The P.t. Entrepreneur Podcast

The Hardest Hire: How to Nail Your First Staff Clinician in a Cash PT Clinic In this episode, Doc Danny Matta explains why your first staff clinician is the hardest hire you'll ever make—and how to do it the right way. He breaks down why your business looks risky from a candidate's perspective, why most PTs are wired for security (not startups), and how to sell the future vision of your clinic instead of apologizing for your current "shitty little room." Quick Ask If this episode helps you think differently about hiring and leadership, share it with another clinic owner who's gearing up for their first hire—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it. Episode Summary Clair keeps you present: AI scribe Clair lets you focus 100% on patients instead of your EMR, improving rapport and outcomes. Time and outcomes: Better attention in the session = better engagement, better buy-in, and better clinical results. Danny's background: Staff PT, active duty military officer, cash practice founder, seller, and now CEO of

Little Rooms: Why Scrappy Starts Create Standout Cash PT Clinics In this episode, Doc Danny Matta unpacks a simple but powerful idea inspired by Andre 3000's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame speech: "Little rooms. Great things start. Little rooms." He connects Outkast's legendary basement studio—The Dungeon—to the tiny subleased spaces where most cash PT clinics begin, and shows why those gritty starts are not a disadvantage, but an asset that sharpens your skills, your story, and your impact. Quick Ask If this episode encourages you to see your "little room" differently, share it with another clinician who's thinking about starting or growing a practice—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it. Episode Summary AI scribe advantage: Clair saves staff clinicians ~6 hours per week, freeing up time for patient visits and revenue growth. Math of time: Even 3 extra visits per week at $200/visit adds roughly $30,000/year in revenue per clinician. Little rooms concept: Inspired by Andre 3000's "little rooms" quote and

Community: The Hidden Engine Behind Every Successful Cash PT Clinic In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares the single theme that stood out after spending a full week embedded inside four different cash-based and boutique rehab businesses in Washington, D.C.: community. He breaks down why community involvement is the ultimate competitive advantage, how it fuels long-term growth, and why you can't fake it—or skip it—if you want a thriving practice. Quick Ask If this episode challenges the way you think about growing your practice, share it with another clinician who needs to hear it—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it. Episode Summary Documentation burden solved: AI scribes like Clair eliminate notes so you stay present with patients. The D.C. trip: Danny spent full days inside four thriving clinics, observing their operations, patients, and culture. One takeaway: Every successful clinic shared the same backbone—deep community involvement. Community is earned: You can't fake participation; you must sho

The Coming Wave: Why Cash PT Is Headed Toward National Consolidation In this episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down a bold prediction for the next decade of cash-based physical therapy: the rise of the first nationwide cash PT brand. He explains why the market is primed for massive consolidation, how well-funded companies will change the competitive landscape, and what independent PTs must do now to protect their clinics and stay ahead. Quick Ask If this episode helps you think strategically about your business, share it with another clinician who needs to hear it—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it. Let's help more PTs build resilient, future-proof practices. Episode Summary Documentation burnout: Notes are the #1 satisfaction killer for PTs—but AI scribes like Clair are changing that. The big prediction: A dominant, well-funded cash PT brand will emerge within 5–10 years. Why it's coming: Cash PT is a fragmented industry—making it ripe for consolidation. Parallel to CrossFit: Independent affiliates →

The Gratitude Reset: Why PTs Have the Best Job in the World In this episode, Doc Danny Matta reminds physical therapists why they have one of the most fulfilling professions on earth. From building lifelong relationships with patients to seeing the ripple effect of their work beyond the clinic, he shares how to reframe burnout and rediscover gratitude for what makes this career so meaningful. Quick Ask If this episode helps you reconnect with the "why" behind what you do, share it with another PT who might need the reminder—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Let's help more clinicians rediscover pride and purpose in the profession. Episode Summary The reality check: PTs often forget how rare it is to do deeply meaningful work that changes people's lives. Patient zero stories: Every great clinic has those first patients who became raving fans and fueled its growth. Personal satisfaction: PTs experience emotional rewards most careers never touch—gratitude, trust, and transformation. The burnout trap: Fee

