Private Practice Owners Club

Nathan Shields

Hosted by Nathan Shields who sold his PT clinics for 3x the national average! Do you own a physical therapy practice? If so, you know that running a successful business is no easy feat. There are so many challenges to overcome, from marketing and billing to recruiting, hiring and managing staff. Sometimes it feels like you're a one-man (or woman) army. That's where the Physical Therapy Owners Club podcast with host, Nathan Shields, comes in. We're here to help you know you're not alone. This podcast is meant to help you navigate the challenges of owning a PT practice and achieve greater profits, freedom, and the goals you set forth when you opened your clinc. In each episode, we'll talk to successful physical therapy owners about their experiences and share their insights on how to best run a PT clinic. Here are some examples of the Physical Therapy Owners Club Podcast's Topics & Highlights: 1. Unveiling the Secrets of Successful Clinic Owners We delve into the minds of highly successful physical therapy clinic owners. Discover the essential traits, habits, and strategies that set them apart from the competition. Get ready to unlock the secrets to building a thriving practice that stands the test of time. 2. Mastering the Art of Marketing for PT Clinics We bring you marketing gurus who have successfully harnessed the power of digital and traditional marketing to grow their physical therapy businesses exponentially. From social media strategies to community outreach, you'll gain valuable insights that will revolutionize your clinic's marketing game. 3. Building a Dream Team: Recruiting, Hiring, and On-Boarding/Training Physical Therapists and Top Talent Your team is the backbone of your practice's success. Learn from HR experts and seasoned clinic owners as they spill the beans on effective recruiting and hiring practices, fostering a positive culture, and retaining top-notch talent for the long haul. 4. Mindset and Leadership for Clinic Owners The journey of a physical therapy practice owner is not without challenges. Explore the power of a growth mindset, leadership development, and overcoming common entrepreneurial obstacles to lead your clinic confidently toward success. 5. Scaling Up: Expanding Your Clinic's Footprint Dreaming of expanding your physical therapy business? We’ll explore growth opportunities, opening multiple locations, and franchising models for ambitious clinic owners aiming to take their practices to new markets. 6. Financial Strategies for Sustainable Growth Financial health is critical for the long-term success of any business. Tune in as financial experts share practical tips to manage your clinic's finances efficiently, navigate insurance complexities, and maximize profitability without compromising patient care. 7. Embracing Technology for Enhanced Patient Care With technology advancing at lightning speed, learn how to harness cutting-edge tools, telehealth solutions, and software to optimize patient outcomes and streamline your clinic's operations. We'll explore the latest tech trends reshaping the physical therapy landscape. 8. Navigating the World of Healthcare Legislation Healthcare legislation can be a maze of complexities that significantly impact your practice's operations and profitability. Join industry experts as they break down the latest regulations, provide compliance tips, and share best practices to stay ahead of the curve and optimize your clinic's performance. 9. Nurturing Patient Relationships and Boosting Customer Loyalty Word-of-mouth marketing remains one of the most potent tools for growing your clinic. Discover the art of patient engagement, improving patient experiences, and cultivating lasting relationships to build a fiercely loyal customer base. 10. Success Stories: Inspiring Case Studies from PT Practice Owners If you're looking for a podcast that can take your physical therapy practice to the next level, the PT Owners Club wil do it! Join us on Facebook Group, too

