The P.t. Entrepreneur Podcast

Ever thought about ditching the traditional clinic grind and maybe, just maybe, starting a PT practice in your own garage? Sounds crazy, right? Well, Tim and Jess did exactly that. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on how they built a successful cash pay practice literally out of their home gym in Kansas City. We dig into how they manage working together as a couple, their killer local networking strategies (shout out to Jess!), and how they built a business that gives them the freedom to actually live their lives and be there for their family. If you're burned out and looking for a different path, you gotta hear their story.

Alright team, let's talk about getting comfortable. Sounds nice, right? Wrong. Comfort is where progress goes to die. If you feel like you've hit a plateau, maybe you're just a little too settled in. In this episode, I break down this idea of "Killing Comfort," something my business partner Jared Moon covers in his killer new book. We dig into why embracing the suck, focusing on the process, and doing the hard things day in and day out is the real key to leveling up, both as a clinician and as a business owner. I share how this mindset shaped my own path and how you can use it to push past your limits.

Today I've got Danny Laughlin from Laughlin Performance and Physical Therapy in Overland Park, Kansas on the show. Danny's a great example of someone who had a solid, primarily in network hybrid practice but saw the writing on the wall. We dive into how he's strategically shifted away from those crappy insurance contracts, dramatically increased his revenue per hour, and built out more cash based performance and wellness options. We also get into how the recent craziness pushed him to finally launch the digital side of his business he'd been planning for years. Lots of great insights here for anyone navigating the hybrid world or looking to boost their cash services.

Today we're ditching the theory and getting super tactical. If you've got more time than money right now and need to get clients without burning cash on ads, this episode is your playbook. I'm breaking down the straightforward, no fluff strategy we've used and seen work time and time again. It boils down to creating the right content, actually talking to people, and figuring out what they'll pay for before you build it.

Quick heads up before we dive in, the audio on this one had a few hiccups cause of connection issues, but stick with it because the content from Clay and Emily Jones is pure gold. Might be one to listen to with headphones, not just in the car. These two are absolute rockstars from 901 PT in Memphis, Tennessee. They've been in our mastermind for years and watching their growth has been incredible starting with just Clay, now they just brought on their fifth clinician. All 100% cash, in a city like Memphis. It’s proof of what’s possible when you focus on the right things. We talk about their journey from Clay being frustrated in traditional settings, to bootstrapping the practice (literally Clay doing home visits out of his car), Emily jumping in with her marketing background, and how they've built such a strong team and culture.

Quick heads up, if you're scrambling trying to figure out how to take your PT skills online right now, we got you. We've been doing this for years. Let's jump on a free 45 minute call and strategize how you can make digital visits and remote programming work for you. Head to physicaltherapybiz.com/call. It's free, let's figure it out together. Alright, let's talk sales. Had a call today with one of our Mastermind members really struggling with this, losing people on the front end, and honestly, it can derail your whole business. Here's the deal: sales isn't some mystical dark art. If you're a clinician, you already have the core skill set. Think about it: sales is basically a subjective exam. You're diagnosing a problem, asking questions, listening, and helping someone get clear on where they are and where they want to go. This episode breaks down how to reframe "selling" into "diagnosing" so you can use the skills you already have to confidently communicate your value and help more people.

Before we jump in, quick note. If you're trying to figure out how to move your clinical skills online with everything goin' on, we've been doing this for years and helping tons of PTs figure it out. Jump on a free 45 minute strategy call with us. Head over to physicaltherapybiz.com/call and let's game plan how you can make digital visits and remote programming work for you. Alright, today I got two of my favorite people on the show, Aaron and Lauren Snyder from THRIVE Physical Therapy — San Diego, CA. These guys are in our Mastermind, they're building an awesome cash practice as a husband and wife team, and they keep it real. We talk about how they got started, Lauren jumping ship first into the women's health niche, Aaron eventually joining and carving out his space with runners, and the real deal challenges and successes of building a business together while married. They share how they built their practice through genuine local relationships, not just chasing doctor referrals, and how they're using this cu

Quick reminder before we dive in: If you're trying to figure out how to move your clinical skills online, leverage digital visits, remote programming, whatever. Let's talk. We've been doing this stuff for years. Jump on a free 45 minute strategy call with us. Head over to physicaltherapybiz.com/call. Let's game plan your move online. Alright, today we're talking about something simple but super important: getting on the damn phone with people. I know, I know, maybe it's generational, maybe it just feels weird, but hiding behind emails and DMs when you're trying to figure out if people will actually pay for what you offer is a huge mistake. Had a call with someone trying to test an offer via email and messages, and I was like, dude, just talk to them! This episode breaks down why direct conversations, whether phone or Zoom, are critical for validating offers, getting real feedback, and overcoming that sales anxiety we all face.