Longevity, Lifestyle Medicine & the Next Evolution of Physical Therapy In this episode, Doc Danny Matta explores the growing trend of longevity and lifestyle medicine in physical therapy. From proactive health to performance-based rehab, he explains why the best clinics of the future will focus less on pain treatment and more on helping people live long, high-performing, pain-free lives. Quick Ask If this episode fires you up about the future of physical therapy, share it with another clinician who's ready to break free from the traditional model—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Let's help more PTs step into their true potential as leaders in longevity and performance. Episode Summary The longevity shift: More people aged 30–60 are embracing proactive, lifestyle-based health—and they're looking for experts who can guide them. The rise of lifestyle medicine: Functional medicine, med spas, and peptide clinics are exploding, but performance-based PTs can lead this movement with evidence-based care.

Profit Growth Cycles: Navigating the Financial Growing Pains of a Cash Practice In this episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down the financial growing pains every clinic owner faces when scaling from a small subleased space to a full standalone practice. He explains how to manage cash flow, survive low-profit growth cycles, and make smart reinvestments that turn short-term sacrifice into long-term stability. Quick Ask If this episode helps you think differently about your business finances, share it with a fellow PT who's growing their practice—and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Let's help more clinicians build profitable, sustainable businesses. Episode Summary Profit growth cycles explained: Every clinic hits a point where growth requires reinvestment—usually when moving from a sublease to your own space. Why cash flow matters: Managing money across three core accounts (Operating, Tax, and Profit) keeps your business stable during transitions. Expect profitability dips: Early growth means more expenses—s

Stay Curious, Stay Strong: Longevity Lessons from a DC Clinic Tour In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares powerful lessons on longevity, curiosity, and self-care after visiting four PT-owned clinics in Washington, D.C. From a 60-year-old Pilates enthusiast who crushed him in class to a marathoner aiming to beat his 27-year-old PR, Danny reflects on what these experiences revealed about health, purpose, and the long game of entrepreneurship. Quick Ask If this episode hits home, share it with a friend who's burning the candle at both ends—or post it to your Instagram stories and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Let's help more clinicians build healthy lives and businesses that last. Episode Summary Clinic visits in D.C.: Danny spent a week touring four PT-owned clinics (including a Pilates studio) and connecting with owners, staff, and patients. The Pilates powerhouse: A 60-year-old woman outperformed Danny in class and credited her vitality to one thing—staying curious and always learning. The marathoner

No Money, No Mission: The Truth About Pricing Your Cash Practice In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares what he's seeing across dozens of clinics: most cash PT owners are undercharging—especially in high cost-of-living markets. He breaks down a four-clinic pricing test, why price ≠ local median income, and clear targets for sustainable margins so you can hire, retain talent, and keep your mission alive. Quick Ask Help us reach our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy: share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your Instagram stories and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Episode Summary Pricing drives scale: Bigger, healthier clinics almost always charge more and keep volume steady enough to grow. Four-clinic test: Comparing average visit rates vs. local median household income showed no clean correlation—the lowest-income market had the highest price point. Fear tax: Owners fear backlash when raising prices; in reality, drop-off is rare and usually limited to poo

Five-Star Clinic: Lessons from High-End Restaurants In this episode, Doc Danny Matta unpacks what elite restaurants do differently—then maps those exact moves to cash-based PT. From the reservation experience to ambiance, "the menu," service, and checkout, learn how details create premium value, command higher rates, and generate more referrals. Quick Ask Help us reach our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy: share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your Instagram stories and tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare! Episode Summary Reservation experience → Pre-visit touch: Don't rely on generic confirmations. Call/text with directions, parking, "what to expect," and a 1–2 day pre-visit email from the actual provider. Ambiance → Your space: Design matters. Lighting, smell, layout, materials, music, branding—create an intentional feel your ideal patient loves (and wants to refer into). Menu → Productized services: Name and package outcomes (e.g., "Pain-Free Performance