  1. 5d ago

    How AI Can Help Negotiate Higher Payer Rates, with Brace Health

    Most private practice owners assume insurance companies won't negotiate. But what if you could increase your reimbursement rates with the right strategy, the right argument, and the right person? In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields sits down with David O'Hara of Brace Health to break down how private practice owners can negotiate better payer rates and stop leaving money on the table. David shares what they've learned from hundreds of payer negotiations, including what payers actually care about, how to build leverage, how AI can identify opportunities, and why finding the right person inside an insurance company can make all the difference. In this episode, you'll learn: Why some practices are successfully getting 5–10%+ rate increasesHow an additional $5 per visit can translate into significant annual revenueWhy the highest-paying payers may actually be more willing to negotiateWhat insurance companies actually care about when negotiating ratesWhy network adequacy can give practices leverageHow to use local market data to strengthen your negotiationHow AI can identify geographic and specialty-specific opportunitiesWhy simply telling payers that your costs have increased may not be enoughWhy you should focus your negotiation on specific rate increasesHow to determine what to ask for in a payer negotiationWhy asking for a larger increase can sometimes be more effectiveHow to find the right network or contracting managerWhy some negotiations require persistent follow-upWhat happened after one practice sent 11 follow-up emailsHow building relationships with payer representatives can improve negotiationsHow successful negotiations can create immediate improvements to your bottom lineWhy negotiating reimbursement rates can also be a form of advocacy for the PT industryWhat practice owners should know before starting the negotiation process Payer negotiations don't have to be complicated or adversarial. With the right strategy, preparation, and persistence, practice owners can create more leverage and potentially improve reimbursement. If you're a private practice owner who wants to stop accepting low reimbursement rates and learn how to approach payer negotiations strategically, this episode is for you. Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    How AI Can Help Negotiate Higher Payer Rates, with Brace Health
  2. Oct 13

    Retain Top Talent With Better Clinic Culture

    A profitable practice doesn’t automatically become a great place to work; great culture has to be intentionally built, protected, and reinforced by leadership.   In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Adam and Nathan dive into what it really takes to create a practice culture that people actually want to be part of and one that helps attract, develop, and retain great talent.   They talk about the difficult side of leadership: bringing energy every day, protecting your values, holding people accountable, having uncomfortable conversations, and making hard decisions when someone is no longer aligned with the culture.   In this episode, you'll learn:   Why owners can end up hating the practice they createdHow a leader’s energy influences the culture of an organizationWhy purpose and values need to be more than words on a wallWhy protecting your culture sometimes requires difficult decisionsWhy highly productive employees may still be a poor cultural fitHow accountability conversations can strengthen your teamWhy ignoring problems can slowly erode your cultureHow uncomfortable conversations can create stronger teamsHow to create an environment where people can truly be themselvesHow culture can become part of your recruiting strategyWhy compensation and financial growth still matter to employee experienceHow career development can give employees reasons to stayPractical ways to operationalize culture through meetings, recognition, activities, and team eventsHow to establish clear expectations around gossip, rumors, and workplace dramaWhy protecting the standard is part of the leader’s job  Culture isn't built through one meeting or one company event. It's built through the daily behaviors, decisions, standards, and conversations that leaders consistently reinforce.   If you're a private practice owner trying to build a business that attracts great people, retains talent, and gives you a team you can actually trust—this conversation is for you.   Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference to learn proven systems for growing a stronger private practice.   If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another private practice owner.   Explore more resources from the Private Practice Owners Club: https://linktr.ee/ppoclub Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    Retain Top Talent With Better Clinic Culture
  3. Oct 6

    Why Bonuses Fail To Keep Your Best Therapists, With Jason Wambold Of Prompt Compensation

    Variable Compensation Models: A Better Way to Recruit, Retain & Motivate Therapists   How do you compensate therapists in a way that supports productivity, retention, recruitment, autonomy, and practice profitability?   In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields sits down with Jason Wanold, VP of Prompt Compensation and former co-founder of Onus One, to revisit variable compensation models and discuss what Jason has learned from years of helping practices implement them.   They break down how variable compensation works, why it shouldn't be treated like a bonus or incentive program, and how practices can create compensation structures that give therapists more autonomy and control while still protecting the financial health of the practice.   In this episode, you'll learn:   What variable compensation actually meansThe difference between base pay and variable payWhy variable compensation is different from bonuses and incentivesWhy units-based compensation can work better than visit-based modelsHow to frame compensation changes so therapists understand the purposeHow to protect quality of care while using variable compensationThe KPIs that can improve under these modelsWhy you can't simply “bonus your way” into better behaviorsHow variable compensation can create more autonomy and flexibility for therapistsThe biggest concerns owners have when introducing these modelsThe most common concerns therapists have about changing compensationHow historical data can reduce fear and uncertaintyWhy practices should consider a 6–12 month transition periodHow compensation models can improve recruitment and retentionWhy standardizing compensation plans can create more transparencyHow therapists can create a path to earning more within the same practiceWhy owners should use financial projections and historical data before implementing a modelThe biggest mistakes practices make when rolling out variable compensation  One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that compensation doesn't have to be a battle between what the therapist wants and what the practice can afford. With the right structure, data, transparency, and implementation strategy, it can become a true win-win.   The goal isn't simply to pay therapists more. It's to create a compensation model that rewards contribution, gives providers autonomy, supports quality care, and strengthens the practice. Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    Why Bonuses Fail To Keep Your Best Therapists, With Jason Wambold Of Prompt Compensation
  4. Sep 29

