Private Practice Owners Club

Hosted by Nathan Shields

Business Careers Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Episodes

359

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 202633 min

$80K Plus Benefits Isn't Cutting It Anymore: Rethinking Bonuses and Compensation

Do bonus programs actually improve performance, or do they simply reward behaviors your team should already be doing? In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin explore how private practice owners can design bonus and incentive programs that drive productivity without hurting profitability. They discuss why culture must come before compensation, how to determine the right baseline metrics, and why simple incentive structures often outperform complicated formulas. They also share real-world examples of provider bonuses, front desk incentives, alternative compensation models, and profit-sharing strategies. In this episode, you'll learn: Why strong culture matters more than bonus programs The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation The financial metrics you must know before offering incentives How to build simple provider bonus structures Why bonuses should reward performance beyond baseline expectations Creative team-based incentives that don't always involve cash Alternative compensation models that increase earning potential Front desk bonus ideas that improve productivity Common mistakes practice owners make with incentive programs How higher revenue per visit creates better compensation opportunities for your team Whether you're building your first incentive program or improving an existing compensation model, this episode provides practical ideas to motivate your team while protecting your clinic's profitability. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference to learn proven strategies for building a more profitable, high-performing 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/

August 11, 202640 min

High-Performance Practice Series, Ep. 4: How to Renegotiate Payer Contracts (and When to Just Drop Them)

Hiring isn't the real problem, cash flow is. In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin explain why many practice owners chase the wrong solution when facing recruiting challenges. Instead of focusing on benefits packages or hiring tactics, they reveal how stronger financial systems and smarter payer strategies create the flexibility to attract and retain top talent. They also walk through when to renegotiate insurance contracts, when it's time to drop low-paying payers, and the metrics every clinic owner should understand before making those decisions. In this episode, you'll learn: Why recruiting problems often start with cash flow The financial systems you should fix before renegotiating contracts The key metrics every practice owner should monitor How to evaluate payer profitability When it makes sense to renegotiate or drop an insurance contract How to prepare for contract negotiations with confidence Why administrative burden matters just as much as reimbursement rates How to communicate payer changes with your team and patients Strategies to increase profitability without adding more patient visits How stronger financial decisions create long-term practice growth If you're looking to build a more profitable and resilient private practice, this episode offers practical strategies you can start applying today. 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/

August 4, 202645 min

High-Performance Practice Series, Ep. 3: 4 Places Your Practice Is Quietly Losing Money (And How to Fix Each)

Private practice owners don't lose profitability overnight they lose it through inefficient systems, weak billing processes, and missed revenue opportunities. In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin break down the operational and financial systems every clinic owner should master to maximize revenue without increasing patient volume. From front desk performance and billing collections to provider documentation and reimbursement optimization, they share practical strategies to help practices improve cash flow, reduce denials, and build a stronger, more profitable business. In this episode, you'll learn: Why more private practices are struggling to survive The key financial metrics every owner should monitor How to calculate true reimbursement per visit Why knowing your cost per visit matters Front desk systems that directly impact revenue How over-the-counter collections increase cash flow Common billing mistakes that lead to lost revenue The billing KPIs every practice should track How to reduce denial rates and clean up accounts receivable Why documentation speed affects profitability How provider billing education can significantly increase revenue Leadership strategies to improve accountability and clinic performance Whether you're looking to tighten operations, improve profitability, or future-proof your practice, this episode provides actionable insights you can implement immediately. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference to learn proven systems for building a more profitable private practice. If you found this episode valuable, 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/ If your clinic is growing but your freedom isn't, join us October 15–17 in San Antonio to learn how to scale systems, profit, and leadership: Save My Spot

July 29, 202638 min

Turn Business Success Into Personal Wealth - FB Live With Eric Miller Of Econologics

