Future 15: Sam Schwartz

GREEN BAY – Sam Schwartz is a Green Bay area native, graduating from Pulaski High School in 2012.

Schwartz furthered his education at UW-La Crosse, obtaining a bachelors in exercise science and a doctorate in physical therapy.

“Since that time I have been practicing in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine as a physical therapist. After moving to Southern Colorado for some time after school, my wife and I decided to relocate back to Green Bay to raise our family.”

Schwartz specializes in orthopedics and sports medicine with “a special interest in runners and other endurance athletes.”

Since moving back to Green Bay, he has been working at Paramount Physical Therapy & Training as lead physical therapist and director of operations.

“About 15 years ago, I was in physical therapy (PT) myself for two significant knee surgeries that ended my high school sports career. During those two years of PT, I had the opportunity of working with a PT that inspired me to follow this career path. Her name was Lindi Flemmen. I doubt she knows the impact she had on me, but this is my opportunity to share it with her,” Schwartz explained.

“I was going through rehab with Lindi during a time that I was at my lowest. I was a high school student who cared only about sports, whose whole identity was sports. When I couldn’t play sports, I lost my identity altogether. I found myself depressed, lonely, and a bit hopeless. Lindi not only guided me back to my best physical self, but more importantly guided me through the mental health struggles I was having at the time. She gave me purpose again and showed me that life can be better than I ever imagined if I’m open to changing courses a bit.

“She inspired me to do what she was doing for me — to take my experience and use it to help myself change lives the way she was changing mine. I thought to myself, ‘If I can make one person feel the way she has made me feel in my career, that’s worth it.’ So I did that — I chose to commit to changing lives. Just like Lindi did for me. And now the level of job fulfillment I have is unmatched. I am doing what I am meant to do.”

Outside of work you will find Schwartz spending time with his family — likely outside in nature.

“Connecting with nature and taking advantage of the various trails and recreational spaces the greater Green Bay area has to offer has been a staple for my family,” he added.

Leading up to the 2025 Future 15 & Young Professionals Awards banquet on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Oneida Casino Hotel, we will be highlighting the finalists in each edition of the Press Times.