    The High-Performance Practice, Ep. 6: Optimize Staffing Ratios To Maximize Profit

    Staffing Ratios: How to Build a Leaner, More Profitable Practice   Payroll is one of the biggest expenses in a private practice and when staffing gets out of control, profitability can disappear quickly.   In Episode 6 of the High-Performance Practice Series, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin break down how practice owners can properly calibrate their clinical and administrative teams to maximize performance, efficiency, and profit.   Instead of simply hiring another person whenever the team feels overwhelmed, they discuss how to use financial benchmarks, productivity metrics, technology, AI, and virtual assistants to build a more efficient practice.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why employee compensation can be your practice's biggest expenseHow to keep total employee compensation within a healthy revenue ratioThe 2.5–3.5x compensation-to-revenue productivity benchmarkWhy hiring another person isn't always the solutionHow to create and manage an admin staffing budgetWhy every practice needs to be evaluated based on its own financialsHow technology and virtual assistants can reduce administrative costsHow to simplify and eliminate unnecessary processesWhy constraints can create innovationHow AI can improve patient communication and schedulingHow virtual assistants can support your front deskHow to determine when your front desk needs additional supportWhy keeping operations lean can improve profitabilityHow technology can help practices maintain a cleaner revenue cycleWhy practice owners need to continuously test, measure, and improve their systems  The goal isn't simply to have fewer employees. It's to build a high-performing team with the right people doing the right work at the right cost.   If you want to build a practice that is more efficient, profitable, and scalable, this episode is for you.   Don't just hire more people. Build better systems. Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    The High-Performance Practice, Ep. 6: Optimize Staffing Ratios To Maximize Profit
  5. Sep 22

    Maximize Clinic Profit & Drop Low-Paying Insurances

    Dropping Low-Paying Insurance & Maximizing Revenue   Private practice owners are under more pressure than ever to maximize revenue and protect their profit margins. In this episode, we break down the practical steps owners can take to improve profitability before making major decisions about insurance contracts.   From knowing your numbers to improving front-desk collections, managing billing, optimizing provider billing, and evaluating insurance payers, this conversation gives you a framework for making smarter financial decisions in your practice.   In this episode, you'll learn:   Why simply breaking even isn't enough for a healthy private practiceThe key financial numbers every practice owner should knowHow to calculate and understand your average reimbursementWhy cost per visit matters when evaluating payersHow your front desk can become a major revenue driverWhy collecting copays, deductibles, and coinsurance mattersHow to better manage your billing and collections teamWays to optimize provider billing and revenue per visitHow to use data and AI tools to improve financial decision-makingHow to evaluate insurance companies using a scorecardWhen it may make sense to negotiate or drop a low-paying payerWhy practice owners need to stop being afraid of demanding profit  The goal isn't simply to generate more revenue. It's to build a practice that is financially strong enough to support your team, your family, and your long-term goals.   Demand profit from your practice. Know your numbers. Make decisions based on data.   And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, join us in San Antonio for the upcoming conference. Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    Maximize Clinic Profit & Drop Low-Paying Insurances
  6. Sep 15

    What Are You Doing to Market Your Practice?

