The P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast

The Clinician’s Compass Part 2: Is the Autopilot Practice the Right Fit for You? In this episode, Doc Danny continues his 3-part series based on his new book, The Clinician’s Compass. This time, he explores the Autopilot Practice—the most popular model among PT Biz clients. It’s built for clinicians who want time freedom, financial stability, and a business that can function (and grow) without them. 🔑 Key Takeaways What Is an Autopilot Practice? – A clinic doing $500K–$3M in revenue where the owner has fully or mostly removed themselves from daily operations. Time Freedom Is the Goal – Unlike the lifestyle model, this one gives you the option to reclaim your time for family, hobbies, other businesses, or simply rest. It’s Sellable – This model builds true enterprise value, giving you the option to sell your clinic for a significant return or hold it as a long-term passive income asset. You're Replacing Yourself – Clinically, administratively, and operationally. That means investing in systems, people, and culture to make it all run. Lower Margins, More Leverage – You’ll keep a smaller percentage of revenue, but have more freedom and impact. And the hourly ROI can still exceed a lifestyle practice. 💬 Real Talk from Doc Danny "Your business should support your life—not become your life. The autopilot practice is about freedom and optionality." 🎯 Who It’s For ✅ Clinicians who want to step back from day-to-day treatment ✅ Entrepreneurs seeking time flexibility and scalable income ✅ Parents who want to be present for their families ✅ Those looking to build and eventually sell a valuable business asset 🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ The difference between lifestyle and autopilot practices ✅ What it takes to remove yourself from your business ✅ Why reinvestment, leadership, and culture are critical ✅ How to think about ROI per hour, not just net profit 🚀 Ready to Build the Practice That Supports Your Life? Want help deciding if the Autopilot Practice is the right path for you? → Book a Free Discovery Call → Explore More at PhysicalTherapyBiz.com Stay tuned for Part 3 of the series, where we dive into the Home Run Practice—designed for those who want to scale big and build a true empire.

The Clinician’s Compass Part 1: Is a Lifestyle Practice Right for You? In this episode, Doc Danny kicks off a 3-part series on his new book, The Clinician’s Compass. This first installment focuses on the lifestyle practice—a business model built for clinicians who want more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment without the pressure of scaling a large company. 🔑 Key Takeaways Start With the End in Mind – Before you build a business, get clear on what kind of life you want. Your business should support that—not consume it. What Is a Lifestyle Practice? – A solo or small-team clinic where you're heavily involved in patient care, making great income with minimal overhead, and maintaining schedule freedom. Who It's For – Clinicians who love their craft, want to work with a niche population, and prefer low risk, high-control models without managing large teams. Real-Life Examples – Danny shares the story of a clinician working just 2 days per week who replaced her full-time income while spending more time with her family. Know the Trade-Offs – Lifestyle practices are highly rewarding—but they're not scalable, and your income stops if you stop working. You’ll need to invest outside your business and consider insurance for protection. 💬 Real Talk from Doc Danny "Your business should create the life you want—not become your entire life. A lifestyle practice can give you freedom, but you’ve got to know the trade-offs." 🏃‍♀️ Is This the Right Race for You? Think of your practice model like choosing a race. Is it a 5K? A marathon? A sprint? In this book, Danny helps you decide which model—Lifestyle, Autopilot, or Home Run—best aligns with your vision. 🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why lifestyle clinics are ideal for passionate clinicians who value flexibility ✅ The financial upside (and limits) of this model ✅ How to protect your income stream and plan for long-term financial freedom   → Join the Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge → Book a Free Discovery Call Stay tuned for the next episodes in the series as we dive into the Autopilot Practice and the Home Run Practice—two other powerful paths to building your ideal business and life.

