We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bryan Schwebke a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bryan , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I guess there are a lot of ways to interpret this questions. But, when I hear it I think of it as being the person in the crowd that is walking the opposite direction of everyone else. It’s something I take a lot of pride in. I think a lot about the concept of having an outlier mentality—and how I identify as an outlier. So many people hear that word and think of it negatively, like being the outlier on a test who didn’t score well or not fitting in with the group. But I’ve always seen it as a badge of honor and a positive. It’s something I’m extremely proud of, something that defines who I am, and something that has made me successful.
I spend most of my time observing what’s happening around me—how things are being done—and thinking about what can be improved and how to make those changes. I’m very much a non-conformist; I believe things can always be done better and more efficiently, and I’m always searching for ways to make that happen. At the same time, being an outlier can be lonely. When you don’t have anyone else to bounce ideas off of, it’s easy to feel isolated. That’s why I make it a priority to find other like-minded people—outliers in their own way—so I can use them as sounding boards and get feedback. I also invest in leadership training and executive cohorts to continuing growing and learning how to use my outlier mindset to its fullest.
My business is also an outlier and it gets stronger because I purposely collaborate with business and peers outside of my profession. There are so many physical therapy and performance training communities, groups, and podcasts where everyone is thinking and doing things the same way. And I keep thinking, I don’t want to be like these people. I want to make a real impact and do my own thing. No one is going to stand out or find real success by just following the crowd.
Even something as simple as the name of my business, Paramount, reflects that outlier mentality. Look at most physical therapy or personal training businesses—they’re called things like Accelerate, Advance, Movement, and other clichés. That’s just not me, and it’s not my brand. I wanted something personal to me, something with character and a story behind it. That’s where Paramount came from. It’s the name of my favorite sandwich place right next to the ski hill in Steamboat, CO where I was sitting when I officially decided to go on my own. If you look at the definition you’ll see how it sets a standard that is more than just providing basic services to people.” I use these as a north stat to help keep my brand, vision, self aligned with that outlier way of life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a physical therapist and started Paramount about 10 years ago. My background is in working with professional athletes, and I always assumed that’s the direction I’d go with my career. When I started my practice, that was the clientele I worked with, but as I grew the business, I began working with youth athletes and more active adults. I quickly realized that, while I still enjoy working with elite and professional athletes, there’s a massive gap in the physical therapy, wellness, and personal training world and the quality of services that were offered.
A lot of people talk about doing things differently, but nothing ever actually changes. I noticed a heavy focus on quantity, quick fixes, and cookie-cutter solutions. With my background, I’ve always built everything on the foundation of high quality, exceptional experiences, and results that are truly personalized to the individual. That’s what led me to combine physical therapy and personal training—not just by offering both services in the same building, like many places do, but by creating a true continuum of care. We handle everything from post-surgery patients to those who just want to get fit and moving for the first time, and everything in between.
We focus on meeting people where they’re at. Whether it’s a professional athlete or someone who’s never exercised a day in their life, we tailor our approach to ensure everyone feels heard, supported, and welcome.
Our differentiators as a brand are clear:
1. Lifestyle focus: We’re a lifestyle brand. Our goal is to help people enjoy their lives more, whatever that means for them. We want people to move better and embrace what’s next.
2. Bespoke services: We’re unapologetically high-end. While many of our clients reflect that demographic, it’s not the only group we work with. The word “bespoke” resonates with us because it emphasizes the character and intentionality behind what we do.
3. Five-star casual experience: We deliver a top-tier experience from start to finish. Whether it’s your time in the building, a phone call, or how you interact with us on social media, everything is authentic, real, and approachable—never pretentious.
In the last year and a half, we’ve shifted to focus more on B2B services. A significant percentage of our clientele already includes business owners, leaders, and executives. It’s not just because they can afford it; it’s because these individuals tend to be more progressive in their thinking. They value experience, quality, and results over the quick-fix or cookie-cutter solutions that dominate the industry.
The traditional approach in the B2B space often revolves around ergonomics and workers’ compensation. Many providers promise to reduce costs through basic physical therapy programs but ultimately take a reactive approach, failing to establish real relationships. We take a different route. When we partner with a business, we focus on improving culture, employee retention, and overall well-being.
We treat employees like industrial or corporate athletes. We want them to see us not just as a healthcare provider, but as a partner in living better lives. This means removing the typical barriers of insurance—long wait times, high co-pays, and the general hesitation to seek care. We’re there consistently, offering solutions for chronic or acute injuries, or even just proactive wellness visits. Whether someone comes in saying, “I feel great—keep me that way,” or needs help recovering from an issue, we guide them toward their goals with accountability and support.
This approach benefits everyone. Employees leave feeling better, empowered, and supported. Employers see improved workplace culture, reduced costs, and greater employee satisfaction. Workers feel valued and cared for, knowing their company is investing in their well-being. For us, this is about taking the experience we’ve built within our walls and extending it to a broader audience.
This new service line has been growing rapidly and gaining significant momentum. The key psychographics we look for in partners are businesses that are eager to grow and leadership that’s fully bought in. When we find those two qualities, the size or location of the business doesn’t matter—we know the partnership will be successful and mutually beneficial.
This approach has led us to work with companies ranging from small teams of 6–8 people to global organizations with thousands of employees, and everything in between. While the specifics may look slightly different for each business, that’s exactly what makes us stand out. With our bespoke brand, we’re able to custom-tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of every company we work with.
