PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy

Can social media realistically generate revenue for physical therapists?In this episode, Jimmy talks with Tony Maritato about:Growing from 2,000 to 60,000+ followers in one yearTurning patient education into monetized contentWhy reposting “old” videos worksHow one Facebook post generated $107 repeatedlyWhy engagement (not followers) is the real metricThe shift back toward in-person, analog attentionTony explains how he captures patient interactions during treatment (with consent), posts directly from his phone, and uses AI tools to analyze performance — without hiring staff or building a production studio.If you’re a clinic owner, this matters because:$2,000/month offsets overheadOrganic reach builds trust before a patient callsYou’re already creating content — you’re just not recording itKey TakeawaysYour daily clinical work is valuable contentReposting strong content is not penalizedEngagement beats follower countSimplicity scalesAttention must be earned

AI Is Not a Silver BulletRecorded live at APTA CSM, Todd Norwood joins the show to talk about AI, digital health, and why physical therapy clinics need to fix their data before chasing the next shiny tech solution.What We Cover:The difference between good data and bad data in PTWhy “ish” measurements don’t scale in an AI worldHow to evaluate AI scribes and clinic toolsImposter syndrome in leadership and tech transitionsHow PT skills translate into digital health rolesUsing AI to assess your resume against job descriptionsWhy investing in yourself beats any market investmentKey TakeawayGood data is foundational to making the most of AI and digital innovation in physical therapy.GuestTodd NorwoodPT in Digital Health

Live from CSM Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Matt Huey, PT, to talk about what really moves the physical therapy profession forward.The conversation centers on engagement.Not national outrage. Not social media complaints. Real, local involvement.Key themes:Why member engagement starts at the state levelProtecting scope of practiceWhy trust can’t be boughtThe real ROI of conferencesHow mentorship creates professional legacyPassing a “little piece of you” to every student you trainThe takeaway:If you want the profession to improve, you have to show up.

Proactive Care Is a Pathway — Not a SloganPT is built for prevention.But most of healthcare still waits until pain shows up.In this episode recorded live at CSM in Anaheim, Dr. Tatiana Olevsky discusses:Why patients still go to MDs first for MSK painThe public awareness gap around direct accessHow PTs can shift from reactive rehab to proactive performanceWhy outcomes — not visit counts — should define our valueLessons from Pilates and community-buildingMovement analysis as a preventative toolWhy PT is at an inflection pointKey TakeawaysPrioritize quality over quantityScreen upstream before pain becomes diagnosisBuild rapport before educationShow patients the future, don’t just prescribe sets and repsIf PT wants to be first-line, we must earn itGuest InfoDr. Tatiana Olevsky Spine PT Fellow | Private Practice Owner | Educator

Better Systems, Not Tougher PeopleBurnout in healthcare isn’t a motivation problem. It’s a design problem.Dr. Lisa Flexner joins PT Pintcast live from APTA CSM to break down why:Burnout is an individual response to system dysfunctionProductivity is often the wrong performance metricTurnover costs far more than 1.5x salaryBelonging is a foundational performance driverPizza parties don’t fix structural problemsHealthcare still operates inside outdated hierarchy modelsIf you're leading a clinic and wondering why retention is harder, morale feels fragile, or productivity pressure keeps increasing — this episode reframes the issue from something personal to something structural.Key TakeawaysBurnout shows up in individuals, but starts in systemsIndirect turnover costs often double or triple salary impactBelonging and shared mission drive productivity more than pressureMeasuring employee net promoter score (eNPS) may be more predictive than productivityHealthcare needs a “Flexner Report 2.0” to move toward collaborative practice

Live from APTA CSM in Anaheim, Jimmy talks with Dr. Jenn Bell about redefining professionalism in physical therapy.They discuss:Where traditional professional norms came fromWho those norms disproportionately impactWhy authenticity affects burnoutWhy recruitment without belonging failsThe shift from diversity → equity → inclusion → belongingWhat PTs must let go of to evolveIf your clinic wants to recruit and retain strong clinicians, this conversation matters.Key TakeawaysProfessionalism has historically centered a narrow identity standard.Underrepresented clinicians carry extra cognitive load when asked to “code switch.”Burnout is worsened when clinicians can’t show up authentically.Recruiting diversity without creating belonging is performative.PT leaders must examine their own biases and expectations.

Advocacy Isn’t Optional—It’s Your ResponsibilityIn this episode, Jimmy talks with Jim Leahy, longtime lobbyist and association executive serving nine APTA chapters across the country.Jim has spent over 30 years inside the machinery of healthcare policy. His message is clear:If you’re not involved in advocacy, you’re gambling with your profession—and your patients.What You’ll Learn:Why state legislators control your scope of practiceWhy most PT Hill Days send the wrong messageHow just 10 emails can influence a lawmakerWhy payment reform requires more than legislationHow prior authorization laws are shiftingWhy relationships matter more than argumentsThe difference between activity and achievementKey Takeaways:Advocacy isn’t hard—but it takes commitmentLegislators notice small numbers of engaged constituentsPayment reform must include legislative, administrative, and insurer-level strategiesIf you don’t advocate, others will define your profession

Recorded live from CSM, this episode features Jake Irwin, PT, DPT — professor, athletics PT, private practice owner, and APTA delegate.The conversation covers:Why seasoned PTs still attend CSMHow to approach conferences strategicallyThe real value of networkingUsing AI to navigate conference programmingThe uncomfortable truth about home exercise complianceJake delivers a strong parting shot:When patients don’t get better because they didn’t follow their home program — that’s not their fault. That’s yours.This episode challenges clinicians to choose growth over blame.