Before we get into it, quick heads up: If you're trying to figure out how to move your clinical skills online right now, leverage digital visits, remote programming, all that jazz. Let's talk. We've been doing this stuff for years. Jump on a free 45 minute strategy call with us. Head over to physicaltherapybiz.com/call. Let's game plan your move online. Alright, today I got one of my favorite mastermind members, Courtney Morse, on the show. Yeah, I thought he was a girl when I first talked to him too, but this dude is crushing it with Natural Wellness Physiotherapy out in Wichita, Kansas. We talk about his journey, which is pretty wild, from wanting to be a strength coach, driving a Schwan's truck, getting into PT school later, and eventually leaving the traditional high volume clinic director grind. He literally started his cash practice in a hair salon and built it up from scratch in a mid sized market. We dig into how he grew, brought family into the business, his slow growth philosophy, the importance of

Quick reminder before we dive in: If you're trying to figure out how to move your clinical skills online right now, leverage digital visits, remote programming, all that jazz. Let's talk. We've been doing this stuff for years. Jump on a free 45 minute strategy call with us. Head over to physicaltherapybiz.com/call. Let's game plan your move online. Alright, today we're diving deep into pricing. I've had a bunch of consulting calls lately and noticed a scary pattern: almost everyone starting out is massively undervaluing their services, charging like $70 to $99 an hour. They think being cheap gets people in the door, but it actually does the opposite. I share a story about a guy confused why people weren't booking even though he was cheaper than insurance rates, and break down why that happens using a bike shop analogy. If something seems too cheap, people think something's wrong with it. This episode is all about the psychology of pricing, why you can't be the cheapest in cash practice, how your own self wort

Quick heads up before we dive in: If you're trying to figure out how to move your clinical skills online right now, leverage digital visits, remote programming, all that jazz. Let's talk. We've been doing this stuff for years. Jump on a free 45 minute strategy call with us. Head over to physicaltherapybiz.com/call. Let's game plan your move online. Alright, today I got one of my favorite people, Missy Albrecht, on the show from Invincible Movement, Education and Healing out in Denver, Colorado. Missy's got a bit of a rollercoaster entrepreneurial story – from early influences like Kelly Starrett, to a failed first practice attempt right out of school, finding her way bouncing between gyms, and eventually building a solid practice. We talk about her unique niche blending visceral manipulation with athletic performance, the importance of community and systems in overcoming burnout, and how she's strategically building a digital course right now by beta testing it first. Lots of real talk about the ups and downs

Ever feel like business is a game you can't quite "win"? This week, I'm diving into a concept from Simon Sinek's book "The Infinite Game" that really clicked for me and explains so much about navigating the ups and downs of running your practice. In this episode, I break down the difference between finite games (like football, clear winners/losers) and infinite games (like business, where the goal is just to keep playing). Simon Sinek argues success in this infinite game boils down to two things: Will multiplied by Resources. We explore why starting out requires massive 'will' when resources are low, how established businesses can stall if their 'will' fades despite having resources, and why having both is key for major growth. Understanding you're in an infinite game fundamentally changes how you approach challenges and make decisions, focusing on longevity over short term 'wins'. Especially when times get tough, knowing which variable you need to ramp up (Hint: It's often your will!) is crucial for staying

Super pumped to have one of my buddies, Michael Tancini from Ground to Overhead Physical Therapy, on the show today. We actually connected way back in 2015 via email. Funny story about that in the episode and it's been awesome watching his journey. Michael jumped straight into private practice right out of school, built his business, moved it cross-country, and rebuilt it. We dig into the challenges of starting out, the importance of niche expertise (especially his CrossFit background), the reality of entrepreneurial ups and downs, and how getting structure and support was a total game-changer for him, especially when he was feeling isolated and stressed despite hitting financial goals. Michael gets real about almost taking another job because the grind was getting to him, and how finding the right framework finally helped him enjoy the process again. Michael shares his story from PT school inspiration (shout out Kelly Starrett!) to navigating clinical rotations he hated, which fueled his desire to build some

Dropped into the Mastermind group recently to lay out a framework I've been thinking about, the kind of entrepreneurial pyramid for us PTs. We often get stuck focusing only on clinical skills, wondering why we aren't getting ahead. In this episode, I break down the four levels I see: Fulfiller, Manager, Rainmaker, and Creator. Most of us start as Fulfillers, get promoted to Manager, get frustrated, and then jump into business ownership without the real skills needed to succeed long term. Those skills are the Rainmaker skills. We dive into why focusing solely on clinical skills is a trap set by the traditional system and why learning sales, marketing, and communication (the Rainmaker stuff) is absolutely crucial if you want to build a business that gives you time and financial freedom, not just create another job for yourself. We talk about where the real value lies and how to shift your focus to build the business and life you actually want.

