

Grow Your Practice Podcast
Grow Your Practice Podcast
Each week, the Grow Your Practice Podcast with Chad Madden of Breakthrough brings you no-nonsense marketing & business growth strategies that deliver new patients and higher profits.
Co-Founder of Breakthrough, Owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Author of "Killer Marketing Secrets for Private Practice PTs", Chad grew his practice 600% in the last five years using direct response marketing strategies. He sees more than 200 new patients each month in his single location Private Practice. Now he's teaching over 800 Practice Owners to do the same.
Co-Founder of Breakthrough, Owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Author of "Killer Marketing Secrets for Private Practice PTs", Chad grew his practice 600% in the last five years using direct response marketing strategies. He sees more than 200 new patients each month in his single location Private Practice. Now he's teaching over 800 Practice Owners to do the same.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 5, 2025 • 44min
Am I Really Making Money in My Practice? Ft. Sean Healy of Accounted4 LLC
Do you ever wonder why your profit says one thing—but your bank account says another?In this episode, Chad Madden sits down with Sean Healy, founder of Accounted4 LLC, to break down:-Why profit isn’t the best way to measure your practice's health-How to understand cash flow (without being an accountant)-The top 2 predictive metrics every PT owner should track-Why your balance sheet is more important than your P&L-What to clean up before selling your practice-Smart ways to use AI and automation to protect your bottom line📈 Whether you’re looking to grow, streamline, or sell your practice, this episode is packed with practical advice you can act on today.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this helpful!#PhysicalTherapy #PrivatePractice #Cashflow #ExitPlanning #SmallBusinessFinance #GrowYourPractice #AIInHealthcareIf you’re ready to simplify your hiring, boost staff retention, and grow your practice—schedule a free demo of Breakthrough today at https://getbreakthrough.com/demo⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Sean Healy of Accounted For LLC01:40 – The Question: “Am I Making Money?”03:25 – Profit vs Cashflow05:35 – Step 1 to Understanding Your Finances07:15 – The Power of the Balance Sheet10:10 – 5 Things That Affect Cashflow (Not on P&L)13:15 – Predictive Metrics That Matter18:35 – Why Cashflow Problems Catch Owners Off Guard21:50 – How to Start Saving Strategically24:20 – Using AI, VAs & Automation29:30 – Booking Appointments with AI30:45 – Who Sean Works With & How to Connect32:10 – Preparing for a Practice Exit35:45 – What Buyers Want to See37:50 – EBITDA & Multiples40:20 – Most Influential Books & AI Conversions42:45 – Final Thoughts

May 16, 2025 • 47min
Ben Wobker of Lake Washington PT Shares: Clinician Hiring Draft Board, Building Company Culture, Balancing Burn Out, and How to Utilize AI and Tech in Growing a Practice
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice Podcast, host Chad Madden sits down with physical therapist and Lake Washington PT founder Ben Wobker to talk about one of the hottest issues in private practice: hiring.Ben reveals his data-backed approach to attracting, hiring, and retaining top DPT grads—even during a nationwide staffing shortage. Learn how he uses a “draft board” system to nurture warm leads, mentors PT students years before they graduate, and leverages technology like AI scribes to create a clinic culture that wins the talent war.Whether you’re struggling to recruit your next hire or looking to strengthen retention, this is a must-listen conversation with practical strategies you can implement today.If you’re ready to simplify your hiring, boost staff retention, and grow your practice—schedule a free demo of Breakthrough today at https://getbreakthrough.com/demo⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Wakeboarding and wake-surfing with Ben01:10 – The PT shortage: Why hiring is harder than ever02:00 – How Ben recruits from his own aide pipeline03:45 – Building a “draft board” for DPT students06:30 – Tracking warm leads with a simple Google Sheet07:30 – The warm funnel that led to 14 new PT hires09:15 – The structured (yet casual) interview process10:45 – Building trust with personal emails and CEU invites13:30 – Centralizing hiring to reduce internal competition16:00 – Adapting to Gen Z’s definition of work-life balance20:30 – Leveraging AI scribes to reduce documentation burnout24:00 – Using ChatGPT, Gemini & AI agents in operations32:00 – Creating scroll-stopping social videos with Opus Clip36:45 – How to increase staff retention with autonomy, mastery, and purpose40:00 – Mentorship as a competitive advantage42:00 – Top podcast recommendations outside PT45:00 – Ben’s favorite book: Bo Knows Bo46:30 – Wrap-up and closing thoughts