Speed to Lead: The $30K Mistake Killing Your Clinic Growth In this episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down one of the most overlooked profit leaks in cash-based practice ownership — slow lead follow-up. Learn how the average clinic loses tens of thousands each month from poor contact speed, and discover a simple system to fix it fast. Quick Ask Help us hit our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy. Share this episode with a clinician friend or post it on your Instagram stories — tag @dannymattaPT so he can reshare it! Episode Summary Big picture: Most clinics lose $30K+ per month from slow follow-up and poor lead management. The data gap: The average healthcare clinic takes 2 hours and 5 minutes to respond to a lead — consumers expect 10–15 minutes. Industry average: Only 11% of people who fill out a healthcare form ever become patients. 100x advantage: Responding within 5 minutes increases your chance of conversion by 100 times. The math: Raising your contact-to-eval rate from 40% to

Open Enrollment Reactivation: How Clinics Turn Past Patients into Six-Figure Months (with Jeremy Dupont) In this episode, Doc Danny Matta sits down with Jeremy Dupont (founder of Patch) to break down the most reliable campaign in cash PT: Open Enrollment. They cover simple and advanced playbooks for reactivating past patients, the offers that convert (and why), how to mobilize your team, and what realistic results look like for a growing clinic. Quick Ask Help us move toward our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy—share this episode with a clinician friend or post it on your Instagram stories and tag Danny. He’ll reshare it! Episode Summary Low-hanging fruit: Reactivation beats cold lead gen. Past patients already know, like, and trust you—bring them back with a clear, time-bound offer. Timing that works: Run Open Enrollment mid-September to early November to avoid competing with Black Friday and holiday noise. Proven offers: Classic 12 for 10 pack (two “free” visits or a clear $

The Story Behind the Bottle: Why Your Clinic’s Origin Story Matters In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares a powerful lesson about storytelling, sparked by a birthday gift—a 1985 bottle of wine with an incredible backstory. What started as a meaningful gesture turned into a masterclass on how stories give depth, emotion, and memorability to everything—from a bottle of wine to your physical therapy clinic. Quick Ask Help us reach our goal of adding $1B in cash-based services to the profession—share this episode with a clinician friend or post it on your Instagram stories and tag Danny. He’ll reshare it! Episode Summary The Gift: Danny tracks down a rare 1985 bottle of wine as a 40th birthday gift—and discovers that the story behind it matters more than the wine itself. The Lesson: The story gives meaning. Without it, even something valuable loses its emotional connection and memorability. The Parallels: Your clinic is your “bottle of wine.” Patients remember stories—why you started, who you help, and what dr

I Sold My Practice—Then Bought It Back: Why I Reinvested in Athlete’s Potential In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares a major announcement: he and his wife have reinvested in Athlete’s Potential, the cash-based physical therapy clinic they originally founded, grew, and sold three years ago. Danny explains why he decided to buy back in, what’s changed since selling, and how this move aligns with PT Biz’s broader mission of transforming private practice ownership in the profession. Quick Ask Help us move toward our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy—share this episode with a clinician friend or post it on your Instagram stories and tag Danny. He’ll reshare it! Episode Summary Full-circle moment: After selling Athlete’s Potential to their clinic director, Jake Swart, three years ago, Danny and his wife have now bought back into the business as partners. New role: Danny will serve as a strategic growth advisor, helping scale the clinic through expansion, systems, compensation rede

6x Your Ad ROI: The Power of Google Reviews for Cash Practices In this episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down how one simple factor—Google reviews—can transform your return on ad spend (ROAS) from 2x to 12x. Using a real example of two nearly identical clinics, he explains why social proof is the difference between average and elite marketing results, and how to build a system that keeps reviews (and new patients) flowing. Quick Ask Help us reach our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to the profession—share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your IG stories and tag Danny. He’ll reshare it! Episode Summary Case Study: Two clinics, same ads, same demographics—one made 12x ROI, the other only 2x. The difference? 250 Google reviews vs. zero. Intent-based ads win: Google search leads are high-intent buyers looking for a real solution, not just scrolling. Social proof = trust: Buyers skip clinics with few or no reviews. Local reputation heavily influences clicks and conversions. AI search

