
Sports Physical Therapy in Waukee, IA
Ditch the Pain.
Keep the Training.
Fitness-forward physical therapy for athletes who refuse to sit on the sideline. We keep you training while we fix the problem.
5.0 on Google
(114 reviews)
5.0 on Google
(114 reviews)
What We Treat
Specialized clinical expertise for the areas that take the most heat during high-performance training.
Lower Back
Resolving disc issues and mechanical pain so you can get back to the platform.
Knee
Patellar tendonitis, meniscus tears, and stability work for explosive movement.
Shoulder
Fixing impingement and instability for overhead pressing and weightlifting.
Hip
Restoring depth in squats and running efficiency through hip mobility and strength work.
Neck
Cervical disc injuries, tension headaches, and nerve pain treated at the source — not just managed with meds.
Ankle & Foot
Sprains, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendinopathy to get you back to running or back in the gym.
Tired of being told to rest?
There's a better way.
Generic exercise sheets. Weeks of "just rest." Months of ice packs and band exercises while you lose strength, confidence, and momentum. That's not how athletes operate.
We combine advanced physical therapy with strength and conditioning principles. We don't just get you out of pain — we make you more resilient than you were before the injury.


Jake Pawol, PT, DPT, OCS
"I live the lifestyle I prescribe."
Jake is a competitive lifter and Performance PT who understands that for the committed athlete, training isn't just a lifestyle — it's an identity. With a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialization, and a background in competitive weightlifting, he understands the real demands of the gym athlete.
He founded Fortitude & Freedom Performance Therapy because he was tired of seeing athletes told to "just rest" by providers who don't understand what it means to push the human limit. Your rehab takes place in a real gym, using real equipment, because that's where athletes belong.
"My goal isn't to get you back to normal. It's to get you back to being elite."
Real Results
What our patients have to say — straight from Google Reviews.
"Jake is legit. I have seen him a number of times for various tweaks and minor injuries and always come out with more knowledge and relief. His approach offers an educational element so you can help yourself after PT is over. As a fitness professional, I find this crucial for sustained success in performance and just simply feeling your best. His knowledge of the body and how it works is unmatched."
Nick Hargens
Google Review
"I have had the privilege of working with Jake for the past two months, and I can confidently say that the impact on my well-being has been profound. Jake has not only helped me find relief from pain but has also played a pivotal role in understanding the root causes of my issues. One of Jake standout qualities is his ability to foster awareness. He has equipped me with the skills to recognize when a corrective movement is needed, empowering me to take charge of my own progress."
Jordyn Jondle
Google Review
"Every person deserves the best medical care possible and I was so fortunate to have been recommended to Jake. As a physical therapist, Jake not only guided me through my knee recovery but educated me on the specifics of my body and how I could use it to the fullest potential. Jake has an incredible knowledge of anatomy and how to properly use the body which then allowed me to make great leaps forward with improved performance in the gym."
Daly Hardy
Google Review
"Jake was excellent to work with and I would recommend him to anyone looking to address an existing issue or improve performance. I started working with Jake when I was experiencing shoulder and bicep pain so bad I could hardly carry my kids anymore. Jake created a treatment plan that helped alleviate the pain and provided helpful tips so that I was able to keep my regular gym routine through it all."
Sean O Daniel
Google Review
"Jake is the real deal! Healed after months of limitation. I had been fighting tendon pain for nearly a year and was limited in movement, capacity and ability in several lifts. What I thought was a shoulder injury actually turned out to be a bicep tendon. Jake found the culprit immediately through diagnosis and assessment. He showed me a variety of exercises to strengthen the area and I was back to full capacity."
TC Van
Google Review
"I started seeing Jake after years of neck and back pain. Some days I could barely move my head and it would cause me to miss out on a lot of fun activities. I went to Jake hoping I would find out why I was in so much pain and more importantly hoping he could show me how to fix it. He did just exactly that, he is very knowledgeable in targeting where the pain is coming from and why."
AJ Pudenz
Google Review
"Been struggling with back injuries off and on for the past 2 years. A few months ago I decided to finally see someone about it. During my treatment I had a freak incident where I threw out my back bending over to get my dogs food bowl. Could hardly walk. He got me in later that same day and put me through the wringer but one week later and I was back at it."
Samuel Myers
Google Review
"Life Changing. I had resigned myself to suffering through debilitating episodes of lower back pain. I would occasionally throw my back out moving furniture or something heavy. Jake taught me how to work on muscle groups that make me feel stronger and have relieved my pain. I was amazed to be lifting and moving weight that I have spent most of my life avoiding, and I feel great!"
George Frampton
Google Review
"I took a chance on Jake to help with nagging low back pain and a tendon injury in my ankle that seemed to never go away, despite resting it for months like the doctor said. 6 appointments in, the ankle pain is greatly reduced and the back pain is more easily handled. I can deadlift again and be on my feet all day without much pain."
Julie Allen
Google Review
"Jake truly delivers on the statement: Put pain and injuries behind you! I came in with tennis elbow only to learn that I needed to address more than just the tiny pain spot in my elbow. After several weeks of dry needling, stretching, pain management, building in workouts and ongoing at-home exercises, I can say that I am indeed ready for bow season more than any year prior."
Joel Ruse
Google Review
"I have been working with Jake for several months now. As a physical therapist he is very knowledgeable and patient. He takes the time to discuss every single detail that may be affecting you, but in a way that helps you understand the process required as a whole. He is not your cookie cutter therapist."
Brent Thomas
Google Review
"I started working with Jake in February 2023. Jake and Lauren have put so much love, dedication and discipline to their business and it shows in each visit. I was a dancer when I was younger and lost all confidence with previous injuries and he has helped build me up. I became a client before they were able to accept my insurance and I would confidently do it again."
Priya Advani
Google Review
Your Comeback Starts Here.
Stop living with pain and start fixing the underlying cause.
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