The P.t. Entrepreneur Podcast

We're tackling a big one today: what do you do when the game changes? Specifically, we dive into a question from the Facebook group about hospitals buying up ortho practices and keeping PT referrals internal. It feels sketchy, maybe illegal, but more importantly, how do you deal with it? Instead of getting mad, we break down why this happens and how to reframe it as an opportunity. It's about taking ownership, developing new skills (marketing!), and realizing you can build a business that isn't dependent on those referrals anyway. Plus, we chat about our upcoming meetup during CSM in Denver!

Quick thought for you today inspired by a chat I had with a neighbor. We were looking at a house for sale, and she wondered aloud how anyone could afford such an expensive place. It reminded me of the difference between asking "How could anyone afford that?" versus "What does that person do to afford that?" It's about shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of curiosity and abundance. Instead of judging or feeling limited, get curious about how people achieve success and reframe the question to "How can I make that possible?". It's a simple shift, but it changes everything.

This episode of the PT Entrepreneur Podcast is a little different as I'm actually the one being interviewed! The great Jerry Durham had me on his show to talk about the state of physical therapy business back in 2020. We dive into the potential within our profession, the critical need for business, sales, and marketing skills, my journey starting Athlete's Potential, and how we now help other PTs build successful practices through PT Biz. Jerry adds some awesome insights too, especially around creating world class patient experiences. We discuss the power of mentorship, accountability, and why entrepreneurship is key to moving PT forward.

Ever feel like you're struggling to connect with potential patients or get them to commit, especially in a cash practice? It's not always about what you say, but how you say it. In this episode, I break down the absolute linchpin to successfully influencing people and growing your practice: Confidence and Conviction. It's about truly believing in your ability to get results and projecting that belief. Think of yourself as the essential guide helping someone climb a tough mountain, their pain, or limitation. When you operate with that level of certainty, people feel it, trust you, and are far more likely to choose you to help them get their life back. Stop underselling your value and start owning your expertise.

Just got back from hitting the slopes in Colorado and first time really learning to snowboard, and man, talk about a learning curve! Falling on my ass a lot got me thinking about how similar learning this crazy sport is to starting and growing your own practice. In this episode, I break down five big lessons from my snowboarding adventure that directly apply to your business journey. From the importance of getting help (like a snowboard lesson!) to expecting bumps and bruises, realizing repetition is king, understanding it's mostly mental, and knowing you can always improve. Trust me, whether you're strapping into a board or building your clinic, these principles are universal.

We're diving deep into diagnosing the health of your cash practice and figuring out exactly where things might be going wrong so you can fix the right problems. Too often, we see PTs spinning their wheels, trying a million things without knowing if they're working or even addressing the real bottleneck. Is it getting enough leads? Converting those leads into evaluations? Selling packages effectively? We break down how to look at your key metrics (KPIs) to pinpoint the issue, whether you're just starting or trying to scale past that $8k-$10k/month mark. Stop guessing and start treating the actual "diagnosis" of your business!

This week, I’m pulling back the curtain with my brother-in-law Brandon, the guy who makes our podcast sound so damn good. He’s built a killer side hustle in podcast production, and we're talking about how he did it, the financial freedom it’s bringing, and the power of just diving in to learn new skills. Plus, we get into why podcasting is a legit game-changer for building trust and how you can leverage your time by outsourcing. If you’re thinking side hustle or podcast, don’t miss this.

This episode, I'm diving into something I take dead serious: personal integrity. It’s about doing what you say you’re going to do, every single time, even when no one’s looking. We’ll cover why this is a non-negotiable for success in business and life, and how easy it is to lose trust if you drop the ball.

With the end of the year, I've been having some real talks about personal finance. So many of us stress about money, but getting clear on your financial picture is a game changer for stability and peace of mind. I'm laying out a framework, a checklist really, that we use to get a solid handle on our money and build a strong foundation. This stuff is crucial.

Just got back from a wild trip to Chuck E. Cheese for my son's birthday, and believe it or not, it sparked a big thought about business: gamification. We're diving into how tapping into that natural competitive streak we all have can seriously level up engagement and results, whether it's with your patients, clients, or even your own business goals. It’s about making the tough stuff more fun and motivating.