May 14, 2025 • 30min
Core Values and How to Hire the Best: The Road to Build a $100M Practice - Ep: 02
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden dives deep into the foundational principles every private practice owner needs to scale sustainably, starting with clearly defined core values. If you’ve struggled with hiring, team alignment, or culture drift, you’ll want to take notes. Chad breaks down the “Planning Pyramid,” showing how to connect your daily accountability to your 10-25 year vision. You’ll learn how to identify and codify core values that attract A-players and repel toxic team members, plus how to build hiring scorecards that get results. Whether you're aiming for your first million or your hundredth, this episode sets the stage for lasting growth.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Part 2 of the $100 Million Practice Series00:30 – Why Core Values Matter More Than Ever02:00 – The Planning Pyramid Explained (Based on Vern Harnish’s work)04:00 – The Real Reason You’re Struggling to Hire (and What to Do Instead)06:30 – What Goes in a Scorecard: Role, Metrics, Competencies, Core Values08:30 – How Core Values Drive Accountability and Retention10:00 – The Danger of Compromising Core Values When You’re Desperate12:30 – Why Good People Can Still Be a Bad Fit (and How to Tell)14:00 – Real Examples from the Clinic: Rewarding Core Value Behavior17:00 – The 3 Core Values That Drive Madden PT21:30 – How to Spot Grit, Growth-Mindset, and Team Players in Interviews24:00 – The “Ocean Questions” and Red Flags in Hiring26:00 – Stories of Impact: From World War II Veterans to Everyday Miracles28:00 – Recap & Why Core Values Outlast You29:00 – What’s Coming in Part 3: Goal Forecasting & Annual Planning

May 13, 2025 • 36min
The Top 10%: What Thriving PT Clinics Do Differently with Neil Trickett
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden sits down with Neil Trickett—former private practice owner and founder of Practice Promotions—to uncover what the top 10% of physical therapy clinics are doing to thrive in today’s competitive healthcare market. Neil shares his journey from running a seven-figure clinic to building one of the industry’s leading marketing agencies. Together, they dive deep into the common traps practice owners fall into, how to stabilize patient flow, and why marketing is the engine that drives everything from hiring to profitability. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies from Neil’s “Market to Grow” system, insights into what sets high-performing clinics apart, and a renewed focus on leveraging marketing to take control of your clinic’s future.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps0:01 – Introduction: Meet Neil Trickett and his journey from clinic owner to marketing expert1:09 – From PT owner in Florida to founding Practice Promotions2:47 – The early days: Direct mail inspiration from chiropractors4:05 – The big marketing realization: “Marketing solves all problems”6:00 – How Neil’s newsletters became a recruiting magnet6:26 – The philosophy behind “Market to Grow” and the top 10% of clinics9:03 – The three biggest challenges: New patients, hiring, and reimbursement11:13 – How one practice added $120K in cash services in Q1 alone11:41 – The “New Patient Roller Coaster” and how to get off it13:43 – Breaking down the “Market to Grow” system14:59 – Why website conversion rates are a secret weapon17:01 – Real-world example: 8%+ website conversion rates using heatmaps and AI18:50 – “Market to Hire”: Proactive recruiting and why your careers page matters21:04 – Getting found on Google for jobs (and bypassing Indeed)23:05 – Real story: When your marketing attracts top talent away from competitors24:22 – The “Revenue Ratio”: A new way to assess clinic profitability25:33 – Two tactics for attracting better-paying patients and promoting cash services27:08 – Common marketing mistakes practice owners make28:55 – How much should PT clinics really be investing in marketing?30:55 – If you’re overwhelmed, start with this first step32:03 – Where to get Neil’s book, Market to Grow33:00 – Rapid Fire: Marketing myths, overlooked tactics, case studies, and more35:56 – Final thoughts and takeaway from Neil Trickett