    The 4 Marketing Buckets Every Private Practice Owner Needs to Know   When private practice owners think about marketing, the first thing that usually comes to mind is getting more new patients.   But what if more patients aren't actually your biggest constraint?   In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club Podcast, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin take a deeper look at what marketing really means for a physical therapy practice and why thinking beyond physician referrals and paid ads can completely change the way you grow.   They break down the four marketing buckets every private practice owner should understand: current patients, past patients, physicians, and the broader community.   The conversation goes beyond simply “getting more patients.” They explore how marketing can help you fill a new provider's schedule, launch a new specialty, recruit better team members, build referral relationships, and create consistent lead flow.   You'll also hear why simple, consistent action beats complicated marketing strategies and how tracking the right numbers can turn marketing from something you occasionally remember to do into a repeatable system.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why “I need more new patients” isn't always the real problemThe 4 buckets of marketing every private practice owner should considerWhy current and past patients are often your cheapest and most reliable marketing channelsHow to use enrollment conversations to generate new opportunitiesHow role-playing can help your team become more comfortable asking for referralsWhy marketing should become an SOP, not a random activityHow volume and consistency create momentum and lead flowHow to identify the key influencers in your communityWhy your ideal patient avatar should determine your marketing strategyHow physicians, chiropractors, trainers, gyms, pastors, and other community leaders can become influencersHow social media can help you reach your ideal patients directlyWhy knowing who you're trying to help makes marketing dramatically easierHow to use simple messaging that actually resonates with patientsWhy consistency and calendaring are critical to successful marketingHow to use video, AI, CRM systems, and social media tools without overcomplicating your strategyWhat to do when hospital systems control a large portion of physician referralsWhy private practices need to pivot instead of making excusesHow developing marketing skills can help with recruiting, launching programs, and growing new locationsWhy the owner's ability to learn, adapt, and develop new skills is critical for long-term growth  The biggest takeaway?   Marketing doesn't have to be complicated.   Know who you want to help. Know where they are. Start conversations. Create value. Show up consistently. Track what works—and keep doing it.   Because when the market changes, those who know how to pivot will survive.   Learn more about the Private Practice Owners Club Build a practice with more profit, freedom, and purpose without relying on one single source of referrals.   Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share the Private Practice Owners Club Podcast!   #PrivatePractice #PhysicalTherapy #PracticeManagement #HealthcareMarketing #PhysicalTherapist #PrivatePracticeOwner #PTBusiness #MedicalMarketing Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    What Are You Doing to Market Your Practice?
  7. Sep 8

    Want to Sell Your Practice Someday? Know These 3 Rules

    How to Prepare Your Physical Therapy Practice for a Successful Exit   What is happening in the physical therapy M&A market right now, and what does it mean for practice owners thinking about selling?   In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields sits down with Paul Martin of Martin Healthcare Advisors, who has spent 27 years helping physical therapy practice owners navigate mergers, acquisitions, valuations, and exit strategies.   Paul breaks down what is happening in the current M&A market, why buyers are becoming more selective, and why practice owners need to start preparing well before they are ready to sell.   They also discuss what actually increases the value of a practice, how EBITDA affects valuation, why clean financials matter, the importance of leadership teams and documented systems, and why owners should think carefully about culture and deal structure before accepting an offer.   In this episode, you'll learn:   What the current physical therapy M&A market looks likeWhy there may be more sellers than buyers over the next few yearsHow EBITDA and valuation multiples affect your potential sale priceWhy owners should know the value of their business todayHow charge capture, schedule management, and provider productivity can increase valueWhy clean and credible financials matter to acquirersHow leadership teams can make a practice more attractive to buyersWhy owner-dependent practices can be harder to sellHow documented systems reduce dependence on individual employeesHow long owners may be expected to stay after a transactionWhy culture fit should come before structure and priceWhy structure can matter more than the headline sale priceHow multiple offers can give sellers more leverageThe two questions every owner should answer before preparing for an exit  The biggest takeaway: you don't want to wait until you're ready to sell before you start building a valuable business.   Know where you are today. Know what you want from a transaction. Then build the roadmap that gets you there.   Connect with Paul Martin   Learn more about Martin Healthcare Advisors and their work with physical therapy practice owners at martinhealthcareadvisors.com.   Paul also hosts The Next Level Owner podcast for physical therapy business owners.   Connect with the Private Practice Owners Club   Learn more about the Private Practice Owners Club and explore additional resources for growing and improving your practice. Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    Want to Sell Your Practice Someday? Know These 3 Rules
  8. Sep 1

    Why Soft Leadership Kills Team Production & Profit?

