The P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast

PT vs. Medical School: Lifestyle, Income, and the Business Path Few Consider In this solo episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down a classic fork-in-the-road question for students and career-changers: Should you pursue physical therapy school or medical school? Drawing on a candid lunch with a former intern (and on his own early dilemma), Danny compares lifestyle, income, loans, training length, and how entrepreneurship can change the math for PTs—without sacrificing family and health. Episode Summary The question: A former intern (eligible for either path) asks: PT school or medical school (orthopedic surgery interest)? Danny’s lens: He weighed the same choice years ago and chose PT—primarily for lifestyle and family. Five buckets to compare: Lifestyle, income, loans, school/residency duration, and long-term autonomy via business ownership. AI & resilience: Hands-on healthcare—surgery and PT—remains durable amid rapid tech/AI change. The PT upside: The owner path can approach surgeon-level earnings while preserving a more family-friendly schedule. The mission: PT Biz aims to add $1B in cash-based services to the profession through better models and mentorship. Key Takeaways Lifestyle matters: PT offers predictable days, weekends, and no night shifts or “PT emergencies.” Income reality: Surgeon averages are high (≈$500k mid-career), but PT owners can earn far more than staff PTs and build an asset. Debt & duration: Medical path = longer (residency + possible fellowship). PT path = shorter runway to practice and ownership. Entrepreneurship is the unlock: A cash/hybrid clinic changes the economics, decoupling income from hours. Sleep & health count: Shift work and call are tough on health and family—know what you’re trading. Pick your “why”: If surgery is your calling, pursue it. If you want impact + autonomy, PT + business can be ideal. Pro Tips You Can Use Today Audit your top priorities: rank lifestyle, income potential, training time, and family. Shadow both paths for full days (clinic, OR, post-op, call schedule) before deciding. Map a PT owner timeline: 4 yrs undergrad → 3 yrs DPT → ~3 yrs clinical depth → start clinic → 3 yrs scale. Learn business early: pricing, sales, local marketing, and continuity/recurring revenue. Protect sleep as a non-negotiable while you build—long game beats short sprints. Notable Quotes “You can make surgeon-level money as a PT—but that usually happens as a business owner.” “Real wealth isn’t just monetary. It’s time, health, and relationships.” “If surgery is your calling, do it. If you want impact and autonomy, PT plus business is a fantastic path.” Action Items Schedule two full-day shadows: one with an ortho surgeon, one with a cash-based PT owner. Write a one-page decision memo: goals, trade-offs, non-negotiables. List three business skills to learn this quarter (e.g., local workshops, sales frameworks, continuity offers). Talk with your family about lifestyle costs—nights, weekends, call. Resources & Links PT Biz Website Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge

850 Episodes In: 8 Lessons That Actually Move Your Business In this milestone episode, Doc Danny Matta reflects on 8+ years and 850 podcasts—what stuck, what changed, and what really matters if you want a durable, thriving cash-based PT business. From showing up consistently to building systems and recurring revenue, Danny lays out the playbook he wishes he had at the start. Episode Summary Consistency pays: Two episodes a week for 8+ years—compound impact over time. Origin story: From the Doc & Jock days to PT Entrepreneur, content created demand and clarity. The big mission: Add $1B in cash-based PT services; current community revenue already in the hundreds of millions. Clinic as a lab: Athletes’ Potential evolved into a testing ground for systems shared with clients. Real talk on founder life: Leadership is lonely; sleep is non-negotiable; trolls don’t pay the bills. What’s next: More clinic tours, more stories, and a push toward a “no-brainer” clinic model for owners and staff. 8 Key Lessons Start before you’re ready: Perfect timing is a myth—get moving and adjust. Content creates connection: Share values and useful guidance; consistency builds trust. Systems > motivation: Processes keep output steady when motivation dips. Leadership is lonely: Find a peer group; don’t dump everything on your spouse. Recurring revenue changes everything: Stabilizes cash flow and deepens client outcomes. Protect sleep: Chronic deprivation wrecks health, judgment, and relationships. Trolls don’t pay the bills: Ship the work; let your reputation and community speak. Delay gratification: Don’t move the goalposts—bank the delta to build real freedom. Pro Tips You Can Use Today Document & delegate: Write the steps for your recurring tasks; hand off one this week. Publish on a schedule: Pick a cadence (e.g., weekly) and protect it like a patient slot. Add continuity: Offer a simple monthly performance/maintenance option for appropriate patients. Sleep floor: Set a personal minimum (e.g., 7 hours) and design evenings to hit it. Owner circle: Book a monthly coffee with 2–3 local entrepreneurs; talk shop and stress. Hold lifestyle creep: Keep expenses at the old income level for 12 months; invest the spread. Notable Quotes “The power of showing up is huge. Be a consistent person—it’s rare.” “Systems beat motivation ten out of ten—motivation will wane.” “Recurring revenue stabilizes your business and changes patient lives.” “Trolls don’t pay the bills—ship the work and help your people.” “Don’t move the goalposts. Delay gratification to build real freedom.” Action Items Create a simple content system: topic list → record → edit → post → email/social. Launch one continuity offer (monthly check-in or performance session) for eligible patients. Block a consistent sleep window on your calendar for the next 30 days. Schedule a standing monthly founder meetup (90 minutes) with peers. Track one metric for 8 weeks (e.g., continuity MRR or weekly content cadence) and review. Resources & Links PT Biz Website Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge PT Biz YouTube (clinic tours & episodes)

