Mike Schultz, known as “Monster Mike” for his relentless spirit, isn’t just an athlete—he’s an engineer who rebuilt his life after a near-fatal snowmobile crash cost him a leg. Rather than retreat, Schultz founded BioDapt, a prosthetic company that now equips elite athletes, veterans, and even his own competitors. His story is a testament to innovation born from necessity. Here’s a breakdown of the gear that makes his dominance possible.
The Prosthesis: Beyond Walking, Built for Speed
Standard prosthetics are designed for daily life. But for adaptive snowboard cross—a brutal sport combining speed, jumps, and high-impact landings—Schultz’s custom Moto Knee 2 and Versa Foot 2 are essential. These aren’t just replacements; they’re performance enhancers. The linkage system and mountain bike shocks allow for precision adjustments that can make or break a race. “Alignment is crucial,” Schultz explains, “even a quarter-turn change on a set screw is noticeable.”
Safety First: The Underrated Helmet
After his board, the most important piece of gear is his helmet. It is a Giro-brand snow-sports-specific spherical helmet with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) designed to reduce rotational impact and brain trauma in the event of a crash.
The Mobile Workshop: A Toolkit for Survival
As an amputee athlete, Schultz’s toolkit is non-negotiable. He carries complete spare kits for both prostheses, including spare nuts and bolts, because crashes happen. “I have to be ready to rebuild the entire thing from scratch in five minutes,” he says. This includes Allen wrenches, a crescent wrench, pliers, and a compact Gerber multi-tool for on-the-fly adjustments. For Schultz, a broken prosthetic isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a race-ending disaster.
The Board: No Compromises in Design
Schultz races on Donek B-1 snowboards. Early in his career, he experimented with custom designs to compensate for his amputation. Now, he rides standard flex patterns because his prosthetics work so well that they compensate for his lack of an ankle.
The Unexpected Mascot: Lucky Bear
The final piece of gear? A childhood stuffed animal. Schultz’s daughter, Lauren, secretly packed “Lucky Bear” into his bag for his first competition. He’s carried it ever since. The superstition has worked: Schultz has become a world champion in multiple adaptive sports. Now, Lauren brings her own mini Lucky Bear to her gymnastics competitions, keeping the tradition alive.
“The coolest part about Lucky Bear is now Lauren is competing in gymnastics, so she has her own mini Lucky Bear that goes into her backpack every time she competes,” Schultz says. And of course, they match. He has a big one, and she has a small one.
Schultz’s story demonstrates how innovation and determination can overcome extreme adversity. His approach isn’t just about surviving—it’s about dominating in a world that wasn’t built for him.
