The P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast

Clinician or CEO? The Mindset Shift You Must Make to Grow In this episode, Danny shares the single most important mindset shift physical therapists must make if they want to build a scalable, impactful business. It’s a brutally honest look at what it takes to transition from clinician to entrepreneur—and why trying to be world-class at both is a losing game. 🎯 Topics Covered Why “PT first” thinking limits your business potential The mindset difference between lifestyle clinics vs. scalable ones How obsession with clinical outcomes can transfer to business growth Why you can’t be elite at both treating and building What happens when you finally stop treating patients How to redirect your skills into sales, marketing, leadership, and finance When to let go—and how to avoid becoming the weakest clinician in your own clinic 💡 Key Quotes "You're either a physical therapist who owns a business... or you're a business owner who happens to be a physical therapist. There's a massive difference." "You can’t be world-class at both. Eventually, you have to choose." "Your obsession with patient outcomes? That’s the same energy you need to bring to business." "If you want financial and time freedom, you need to treat your clinic like a real business—not a side gig." 🧠 Pro Tips Make the identity shift from clinician to CEO if you want to grow Use your learning skills to master business: sales, marketing, operations Let go of treating if it’s limiting your growth—it doesn’t mean you’ve failed Build a team of badass clinicians better than you Start viewing your clinic as a vehicle for impact, not just income 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Learn how to build and scale your cash-based clinic Join the 5-Day Challenge – Get your practice out of neutral and moving forward Get the PT Biz Book – Stories of 240+ clinicians who made the leap PT Biz YouTube Channel – Subscribe for more coaching and business insight 🧭 Final Thought The best clinicians don’t always build the best clinics. To grow something great, you’ll have to let go of old identities and embrace new ones. Becoming a business owner isn’t abandoning your profession—it’s expanding your potential. Make the shift, build the team, and step into the leader your clinic needs.

How to Rank #1 on Google Maps: Danny & Jeremy on Local SEO for PT Clinics In this episode, Danny sits down with marketing expert and former clinic owner Jeremy Dupont to break down what every clinic owner needs to know about ranking high in local search in 2025. They cover why Google Business Profiles matter more than ever, how AI is changing search results, and the simple steps to boost your local visibility—without wasting money on bad ad spend. 🎯 Topics Covered How AI is changing local SEO—and what it means for your clinic The death of traditional SEO and why traffic alone doesn't cut it Why your Google Business Profile is now your most important asset How to rank top 3 in Google Maps within 30 days The 3 most important factors for local SEO in 2025 Why most clinics are invisible in Google’s AI summaries How to get more patients without increasing ad spend Why consistency and “digital trust” matter more than ever 💡 Key Quotes "If your Google Business Profile is dormant, Google assumes you’re out of business." "Ranking on Google Maps is AI-proofing your business." "You can't just clone a landing page—you need real, human content to build trust." "Digital word of mouth—aka Google reviews—can make or break your clinic’s visibility." 🧠 Pro Tips Update your Google Business Profile weekly (photos, posts, hours, services) Track and improve your Google review velocity, not just volume Create location-specific and service-specific landing pages with real human content List your business on multiple directories (not just Google and Facebook) Train your admin to manage reviews, directory listings, and local SEO tasks 🔗 Resources & Links The Patch System – Get a free SEO audit for your clinic Follow Jeremy Dupont on Instagram – See local SEO case studies and tips Join the 5-Day PT Biz Challenge – Go from part-time to full-time in your practice PT Biz YouTube Channel – More tactical advice for cash-based practices 🧭 Final Thought SEO isn’t dead—it’s just changed. And if you own a physical therapy clinic, understanding local SEO is one of the highest ROI activities you can focus on in 2025. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to building real content for AI summaries, the steps are simple—but the impact is massive. Do the work now, and your clinic will be miles ahead while others are still catching up.

What’s Your Clinic Actually Worth? Danny on Cash Practice Valuation & Exit Potential In this episode, Danny shares what most clinicians never think about—how much their clinic is actually worth. From understanding owner’s discretionary income to how investors evaluate a cash-based business, Danny explains why your clinic may be more valuable than you think—and how to start tracking its worth. 🎯 Topics Covered Why Danny’s early advice was to stop investing and double down on his business How to calculate your owner’s discretionary income (ODI) The multiples clinics are selling for right now (3x–5x ODI) Why clinics are more valuable when the owner isn't doing all the work How recurring revenue and cash-pay models attract investors Why you need to start tracking your business as an asset—today The difference between building a job vs. building a sellable business Exit strategy insights from private equity conversations 💡 Key Quotes "You can't sell your job. But you can sell your business for a lot of money." "Your business is probably the biggest part of your net worth—start treating it like it." "I was told cash PT wouldn’t be sellable. That was wrong. I sold mine—and others are doing the same." "Recurring services create lifetime value—and that's what buyers want to see." 🧠 Pro Tips Track your ODI monthly—it’s the best snapshot of business health Reinvest early profits to grow your clinic as an asset, not just income Build systems that reduce reliance on you for patient care Document everything: profit, owner pay, and discretionary spending Think of your clinic like a private company you're growing to sell 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Learn how to build a valuable cash-based business Join the 5-Day Challenge – Get crystal clear on how to go from part-time to full-time Get the PT Biz Book – See how 240+ clinicians scaled profitable practices PT Biz YouTube Channel – Subscribe for more practical business tips 🧭 Final Thought If you’ve been building your practice but haven’t tracked its value, now is the time. Your clinic isn’t just a place to treat patients—it’s an asset with real financial worth. The earlier you understand how to grow that value, the better your long-term options become.