Cash PT Trends 2025: What We Learned in Dallas + The New Industry Report In this episode, Doc Danny Matta and Yves Gege unpack takeaways from their Dallas live event and preview PT Biz’s new Cash PT Industry Report. They cover what’s working now across pure cash, hybrid, and out-of-network models; why continuity and small-group training are surging; and how the talent market is shifting as more solo owners choose to join established cash clinics. Quick Ask Help us move toward the mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to our profession: share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your IG stories and tag Danny—he’ll reshare it. Episode Summary From beginners to builders: PT Biz events now draw ~200 owners focused on scaling, not just getting started. No single “right” model: Cash-only, hybrid, out-of-network, Medicare-focused, and gym-like setups can all work—business principles drive success. Continuity is up: Many clinics now get 20–40%+ of monthly visits from recurring performance/wellne

How Workshops Win: Emotion-First Public Speaking for Cash-Based PT Lead Gen In this episode, Doc Danny Matta lays out how to fill your schedule by getting in front of real people—workshops, talks, and small group education—and connecting emotionally before you ever ask for the appointment. He explains direct-response marketing for cash-based clinics, the “feelings before logic” rule, and a practical script stack (frustration → “imagine if” → personal story → action) that turns talks into patients. Quick Ask Help PT Biz move toward the mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to our profession: share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your IG stories and tag Danny—he’ll reshare it. Episode Summary Direct-response > referrals: Cash clinics grow fastest by going straight to the people (gyms, clubs, teams, parent groups), not by waiting on physician referrals. Workshops convert: Live education (in-person or virtual) is a predictable way to create trust and book consults. Feelings before facts

How to Build Wealth as a Clinical Entrepreneur In this episode, Doc Danny Matta breaks down how your clinic can be more than just a job replacement—it can be your wealth-building engine. He shares five steps learned from mentors, mistakes, and over a decade of running businesses, showing how to reinvest in your practice, avoid costly tax-driven schemes, and keep your wealth strategy simple and sustainable. Quick Ask If you’re finding value in the podcast, help us hit our mission of adding $1B in cash-based services to physical therapy. Share this episode with a clinician friend or post it to your IG stories and tag Danny—he’ll reshare it! Episode Summary Core thesis: Your clinic is your best wealth-building asset. Treat it like the investment it is. Step 1: Stop investing outside the business at the start—double down on reinvesting in your practice until it grows. Step 2: Grow income to a level where you have more than you need, without falling into lifestyle creep. Step 3: Avoid tax-first investments; focus

The One Thing You Must Nail When Starting Your Cash-Based PT Clinic: Your Niche In this episode, Doc Danny Matta explains the #1 decision that will make or break a new cash-based clinic: defining a clear, winnable niche. He shares real client stories (Rainmaker → Mastermind), how his own clinic launched by owning the CrossFit space, and a simple 3-part test to choose a niche that actually grows your business. Quick Ask Like the show? Share it with a clinician friend or on your IG stories and tag Danny—help PT Biz move closer to the goal of adding $1B in cash-based services to our profession. Episode Summary Core thesis: If you don’t define your niche early, your business will stall. If you do, traction accelerates. Rainmaker → Mastermind arc: Rainmaker helps you go full-time; Mastermind helps you scale beyond yourself into a standalone space and team. Real example: A client’s schedule exploded after she narrowed her audience, created content for them, and showed up where they congregate (workshops + the righ

Why Clinic Directors Leave for Staff Roles in Cash-Based PT Clinics In this solo episode, Doc Danny Matta dives into a surprising trend: why clinic directors in high-volume corporate practices are stepping away from leadership roles to take staff positions in cash-based clinics. Drawing from real conversations with clinicians, Danny outlines the trade-offs, hidden advantages, and how owners can use this to attract top talent. Episode Summary The scenario: A former clinic director left a high-volume corporate setting to join a cash-based clinic as a staff PT. Danny’s perspective: Having lived through high-volume burnout himself, he understands the trade-offs firsthand. Three main drivers: Work-life balance, career longevity, and clinical satisfaction. Hiring insight: Not every candidate is motivated purely by money—culture and lifestyle can be stronger magnets. The owner’s role: Competitive pay plus clear growth opportunities help retain ambitious clinicians. Key Takeaways Work-life balance matters: Lower v