Prognosis Over Price: A Simple Hack to Boost Sales Conversions In this episode, Doc Danny Matta unpacks one of the most common struggles in cash-based PT: helping staff (and owners) get comfortable with sales. Drawing from years of coaching, Danny shares a simple “prognosis-first” approach that removes the stress around money and makes closing plans of care natural and effective. Episode Summary The sales hurdle: Many clinicians (especially new grads) struggle with money conversations. Danny’s early mistakes: Starting at $175/session, no packages, offering weak 3-visit plans. The prognosis hack: Forget cost—present what’s clinically needed based on diagnosis and desired outcome. Why it works: Patients trust clarity, honesty, and confidence more than discounts or options. Staff training tip: Anchor staff to prognosis, then be quiet—let the patient decide. Key Takeaways Prognosis > Price: Tie your recommendations to outcomes, not dollar signs. Confidence closes: Patients sense discomfort; clear communication builds trust. Education wins: Patients invest when they understand timeframes, healing, and next steps. Less talking, more listening: Present the plan, then pause—don’t talk them out of it. Pro Tips You Can Use Today Have staff present plans in terms of visits + timeline, not dollars. Use a simple handout with care plan options—let patients point to their choice. Practice being silent after presenting prognosis; resist filling the gap. Role-play money conversations until staff are comfortable staying clinical. Notable Quotes “Forget about the plan of care cost. Focus completely on the prognosis.” “It’s not hard to sell when you’re clear, confident, and opposite of the traditional medical experience.” “Patients invest when they understand exactly what it takes to solve their problem long-term.” Action Items Re-train staff to frame care plans around prognosis, not price. Create one-page prognosis templates for common injuries. Practice silence—say what’s needed, then stop talking. Track conversion rates before and after implementing this hack. Resources & Links PT Biz Website Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge

🚀 Two Variables That Separate 7-Figure PT Clinics From the Rest In this solo episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down data from PT Biz’s industry report across 200+ clients. He reveals the two key factors that distinguish the biggest, most successful clinics from those still struggling to grow—and how you can apply them immediately to build a more profitable, scalable practice. 🎯 Episode Summary The name tag system: Clinics are grouped by revenue, from white ($