Mastery Before MarketingIn this episode of PT Pintcast, Jimmy talks with Lewis Lupowitz, sports physical therapist and founder of Longevity Physical Therapy & Performance.Lewis brings a strong perspective:There’s a mentorship problem in physical therapy — and it’s being disguised as an entrepreneurship movement.Key Topics Covered:Why new grads shouldn’t rush to open a clinicThe difference between clinical confidence and branding confidenceHow to become a good menteeWhy “better is better” in rehabYouth sports over-specializationNeurocognitive training in return-to-sport rehabCreating an environment patients want to return toMajor TakeawaysOwning a business is hard. Being a great clinician inside that business is harder.Mentorship isn’t automatic — you must position yourself to earn it.Strength and ROM alone are not enough for return to sport.Fancy tools don’t replace clinical reasoning.The fastest way to build a successful clinic is becoming excellent first.Guest LinksLewis Lupowitz???? https://longevityptperformance.com/

Milica McDowell, DPT — clinic owner, professor, and now AVP of Education at USPH — joins Jimmy live from APTA CSM to make a bold claim:Most PTs are recommending the wrong shoes.In this episode:Why 10,000 steps is marketing, not medicineThe real step counts tied to longevity and mental healthWhy tapered toe boxes weaken feetThe concept of the “24-hour shoe clock”Why cushioned shoes in clinic may be a clinical liabilityIf you're a PT who cares about mobility, longevity, and biomechanics, this conversation matters.Milica’s Core MessageFunctional footwear is not a fashion preference.It’s a biomechanical responsibility.Resources???? Walk (Releases May 5, 2026) ???? milicamcdowell.com Follow: @gaithappens | @altrarunning | @vivobarefoot

Physical therapy research may feel invisible — but it protects reimbursement, strengthens professional credibility, and ensures long-term growth.In this episode, Jimmy talks with Becky Craik about:The mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy ResearchHow a $10,000 seed grant can turn into millions in federal fundingWhy funding interruptions damage entire research teamsThe importance of cost-effectiveness researchThe Marquette Challenge and engaging the next generationWhy “Don’t make enemies” might be the best professional advice you’ll hearIf you believe in evidence-based practice, this episode explains why ongoing research funding matters to every PT — whether you work in a clinic or academia.

Do It Differently or Die: A Wake-Up Call for PT OwnersLive from CSM, Jimmy talks with Eric Fernandez from Hyperice about the uncomfortable realities facing outpatient physical therapy.What We Cover:The three-year journey behind the Nike x Hyperice recovery shoeWhy AI and efficiency won’t save a broken business modelWhy PTs must start thinking like consumer brandsThe importance of lifecycle care and long-term valueWhy wellness companies are winning cash-based dollarsThe danger of waiting for insurance companies to “fix it”The mindset shift clinic owners must makeKey TakeawayThe system is perfectly designed to produce the results you’re currently getting. If you don’t like the results, rebuild the system.GuestEric Fernandez – Hyperice https://hyperice.com

A Decade Under the InfluenceFaith Stokes takes over the mic at CSM and interviews Jimmy McKay about 10 years of PT Pintcast.This episode covers:Why reimbursement is the profession’s defining issueHow students may drive the next innovation waveThe Costa Rica wheelchair fundraiser storyWhat APTA could do differentlyWhy PT must embrace visibility and communicationThe difference between communicating and being understoodThe Line That Sticks:Science isn’t finished until it’s understood.If you’re a PT, clinic owner, or healthcare leader trying to protect trust and earn attention in your market — this episode matters.Sponsors MentionedSaRA HealthEMPOWER EMRU.S. Physical Therapy

Stop Being the “Nice PT”Live from CSM in Anaheim, Eric Bellm joins PT Pintcast to challenge one of the most uncomfortable truths in physical therapy:Are we too focused on being liked?This episode tackles:The difference between support and accountabilityWhen to have the “coming to Jesus” conversation with a patientWhy labeling someone “noncompliant” is often lazyHow to introduce accountability from the first evalWhy educators must model humilityHow PTs should approach AI and healthcare changeThe importance of professional prideKey Takeaways“Help me understand” changes conversations.Accountability starts at evaluation.Treat the human, not just the diagnosis.Have an accountability buddy at work.Don’t fight change. Evolve with it.GuestEric Bellm, PT, DPT, OCSAssistant Professor – Saint Louis University