Is your private practice making more money, but your household still feels financially stuck? In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields sits down with financial advisor Eric Miller to discuss one of the biggest mistakes practice owners make: focusing on growing the business without creating a personal financial strategy. They explain why many owners spend too much time optimizing small investments while overlooking the biggest wealth-building asset they already own their practice. You'll learn how to align your business with your personal financial goals, create a long-term wealth plan, and avoid common mistakes that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars when it's time to sell your practice. In this episode, you'll learn: Why strategy matters more than financial tactics The biggest mistake private practice owners make with money How to align business growth with household wealth Why every owner should build a 7–10-year financial plan How to reverse engineer your practice goals from your desired lifestyle The importance of defining your household financial targets How to measure the wealth gap between where you are and where you want to be Common tax planning mistakes owners make before selling their practice Why proactive financial planning can significantly reduce taxes at exit How better financial discipline creates a stronger, more profitable practice Whether you're planning to grow your clinic, prepare for an eventual sale, or simply build lasting financial freedom, this episode provides practical strategies to help you make smarter business and wealth decisions. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference and learn proven strategies to build a more profitable, scalable private practice. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another private practice owner who's serious about building long-term wealth. 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/ If your clinic is growing but your freedom isn't, join us October 15–17 in San Antonio to learn how to scale systems, profit, and leadership: Save My Spot

July 22, 202638 min

High Performance Practice Series, Ep. 2 - No More Empty Slots

Most private practice owners think improving profitability means seeing more patients. The truth? Many clinics already have enough capacity; they just aren't maximizing it. In Episode 2 of the High-Performance Practice Series, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin break down one of the most overlooked drivers of clinic profitability: schedule efficiency and utilization. They explain why knowing your break-even point is the foundation of every scheduling decision, how to calculate provider production expectations, and why your front desk team plays one of the biggest roles in protecting your profit margin. From building accountability dashboards to creating scheduling systems that keep providers productive, this episode provides a practical framework for turning empty appointment slots into predictable revenue—without sacrificing patient care. In this episode, you'll learn: Why schedule utilization is one of the most important profitability metrics How to calculate your clinic's true break-even point The revenue expectations every provider should understand How to use provider productivity metrics to improve financial performance Why front desk systems not just marketing drive clinic growth The scheduling dashboard that keeps your team accountable every day How to build battle plans before empty schedules become a problem The characteristics of a high-performing front desk team member When high utilization signals it's time to hire another provider How better scheduling improves patient outcomes while increasing profitability Whether you're trying to improve provider productivity, increase revenue without adding staff, or simply gain more control over your clinic's operations, this episode gives you practical systems you can begin implementing immediately. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference and learn the systems, leadership strategies, and operational frameworks that help private practice owners build more profitable, purpose-driven clinics. 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/

July 14, 202633 min

The High-Performance Practice Series Intro: Profits & Freedom

What does true freedom actually look like for a private practice owner? In this kickoff episode of the High-Performance Practice Series, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin explore one of the biggest challenges facing clinic owners today: feeling trapped by the very business they worked so hard to build. After speaking with hundreds of private practice owners, Adam shares the common patterns he sees, burnout, overwhelm, lack of control, financial pressure, and the constant feeling of reacting instead of leading. Together, they lay the foundation for this new series by discussing how to move from survival mode to intentional leadership through better systems, clearer priorities, and purposeful business design. Rather than focusing on quick fixes, this episode challenges owners to define what success actually looks like for their practice, their family, and their future. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many practice owners feel trapped by their business The hidden causes of burnout, overwhelm, and loss of control What "freedom" really means beyond financial success How clarity creates better decisions and stronger leadership Why defining your ideal business and lifestyle is the first step toward growth The importance of working on your business not just in it How protecting your time leads to better systems and greater freedom The role of profit margin, time ownership, and intentional planning in building a high-performance practice Practical first steps to begin designing the business and life you actually want This episode serves as the foundation for the High-Performance Practice Series and prepares you for the tactical strategies covered in the episodes ahead. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference to dive deeper into the systems, leadership, and strategies discussed throughout this series. Register here: https://ppoclubevents.com/04-17-26-workshop Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share with another private practice owner who's ready to build a more profitable, purpose-driven practice. 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/

July 7, 202645 min

The 5 Stages Of Private Practice Growth (And How To Know If You’re Stuck) with Adam Robin

Many physical therapy clinic owners start with a passion for helping patients but end up trapped under a massive clinical caseload. Host Nathan Shields and guest Adam Robin break down the critical path of Private Practice Growth to help you escape the treating therapist trap. If you're working sixty hours a week and missing family milestones, you're likely stuck in the messy middle of operational chaos. They map out the five distinct stages of clinic ownership so you know exactly where to focus your energy next. You'll discover how to organize your front desk, build a strong leadership team, and step into true executive ownership. It's time to stop trading your clinical hours for dollars and start running a business that thrives without 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/