Another exciting aspect of this shift has been working more closely with executives and leaders and developing programming and resources specifically for them. It’s become a personal passion of mine. Many of these individuals are a lot like me. Regardless of gender or role, they often face the same struggles—balancing the demands of leadership while neglecting their own health.
Many of these leaders were once athletes or active individuals, but life got in the way, and they stopped prioritizing themselves. I love helping them rediscover their potential by offering guidance, actionable steps, and a listening ear. For the first time, they feel truly understood, with a clear path to reach their goals.
I know how crucial my own self-care is for my role as a leader. My non-negotiables include exercise, mental health, and maintaining a good headspace. These practices enable me to lead by example, function at my best, and show up as a business owner, parent, and partner.
For many executives, their default is to chase high-intensity solutions—things like CrossFit or fad workouts—because they think they need to be pushed like they were in their younger days. But what they’re missing is purpose. Purposefulness is the key to everything we do, and it’s what we bring to the table for them.
You can find a lot of info for both the B2B and for business professionals on our LinkedIn page.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The obvious answer might be my background as an athlete, coupled with my specialties as a physical therapist and performance coach. But the truth is, these are simply results of deeper, more intrinsic qualities.
1. Being an Outlier
First and foremost, embracing the idea of being an outlier and doing things my own way has been transformational for me. That outlier mentality has shaped my approach to both life and business, making it one of my defining traits.
2. Driven and Purposeful
Second, my drive and sense of purpose have been key to fueling my work ethic, which has always been a cornerstone of who I am. Whether in sports, my professional career, or everyday life, I approach decisions with intentionality. Once I’ve committed to a path, my drive takes over, and I push forward relentlessly. I hold myself to high standards and ensure I put in the work to achieve them. “Set your own standards” is something I repeat to myself a lot.
3. Authenticity
Lastly, authenticity is one of my greatest strengths. Far too many people try to present a version of themselves they think others want to see. I’ve always prided myself on being genuine. This authenticity helps me connect with people quickly, earn their trust, and show them my good intentions.
Authenticity doesn’t just influence how I build relationships; it also defines how I run my business, lead my team, and educate those around me. I encourage everyone I work with to bring their best selves forward and embrace who they truly are. Instead of dimming their unique traits to fit a mold, I want them to amplify those qualities—whether it’s their seriousness, awkwardness, or any other characteristic—and recognize them as superpowers, not weaknesses.
*Advice for Early Career Professionals
For those early in their careers, my advice is to get comfortable thinking outside the box and avoid going with the flow just because it’s easier. At first, it may feel isolating or even difficult, but I truly believe the top is often lonely—and it’s worth it. Stand out for the risks you take, the opportunities you seize, and the successes you earn, don’t just blend into the crowd.
For those who are driven, my suggestion is simple: don’t let that fire burn out. Too often, I see physical therapists who are highly motivated to tackle the challenges of school, only to graduate, land a job, and coast. That complacency drives me crazy. You need to figure out what keeps you motivated to keep growing and evolving. This goes for any profession.
*Stay at Your Best
A leadership coach I work with shared a concept that stuck with me: most people view themselves as a 2.6 out of 10. Even successful individuals tend to rate themselves around a 4. My goal is to always be at an 8 or above.
When I feel myself slipping into that 2.6 or 4 range—when imposter syndrome creeps in, or I start feeling complacent—I lean on my resources. Whether it’s leadership coaching, courses, mentors, or peers, I rely on these tools to push me forward and keep me on track.
*Authenticity Ties it All Together
That 8-out-of-10 mindset connects directly to authenticity. When you start seeing yourself as a 2.6 or a 4, your confidence dips. Without confidence, authenticity falters. And when authenticity fades, people notice—it’s obvious and ultimately a barrier to success.
No matter where you are in your journey, I encourage you to surround yourself with mentors, peers, and coaches who challenge you to grow. Commit to ongoing self-improvement, and always remember: staying authentic is not just a strength—it’s the key to true success.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The biggest issue I’m facing right now is figuring out a plan to step away from treating as much as I do and step more fully into the leadership and business owner role. Ie. Working more on the business than in the business. I love treating—I know I’m good at it, and I love the relationships I build through it. But at this point, I’m much more passionate about running the business, meeting like-minded people, and being able to help a larger group of people at once, as opposed to just one person at a time. I also want to focus on helping my team grow as professionals and leaders and supporting people in new ways.
The challenge is finding the right time to step away and figuring out how to balance that transition. There’s always the fear of how to handle it from a quality standpoint, a financial standpoint, and all the other variables until things find their new equilibrium.
Another layer to this is that because I’m still treating a lot, running the business, and making time to be with my kids and family—coaching them and spending quality time together—my personal time often gets pushed to the back burner. I find myself in the same situation as many of the clients I work with daily: struggling to hold myself accountable and prioritize my own self-care when I need it most.
To address these challenges, I lean on my executive leadership groups, podcasts, books, and a variety of other resources. They help me grow, process my thoughts, and provide direction, guidance, and accountability for making decisions.
For my personal health, I follow the same principles. I set goals, create plans, and make sure to block off time for myself. I also rely on my peers and invest in my own physical therapist and personal trainers to write programs for me and hold me accountable. It’s about leading by example and taking care of myself so I can show up fully for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paramountperformancept.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paramountppt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParamountPPT
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanschwebke/ AND. https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramountppt
- Youtube: We are launching a new one. I will send it over shortly.
- Other: Our B2B website is: http://paramountatwork.com
Image Credits
All of the action photos are from Julie M. Gile Photography.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