Living With Intention: The 3-Month Exercise That Can Change Your Life What would you do differently if you only had three months left to live? In this powerful solo episode, Doc Danny shares the mindset shift that changed the course of his career—and his life. It’s not just about business strategy—it’s about living with urgency, clarity, and purpose. 🔑 Key Takeaways Ask the Hard Question – If your time was running out, what would you regret? What are you avoiding because of fear, comfort, or outside expectations? Stop Living on Autopilot – Most people live a life someone else planned for them. The top regret of the dying? Not living true to themselves. The Path Isn’t Fixed – Just because your family or peers followed one path (military, healthcare, corporate), doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Make the Shift – Whether it’s launching your own practice or changing your environment, discomfort is the price of freedom and alignment. Mentors Matter – Exposure to people living a different way can help you recognize that your dream life is possible—and worth pursuing. 💬 Real Talk from Doc Danny "You might be climbing a mountain that doesn’t even belong to you. Look around—maybe there’s another one meant for you, but you’re too busy proving something to notice." 🔥 Feeling Out of Alignment? Time to Wake Up ✅ Learn how to apply the “3-month regret exercise” ✅ Hear why Danny left a safe military career to build something better ✅ Get motivated to stop putting your dreams on hold If you’re ready to start building a life and business that actually aligns with you: → Join the Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge → Book a Free Discovery Call → Listen to the Full Episode

Funding Your PT Clinic Expansion: SBA Loans vs. Lines of Credit Thinking about expanding your clinic but unsure how to finance it? In this episode, Doc Danny breaks down the two most common and effective ways to fund growth: lines of credit and SBA expansion loans. 🔑 Key Takeaways Preserve Your Cash – Cash is your business's lifeline. Instead of bootstrapping expansion, borrow smart and keep cash reserves for flexibility and survival. Line of Credit: Fast & Flexible – Ideal for small, variable-cost expansions or extra cash buffers. Flexible repayment, quick access, and higher interest tied to the prime rate. SBA Expansion Loan: Bigger Growth Projects – Best for major build-outs or clinic acquisitions. Offers lump-sum funding (up to $500K), set monthly payments, and 10-year terms. Strategic Use Is Key – Don’t borrow unless you’re clear on ROI, hiring plans, and expansion metrics. Structure beats guessing—every time. You Can Use Both – Many smart owners keep a line of credit for cash flow and use an SBA loan for major projects. The key is knowing what to use and when. 💬 Real Talk from Doc Danny “Cash is like extra lives in Mario. If you burn through all of it trying to grow, and something unexpected hits—you’re out of the game.” 🔥 Ready to Scale the Smart Way? ✅ Learn when to use a Line of Credit vs. an SBA Expansion Loan ✅ Avoid costly mistakes during your first major growth phase ✅ Discover how to use borrowed money to build lasting assets Need help figuring out your financing strategy? → Join the Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge → Book a Free Discovery Call → Listen to the Full Episode Expansion doesn’t have to be risky—if you understand the tools at your disposal. Listen in and get equipped to grow with confidence.

Why So Many Clinicians Are Going Cash-Based Feeling stuck in the clinic grind? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt solo episode, Doc Danny explores the biggest shift in physical therapy today: why more clinicians than ever are going cash-based—and what’s driving them to make the leap. 🔑 Key Takeaways: The PT Dream Job Isn’t What Was Promised – Many clinicians feel burned out within 2–3 years due to high patient volumes, poor work-life balance, and crushing admin demands. Cash-Based = Freedom + Fulfillment – Cash practice offers better control of your time, fewer patients per day, and the potential to earn more—without sacrificing clinical care. More Students Are Interested – Universities are seeing a major spike in students asking about the cash model. It’s no longer fringe—it’s the future. You’ll Work More...But On Your Terms – Running a practice isn’t easier, but it lets you decide when to work, who to treat, and how you grow. Trade-Offs Exist – You may not serve every population right away, but long-term success gives you the power to do pro bono work and support underserved communities in ways insurance doesn’t allow. 🧠 Doc Danny’s Real Talk: “You have to get very clear on what you want your life to look like—and then pick the vehicle that gets you as close to that as possible.” 🔥 Thinking About the Cash Model? ✅ Want total control of your schedule? ✅ Want to rediscover your passion for patient care? ✅ Tired of feeling stuck or burned out? You’re not crazy. You’re seeing the path clearly. And the cash-based route might be the best decision you’ll ever make. 💬 Ready to Explore What This Could Look Like for You? → Join our Free 5-Day Challenge → Book a Free Discovery Call → Listen to the P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast Thanks for tuning in. Until next time—stay curious, stay bold, and stay in control of your future.