Rob Wilson on Self-Care, Emotional Intelligence, and the Real Cost of Burnout In this episode, Danny sits down with Rob Wilson—coach, author, and founder of the Check Engine Light system—to dive into the often ignored but absolutely essential side of human performance: self-care, emotional regulation, and sustainability. Rob shares lessons from years of working with elite tactical and athletic populations, and how his new book offers a framework that applies to anyone looking to build health and resilience for the long haul. 🎯 Topics Covered Why clinicians and high performers resist self-care (and what it costs them) The origin of the “Check Engine Light” framework and how it helps SEALs and civilians alike Lessons from working with Naval Special Warfare and SOCOM The power of listening, curiosity, and vulnerability in client outcomes Mind, Movement, and Matter—how to assess and improve all 3 pillars How to use HRV (heart rate variability) the right way Why emotional intelligence is a non-negotiable for healthcare pros How to stay in the game without burning out as a clinician or coach 💡 Key Quotes "Credibility is won in drops and lost in buckets." "People don’t remember bullet points. They remember stories." "You're not just a PT or coach—you’re a human performance consultant." "Fail smaller, faster. That’s the real skill." 🧠 Pro Tips Give clients ownership by reframing them as collaborative participants, not passive patients Build long-term impact by tracking small KPIs that align with their actual goals Use structured self-experiments and journaling to improve health awareness and adherence If you’re an empathic practitioner, create buffer time to recover emotionally Don’t wait for burnout to hit—proactively monitor your own dashboard, too 🔗 Resources & Links Check Engine Light Book + Course – Rob’s full curriculum on sustainable performance @thecheckenginelight on Instagram – Follow Rob for insights and updates Join the 5-Day PT Biz Challenge – Build the business that fuels your lifestyle 🧭 Final Thought Helping people get out of pain is just the beginning. If you really want to create lasting impact—professionally and personally—you’ve got to go deeper. Rob’s message is clear: self-care isn’t soft, and emotional intelligence isn’t optional. Whether you're working with SEALs or soccer moms, your ability to connect, listen, and lead is what makes you indispensable. Start there, and everything else gets easier.

Is It Worth It? Danny on Continuity, Value, and Recurring Revenue in Cash PT In this episode, Danny tackles one of the most overlooked and misunderstood elements of running a successful cash-based practice: continuity. What do you do when patients want to keep coming back—long after the “problem” is solved? Are you really worth $200/hour when you're no longer rehabbing an acute injury? Dan breaks down why ongoing care is not only valid, but vital for your patients and your business. 🎯 Topics Covered Why most PTs struggle with recurring visits (blame insurance conditioning) The two paths for ongoing care: hands-on vs. consulting What we misunderstand about the real value of our skill set How to reframe "maintenance" as health performance coaching Examples of long-term patient transformation beyond the discharge phase How your own doubts may be blocking practice growth Why patients come back (hint: it’s not always the therapy) The connection between trust, accountability, and long-term impact 💡 Key Quotes "Your body's your vehicle in life. What’s that worth to someone?" "Just because it’s easy for you, doesn’t mean it’s not valuable to someone else." "If you don’t believe what you’re doing is worth it, why would your staff—or your patients?" "Sometimes people just need someone to listen, move better, and feel seen. That’s therapy too." 🧠 Pro Tips Reposition yourself as a consultant for the human body—not just a problem-solver Use ongoing visits to educate, empower, and hold people accountable in a structured way If you’re strong with manual therapy, embrace it—people pay for how you make them feel Don’t assign value for others—let them decide what’s worth it Train your staff to think long-term, not just in discharge timelines 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Learn how to grow your cash practice with a proven system Join the 5-Day Challenge – Start building recurring revenue and scaling smarter Get the PT Biz Book – Learn how 240+ clinicians built their practices from scratch 🧭 Final Thought If you want to build a business that truly lasts, you can’t just be a fixer—you need to be a guide. Patients want more than pain relief. They want clarity, connection, and someone who can help them perform for life. Continuity isn’t optional—it’s your best path to impact and income.

