Cristian Plascencia began learning how to optimize human performance and movement when he was 13 years old. After spraining his ankle playing competitive basketball, he realized that physical therapy and performance training would be his profession; learning how to best manipulate individual joints and entire kinetic chain through daily movement resonated with him.
Plascencia graduated from California Lutheran Univ. and then enrolled in the exercise physiology master’s program at the University of Texas (Austin) in 2015. After completing the first month of my first semester, he soon realized that the hands-on training experience he gained at the Onnit Gym HQ as a part-time performance and durability coach was priceless.
He worked at Onnit from 2015-2019 as a Strength and Conditioning and Lead Durability coach as well as an assistant educator on the education team. In those five years, Plascencia worked with hundreds of NFL and division 1 football players as well as lead mobility + breathwork focused workshops for not only trainers and coaches but also for NBA teams, Division 1 Universities, as well as travel with professional level athletes providing them with his services and expertise.
Now, he runs and oversees his own brand — the Durable Athlete — with his better half Natalie Higby. The duo’s brand is built on empowering and educating people in our four health pillars: Sleep/Nutrition/Movement/Breath. Together, they serve over 300 basketball athletes throughout Central Texas — everyone from 4th graders to NBA athletes.