May 12, 2025 • 43min
Big Hairy Audacious Goals: The Road to Build a $100M Practice - Ep: 01
In this powerful solo episode, Chad dives deep into the concept of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)—a strategic visioning tool popularized by Jim Collins. Whether you're a solo practice owner or leading multiple locations, Chad explains why setting a bold, long-term goal can transform your business, align your team, and reignite your purpose. He shares personal stories from building his $20M+ practice, his challenges, and the exact framework you can use to craft your own BHAG. Plus, hear the pivotal moment that shaped the future of Breakthrough.If you’re ready to stop playing small and start building a practice with real impact, this episode is for you.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – IntroWhy we’re talking about BHAGs—and what makes them so powerful.1:17 – What Is a BHAG?Definition, key attributes, and why it's more than just a lofty goal.2:33 – Vision-Driven LeadershipHow BHAGs connect to core company vision and direction.4:18 – From Theory to PracticeChad shares his clinic’s BHAG and the competitive landscape in Central PA.6:45 – How a BHAG Creates AlignmentUsing a BHAG to guide hiring, marketing, operations, and focus.8:14 – Beyond Survival: Inspiring a Mission-Driven TeamThe power of getting your team aligned behind a bigger purpose.10:12 – Filtering Out Shiny ObjectsUsing your BHAG as a North Star for strategic decisions.11:32 – “Too Small to Think Big”? Think AgainDebunking the myth that BHAGs are only for big companies.13:00 – Real-Life Example from Early PracticeChad’s first vision as a 27-year-old and how it came true.14:38 – The Fear of Failure & UncertaintyWhy you don’t need to know every step to think long-term.16:45 – Building a Vision-Driven TeamTips for attracting and retaining people aligned with your mission.18:22 – Common Challenges with BHAGsFrom team buy-in to feeling undeserving of success.20:27 – The Framework to Craft Your Own BHAGStep-by-step process to define purpose, impact, and time horizon.25:45 – Business Math vs. RelationshipsWhy your BHAG should inspire people—not just hit revenue goals.28:00 – The 20-Mile MarchJim Collins’ rule for sustainable long-term growth.30:00 – Sharing and Aligning the VisionHow to make your BHAG part of everyday conversations and culture.31:15 – Myths and Pitfalls to AvoidAvoiding vague, boring, or unbalanced goals.33:00 – A Personal Story That Changed EverythingThe moment Chad decided to build something bigger than himself.40:00 – Recap & Action StepsDraft your BHAG, share it with your team, and start filtering decisions through it.

Apr 29, 2025 • 34min
The 12 Reasons You Can't Ignore Reactivations
In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down the 12 hidden benefits of reactivating past patients in your physical therapy, chiropractic, or healthcare clinic. From boosting revenue during slow seasons to improving staff morale and patient outcomes, reactivations are the easiest, most overlooked growth channel for private practices.Chad shares personal stories (including losing $98K in one quarter), walks through real math on lifetime patient value, and explains why your patient list is your biggest business advantage.Whether you're a practice owner looking to grow, stabilize revenue, or eventually sell your clinic, this episode will show you exactly why reactivations should be your #1 priority.00:00 - Intro: What is a Reactivation?01:15 - Why Reactivations Are Underrated02:20 - Losing $100K in Q4 (and how it changed everything)03:45 - Why Cold Traffic & Referrals Failed During Holidays05:20 - The Breakthrough: Free Exam Day = 70+ Reactivations07:09 - Benefit #1: Revenue Stability08:00 - Benefit #2: Higher Lifetime Patient Value09:32 - Benefit #3: More Efficient Operations11:10 - Benefit #4: Better Clinical Outcomes12:40 - Benefit #5: Stronger Community Reputation14:20 - Benefit #6: Happier Staff, Easier Workflows16:45 - Real Story: Seeing Past Patients in Costco19:15 - Benefit #7: More Predictable Scheduling21:35 - Benefit #8: Lower Marketing Costs22:45 - Benefit #9: Better Patient Compliance23:50 - Benefit #10: Higher Practice Valuation26:25 - Why Buyers Care About Reactivation Systems27:50 - Benefit #11: Data-Driven Decisions30:00 - Benefit #12: Competitive Advantage (Blue Ocean Strategy)32:20 - Final Recap: All 12 Benefits of Reactivations33:30 - What’s Next: 4 Levels of Reactivation Skill & Action Plan

Mar 28, 2025 • 36min
How to Establish Metrics & KPIs for Every Position in Your Practice
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden, owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Breakthrough, discusses the importance of establishing metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for every role in a private practice. Chad explains the definitions and difference between accountability, responsibility, and authority, and shares insights on how metrics and KPIs can improve management decisions and practice efficiency. He also emphasizes the necessity of having staff own their metrics and be accountable for their areas of production. Tune in to learn best practices for creating an accountability chart and setting up key metrics for each department in your practice.Download the FREE 35 Private Practice Marketing System Checklist going through all five new patient pathways, reactivations, word of mouth referral. Physician or professional licensed referral, partner referrals, and then cold traffic marketing: https://hubs.ly/Q033nBgR000:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 Understanding Metrics and KPIs01:03 Defining Accountability02:31 Importance of Metrics and KPIs09:59 Stages of Tracking Metrics11:26 Staff Ownership and Reporting14:10 Handling Overwhelmed PTs16:01 Complex Systems and Metrics17:11 Marketing System Overview17:21 New Patient Pathways17:42 Download the Marketing Checklist17:50 Building Confidence in Your Clinic18:05 Global Experience and Success18:18 Free Marketing System Checklist18:32 Accounts Receivable Management19:13 Staff Meeting Reports20:30 Tangible Metrics and Accountability22:21 Self-Limiting Beliefs in Tracking Metrics22:52 Establishing Metrics and KPIs23:17 Connecting Metrics to Overall Practice29:20 Finance and Expense Tracking31:13 Monthly Snapshot and Profitability33:35 External Marketing and New Patients34:00 Production and Therapist Involvement

