The P.T. Entrepreneur Podcast

Look, maybe you can't see people in person right now. That's tough. But here's the deal: this situation presents a massive opportunity. People are stuck at home, maybe feeling lost, maybe drowning themselves in Netflix and Ben & Jerry's. This episode is about how YOU can step in. We're diving into how to reframe this time as a golden opportunity for people to finally work on their health: movement, sleep, nutrition, stress management. I'm talking about building a remote coaching model that goes beyond basic telehealth. It's about providing real value, real accountability, and building a resilient, diversified revenue stream for your practice, even if you're starting from scratch or pivoting your existing cash practice. We'll cover the mindset shifts, the skills you need (especially getting over that fear of sales!), and how this can actually make your business stronger in the long run. Don't waste this time, let's talk about how to use it effectively. 🔑 Key Takeaways: This downtime is a massive opportunity to pivot to remote coaching and help people improve their health when they have more time. Reframe the narrative: Help clients see this as a chance to optimize health (Movement, Sleep, Nutrition, Stress Management), not just wait it out. You don't need to be a PhD expert; you just need to be one step ahead and provide guidance and habitual change support. Accountability is arguably the MOST valuable service you provide in a remote coaching model: people want someone to keep them on track. Overcoming the fear of sales and rejection is CRITICAL. You have to get comfortable talking to people on the phone about the value you provide. Building a digital/remote revenue stream now creates diversification and resilience for your business long term. 🧠 Pro Tip: Stop being more afraid of rejection than being broke. Get comfortable getting on the phone and selling the significant value you offer in transforming someone's health. Treat sales like any other skill. This is the perfect time to practice and get good at it. 🔥 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

Man, I finally got the chance to sit down and talk shop with someone I have a ton of respect for, Toko Nguyen from the Institute of Athletic Regeneration (IAR) down in Houston. You might know IAR from their con ed, residencies, or fellowships. I know when we get an IAR fellow in our Mastermind wanting to start a practice, it's like shooting fish in a barrel because their clinical skills are just top notch. In this episode, Toko shares his incredible journey, from his family escaping Vietnam as refugees to building multiple successful ventures: his education company IAR, his unique 30 minute cash practice model run out of a performance facility, and even working with the Houston Texans. We dive deep into his insane work ethic, how he manages his time across multiple demanding roles (hint: faculty development and an amazing wife!), the importance of building collaborative relationships (like with trainers in his facility), and overcoming the initial discomfort of charging what you're worth. We also get into what makes an effective educator and clinician. Spoiler: it's not just about the hard skills. Toko emphasizes confidence, self awareness, and prioritizing patient education and communication above all else. We talk about mentorship, whether clinicians rush expertise, and how developing trust is fundamentally similar to sales. This is a packed conversation with a guy who truly walks the walk. Listen in! 🔑 Key Takeaways: Building strong faculty and resources is key to scaling educational programs and managing time effectively across multiple ventures. A unique cash practice model (like Toko's 30 min, manual focused sessions collaborating with trainers) can be highly efficient and successful. Overcoming imposter syndrome and discomfort with pricing is a common hurdle; value often grows with experience and demand, but you have to start somewhere. Effective education and clinical practice hinge heavily on confidence, self awareness, and exceptional patient communication and education skills, not just technical knowledge or research. Mentorship significantly accelerates the development of clinical expertise and crucial "soft skills" like communication and building trust. Building trust and educating patients on the value you provide is essentially "selling" them on a plan for a future outcome: a vital skill. Finding the right faculty/mentor fit is crucial when choosing post professional training. The experience and clinical pearls they offer make the difference. 🧠 Pro Tip: Focus relentlessly on patient education and communication. As Toko says, knowing the psychological component and being able to verbalize things in a way the patient understands and builds trust is paramount. If you suck at that, you'll struggle as a clinician, no matter how good your hands on skills are. Patient values and connection come first. 🔥 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

Got extra time on your hands with the current situation? Don't waste it. This episode dives into why focusing on lead generation right now is crucial. Learn actionable strategies to build your pipeline and come back stronger than ever when things pick back up. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Use downtime to focus intensely on lead generation for future growth. Provide value upfront through free calls, content (ebooks, videos), or partnerships. Build your email list and nurture potential clients even if they can't come in yet. Develop internal systems and digital processes you didn't have time for before. 🧠 Pro Tip: Stop chasing the quick buck during a downturn. Focus on building goodwill and a strong lead pipeline; it will pay off massively when things rebound. 🔥 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

