After eight seasons in the NFL, including a Super Bowl win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Andrew Adams knew the importance of recovery. But when his playing days ended, he saw a gap: the world-class treatment available to professional athletes was out of reach for most people. He launched ProLevel Recovery, a physical therapy and wellness company designed to change that, offering services like cryotherapy, massage, laser therapy and chiropractic care to the broader public.

ICSC Small Business Center contributing editor Rebecca Meiser spoke with Adams about his journey from the field to entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned from his father’s 30-year physical therapy practice and what it takes to build a trusted brand rooted in consistency, care and community.

You spent years surrounded by top-tier recovery resources in the NFL. What made you want to translate that experience into a business?

As a professional athlete, I had access to the best of everything: cold tubs, infrared saunas, top therapists whose schedules revolved around our practices and games. Most people never get access to that kind of care. Bringing that to everyday people – that’s what ProLevel Recovery is all about.

You took over your father’s long-running physical therapy practice. How did that shape your vision?

He’s owned his own practice for over 30 years, and acquiring it became part of my journey. It gave me a foundation to build on while also giving him a path to retire. I wanted to take what he’d built and scale it and expand it beyond traditional physical therapy.

Why did you decide to rebrand the practice when you took over?

The old name was Southern Crescent Physical Therapy, and it didn’t reflect everything we were offering. We do so much more than physical therapy. The new name better fit what we offer — professional-athlete-style services for the general public.

What was it like stepping into the family business?

Definitely. Being a business owner is hard and taking over a family business adds another level. The good part is you’re not starting from zero; you already have an operating business. The challenge is that it was small, and I wanted to grow it. My dad was comfortable with one location, but I always had a vision for more — about ten from the start.

What made you want to move into business ownership after football?

I was always thinking about life after the game. I was undrafted, so I never signed a huge contract. Throughout my career, I invested in real estate and looked into other opportunities. I always kept my mind open to what was next.

Was your dad pushing you to take over?

He never pressured me toward it. My entrepreneurial spirit that led me here. I’m not a physical therapist, so it wasn’t something he expected. But once he saw my vision for what I was building, he got on board. He’s still involved as a business owner.

How did you prepare for the business side of things after football?

The NFL offers a ton of resources that most players don’t take full advantage of [including] business mentorships, educational programs, even funding for continuing education. I took business courses at the University of Miami and got connected to investment groups, private equity, venture capital, you name it. I built a team around me, including a multifamily office that helps with underwriting, taxes and deal structures.

What did those experiences teach you about entrepreneurship?

Exposure. Growing up, the dream is the NFL. That’s rare. But there are people out there building and selling companies for hundreds of millions. That’s more common than you think. It opened my eyes to what’s possible. The same traits that made me a Super Bowl champion and eight-year NFL veteran — discipline, routine, competitiveness — will make me successful in business.

You opened your first locations in Fayetteville and Duluth, Georgia. Why start there?

Fayetteville’s home. My parents live in Doulas. It felt natural to start where I have roots and community support.

You’re relocating your Fayetteville site to Banks Crossing, a large regional center anchored by a Planet Fitness, this fall. What drew you to that location?

It’s in middle Fayetteville [with] great foot traffic, strong population growth, good tenants and the right pricing. Plus, being near a Planet Fitness is huge. People who care about their bodies go to the gym, and they’ll also take care of their bodies afterwards. Being next to a Planet Fitness means people can work out, then get adjusted, do physical therapy, get a massage, stretch, hop in a cold tub or use the infrared sauna. It’s a natural fit.

There’s no shortage of wellness businesses out there. How do you stand apart?

By bringing everything together under one roof. Most people have to go to one place for a massage, another for chiropractor, another for physical therapy. We’re a one-stop shop.

What’s been most effective in growing your client base?

Authenticity. Telling our story. Letting people know who we are, what we believe in and why we’re passionate about this. People connect to it, especially because it’s real. I’m from here, I’m a former professional athlete and I’ve lived what I’m talking about.

What are your goals for ProLevel Recovery over the next few years?

I want to serve the entire Atlanta metro area first then expand to other states, maybe through franchising or licensing. The goal is to help as many people as possible. But first I want to prove the model in Atlanta before scaling.

What’s been your biggest learning curve as an entrepreneur?

Hiring the right people. That’s probably the toughest part — making sure they have both the work ethic and the capability. I’m still figuring out how to identify that early.

You’ve led teams on the field. Has that helped you lead in business?

In some ways, yeah. Leadership translates. But managing people is different. You have to learn how to tell people what to do and do it in the right way. I’m still learning.

Any advice for others making a big career transition or starting something new?

Have a plan. Have a big vision but make it realistic. Break it down into executable goals and surround yourself with the right team: people who are people smarter than you and honest enough to tell you the truth.