5 Ways to Thrive During Economic Uncertainty You don’t need to panic when the economy shifts. In this episode, Doc Danny breaks down how cash-based clinic owners can survive—and thrive—during uncertain times. He’s been through this before, and what he shares is based on real data from hundreds of practices he works with every month. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Offer Flexible Sales Options – Create internal payment plans so patients can commit without heavy upfront costs. This increases conversions and gives patients a clear path to care. Tighten Up Your Sales Process – Less margin for error means every conversation matters. Role play, track conversions, and refine continuously. Double Down on Retention – Keep your current patients engaged. Follow up, overdeliver, and remind them of their wins to stay indispensable. Stay Visible and Connected – Don’t hide. Post content, write emails, host workshops, and stay connected to your referral network. Visibility = trust. Master Your Finances – Know your numbers, cut waste (not ROI-producing tools), and build a 3-month reserve. Evaluate subscriptions, spending, and even staff if necessary. 🧠 Pro Tip from Doc Danny: “Recessions create opportunities. The businesses that stay focused, get lean, and double down on value come out stronger every time.” 🔥 Want to Fortify Your Business? ✅ Use Clare AI to save 2–5 hours/week on admin ✅ Join our Free 5-Day Challenge and recession-proof your business ✅ Book a free strategy call to build your personal growth plan Uncertainty doesn’t have to mean instability. With the right strategy, this could be your best growth year yet.

You don’t need a huge ad budget to fill your schedule. In this episode, Doc Danny shares 7 totally free ways to start getting patients—fast. These tactics are perfect if you're in the early stages of your clinic, trying to get scrappy, or just moved to a new area. He breaks them down in under 7 minutes, with no fluff—just practical, actionable steps. 🔑 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Join Local Networking Groups – Whether it’s a BNI, chamber of commerce, or local business meetup, get out there and talk to people. Build real relationships. Practice your pitch. ✔️ Post (and Engage) on Social Media – Consistency beats perfection. Create helpful content for your avatar and engage with others. Like, comment, share, and start meaningful conversations. ✔️ Run Local Education Events – Teach what you know. Workshops on squat form, running mechanics, injury prevention—whatever your niche is. It builds trust and authority fast. ✔️ Offer Injury Screens – Quick, 15-minute mobility or movement assessments after workshops or at community events are a great way to convert interested people into paying patients. ✔️ Be Part of the Community (Not Just a Salesperson) – Want to work with runners? Go run. Join clubs, attend events. Be a human first. Relationships > pitches. ✔️ Become a Go-To in Facebook Groups – Answer questions, share value, and be generous. Don’t pitch. Let the DMs come to you by being genuinely helpful. ✔️ Ask for Referrals the Right Way – When your patients win, celebrate them—and ask if they know someone else you could help. Be direct, honest, and specific. 🧠 Pro Tip from Doc Danny: “If you do the right work consistently, patients will come. The only way this doesn’t work is if you quit too early.” 🔥 Still Wearing Every Hat in Your Business? ✅ Use Clare AI to save 2–5 hours/week on notes and admin ✅ Join our free 5-Day Challenge to work smarter, not harder ✅ Book a free strategy call to build your personalized growth plan