The 20% Rule: Health, Reputation & Real Growth for Your PT Clinic In this solo episode, Doc Danny Matta shares a simple story with a big lesson: a 67-year-old foundation repair rep drops into a perfect squat and pops back up—proof that health is a choice and momentum. Danny connects this to how PTs can reach the 70% of people who aren’t actively searching for help yet, using reputation, relationships, and clear asks—not just ads. 🎯 Episode Summary The 20% vs. 80% reality: A small slice stays active and sharp; most slide without structure and accountability. Choice beats chance: Health is built—daily—through movement, learning, and engagement. The market you’re missing: The majority who don’t know you exist (yet) won’t find you via Google. Reputation compounding: Treat people like family and ask for warm introductions—consistently. From pain relief to life change: Get them moving, educate them, then expand goals (10K, hiking, travel). 💡 Key Takeaways Most growth is offline: Referrals & community presence beat cold clicks for trust and conversion. Clarity wins: Tell people who you help and how. Make it easy to refer. Sell outcomes, not visits: Mobility, confidence, and longevity are the real value drivers. Momentum matters: It’s never too late—but it’s harder later. Create quick wins early. 🧠 Pro Tips You Can Use Today Referral script (use verbatim): “Who in your world is saying ‘no’ to things they want to do because of pain or mobility? I’m happy to chat with them.” Community flywheel: Host monthly screens/workshops; follow up with a clear next step and a simple offer. Reputation hygiene: Same-day follow-up, handwritten notes after big milestones, and a quarterly check-in list. Outcome stories: Share real client arcs (knee rehab → 10K) to widen who sees themselves as a fit. 🔊 Notable Quotes “Health is a choice. Once you slide into inactivity, digging out is hard—but not impossible.” “Don’t fight over the sliver searching on Google. Win the majority through reputation and relationships.” “Treat every patient like family. That’s how referrals become automatic.” 📌 Action Items Ask for one warm intro from a current patient today—track it. Book your next local talk/screening—set the date before the week ends. Write a 3-sentence ‘Who we help’ blurb for your site, email signature, and front desk. 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website

Building Independence & Culture: Inside PHYT Collective with Ashley Speights In this episode, Danny sits down with Ashley Speights, PT Biz coach and founder of PHYT Collective in Washington, D.C. Ashley shares how she built her 4,000 sq ft practice during the pandemic, structured a unique contractor-based collective model, and created a culture of independence, collaboration, and empowerment. They explore the realities of running a clinic in a high-cost city, setting compensation models that work, and why listening deeply to patients creates lifelong loyalty. 🎯 Topics Covered How Ashley launched PHYT Collective during the pandemic with a creative lease negotiation The “barbershop-style” model that allows PTs to work for themselves—together Key legal and cultural considerations when structuring contractor vs. employee roles Why independence and time freedom attract top clinicians How to balance provider risk with clinic sustainability Running successful sales and price raises during economic uncertainty Empowering patients through education and proactive care The network effect: how community relationships fuel growth 💡 Key Quotes “We all work for ourselves—together. That’s the heart of PHYT Collective.” “You can’t set their hours, you can’t tell them what to wear—but you can create a culture people want to be a part of.” “If you don’t raise your rates, your business won’t survive. But you can do it in a way that supports your community.” “Time freedom and true independence are what great clinicians value most.” “Age isn’t the limitation—it’s just the knowledge on how to get there.” 🧠 Pro Tips Negotiate your lease creatively—early concessions can make or break your launch Be clear on contractor rules: no set hours, no PTO, no mandated dress codes Build culture through empowerment, not control—welcome baskets and shared values go further than rules Structure compensation simply: clear percentage splits with incentives at milestones Price with confidence—your time and doctorate-level expertise are worth it During uncertain times, strategic discounts can build trust and long-term loyalty Patients value proactive care and education just as much as pain relief 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Business coaching and training for cash-based clinicians Join the 5-Day Challenge – Learn how to go full-time with your practice Download the PT Biz Manual – Lessons from 1,000+ clinicians who built thriving cash practices PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly videos on sales, leadership, and marketing PHYT Collective Website – Learn more about Ashley’s clinic model PHYT Collective Instagram – Follow Ashley and her team 📍 About PHYT Collective Founded by Ashley Speights, PHYT Collective is a 4,000 sq ft hybrid-style practice in Washington, D.C. Built on independence, collaboration, and culture, the collective allows physical therapists to operate as contractors under one brand while retaining autonomy in how they serve patients. PHYT Collective combines community relationships, proactive patient care, and innovative business models to redefine what a modern PT clinic can be. 🧭 Final Thought Scaling a clinic doesn’t always mean building a traditional team structure. Ashley’s story shows how independence, culture, and community can create a thriving model that empowers both clinicians and patients. If you’re exploring new ways to grow your practice, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.

Why 10x-ing Your PT Business Might Be Easier Than 2x-ing It Episode Highlights: Why small, “safe” goals are limiting your growth How 10x goals force innovation and smarter systems Real-life client examples who went from 100K to 1M+ The mindset shift that separates growing clinics from stagnant ones Why even “failing” at a big goal gets you further than hitting a small one Resources Mentioned: Get the PT Biz Manual Sign up for the Part-Time to Full-Time Challenge Like what you’re hearing? Please consider sharing this episode with a fellow PT and tagging Danny on Instagram. Let us know what part stood out most!