I'm getting a bit vulnerable and talking about a struggle we've faced with Athlete's Potential: losing our vision. As PTBiz grew, my focus shifted, and the clear direction for our local practice got hazy. It's a tough lesson, but a crucial one about how vital a strong, unwavering vision is for your team, your growth, and keeping that Azimuth pointed right. We're talking about getting back on track and why your conviction is everything.

Today, we're tackling personal development. Stop wishing problems were easier and start seeing those frustrations as your golden ticket to get better. I’m sharing how a tough spot with my son pushed me to grow as a parent, and guess what? It’s making me a better business owner too. It's all about facing what you suck at and leveling up, because if things were easy, everyone would do it.

Just got back from Disney, and man, it's fascinating how they operate. I soaked up a ton and wanted to share a couple of huge takeaways from their playbook that you can plug straight into your cash practice. We're talking about customer experience on a whole other level.

I’m sharing a couple of stories to break down something crucial: the difference between risk and danger, especially when you're thinking about betting on yourself in business. One story involves a camera guy who risked it all to chase his music dreams, and the other… well, let's just say it involves my father-in-law and a very angry rattlesnake. There's a big lesson here about calculated chances versus just plain stupid.

A PT student asked what I’d do if I were back in school, gunning for my own cash practice. I’m breaking down the exact steps I'd take to set myself up for success from day one. This episode unpacks the strategic moves I’d make as a PT student aiming for a cash practice. Think getting sales experience as a trainer, building an online client base with digital programming, mastering manual skills for rapport, and making local connections early. This is your blueprint.

Had a patient drop some serious truth bombs on me the other day all about the power of clear communication. We're talking about how spelling out the 'what,' 'why,' and 'what's next' for your patients isn't just good practice, it's how you build a referral machine. If they don't get it, you're losing 'em. This is huge for your clinic and, frankly, any service business.

Ever feel like you were sold a different dream in PT school than the reality of 30 patients a day? You're not alone. If you're thinking about a cash practice, or you're already in it and realizing business is a whole other beast, this one's for you. This episode takes us back to a 2019 Q&A with the sharp DPT students at Indiana State. We hit on everything from my jump from Army PT to starting Athletes Potential, the critical first steps like defining your niche, practical advice on marketing and sales (yes, you need 'em!), how to price your services confidently, and why mastering communication is non-negotiable. Plus, some real talk for students on rotations. Packed with insights if you want to build a practice on your own terms.

I'm diving into something I wish I'd grasped way earlier in my career: the massive power of just talking to your patients. Seriously, sometimes the most profound "treatment" we offer isn't on the table, it's in the conversation. This week, I had a couple of long-term patients where we didn't do any manual work, no exercises. We just talked. And the breakthroughs? Huge. We get so focused on the physical, the diagnosis, the technique, but often the biggest barriers to recovery are stress, job dissatisfaction, or just life stuff. This episode is about recognizing that, listening, and understanding that you're treating a whole human being, not just a sore shoulder. It's about how much their overall well-being, especially their mental state, impacts their physical outcomes.

I'm laying out a no BS strategy to hit $10,000 a month in revenue by month THREE of your cash practice. Yeah, you heard that right. This isn't theory; it's based on what we've seen work for multiple PTs in our mastermind. I'm breaking down the five common threads these successful early-stage entrepreneurs share. If you're just starting or feel stuck, these are the levers you need to pull. We're talking niche, community, commitment, client experience, and yeah, getting the right help. Forget trying to figure it all out alone for a year; let's talk about getting there faster.

Got a quick one for you today, a little story from a patient encounter that really drives home a point I've been hitting on: you can't fake being an expert in a niche. If you want to be the go-to for golfers, runners, CrossFitters, whatever but you better actually be in that world. I had a patient who runs the wellness side of a big country club. They have in-house PTs and chiros, TPI certified even, but she won't send golfers their way. Why? Because those practitioners don't actually play golf. They don't speak the lingo, don't have a passion for the sport. It's obvious they're just chasing clientele. Authenticity matters. You can't just fast track expertise with a certification; you gotta put in the time and be part of the community.