Inside the APTA: How Kyle Covington Sees the Future of Physical Therapy In this episode, Doc Danny sits down with APTA President Dr. Kyle Covington for a candid conversation about the future of physical therapy. From navigating insurance and burnout to embracing AI and education reform, this episode covers the real challenges and massive opportunities facing the profession today. Whether you’re a student, seasoned clinician, or clinic owner, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about the evolution of PT. 🎯 Topics Covered How physical therapy has evolved over the last 20 years The rise of cash-based, hybrid, and non-traditional models Direct access laws, payment reform, and advocacy wins Burnout, staffing issues, and why reimbursement needs to change What the APTA is actually doing—and why most PTs don’t know Why communication, sales, and emotional intelligence matter more than ever The future of AI in PT: where it helps and where it can’t replace us How PT education is adapting to meet new demands What Kyle sees coming next for the profession 💡 Key Quotes "If we take bad contracts, the insurance company wins. It’s that simple." "Cash-based PTs are often forced to advocate and communicate better—that’s a skill every PT needs." "We're not replacing the human element. AI can be a force multiplier, not a threat." "The problems are obvious. The solutions are complex. And that’s why we have to work together." 🧠 Pro Tips If you're frustrated by reimbursement, learn to negotiate contracts or consider a hybrid model Don’t wait for the system to change—educate patients on your value right now Use tech and AI tools to reduce burnout and streamline admin work Get involved locally with your APTA state chapter to actually influence change PT school isn’t just about technique—learning communication and business skills matters just as much 🔗 Resources & Links Visit APTA – Explore advocacy updates and get plugged in locally Join the 5-Day Challenge – Get clarity and a plan to go full-time in your cash practice Meet Claire AI – Try 10 free SOAP notes and save hours on documentation 🧭 Final Thought Physical therapy is changing—fast. But that’s not a bad thing. Whether you're frustrated with insurance, curious about AI, or wondering how to make a bigger impact, the profession needs voices like yours to move forward. As Dr. Covington says, we’re in our adolescence as a field—and what we do next will shape the future for decades.

The #1 Marketing Mistake Clinicians Make (And How to Fix It) In this episode, Doc Danny dives into the most common reason physical therapists struggle with marketing: unclear messaging and a lack of defined audience. If you’ve ever felt like your content is falling flat, your ads aren’t working, or your community doesn’t “get” what you do—this is a must-listen. Danny explains how to identify your avatar, craft a message that resonates, and why this one step makes or breaks every marketing strategy—no matter the platform. 🎯 Topics Covered Why marketing fails without a clearly defined avatar The biggest mistake PTs make when creating content How to build your marketing around one ideal client Why reach and views are meaningless without clarity How to stop being a generalist and start standing out Marketing as storytelling: speaking to past versions of yourself How specificity lowers price sensitivity and builds trust 💡 Key Quotes "If you’re not clear on who you’re talking to, you’ll blend into the noise—and no tactic will save you." "You don’t need another funnel—you need to know who you’re helping and why they should choose you." "Generalists are white noise in today’s healthcare economy." "Marketing is just you talking to a past version of yourself—or the client you know best." 🧠 Pro Tips Create a detailed avatar of your ideal client—name them, define their life, habits, and values Speak directly to that person in your emails, videos, and captions Forget about views and likes—focus on resonance and relevance Use marketing to solve real problems and connect through shared experience Clarity in message precedes success in any marketing channel 🔗 Resources & Links Visit PT Biz – Learn how we help clinicians grow without insurance Join the 5-Day Challenge – Build your marketing foundation the right way Book a Free Strategy Call – Talk to a senior advisor about your practice goals Subscribe on YouTube – Get weekly real-world advice from successful PTs 🧭 Final Thought If your marketing isn’t landing, it’s not because you’re bad at content. It’s because your message isn’t clear to the right person. Define your avatar, speak directly to them, and your entire strategy