When someone searches “physical therapy near me” or “PT for runners,” does your clinic show up on Google’s first page? If not, you’re missing 80% of potential patients. In this episode, Doc Danny breaks down 5 local SEO tactics that actually work—and best of all, they’re totally free. He also shares how to get your time back using AI so you can actually implement these growth strategies instead of being buried in admin tasks. 🔑 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Google Business Page Is a Must – Claim it, optimize it with keywords (like “sports PT” or “ACL rehab”), post weekly, and add photos of your clinic and staff. ✔️ Get Reviews—Lots of Them – Social proof drives trust and rankings. Make it easy for patients to leave reviews when they’re most excited about their progress. ✔️ Fix Your NAP – Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number are consistent across Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc. Inconsistencies hurt rankings. ✔️ Create Location Pages – Build pages like “ACL Physical Therapy Atlanta” with keyword-rich copy, local terms, social proof, and your clinic address. ✔️ Write Local Blog Content – Great blogs like “Top 5 Running Trails in Atlanta (From a PT)” build authority, visibility, and trust over time. 🧠 Pro Tip: “Time is your most valuable resource—stop wasting it on $5/hour tasks. Focus on high-leverage SEO work that brings in new patients.” 🔥 Want to Grow Your SEO Without Burning Out? ✅ Use Clare AI to get 2–5 hours/week back on documentation ✅ Join our free 5-Day Challenge to work smarter ✅ Book a free strategy call and get personal help with your SEO + growth plan

In this episode, Doc Danny—founder of Physical Therapy Biz—shares the two non-negotiable traits you need to succeed in business and in life. They’re not fancy strategies or marketing hacks. They’re human qualities that, when developed together, create a powerful foundation for long-term success. This isn’t fluff. It’s about building a practice—and a life—you can be proud of. 🔑 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Kindness Isn’t Optional – You’re probably already a kind person. That’s why you got into PT. But kindness in business makes you magnetic. Keep it. ✔️ Resilience Is the Edge – Half of businesses fail in 5 years. Kindness alone won’t save you. You need grit, courage, and the ability to get up after getting knocked down. ✔️ You Can Be Both – You don’t have to choose between being tough and being good. You can be kind and resilient. That’s what great leaders are. ✔️ Failure Is Part of the Game – Rejection, risk, tough conversations—entrepreneurship is full of fear. Success comes from doing it anyway. ✔️ This Is Personal Growth – Business is the best personal development tool on the planet. If you want to grow, it will force you to. 🧠 Pro Tip: “Be kind. Be resilient. That’s the combo that wins—at business, and at life.” 🔥 Want to Develop the Skills That Actually Matter? ✅ Join our free 5-Day Challenge → physicaltherapybiz.com ✅ Book a free advisor call—get clarity on your next move ✅ Want a tool to help you grow faster? Try Clare AI → MeetClaire.ai

🎙️ In This Episode: Doc Danny—founder of Physical Therapy Biz—explains why undercharging is quietly wrecking your cash-based clinic. Whether you’re at $100 or $300 per session, this episode dives into how pricing isn’t just about fairness—it’s about survival, growth, and scale. Most clinicians undervalue themselves. That mindset trickles into every part of the business—your perceived value, your margins, your ability to hire, and your exit plan. This episode gives you the blueprint to fix it. 🔑 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Price = Perceived Value – Your patients judge you the same way you judge a $100 lawyer vs. a $500 one. Higher price signals higher skill. Period. ✔️ Undercharging Kills Profit – You can’t build margin at $100/session. Even if you’re excellent, you’ll be viewed as average—and struggle to grow. ✔️ Revenue Per Hour is the Lever – You need to hit $200/hour to scale sustainably. That unlocks better salaries, facilities, benefits, and marketing. ✔️ Small Team > Big Payroll – Three high-performing PTs paid well will outperform six underpriced ones—less chaos, better culture, more profit. ✔️ No Margin = No Scale – Want to sell your clinic or step back? You need mid-level leaders. That means profit. And that means pricing up. ✔️ You Control This – Unlike insurance-based clinics, you decide what you charge. Most people undervalue themselves. Don’t be one of them. 🧠 Pro Tip: "If you’re world-class, charge like it. You’re not just helping people feel better—you’re giving them their life back." 🔥 Want to Price with Confidence and Scale the Right Way? ✅ Join our free 5-Day Challenge → physicaltherapybiz.com ✅ Book a free advisor call—get personalized pricing help ✅ Grab our book for proven tactics from 1,000+ clinics ✅ Looking to sell your value better? Try Clare AI → MeetClaire.ai