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EP #96: From Injured Runner to Top PT: Adam Schwerdt's Journey to Help You Go the Distance
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What makes Adam Schwerdt with RunMental a good neighbor?
Looking for specialized physical therapy that truly understands the unique demands of endurance sports? Meet Adam Schwerdt, founder of RunMental, who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to helping runners and other endurance athletes perform at their best.
Adam's journey into specialized athletic physical therapy wasn't just a career choice—it was born from necessity. After struggling with recurring injuries throughout his high school and college running career, he became obsessed with understanding the mechanics behind these setbacks. This pursuit eventually led him to physical therapy, but he quickly recognized a fundamental problem with healthcare in America: it's predominantly reactive rather than preventative. This realization inspired him to combine traditional physical therapy with performance coaching, creating RunMental as a comprehensive resource for athletes.
What sets RunMental apart is their laser focus on the specific needs of runners, cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes. During our conversation, Adam challenges conventional wisdom about running mechanics, revealing that while glute strength gets all the attention, research shows the calf muscles actually provide about 50% of a runner's propulsive force in distance events. This kind of specialized knowledge exemplifies why general physical therapy often falls short for serious athletes. As Adam explains, "We might see something outside of that, but it is mostly that runner, cyclist, swimmer, triathlete mix that we're dealing with."
Adam's dedication to helping fellow runners comes from a deeply personal place. Despite facing academic challenges and being told he should consider giving up running to focus on school, he persevered—because he couldn't imagine doing anything else. Today, he confidently states that he and his team are among the best physical therapists and coaches for endurance athletes in Colorado Springs. If you're looking to overcome an injury, improve your performance, or simply connect with professionals who truly understand your sport, check out RunMental's website or Instagram. And as Adam promises: "If we are not the people to help you out, for whatever reason, we'll let you know and we will do our best to get you connected with the right person."
To learn more about RunMental go to:
RunMental
719-270-3155
Chapters
1. Introducing Adam Schwert from Run Mental (00:00:00)
2. Origins of Run Mental Business (00:01:15)
3. Running Myths: The Calf is King (00:02:41)
4. Target Customers and Marketing Approach (00:04:32)
5. Adam's Personal Journey and Challenges (00:05:35)
6. Contact Information and Closing (00:08:14)
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