Circus Is Sport — So Why Aren’t We Treating It That Way?Performing artists train like elite athletes — but they’re rarely treated like them in healthcare.In this episode, Emily Scherb (The Circus Doc) shares:How she transitioned from professional circus performer to PTWhy circus participation is exploding across the U.S.What “adult-onset circus” meansWhy pole dancers avoid seeking careThe stigma problem in healthcareHow load management applies to performing artistsWhy saying “I don’t know” builds trustThe massive business opportunity PTs are missingKey TakeawaysCircus artists are athletes.Performing arts lack a strong culture of training load management.PTs don’t need to be experts — just curious and respectful.Niching down builds authority and trust.This population is actively looking for clinicians who understand them.Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.thecircusdoc.comInstagram: @thecircusdocLinkedIn: Emily Scherb

At CSM 2026, Jimmy sits down with Devon Morris to discuss generational differences in physical therapy — and why clinic culture may matter more than compensation for retaining Gen Z clinicians.Key themes include:The impact of growing up in a “phone-based world”The Zoom communication shiftWhy stereotypes about “kids today” miss the pointBurnout and student debt realitiesWhy some therapists leave higher pay for better cultureHow intentional leadership improves retentionIf you're a clinic owner struggling with retention — or a PT navigating your early career — this episode delivers practical insight. 00:00 – CSM 2026 Live 02:15 – Gen Z Explained 04:20 – The Zoom Effect 06:05 – Culture Over Salary 07:30 – Retention Crisis 08:40 – Parting Shot

From CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ben Lindaman to discuss one of the biggest identity tensions in physical therapy:Generalist vs. Specialist.Healthcare rewards depth.Marketing rewards niche positioning.But patient care often demands integration.Ben argues that:Early over-specialization can stunt developmentGeneralist thinking is critical in rural and primary care settingsMost patients don’t need hyper-specializationConfidence and competence matter more than credentialsPT’s versatility is both a strength and communication challengeIf you’ve ever felt pressure to define your niche immediately — this episode is for you.???? Key TakeawaysSpecialization has value — but so does breadthYoung clinicians should explore before committingValue-based care demands better triage and integrationRural PTs must be adaptable generalistsClinical identity should be internally driven, not externally pressured???? GuestBen Lindaman, PT, DPTAssistant Professor, Tufts UniversityPRN Clinician, Philadelphia???? Benton.Lindaman@tufts.eduSocial: @ben10dptRecommended Book: Range by David Epstein???? SponsorsSupported by:SaRA HealthEMPOWER EMRU.S. Physical Therapy

Recorded LIVE from CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ami Faria from the APTA Board of Directors to discuss:The honest conversation happening around PT student debtWhy the Department of Education’s proposed rule could create bottlenecksHow APTA prepares PTs for real advocacy on Capitol HillWhy AI in healthcare needs guardrails — not avoidanceThe strategic push toward Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)This episode highlights the Earned Attention principle in action: Attention → Trust → Action.The profession cannot outsource its future. Collaboration is the strategy.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Zoffness – Pain Psychologist | UCSF + Stanford Faculty | Author of Tell Me Where It HurtsTopic: Revolutionizing Pain Education and TreatmentWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the brain—not the body—is the control center for painHow chronic pain can be managed and treated (not just medicated)Real case study: “Sam” and the power of biopsychosocial careWhy PTs, MDs, and psychologists must collaborateWhy medical education fails to teach modern pain scienceHow you can create your own “pain recipe” for better outcomesBehind the scenes of Rachel’s new book, publishing journey & outreachLinks + Resources???? Website: zoffness.com???? Book: Tell Me Where It Hurts — Order Now???? Follow: @TheRealDocZoff, @drzoffness???? Want Rachel to record your voicemail? Preorder and submit at zoffness.com

Physical therapy isn’t just about movement anymore — it’s about models, messaging, and mindset. In this episode, Jimmy interviews Ryan Sharkey and Jonathan Ide-Don, co-founders of Full Stack Healthcare, a platform and newsletter helping clinicians think beyond fee-for-service.They break down the differences between RTM and telehealth, how asynchronous care changes outcomes, and why communication — not Theraband color — is your next clinical edge.???? Who this is for: Clinic owners, ambitious PTs, policy-curious rehab pros, and anyone who feels like the system is broken but isn’t sure how to fix it.???? Topics covered:What "full stack" really means for healthcareWhy PTs need to think like product buildersRTM vs Telehealth: Reimbursement realitiesWhy communication > exercise selectionScaling care without sacrificing qualitySubstack as a clinic strategy???? Game Segment: Full Stack Fire RoundRTM vs TelehealthFee-for-service vs Value-basedClinician-led vs Venture-fundedOne Substack post every PT should read???? Guest & Resource Links:???? Full Stack Healthcare???? Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss????‍⚕️ Sara Health – Remote care, simplified???? Empower EMR – Built for PTs???? US Physical Therapy – 650+ clinic locations