    Building a productive clinic isn't about pushing your providers to work harder, it's about creating the systems, expectations, and culture that allow great teams to thrive.   In this Facebook Live, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin discuss one of the biggest challenges facing private practice owners: improving provider productivity while maintaining healthy team communication. They explain why clear metrics alone aren't enough, and how leadership, accountability, and hiring the right people are what truly drive long-term performance.   Whether you're struggling with team buy-in, accountability conversations, or simply don't know which metrics matter most, this discussion offers practical leadership insights that every clinic owner can apply.   In this session, you'll learn: The essential metrics every practice owner should knowHow to set realistic productivity expectations for providersWhy systems must come before accountabilityThe relationship between culture and clinic performanceHow to identify when you have the wrong people on your teamTips for leading difficult accountability conversationsWhy production is the foundation of team moraleBooks and leadership resources that improved their management skillsWhat aligned teams naturally outperform misaligned organizations  If you're serious about building a high-performing practice with a strong team culture, this conversation is packed with actionable leadership lessons.   Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference Learn proven systems for improving leadership, profitability, productivity, and practice growth.   Explore more Private Practice Owners Club resources: https://linktr.ee/ppoclub Want to talk about how we can help you with your PT business, or have a question you want to ask? Book a call with Nathan - https://calendly.com/ptoclub/discoverycall Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/

    Why Soft Leadership Kills Team Production & Profit?
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About

Hosted by Nathan Shields who sold his PT clinics for 3x the national average! Do you own a physical therapy practice? If so, you know that running a successful business is no easy feat. There are so many challenges to overcome, from marketing and billing to recruiting, hiring and managing staff. Sometimes it feels like you're a one-man (or woman) army. That's where the Physical Therapy Owners Club podcast with host, Nathan Shields, comes in. We're here to help you know you're not alone. This podcast is meant to help you navigate the challenges of owning a PT practice and achieve greater profits, freedom, and the goals you set forth when you opened your clinc. In each episode, we'll talk to successful physical therapy owners about their experiences and share their insights on how to best run a PT clinic. Here are some examples of the Physical Therapy Owners Club Podcast's Topics & Highlights: 1. Unveiling the Secrets of Successful Clinic Owners We delve into the minds of highly successful physical therapy clinic owners. Discover the essential traits, habits, and strategies that set them apart from the competition. Get ready to unlock the secrets to building a thriving practice that stands the test of time. 2. Mastering the Art of Marketing for PT Clinics We bring you marketing gurus who have successfully harnessed the power of digital and traditional marketing to grow their physical therapy businesses exponentially. From social media strategies to community outreach, you'll gain valuable insights that will revolutionize your clinic's marketing game. 3. Building a Dream Team: Recruiting, Hiring, and On-Boarding/Training Physical Therapists and Top Talent Your team is the backbone of your practice's success. Learn from HR experts and seasoned clinic owners as they spill the beans on effective recruiting and hiring practices, fostering a positive culture, and retaining top-notch talent for the long haul. 4. Mindset and Leadership for Clinic Owners The journey of a physical therapy practice owner is not without challenges. Explore the power of a growth mindset, leadership development, and overcoming common entrepreneurial obstacles to lead your clinic confidently toward success. 5. Scaling Up: Expanding Your Clinic's Footprint Dreaming of expanding your physical therapy business? We’ll explore growth opportunities, opening multiple locations, and franchising models for ambitious clinic owners aiming to take their practices to new markets. 6. Financial Strategies for Sustainable Growth Financial health is critical for the long-term success of any business. Tune in as financial experts share practical tips to manage your clinic's finances efficiently, navigate insurance complexities, and maximize profitability without compromising patient care. 7. Embracing Technology for Enhanced Patient Care With technology advancing at lightning speed, learn how to harness cutting-edge tools, telehealth solutions, and software to optimize patient outcomes and streamline your clinic's operations. We'll explore the latest tech trends reshaping the physical therapy landscape. 8. Navigating the World of Healthcare Legislation Healthcare legislation can be a maze of complexities that significantly impact your practice's operations and profitability. Join industry experts as they break down the latest regulations, provide compliance tips, and share best practices to stay ahead of the curve and optimize your clinic's performance. 9. Nurturing Patient Relationships and Boosting Customer Loyalty Word-of-mouth marketing remains one of the most potent tools for growing your clinic. Discover the art of patient engagement, improving patient experiences, and cultivating lasting relationships to build a fiercely loyal customer base. 10. Success Stories: Inspiring Case Studies from PT Practice Owners If you're looking for a podcast that can take your physical therapy practice to the next level, the PT Owners Club wil do it! Join us on Facebook Group, too

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