The 3-Year & 5-Year Dilemmas: Burnout, Leadership & Long-Term Success In this episode, Doc Danny and Yves Gege break down two critical turning points they see repeatedly in physical therapy careers and business ownership: the three-year clinician dilemma and the five-year business owner burnout. They also dive into systems, leadership, continuity programs, and financial clarity as key tools to break through these walls. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next move—this is the episode to hear. 🎯 Topics Covered Why so many PTs hit an identity crisis around 3 years into their career How lack of time freedom drives clinicians to explore new options The most common cause of burnout 5 years into business ownership Why continuity programs are the backbone of profitable, sustainable practices The difference between being a good clinician and a great business owner Leadership pitfalls: being too abrasive vs. trying to be everyone’s friend How poor systems and unclear financials stall growth and create chaos Why knowing your profit margin is like taking your business's blood pressure 💡 Key Quotes "Just because someone isn’t in pain doesn’t mean you can’t help them." "The #1 health metric for your business is profitability—don’t be afraid to measure it." "If you want flexibility, you’ll have to build the job you want. Otherwise, you’re stuck in someone else’s." "Starting and growing a business are completely different skill sets. Most fail by not learning the second one." 🧠 Pro Tips Track your finances monthly—know your gross revenue and profit margins Train your team on continuity, not just plan of care discharge Set clear core values and enforce them with consistency Don’t wait until you're burnt out—build systems early Balance clinical work and business work by reducing your treatment hours over time 🔗 Resources & Links Visit PT Biz – Learn how we help clinicians build successful practices Try Claire AI – Get 10 free AI-scribed notes and stop babysitting documentation Book a Free Strategy Call – Talk with a senior advisor about your practice goals Join the 5-Day Challenge – Go from part-time to full-time with a clear plan Subscribe on YouTube – Watch more deep dives and real-world advice 🧭 Final Thought Whether you’re hitting the three-year “do I want to be a PT?” wall or the five-year “did I build myself a prison?” moment in business, the answer lies in systems, leadership, continuity, and clarity. Don’t wing it. Learn the business side of things. And don’t wait until burnout hits—build proactively. You’ve got options. You’ve got support. Just don’t settle.

Breaking the $30K Plateau: Why Growth Stalls & How to Scale Smart In this solo episode, Doc Danny dives into one of the most common pain points for cash-based and hybrid clinics: getting stuck between $20K–$30K/month in revenue. If you’re hitting that ceiling and can’t figure out how to break through, this episode unpacks the real reasons why—and what to do about it. From recurring services to team sales training, this is your roadmap out of the hardest growth phase in business. 🎯 Topics Covered Why $20K–$30K/month is a common plateau for clinic owners The hidden costs of growth: overhead, staff, and shrinking margins Why hiring a new provider often slows momentum—if done wrong The critical role of recurring revenue and retention How to teach your team to sell long-term transformation (not just plans of care) Why solving the “eval hamster wheel” unlocks true scale How to build a business that runs even when you’re not treating 💡 Key Quotes "Recurring services are the difference between a stressful grind and a scalable business." "This is where most clinics stall—and where the real growth starts if you do it right." "You’re not playing the insurance game anymore. You’re selling lifetime value, transformation, and long-term health." 🧠 Pro Tips Track how many new patients each provider truly needs—then cut it in half with better retention Train your staff to sell ongoing services: wellness, performance, prevention Stop playing the discharge game—play the long game instead Expect lower profit margins during growth—and don’t panic Build systems that eventually make you non-essential to daily fulfillment 🔗 Resources & Links Visit PT Biz – Learn how we help clinics grow and scale Book a Free Strategy Call – Work through this phase with expert guidance Subscribe on YouTube – More insights on growing a cash-based business 🧭 Final Thought If you’re stuck in the $25K–$30K/month grind, it’s not because you're not good at what you do. It’s because you're playing the wrong game. Shift to long-term value, train your team to sell transformation, and you’ll scale faster—and with less stress. This phase is hard, but it's also where real businesses are built.

AI, Accountability & The Future of Physical Therapy In this episode, Doc Danny and Yves Gege break down how AI is already reshaping healthcare—and how performance-based PTs can stay ahead. From ambient scribe tools to the cultural shift toward longevity, the guys explore why burnout, low compliance, and insurance gridlock are pushing more clinicians to rethink everything. If you're serious about building a future-proof practice, this is essential listening. 🎯 Topics Covered Why AI will disrupt admin-heavy healthcare roles (but not manual therapy) How tools like Claire are helping PTs win back time and improve patient care The real difference between high-accountability practices and commoditized care Why movement-based, lifestyle-focused clinicians are in high demand How cultural trends—like wearables, ruck clubs, and no-alcohol meetups—are shaping the next generation of patients Challenges and opportunities in practice acts and direct access laws The importance of building community and brand identity in your local market 💡 Key Quotes "One hour a day saved is 20 hours a month. That’s almost an entire day of your life you get back—just by changing how you document." "We’re not just PTs anymore—we’re human body consultants who can coach, program, and guide long-term transformation." 🧠 Pro Tips Start using AI tools for documentation now—before you’re forced to Double down on human connection; that’s what AI can’t replace Educate your patients—don’t assume they know PT isn’t just hot packs and massages Create a community—start a ruck club, host workshops, be part of local health trends If you’re burned out, don’t wait—there’s more opportunity than ever to build your own practice 🔗 Resources & Links Visit PT Biz – Learn how we help clinics grow beyond insurance Book a Free Strategy Call – Get help building your cash or hybrid model Subscribe on YouTube – For more real-talk business advice Check Out Claire AI – Save time, reduce burnout, and connect with your patients 🧭 Final Thought AI isn’t coming—it’s here. But for performance-based PTs who prioritiz