Hidden Gems: Meet Mike Caringal of Primetime Physical Therapy & Performance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Caringal.

Hi Mike, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
If I had to trace it back, my journey really started in high school when I joined my school’s all-male hip-hop dance team—mainly just to get out of P.E., to be honest. But what started as a workaround ended up shaping me as a creative and a leader. I eventually took on roles as a lead choreographer and captain, and really began to find my voice.

When I got to CSULB in 2012, I was still dancing at the collegiate level, but my interest began shifting toward music. I had started making mixes for dance teams and spent hours on SoundCloud discovering underground edits—Soulection Radio was a huge influence. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with all the music I was collecting… until DJing came into the picture.

I started with just a laptop and VirtualDJ, eventually buying a basic controller and diving deeper into the craft. YouTube could only take me so far, so I enrolled in a private DJ lesson at Academy of DJs in OC. That led to being accepted into their 15-week program, where I learned everything from music theory and DJ history to marketing and turntablism. After graduating from the DJ school, I was invited back as a mentor and spent several seasons helping guide up-and-coming DJs, all while experimenting with different types of gigs—nightlife, weddings, corporate events, and more.

All this was happening alongside my academic journey. I earned my Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration, but realized I wanted to work directly with people, not behind the scenes. That’s when I decided to pursue physical therapy.

Now I’m living in both worlds: a physical therapist by day, DJ by night. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road.

One of my biggest struggles early on was figuring out what I really wanted to pursue after high school. I actually started college as a pre-nursing major. Coming from an Asian household, there was definitely pressure to go into something stable and respected—like the medical field. But switching to physical therapy was the first real decision I made for myself, not to meet anyone else’s expectations.

Even now, one of the challenges I face is finding balance—how to stay true to my creative side while growing as a physical therapist and business owner. DJing is still a big part of who I am, and I’m constantly figuring out how to keep that part of my life alive while leveling up in my career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Primetime Physical Therapy & Performance?
After finishing PT school, I initially thought I’d follow the traditional path of working for someone in their private clinic. But the more I experienced the system, the more I realized I wanted to create something different—something that gave people the time, attention, and quality of care they deserve. That’s when I started Primetime Physical Therapy & Performance, a practice built around proactive, patient-first care—far from the limitations of the insurance-based model.

I specialize in working with weekend warriors—people who are dedicated to staying active outside of their 9-5 routines. Whether it’s golf, running, weightlifting, or dance, my clients aren’t just trying to “get by”—they want to perform at their best.

What sets Primetime apart is the fusion of rehab and performance. When you work with me, it might be hard to tell if you’re rehabbing out of pain or simply getting stronger—that’s because I approach physical therapy through a strength and conditioning lens. Oh and if you work with me, you will definitely get familiar with how to use a kettlebell.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how I get to express my creativity, especially through my content. From song selection to musicality with video editing, I am intentional all the way until the finished product. It’s a level of detail that often gets overlooked in this industry—but for me, it matters.

If you need help managing pain and want to move with confidence, I got you. We can figure out if what I do is the right fit for what you’re experiencing.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is staying unrestricted. To me, that means having the freedom to explore and excel in completely different lanes without being boxed into just one identity. I started out as a dancer, then became a DJ. Now I’m a physical therapist by day and a DJ by night. That range keeps life interesting—it keeps me inspired. I’ve never wanted my days to feel monotonous, and staying open to different paths helps me keep things fresh.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.primetimeptp.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mikecheckk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@primetime-ptp
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/primetime-physical-therapy-and-performance-la-mirada-12
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mikecheckk
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/primetime.ptp

Image Credits
Rob Banaga, Dean Medina, Earl Buenaobra