Paul Mandell

Paul Mandell is a climber, cyclist, skier, and well-rounded mountain athlete. He hails from Bishop California, where he helps the remarkably fit townsfolk get even fitter through his strength coaching program. Paul is a big, hard-charging fella who routinely destroys his gear, so his assessments are solid, especially when evaluating aspects like durability and build quality. When he’s not running around in the mountains, Paul can be found tinkering with his bike and feeding feral cats.

• Title: Author and Gear Tester
• Email: Coachpaul.cscs@gmail.com 
• Location (City & State) Bishop, CA
• Social Media Links: mountainathlete.co
• Pronouns: He/Him
•  Instagram Page: @mtn_athlete

Expertise

• Topics of Expertise: Exercise, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Strength and Conditioning, Cycling, Cycling Equipment, Gym Equipment, Gym Clothing 
• Years in This Expertise: 5+

Education & Certifications

• Education: MS Exercise Science
• Years of Writing: 5+
• Certifications:  CSCS, USAW L1
• Club or Association Memberships:  NSCA, USAW
• Previous Publications: Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology (TESK)

Paul Mandell is a Strength and Conditioning coach based in Bishop, California. He earned a Masters in Exercise Science from Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata CA, where he studied the critical power model in cycling. Now based in California’s Eastern Sierra, Paul runs his coaching business, Mtn Athlete, and writes for Gear Junkie covering cycling and gym gear. In his free time, Paul divides his time between the “holy trinity” of skiing, biking, and climbing. 

Paul is a published academic author in Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology (TESK). His article, “Effects of a Race Timer in the 3MT” discusses the relationship between external affordances (time) and their influence on physiological measures (power output) in maximal exercise testing. 

Cycling played a significant role in Paul’s decision to study exercise science. Growing up, mountain biking was an escape from his difficulties at home and he eventually went on to race downhill competitively in high school before heading off to college. Throughout his education cycling remained a strong passion, and Paul dabbled in multiple disciplines including road, gravel, cross country, and enduro riding.  Naturally, Paul jumped at the opportunity to focus on a cycling-related project in grad school. After graduating in 2018, Paul moved to the Eastern Sierra where he still rides, but balances things out a little more with climbing and skiing.

Paul began writing for GearJunkie in 2021 and focuses on gym clothing and CrossFit shoes as well as cycling gear – computers, bike lights, locks, and handlebar mounts. Working in a gym gives him the perfect opportunity to put shoes and shorts through the wringer, and testing bike components and accessories provides the perfect opportunity to get out and pedal “on the clock.” Paul likes to think of it as the ultimate job hack. 

Career Highlights

• M.S. Exercise Science 
• NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
• Owner: Mtn_Athlete 
• USAW L1 Coach 
• Head Coach: Bishop Strength & Wellness 

A Word From Paul

When I’m not working I’m likely climbing, riding, or skiing, depending on the season. My other interests include gardening, hunting, fishing, and cooking. I also really enjoy building bikes in my spare time, often building, riding, and selling multiple custom-built bikes each year. My most recent project, a 1989 Cannondale “Beast of the East” can be seen regularly on display outside of my favorite coffee shop, Black Sheep Coffee, in Bishop CA.