Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Ballinger.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in the North Cascades of Washington—surrounded by evergreens, mountain air, and endless trails. My love for movement began with competitive soccer and blossomed through trail running and time spent exploring the outdoors. From a young age, I recognized the physical and emotional power that movement can have, and that realization became the foundation for my career.
I began as an athletic trainer during my undergrad at the University of Washington, working closely with collegiate athletes on injury prevention and recovery. That early exposure gave me a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human body. I later became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and spent years training clients and working in physical therapy clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Eventually, I moved to Salt Lake City to pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Utah. Since then, I’ve trained in a variety of elite rehab settings—from acute care and neurorehabilitation to sports medicine—gaining hands-on experience with everything from biomechanics and gait analysis to concussion and vestibular therapy. Along the way, I became certified in functional nutrition, movement mobility, biomechanics, and performance coaching.
Now, I run Elevate Performance, a physical therapy and coaching practice based inside Rise4, the gym I co-own. At Elevate, I blend physical therapy, personal training, and nutrition coaching into one seamless, client-centered experience—helping people move pain-free, train with intention, and build lifelong habits that support their highest quality of life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even close! It took me three years to get into physical therapy school, and there were many moments when I felt like giving up. During that time, I worked multiple jobs—long hours, often seven days a week—while living as frugally as possible and taking additional summer courses to strengthen my application. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was determined to make it happen.
When I was finally accepted into the University of Utah’s DPT program, I packed everything I owned into a borrowed Tahoe and moved to Salt Lake City without knowing a single person. To avoid taking on debt, I stayed with family during clinical rotations, rented out spare rooms, and picked up side gigs like dog-sitting—whatever it took to make it work.
Even after graduating, I kept juggling multiple roles—working as a physical therapist across several clinics while also coaching at local gyms. That work ultimately connected me to a community that would become foundational to everything I do now. Through that network, I was invited to become a part owner in a new boutique fitness gym, Rise4, and launch my own cash-based physical therapy practice, Elevate Performance, within its walls.
It was a huge leap—there were no guarantees of income, no employer-sponsored benefits, and a lot of risk. But I believed deeply in the vision, and I’m so grateful I bet on myself. Today, Elevate and Rise4 have grown into something really special, and I feel incredibly fortunate to help people every day through both. It’s been anything but easy, but it’s absolutely been worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Elevate Performance, my mission is simple: to provide individualized, compassionate care that empowers people to move better, feel stronger, and live with less pain. I created Elevate because I saw firsthand how traditional, insurance-based physical therapy often falls short. In many clinics, patients are pushed through like a conveyor belt—limited to short appointments, minimal one-on-one time, and treatment plans that prioritize billing over actual healing. That model never sat right with me.
I wanted to build something different. At Elevate, I work directly with each client for the full duration of their session, giving them my complete attention. Whether someone is recovering from an injury, training for a big race, or simply looking to move through daily life with more ease, I take the time to understand their goals, their history, and their body. It’s not just about treating symptoms—it’s about building trust, educating along the way, and creating a plan that actually fits their life.
My approach blends physical therapy, strength and conditioning, and nutrition coaching under one roof. I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a certified Functional Nutrition Coach (along with a few other certifications). These tools allow me to support the full human system—whether that means rehabbing a knee, rebuilding balance, improving movement efficiency, or optimizing athletic performance.
I work with a wide spectrum of clients, from teenagers looking to stay strong and injury-free during their sports seasons, to elite athletes fine-tuning their mechanics, to folks in their 70s and 80s who just want to keep hiking or playing with their grandkids. No matter who walks through the door, my goal is always the same: to meet them where they’re at, and help them build toward where they want to go.
What makes me proud is the community that has grown around Elevate. I don’t do much advertising—my schedule is nearly full through word of mouth alone. I’m incredibly honored by the trust my clients place in me, and their support is reflected in the 60+ five-star reviews on Google, which truly mean the world to me. If I could do this work for free, I would. Helping people feel good in their bodies again is deeply fulfilling, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that empathy is a superpower—one that can’t be taught in a classroom, but that makes all the difference in how you show up for others. I’ve come to realize that truly listening, caring deeply, and meeting people where they are is often just as powerful as any treatment technique or rehab plan.
I’ve also learned that passion and purpose go hand-in-hand. When you’re doing work that aligns with your values, it doesn’t feel like a job—it feels like a calling. I genuinely love helping people feel better in their bodies, and that love is what got me through the long nights, the risks, and the self-doubt. It’s what keeps me grounded and energized today.
And perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that community is everything. The support, trust, and shared energy I’ve found through Rise4 and the incredible clients I get to work with is what makes this all sustainable. They remind me why I started and keep me excited for what’s ahead.
At the end of the day, I believe you can only pour from what overflows. That means continuing to care for myself, stay curious, and always lead with intention—so that I can keep showing up fully for the people who trust me with their care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatepfmc.com/
- Other: https://www.rise-4.com/