Scaling Smart: Lessons from Building a Multi-Location Hybrid PT Clinic In this episode, Danny interviews Chris Roble, a longtime friend, PT Biz coach, and founder of Physio Room, a hybrid model clinic with 4 locations in Colorado. They dive deep into the evolution of his business, how he’s structured team incentives, front desk systems, and the mindset shifts that allowed him to scale without sacrificing culture or profitability. 🎯 Topics Covered The pros and cons of early business partnerships How Chris structured his hybrid model (cash + limited insurance) Why the front desk is your most important (and underutilized) sales asset How he builds team culture and accountability from the inside out What most PT owners get wrong about compensation and growth Opportunities for cash-based clinics in the next 5 years 💡 Key Quotes “Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Mindset drives everything.” “The front desk is the most important position in the clinic. They’re client experience and sales in one.” “You can’t think small and expect to scale. You have to set scary goals.” “If you want to pay your team more, you either raise your rates or raise your volume. Those are the levers.” 🧠 Pro Tips Invest in your front desk like they’re a high-level salesperson—they are Set up clear benchmarks and career ladders for your clinicians Use a 75/25 cash-to-insurance ratio to maintain margins while growing Let your team lead—give them lanes, then let them run in them Don’t underestimate the power of local reputation and word of mouth 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Business coaching and training for cash-based clinicians Join the 5-Day Challenge – Learn how to go full-time with your practice Download the PT Biz Manual – Lessons from 1,000+ clinicians who went from burnt out to in control PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly videos on sales, leadership, marketing, and more 📍 About Physio Room Founded by Chris Roble, Physio Room operates multiple hybrid clinics across Colorado with a focus on culture, autonomy, and scalable systems. Learn more at www.physioroomco.com 🧭 Final Thought If you're serious about scaling your clinic, you need more than visits—you need systems, mindset, and culture. Chris shows how it's done in this must-listen conversation for growth-minded PTs.

How to Get More New Patients From Local Workshops Most clinicians who run workshops don’t know how to confidently position themselves—and as a result, they walk away with little to no new patients. In this episode, we break down: The mindset shift that turns workshops into patient drivers Why most clinicians fail to confidently pre-frame and close Exactly what to say at the end of a workshop to get new patients Resources & Links: Join the 5-Day Challenge – Learn how to go full-time with a clear, actionable plan Get the PT Biz Book – Discover how cash-based PTs overcame fear, imposter syndrome, and built thriving practices Watch our YouTube Channel – Weekly strategies for mindset, marketing, and more Visit PT Biz – Coaching and support to build your dream practice Connect With Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbiz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ptbiztraining Website: https://www.physicaltherapybiz.com Enjoy the episode—and if you’re ready to stop winging it and start seeing results, check out our free challenge or book a strategy call.

3 Important Cash-Based PT Trends in 2025 What’s changing in the world of cash-based physical therapy? In this episode, Danny Mattei breaks down three emerging trends in 2025 that every clinician should know—whether you're just starting your practice or trying to scale past yourself. These shifts are reshaping the profession and will impact how you grow, hire, and stay profitable. 📈 The 3 Trends Clinicians are starting younger than ever: More DPT grads are skipping traditional jobs and going straight into private practice. Is this the new norm? The first growth cycle is getting harder: Inflation, higher overhead, and tougher competition make scaling past yourself a real challenge—and many get stuck or quit. Compensation plans must evolve: Clinicians want more guaranteed income and less variable pay. Business owners need better systems and higher margins to compete. 💡 Big Ideas Why early-stage solo clinics are exploding in number Why it's harder (but more profitable) to grow past $20K/month How private equity interest shows the maturity of the cash PT model Why performance-only pay structures are being rejected—and what to do instead The importance of becoming a business owner first, clinician second 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Coaching & strategy for starting or scaling your cash-based practice Join the 5-Day Challenge – Go from part-time to full-time with a clear plan Get the PT Biz Book – How 240+ clinicians grew thriving cash practices PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly training for entrepreneurial PTs 🧭 Final Takeaway The landscape is better than ever for starting a cash-based clinic—but scaling is harder. The reward? Massive income potential and time freedom if you can push through. Know the trends. Prepare to lead. And build a real business, not just a side hustle.