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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

AI isn’t coming—it’s here. But for performance-based PTs who prioritiz

In this episode, Danny explains why traditional insurance-based physical therapy clinics are slowly dying—and what you can do about it. He breaks down the rise of burnout, declining reimbursements, and increasing provider turnover, and why now more than ever, hybrid and cash-based models are the only sustainable path forward for most clinicians. Whether you're starting a clinic or trying to save one, this is a must-listen.

• Why reimbursements are lower than ever—and what that means for your bottom line
• The burnout crisis among young clinicians and its impact on turnover
• How small clinics are losing to niche, cash-based competitors
• Why hybrid models are becoming the norm for modern clinics
• The rise of the informed consumer and how to win their trust
• How transparency and experience win in a crowded market
• What it takes to stand out and future-proof your practice

• Pick a niche and become the go-to expert in your area.
• Double down on your patient experience—know their names, goals, and stories.
• Educate clients on what they’re really paying at in-network clinics.
• Sell the transformation, not the treatment method.
• Be transparent and clear—no surprise bills, ever.
• Focus on long-term buy-in for long-term results.

• 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
• Read the PT Biz Book – Step-by-step playbook for cash-based growth

The old model is crumbling. If you want to protect your team, your time, and your income—you need to adapt. Niche down, lead with transparency, and deliver a world-class experience. That's how you thrive in today’s healthcare environment.

In this episode, Danny shares the weekly time-blocking strategy that helped him build and run a thriving cash-based PT clinic—without burning out. If you're running around reacting to your schedule instead of designing it, this is a must-listen. You'll learn how to create a focused, sustainable weekly plan to maximize productivity, protect your energy, and still make time for patients, staff, and yourself.

• Why most new business owners waste time without realizing it
• The hidden cost of constant task-switching (and how to avoid it)
• How to time-block your schedule based on your clinic size
• What a 34-hour structured week looks like in real life
• Building in admin time, mentorship, content, and networking
• How “Flex Fridays” can help you stay sane long-term
• Using structured vs. unstructured time for creative breakthroughs
• Why this schedule helps you be a better leader and clinician

• Batch similar tasks together to reduce mental fatigue.
• Designate one or two days for heavy patient care only.
• Use midweek days for deep administrative and creative work.
• Schedule staff meetings and mentorship early in the week to set the tone.
• Use Fridays for flex time—recovery, deep work, family, or strategy.
• Unstructured time outdoors can lead to your biggest breakthroughs.

• Visit PT Biz – Learn how we help cash-based and hybrid practices grow
• Book a Free Strategy Call – Speak with our team and get clear on your next steps
• Subscribe on YouTube – Get insights, walkthroughs, and business coaching
• Read the PT Biz Book – Step-by-step guide to building a cash-based practice

If you don’t structure your week, your week will structure you—and that usually means chaos. By getting disciplined with your time and creating boundaries, you unlock the freedom, energy, and focus to grow your business while staying sane. You can’t pour into others if you’re running on empty.

In this episode, Danny, founder of PT Biz, exposes the major criminal investigation into UnitedHealth and breaks down how their alleged Medicare Advantage fraud is creating the perfect storm for the rise of cash-based healthcare. With the Department of Justice involved and billions of taxpayer dollars at stake, this could be one of the biggest health insurance scandals of our time.

More importantly, Danny explains how this chaos is a massive opportunity for providers who want to ditch the insurance system and build profitable, transparent, patient-first practices outside the traditional model.

• Why UnitedHealth is being criminally investigated by the DOJ
• How Medicare Advantage "upcoding" works—and why it's fraud
• Why more people are abandoning traditional insurance plans
• The connection between high deductibles and patient behavior
• How cash-based and out-of-network clinics are thriving in the mess
• The mindset shift from sick care to proactive health investment
• Why this is the best time to start or scale a cash-based clinic
• Common fears about market saturation—and why they’re unfounded

• Visit PT Biz – See how we help cash-based and hybrid practices grow
• Book a Free Strategy Call – Speak with our team and get clear on your next steps
• Subscribe on YouTube – Get breakdowns, insights, and client case studies
• Read the PT Biz Book – Learn how to build your own cash-based practice

The system is broken—and people know it. With trust in insurance companies at an all-time low, more patients are seeking alternatives that put their health and dollars first. If you’ve ever considered going cash-based or out-of-network, there’s never been a better time to start.