want to take money home. I work very hard. I want my technicians to make very good money. Without question, I want to take care of those people. I better make stinkin' good money and that is what it comes down to."
But how do you know if you are profitable in your shop?
Greg gives us some great takeaways and is a fantastic resource to help  figure out what our numbers should look like and how to do the calculations to see if you are profitable.

Technician Cost Equation:
For 4 months you take the total technicians average cost per week (gross pay) then divide by the billed hours average per week. This gives you the cost per billed hour.

Where you want to be...
Unloaded: 16%-18% of sales should be your technician cost
65% Labor GP - if you bill $50 worth of labor you should pay out $17.50 to your techs.
50% GP on Paint & Materials

Reach out to Greg and he'd be happy to help!

Connect with Greg  -
Email: greg@lorensbodyshop.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-lobsiger-105b4727/
_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

Rachel James started in the industry over 20 years ago and went from the dealer side to a technician and now is crunching numbers for body shop owners and their employees on a daily basis at her practice with Northwestern Mutual! Although most of us don't like talking numbers she helps shops and their employees budget, helps us to know what numbers we should be looking at, we talk a little about retirement and what I found most intriguing is something she can help you provide to key people called "Key Person Planning" where a specific, valuable employee can have a special benefit package! So interesting!

Reach out to Rachel for a free consult or to ask any questions!

Connect with Rachel  -
Email: rachel.james@nm.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-james-nm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skerryspice_/?hl=en
Phone: 603-718-4363
_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

There are SO many hot topics in our industry right now so I grabbed my good buddy, Dominic Martino, who is owner of Gold Coast Auto Body with his brother, Mario.  We are talking about all of the things they are doing that has helped them be bigger and stronger than EVER as a non-DRP shop! Dominic's team is incredible and is doing a few things you may think of for your shop.

We are talking...rate increase, culture, Covid-19 changes and so much more.

Connect with Dominic  -
Email: dmartino@goldcoastautobody.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-martino-8b0b2826/
Website: https://goldcoastautobody.com
_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

As we are all packed with work and having all kinds of issues I thought Michael Giarrizzo would be the best person to come on and talk about the lean processes he is known for running 65 stores for Sterling and training them to be lean and efficient. How is he handling these bottlenecks in production, parts issues and more?  He shares with us his insight!

Michael is the president and CEO of DCR Systems where they have 7 locations in 5 states that are dealer based and the stores all range in sales from $100K-$200K/mo, $200K-$350K/mo and his largest shop does $600-$800k/mo. As someone who can speak with authority on the hot topics of today...Michael gives us some great food for thought and a fantastic take-away each shop needs to do ASAP!

Contact Michael directly -
Email: mgiarrizzo@dcrsystems.net
Website: https://www.dcrsystems.com
_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

Don't you wish you could get done in 1 day what would have taken you 1 week? I do!
And, we can!

Today we have Chris King, a performance coach with Status Flow sharing with us some key components for pique performance. At the end of the day - Chris shares with us that all responsibility for our life - is our own - and we can change it to become the Lamborghini that's living inside of us!

Here's a great way Chris explains this:
Your reality is the end result of a system. Any system can be hacked and optimized if we understand the system well enough.
So, everything that is happening in our world today is a result of actions we took.
Actions are driven by feelings.
Feelings are how we experience our thoughts.
Our thoughts come from our root code or our belief system.

The key here is that our results are pre-designed to validate our belief system which becomes a feedback loop that keeps going around and around. If we can interrupt the process and bring conscious awareness to it - you can hack it, recode it and produce an entire new life!

Chris wrote an incredible book: Renegotiate Your Existence and I HIGHLY recommend reading it! It can be found on Amazon for Kindle or in Paperback.
Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Renegotiate-Your-Existence-Unlock-Impossible/dp/B093N2DL1G

If you'd like to get help from a coach either 1-on-1 or participate in group coaching please reach out to Status Flow:
Email: Velocity@StatusFlow.net
Website: https://statusflow.net
Instagram: @thestatusflow

_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at office@mickiwoods.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

Two of the biggest pain points in the collision industry are PARTS and PEOPLE and today we are discussing both with the ever-popular Dave Luehr!

Dave shares insights into how we can deal with the parts shortages plaguing us. He talks about how you can schedule properly by following the formula in the video (Elite Scheduling Secrets) and using tools such as ADAS CoPilot with Frank Terlep.
(Link to the episode I did with Frank is below)

We also talk about how to deal with the lack of qualified people/workers in our industry and how we can make it more appealing PLUS how to get involved with those coming through our trade/tech school.
(Link to Brandon's info at CREF is below and a link to the podcast episode with Brandon & CREF is below)

Such great takeaways on this episode. I'm super happy to share this one with you!

Contact Info:

David Luehr with Elite Body Shop Solutions
Email: david.luehr@elitebodyshopsolutions.com
Website: https://elitebodyshopsolutions.com
615.802.DAVE #2
Elite Scheduling Secrets [video]: https://daveluehr.mykajabi.com/elite-scheduling-secrets


Brandon Eckenrode @ CREF
Episode #20 - The Hidden Turbine That's Driving Success in Our Schools - with Brandon Eckenrode of CREF: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-20-the-hidden-turbine-thats-driving-success-in-our/id1558234037?i=1000527879931
If you have a desire to learn more about job fairs in your area, ways to donate or how to get connected to a local school please call or email Brandon directly!
Email: Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org
(312) 231-0258


Frank Terlep with ADAS CoPilot
Episode #3 - ADAS & Calibration Tools to Make Our Lives Easier & Protect Our A$$es with Frank Terlep : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eposide-3-adas-calibration-tools-to-make-our-lives/id1558234037?i=1000513100545
Email: fterlep@autotechcelerators.com

_____________________________

Connect with Micki on LinkedIn Now! :)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micki-woods-36374121/

Subscribe to the Body Bangin' YouTube Channel: HERE

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

_____________________________

To suggest any topics of discussion, to be a guest on Body Bangin', or for sponsorship opportunities please email the Micki Woods Marketing team at

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134