Look, we're in the middle of some serious disruption with this global pandemic. Fear and uncertainty are high, I get it. But this isn't the time to freeze up or hide. In this episode, I'm giving you some straight talk, drawing on lessons from the military and running businesses through tough times. We cover how to maintain structure, lead or follow effectively, focus your energy where it counts, and most importantly, how to view this challenge as a massive opportunity to get stronger, personally and professionally. Stop focusing on the monsters under the bed and start focusing on what you CAN control. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Establish and stick to a solid routine, even when your world feels upside down. Structure helps manage chaos. Know your role: If you own the business, lead decisively. If you're employed, follow effectively and make yourself indispensable. Focus energy only on what you can control: your actions, your systems, your health, your mindset. Ignore the uncontrollable what ifs. Don't isolate yourself. Stay connected with your network for support and shared experience. View this adversity as a prime opportunity for growth. Challenges forge resilience. 🧠 Pro Tip: This situation is a wake up call. Use the discomfort. Face the fear, control what you can, and leverage this challenge to build mental toughness and improve your business. Don't waste this chance to grow. 🔥 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

Got a great question from the PT Entrepreneurs Facebook group about how to actually pay yourself when you're the boss, especially in a cash practice. It's a common question, and getting it wrong can cost you big time. We dive into the differences between structures like LLCs and S Corps, talk about the concept of a "reasonable salary" versus distributions, and why payroll taxes matter. I explain why just picking a low salary to save on taxes can backfire hard during an audit. Bottom line: understanding how to pay yourself legally and efficiently is crucial, but it's not something to guess on. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Your business structure (LLC vs. S Corp) impacts how you can pay yourself. S Corps allow for salary plus distributions, potentially saving on payroll taxes, but require a legally justifiable "reasonable salary". Setting your salary too low without justification is a major red flag for the IRS and can lead to audits and back taxes. How much you *should* pay yourself depends on your specific role, business performance, and state regulations. 🧠 Pro Tip: Don't rely on Facebook groups for tax advice. Invest in a qualified CPA who specializes in small businesses. They can help you determine a reasonable salary and structure things correctly to avoid costly mistakes down the road. 🔥 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

Today we're diving deep into SALES. Yeah, I know, maybe sounds weird to love sales, but mastering this is the linchpin for actually helping people and building a successful practice. It's not about tricking anyone; it's about clear communication and understanding the psychology behind decisions. We break down why selling is crucial for patient commitment and outcomes and when people pay, they pay attention! Learn how to frame your service using the 'river crossing' analogy: clarify where your patient is, where they want to go, and position yourself as the trusted guide (the ferry) to get them there. It's about their goals, their self-realization, not just your techniques. Selling a future-based outcome is tough, but it's the most impactful thing we do. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Selling isn't sleazy; it's communicating value effectively so patients commit. Clarify the patient's current state (Side A of the river) and desired future (Side B). Position yourself as the solution (the ferry) to bridge that gap. Focus conversations on their goals and self-realization, not just modalities. Gently challenge patients on their alternative if they don't commit to your plan. 🧠 Pro Tip: When people pay, they pay attention. Charging appropriately leads to better results because both you and the patient are more invested. 🔥 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

Today, let's talk sales, specifically how powerful storytelling can be. It's not just for kids selling paper telescopes (like my son Jack learned!), it's a vital skill for us as clinicians. People connect with stories way more than features. When you frame your service within a relevant patient story, you help potential patients visualize themselves achieving the same success. You become the guide on their journey, not the hero. This builds trust and belief, especially early on, helping them commit to the process and ultimately get the life changing results they need. Learn to sell ethically using stories, and you'll help way more people. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Selling is a crucial skill that helps in all areas of life, including communicating value in your practice. Stories increase perceived value far more than listing features (like the telescope example). Use relevant patient stories during initial conversations to build trust and help people visualize success. Position yourself as the guide, helping the patient (the hero) overcome their obstacles. Combine stories with powerful words like "imagine" to help patients break false beliefs about their recovery. 🧠 Pro Tip: Frame yourself as the guide, not the hero. Use relevant patient stories to let potential clients see themselves achieving their goals with your help. 🔥 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

