About Breaking Average

Breaking Average began with a simple idea: what if ordinary people and organizations could rise above the status quo and step boldly into the lives they were meant to live?

By day, I serve as Chief Technology Officer at SimVentions, leading innovation and engineering efforts that support our nation’s defense. But outside of work, I felt called to create a space dedicated to leadership, growth, and resilience. Breaking Average is that space.

To support this calling, I established The Lead Edge Group LLC—an entity created to serve as the foundation for these efforts apart from SimVentions. Through it, I’ve been able to publish books (Face the Mountain, Breaking Average, Imagine, Speech Blueprint, Permission to Be Bold), host the Breaking Average Podcast, and build resources like this site to encourage and equip leaders at every level.

This work also fuels the Lead Bulletproof Community—a nationwide brotherhood committed to leadership resilience—and the annual Elite Lead Bulletproof Summit.

About Paul

I’m a writer, speaker, technologist, and one of the co-founders of SimVentions. Since 2000, I’ve had the opportunity to help shape teams, mentor leaders, and pioneer technology solutions that make a difference. Along the way, I’ve written several books and created resources to help others grow in leadership, resilience, and purpose.

Whether through technology, writing, or work, my mission is simple: to provide direction, spark momentum, and help others discover the potential they already carry.

At its core, Breaking Average isn’t just about content or events. It’s about helping people lead with courage, character, and clarity—and to know they don’t have to face life’s mountains alone.

—Paul Gustavson
Founder, Breaking Average | The Lead Edge Group LLC
CTO, SimVentions (for identification purposes only)

Note: Breaking Average and The Lead Edge Group are personal endeavors and are not affiliated with SimVentions.