We had the good fortune of connecting with Ieva Sciukauskaite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ieva, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Throughout my career as a physical therapist, I’ve worked with many athletes across different sports. No matter the sport, I kept noticing the same pattern: athletes were being cleared from rehab because they were technically “pain-free,” yet they still couldn’t perform, didn’t trust their body, or kept reinjuring the same area. Traditional rehab ended too early, and performance training often ignored the injury history.

Tennis became my focus because it’s a sport where the margins are small and the demands are very high. As a former high-level javelin thrower and now an active tennis player competing in USTA leagues, I understood the physical and mental stress of returning to sport after injury. I fell in love with the strategy, biomechanics, and precision of tennis — and I realized how much athletes were missing when their rehab was general instead of sport-specific.

Starting my own business really came from that gap I kept seeing both as a clinician and as an athlete. I worked with so many tennis players who were discharged from traditional rehab but still didn’t feel ready to play, didn’t trust their arm, or didn’t understand how to safely return to the court. They were stuck between two worlds-“no pain” on paper, but not truly ready to perform.

As someone who has navigated injuries myself, I knew exactly how that felt. I understood the fear, the hesitation, and the frustration when the standard model doesn’t provide the bridge you actually need. That’s when the idea became clear: if the system is missing something, build the system.

My thought process was very mission-driven. I wanted to create a method that helps tennis players heal right the first time, rebuild their strength and confidence, and return to performance instead of stopping at “pain-free.” That’s what led me to develop my injury-to-performance approach and eventually write my book, “The Full-Court Comeback Method,” so athletes could finally have practical, sport-specific guidance built for the real demands of tennis.

For me, starting a business wasn’t just about entrepreneurship – it was about creating access to something I wish more athletes had. A path that connects physical therapy, sports science, and the reality of how tennis is played. Building this brand has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done, because it allows me to help players return not only stronger, but more confident and more capable than before their injury.

What should our readers know about your business?
Perform Better Than Yesterday is a growing, athlete-centered business focused on helping tennis players return to the court stronger and more confident than before. What makes my work unique is how specific it is – instead of offering general physical therapy or general fitness programs, I create tennis-specific recovery and performance systems that simplify a process most athletes find confusing.

A big part of that vision is also reflected in my book, The Full-Court Comeback Method. It’s designed to give tennis players practical, easy-to-follow guidance they rarely receive in traditional rehab settings. The book has become a foundation for the rest of my programs and an important tool for players who want clarity and structure throughout their recovery.

One thing I’m most proud of is how the business continues to evolve. I’m not a large brand yet, and I’m honest about that, but every month the systems get better, the resources get clearer, and the results for players become more consistent. I’m building this step-by-step, combining my clinical background, my athletic experience, and ongoing education to create something that truly serves a niche community.

Today, my work includes a mix of in-person sessions, online consultations, customized plans, and digital programs for players who want more guidance than they typically receive in a traditional clinical setting. This hybrid approach allows me to help athletes locally and internationally – especially those who feel stuck or unsure of their next steps.

It hasn’t always been easy. Balancing entrepreneurship with patient care, writing a book, and developing new programs has required persistence, creativity, and a lot of learning along the way. But one of the biggest lessons has been that clarity comes from action -showing up, helping real people, listening to their challenges, and improving the system based on what actually works.

What I want the world to know about my brand is simple: recovery doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or uncertain. With the right plan and support, tennis players can return to the court with strength, strategy, and confidence. And while the business is still growing, the mission is already solid- to give athletes a clear, supportive path that finally connects rehab to real performance.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit South Florida, I’d definitely mix a little bit of everything — beach time, great food, and a few of my favorite local spots.

We’d probably start in Fort Lauderdale with a morning beach walk or workout at Sunrise Beach, followed by coffee at Wells Coffee or Circle House. For food, I love taking people to places like Louie Bossi, Planta Queen, or Pura Vida — good atmosphere and great food, whether you’re plant-based or not.

During the day, Las Olas is always fun for walking around, shopping, and people-watching, and if they’ve never been, the water taxi is a unique way to see the canals and mansions. For something more relaxing, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is perfect for bike rides, paddle boarding, or just a quiet break from the city.

If we go down to Miami, Wynwood is my go-to – murals, art, coffee shops, and great energy. The Design District is another spot I love for its mix of architecture and little boutiques. And in the evenings, I’d take them to Boca or Delray for dinner by the water or to check out the holiday lights if it’s the season.

And of course, if they play tennis, we’d have to hit some courts -there are so many great public facilities here that it becomes part of the experience. South Florida is really the perfect mix of sun, activity, and good food, so it’s easy to have a great week exploring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a few people I want to acknowledge. First, my family for always believing in me and supporting every step of my journey, even when the path wasn’t traditional. Their encouragement has been a constant source of strength through every transition and challenge.

I also want to recognize the mentors and colleagues who shifted my perspective and pushed me to think bigger about what’s possible in this field. In particular, Greg Todd, whose mentorship and mastermind community played an important role in helping me see that I could build something beyond the traditional clinical model. His belief in serving others through your unique strengths helped shape the direction of my business.

And finally, a shoutout to the athletes I work with. They’ve taught me as much as I’ve helped them. Their trust, challenges, and wins are the reason this work feels so meaningful and the reason I’m committed to creating better solutions for tennis players returning to the court.

Instagram: @performbty.physio | https://www.instagram.com/performbty.physio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ieva-%C5%A1%C4%8Diukauskait%C4%97-pt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553286729565

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu-2K2NJd8Ol4BHzSxmrEMQ

Other: link to amazon for book: https://amzn.to/47ZEUK1

tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@performbty.physio

Image Credits
most of the pick are made by myself, or my friends. only the profile one is made by USTA photographer but i do not know who was he, and it was posted online open for the public to download.

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