Today I'm stoked to have my buddy Jeff Bitter from CustomFit Concierge Medicine and Health on the show. Jeff's got an incredible story, digging out of a massive $175k student debt hole in about four years using Dave Ramsey principles, then immediately launching his cash practice. We dive into how tackling that debt head on gave him the foundation and confidence to bet on himself. He shares the journey from side hustle to full time, the challenges of pricing (going from $100 to nearly $200 per visit!), hiring his first admin, and the mental hurdles of scaling and taking calculated risks. Jeff's journey is a powerful example of how financial discipline creates massive opportunity. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Aggressively paying off debt (even large amounts like $175k) is achievable and builds critical financial discipline for business. Starting as a side hustle can be a smart way to transition into full time practice ownership without "burning the ships" immediately. Undercharging early on is common but hinders growth; getting confident with your pricing is crucial for scaling and hiring. Hiring an admin early can free up significant clinician time for higher value tasks and growth. Surrounding yourself with peers in a mastermind accelerates learning, challenges limiting beliefs, and provides accountability. Overcoming the fear of hiring and trusting others is a necessary step to scale beyond yourself. 🧠 Pro Tip: Getting your personal finances dialed in first doesn't just reduce stress, it builds the financial muscle and confidence needed to take calculated risks and invest effectively in your business growth. 🔥 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

Had a chat with a student recently about getting their personal finances straight, especially with student loans looming and dreams of starting a practice. It reminded me how critical it is to get control of your spending early on. It ain't always fun, but it sets the foundation. Today, I'm breaking down the three biggest areas where you can slash expenses without totally sacrificing your life: Food, Housing, and Transportation. Forget the fancy dinners and brand new cars if you're trying to get ahead. We're talking practical, actionable steps like eating at home, house hacking, and driving a reliable (maybe not cool) car so you can crush debt and build real financial freedom. Remember, it's not what you make, it's what you keep. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Food: Cook at home, pack lunches, minimize eating out, and don't waste groceries. Simple meals save serious cash. Housing: Live modestly, get roommates, or "house hack" (rent out rooms/part of a duplex) to drastically cut your biggest expense. Vehicles: Drive a reliable, paid off, cheap to insure car. Avoid expensive new car payments that drain your finances. Consider alternatives like public transport if practical. Discipline: Cutting expenses requires self discipline but builds habits crucial for long term financial health and business ownership. 🧠 Pro Tip: Focus relentlessly on the 'Big 3' expenses (Food, Housing, Transportation). Cutting costs here frees up the most money to attack debt and save for your future goals, like starting your practice. 🔥 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

I was joined by Yves early this morning. We're recapping our quick trip out to Denver for CSM, well, kinda. We skipped most of the conference but hosted a killer happy hour and hit the slopes in Breck. It was awesome connecting face to face with listeners, mastermind members, and students. We noticed a big trend: younger clinicians are way less afraid to jump into their own thing right out of school, valuing work life balance differently. But, impatience can be their kryptonite and you still need those clinical reps and life experience to truly connect and get results. We also talked about clinic "saturation" (it's a myth, think about how many gyms exist!), finding space, the easier cash based conversation these days, and why figuring it out alone is the slow, painful, and potentially relationship ruining way versus getting help. 🔑 Key Takeaways: In person connection is invaluable for building relationships and understanding. Younger clinicians often have less fear starting out but may lack the patience needed for clinical and business maturity. The market is far from saturated; focus on differentiation and value, not just competition. Cash based/hybrid models offer significant advantages in patient experience, time efficiency, and relationship building. Don't underestimate the importance of life experience for relating to diverse patients. Trying to figure out business alone costs valuable time, money, and can strain personal relationships; mentorship accelerates success and avoids costly mistakes. 🧠 Pro Tip: Stop trying to figure everything out the hard way. Investing in mentorship isn't just about business growth; it's about saving time, avoiding burnout, and preserving your sanity and relationships. 🔥 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