The P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast

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.

The Speed Trap: Why Going Too Slow Is Costing Your Business In this episode, Danny explains why momentum is everything in business—and how clinicians often sabotage their growth by going too slow. Using the analogy of riding a bike or snowboard, he breaks down how fear, hesitation, and "waiting for the right time" lead to instability and burnout, not safety. 🎯 Topics Covered Why clinicians tend to move too slowly—and how it backfires The difference between healthy speed and reckless acceleration How going too slow creates pain, burnout, and lost momentum The mindset behind self-sabotage and hesitation How to identify when you're playing small out of fear Why momentum matters more than perfection 💡 Key Quotes "Going too slow might feel safe, but it's actually where most people fall." "Momentum creates stability. Without it, your business wobbles and crashes." "You're not stuck—you're scared. And that's costing you growth." "Playing it safe often leads to the exact pain you were trying to avoid." 🧠 Pro Tips Push yourself to make timely decisions, even when it's uncomfortable Recognize when fear—not logic—is driving your delay Audit your pace: Are you stuck in "prep mode" for too long? Realize that momentum attracts opportunity—don't let it die Leaning in creates confidence. Hesitating kills it 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Strategy and coaching to build your dream clinic Join the 5-Day Challenge – Free training to break out of neutral and start scaling Get the PT Biz Book – Learn from 240+ clinicians who stopped playing small PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly insights on growth, mindset, and leadership 🧭 Final Thought The biggest risk isn't going too fast—it's moving too slow. Momentum brings clarity, opportunity, and control. If your growth feels wobbly, it might be time to pick up the pace.

The Debt Mindset Shift You Need to Scale Your Clinic In this episode, Danny breaks down one of the most overlooked barriers to growth: fear of debt. He shares hard-earned lessons from building his own clinic and working with 1,000+ others—and explains why your mindset around borrowing can make or break your business as you grow past the lifestyle phase. 🎯 Topics Covered Why PTs are so debt-averse (and why it makes sense) How bootstrapping can hurt your growth The real risks of borrowing vs. self-funding Why strategic debt isn't bad—it's a business investment The scary truth about growing from 1 to 3+ employees How to push through the "profit dip" and build a real business The mindset shift from clinician to CEO/investor 💡 Key Quotes "You're a business owner now. Think like an investor—not just a clinician who happens to own a business." "Bootstrapping your growth sounds noble, but it's usually just slower and more stressful." "Borrow in a position of strength, not when you're desperate. That's when banks will actually lend to you." "Push through the tough stage as fast as you can. Profit comes back. Freedom follows." 🧠 Pro Tips Start lean—but don't try to scale lean. Growth needs capital. Use debt strategically to accelerate team building and capacity. Expect your profits to dip before they rise again—it's normal. Borrow when you're stable, not scrambling—it puts you in control. If you want a scalable clinic, shift your identity to business owner/investor. 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Get expert coaching to start and scale your clinic Join the 5-Day Challenge – Build your practice with clarity and momentum Get the PT Biz Book – Learn how 240+ clinicians grew their dream practice (many with smart debt) PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly insights on business growth and strategy 🧭 Final Thought If you want to build a practice that gives you freedom—financial, time, and impact—you can't stay stuck in a debt-avoidant mindset. Learn to think like an investor. Borrow wisely. Grow faster. And build the business you were meant to run.

How to Use Imposter Syndrome as Fuel (Not a Roadblock) In this episode, Danny shares how to turn imposter syndrome from a source of fear into a tool for personal growth. Whether you're starting a business, hiring a team, or simply trying to charge what you're worth, Danny breaks down how to reframe your doubt and use it to level up—again and again. 🎯 Topics Covered Why almost every high performer feels like an imposter The story of TJ McConnell and the power of outworking everyone How to flip self-doubt into motivation for growth The difference between confidence, humility, and arrogance Why imposter syndrome shows up at every stage of success How to become the person worthy of your next goal 💡 Key Quotes "At every stage you level up, you'll feel like an imposter again. That's the game." "It's not 'Who am I to do this?' It's 'Who do I need to become?'" "Imposter syndrome is a sign you care—and that you're ready to grow." "You can be confident and humble. That's not arrogance. That's power." 🧠 Pro Tips Use your doubt to drive consistent learning and growth Seek out mentorship, education, and new challenges Reframe imposter syndrome as a signal—not a stop sign Commit to becoming the person your goals require Understand that each stage of business brings new challenges 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Build and scale your cash-based clinic Join the 5-Day Challenge – Gain momentum with a clear, proven plan Get the PT Biz Book – Discover how cash-based PTs overcame fear, imposter syndrome, and built thriving practices PT Biz YouTube Channel – Subscribe for weekly coaching and insight 🧭 Final Thought Imposter syndrome doesn't mean you're unqualified—it means you care. Use it as fuel to become the kind of leader, business owner, or clinician that no longer questions whether they belong. That's how you win—one stage at a time.

Why Your Customer Experience Is Killing Referrals (and How to Fix It) In this episode, Doc Danny shares the three-step customer experience framework that drives more referrals, boosts retention, and builds a reputation that speaks for itself. Inspired by a recent emergency surgery experience with his son, Danny lays out exactly how clinics can elevate their communication and consistency—without spending a dime on marketing. 🎯 Topics Covered The two biggest reasons patients refer (it's not just outcomes) What hospitals get wrong about communication—and how not to repeat it Why breakdowns happen when you scale past yourself The three phases of a 5-star customer experience How to systematize follow-up for better retention and referrals Why internal communication channels make or break your team The power of weekly meetings to unify your staff and improve outcomes 💡 Key Quotes "Your reputation is earned in drops and lost in buckets." "Don't be the clinic people have to make excuses for." "If you want word-of-mouth referrals, deliver the experience people will rave about." "The best time to generate a referral isn't after discharge—it's in the first few visits." 🧠 Pro Tips Break the customer journey into three parts: set expectations, meet them, and follow up Have a centralized communication channel like Slack to reduce miscommunication Build weekly team meetings to review patient progress and follow-up needs Create a system for post-visit touchpoints to check in and reinforce trust Remember: Patients refer based on how they feel, not just how they heal 🔗 Resources & Links PT Biz Website – Business coaching for cash-based clinicians Join the 5-Day Challenge – Learn how to grow your clinic without burnout Get the PT Biz Book – Real-world stories from 240+ cash-based PTs PT Biz YouTube Channel – Subscribe for weekly tactical content 🧭 Final Thought Most clinics think great outcomes are enough. They're not. Patients remember how they were treated more than the treatment itself. Communication is free, but the ROI is massive. Start with clear expectations, deliver consistently, and follow up like it matters—because it does. Your clinic's reputation (and referrals) depend on it.

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.