Mar 21, 2025 • 17min
How to Achieve Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal in Private Practice
Join host Chad Madden in this episode of the 'Grow Your Practice Podcast' as he discusses strategies to help your private practice achieve its big goals, or as some might call them "unattainable goals." Chad breaks down the process of setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and how to map out a Three-Year Highly Achievable Goal (3HAG). Listen in as participants share their three-year goals and Chad offers actionable advice on creating a roadmap that includes quarterly objectives, hiring needs, marketing strategies, and facility expansion. This episode also touches on the importance of leadership and mentorship training in scaling your practice. Get a sneak peek into Chad's marketing systems and download a free checklist to streamline your practice's marketing efforts.Download the FREE 35 Private Practice Marketing System Checklist going through all five new patient pathways, reactivations, word of mouth referral. Physician or professional licensed referral, partner referrals, and then cold traffic marketing: https://hubs.ly/Q033nBgR000:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 Understanding BHAG and 3HAG00:32 Breaking Down Goals into Manageable Steps01:18 Real-Life Example: Roy's Practice02:02 Creating an Action Plan03:32 Combining and Prioritizing Initiatives05:53 Defining Swim Lanes13:27 Quarterly Review and Adjustments14:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mar 14, 2025 • 32min
How to Get More New Patients Without Relying on Doctor Referrals
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice Podcast, host Chad Madden, owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Breakthrough, shares an in-depth guide on how to diversify new patient sources and reduce reliance on physician referrals. Madden outlines the benefits of diversification, discusses the five new patient pathways (reactivations, word-of-mouth referrals, physician referrals, partner referrals, and cold traffic marketing), and provides a step-by-step framework for maximizing new patient flow. He also covers the critical components of effective marketing and sales, including addressing self-limiting beliefs and positioning your services. Additionally, Madden offers a free downloadable checklist to help practice owners refine their marketing strategies and ensure consistent new patient flow.Download the FREE 35 Private Practice Marketing System Checklist going through all five new patient pathways, reactivations, word of mouth referral. Physician or professional licensed referral, partner referrals, and then cold traffic marketing: https://hubs.ly/Q033nBgR000:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 The Challenge of Reducing Dependence on Physician Referrals00:35 Benefits of Diversifying Patient Sources02:59 Personal Story: Starting a Practice04:57 Decline in Physician Referrals06:11 Five New Patient Pathways08:26 Reactivation Campaigns08:57 Word of Mouth Referrals14:09 Partner Referrals17:48 Cold Traffic Marketing23:26 The Importance of Marketing and Sales27:06 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs30:16 Conclusion and Next Steps

Mar 7, 2025 • 34min
Top 3 Campaigns Working for Reactivations
Join Chad Madden, owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Breakthrough, as he delves into the best practices for crafting successful email and text campaigns aimed at reactivating past patients. Chad addresses common challenges such as what content to send, how often to send emails, and fears around unsubscribes. He shares personal anecdotes, including his initial struggles with email marketing and his game-changing meeting with Carl Mattiola from Tesla. Learn specific strategies for creating valuable goodwill content, leveraging patient questions, and utilizing Google queries for content inspiration. Chad also discusses the importance of balancing goodwill content with targeted offers, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and optimizing conversion rates. Stay tuned for his insider tips and data on the most effective campaigns currently in the market.Download the FREE 35 Private Practice Marketing System Checklist going through all five new patient pathways, reactivations, word of mouth referral. Physician or professional licensed referral, partner referrals, and then cold traffic marketing: https://hubs.ly/Q033nBgR000:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:19 Understanding Email and Text Campaigns for Reactivations01:16 Common Mistakes in Email Campaigns02:52 Personal Journey and Lessons Learned12:44 Effective Email Marketing Strategies18:45 Creating Valuable Content for Your Campaigns24:55 Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs28:10 Top Performing Campaigns and Conclusion