This week, I had a great chat with Andrew Millett from Move Strong Physical Therapy, our recent Mastermind MVP! Andrew runs a killer cash practice inside Cressey Performance in Massachusetts, working with a ton of throwing athletes. We dive into his journey from traditional PT to starting his own thing, the challenges and rewards of scaling past being a solo practitioner, and the unique dynamics of building a business inside another established facility like Cressey's. Andrew Millett drops some serious knowledge bombs on building relationships, the importance of mindset, continuous learning through reading, and why genuinely caring for people is the ultimate business advantage. Plus, he shares his vision for Move Strong and how he balances growth with quality care and family life.

We're hitting pause on the usual interviews to bring some good news and positivity right from the Matta household during this crazy quarantine time. I brought the whole crew on Ashley, Jack, and Maggie to talk about what we've actually enjoyed about this forced slowdown. We get into the challenges (homeschooling, anyone?), but focus on the unexpected good stuff: tons more family time outside, bike rides, wrestling on the trampoline, and Ashley sharing the surprising relief of a less frantic schedule. It's a candid look at finding the silver linings and focusing on connection when the world feels upside down. Plus, Jack gives a shoutout to his previous episode appearance! This one's family friendly, so grab your kids and have a listen.

This week, I got to chop it up with my BFF, Shante Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro. You know we love talking shop, and with everything going crazy right now, I wanted to get her perspective on what's happening in the digital space, especially with social media and pivoting online. Shante's got tons of experience with virtual visits, building online courses, and crushing it on Instagram, so she dropped some major truth bombs. We talked about navigating the pandemic panic, why doubling down on your existing people is key, the power of listening before creating, why niching down is even MORE important online, and the insane opportunity this moment presents for our profession if we don't just scramble back to the old broken model. Plus, we geek out on podcasting and why it's such a powerful tool right now. You don't want to miss this one.

Look, things are crazy right now, and who saw this global pandemic coming? But complaining doesn't help. What does help is figuring out how to take your clinical skills online if you can't see people in person. This isn't new territory for us; we've been doing this for years and have been helping our Mastermind members rapidly build out the digital side of their businesses during this time. So, I want to share the process that's working right now to move your practice online, generate revenue digitally, and potentially build a whole new, scalable arm for your business even after things return to normal. We're talking about reaching out to past clients, defining your niche, creating killer content, mastering the sales call, crafting no-brainer offers, and then scaling what works.

This week, I finally got to sit down with my buddy Doug Kechijian. You might remember him from some heated Twitter debates back in the day, but today we dive deep into his awesome story. Doug's a cofounder of Resilient Performance Physical Therapy up in New York City, but he's currently riding out the pandemic storm in Massachusetts. We get into his unique background going from pre med to joining the Air Force as a Pararescueman (PJ), which is some seriously intense special operations stuff focused on medical and rescue. Doug shares how that experience, dealing with high stress situations and learning diverse skills under pressure, shaped his path to PT school and eventually starting his own cash based practice. We talk about the lessons learned from the military like the value of practical application, standard operating procedures, controlling the controllables, and the importance of having solid partners. Plus, Doug gives his take on the current state of PT education and ConEd, and what Resilient Performan

Going live solo today right before hitting the garage gym. I wanted to share a really important lesson, learned the hard way this past week through a bit of trial and, honestly, error in our local practice. With seeing people in person being tough right now, everyone's looking at online options like telehealth. But let's be real, there's often resistance. We found just telling people "we're switching you to telehealth" works better than asking, but it's still not perfect. The real gold is in figuring out the right online offer. I gotta share a failure here, because as Winston Churchill said, "Success is going from one failure to the next with great enthusiasm." We tried launching a low ticket ($29/mo) minimal equipment training membership to our huge list of past clients (2500 people). Thought it'd be a home run. It wasn't. Less than 1% signed up. Total bummer, wasted a ton of time. But, the enthusiasm part? We pivoted fast. We scrapped the low ticket offer and upsold those few signups (and started focusing o