June 30, 202642 min

Recruiting, Attracting, Hiring & Retaining Top PTs With Adam Robin

Most private practice owners think recruiting is about posting a job ad and hoping the right clinician applies. That strategy isn't working anymore. In this live discussion, Adam Robin and Nathan Shields pull back the curtain on what actually drives successful recruiting in today's market—and why the clinics that consistently attract great clinicians are operating from an entirely different playbook. Adam shares how his team experienced two resignations in the same week yet had interview opportunities lined up within 24 hours. The secret wasn't luck—it was having a recruiting engine already running in the background. Together, Adam and Nathan break down the systems, mindset, and marketing principles that allow practice owners to consistently attract talent, create compelling opportunities, and build teams that support long-term growth and freedom. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why recruiting is really a marketing problem ✅ The biggest mistake owners make when trying to hire clinicians ✅ How to build an Ideal Candidate Profile (ICP) ✅ Why most job ads fail to attract quality candidates ✅ The concept of a "Grand Slam Offer" and how it improves hiring success ✅ How to create recruiting assets that work around the clock ✅ The role AI, automation, and VAs can play in your recruiting system ✅ Why speed is one of the most overlooked recruiting advantages ✅ How to create a recruiting flywheel that generates opportunities year-round ✅ What practice owners can learn from high-performing recruiting organizations Whether you're struggling to fill an open position, preparing for future growth, or simply tired of feeling stuck whenever someone resigns, this conversation provides a practical framework for building a recruiting process that actually works. Recruiting isn't something you turn on when someone quits—it's a system you build before you need it. Want to see exactly how Adam built his recruiting engine? Join us for the Pre-Conference Recruiting Workshop where Adam will walk through his CRM, outreach systems, AI workflows, recruiting assets, follow-up sequences, and hiring process step-by-step. 👉 https://ppoclubevents.com PPO Club Conference 2026 The High-Performance Practice: Balancing Purpose, Profit & Freedom Join practice owners from around the country in San Antonio as we tackle leadership, recruiting, operations, profitability, and growth. 👉 https://ppoclubevents.com Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share with another practice owner. 99.5% of successful owners interviewed on this podcast have leveraged a business coach at some point in their journey. Private Practice Owners Club is the coach you need to build a practice that delivers profit, freedom, and purpose. 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/

June 26, 202611 min

Most PT Owners Run Their Clinic on Two Numbers and They're Leaving Six Figures on the Table

Most private practice owners know they should track their numbers. The problem is they either don't know which numbers matter, don't know what good performance looks like, or don't know what to do when the numbers are off. In this solo episode, Nathan Shields shares a concern he's seeing across the physical therapy industry: declining reimbursements, rising expenses, shrinking profit margins, and clinic owners making critical business decisions without the data they need. After conducting operational and financial audits for clinics around the country, Nathan has found a consistent pattern—many practices are unknowingly leaking tens of thousands of dollars each year simply because they aren't measuring and managing the right metrics. This episode breaks down the three common categories of owners, why understanding your numbers is now a survival skill rather than a luxury, and how better visibility into your business can dramatically improve profitability without increasing patient volume. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The biggest financial blind spots affecting private practice owners ✅ Why many clinics are unknowingly losing $30,000–$100,000+ annually ✅ The three categories of practice owners when it comes to metrics ✅ Why declining reimbursement rates are creating urgency for operational excellence ✅ How executive dashboards help owners make objective decisions faster ✅ The key difference between being busy and being profitable ✅ How identifying operational leaks can improve margins without seeing more patients ✅ Why data-driven leadership is becoming essential for long-term survival If you've ever wondered whether your practice is performing as well as it could—or if you're concerned about the future of your clinic in an increasingly challenging reimbursement environment—this episode is a must-listen. Want to build a stronger, more profitable practice? Join us at the upcoming PPO Club Workshop: 👉 https://ppoclubevents.com/04-17-26-workshop Learn proven strategies to improve profitability, optimize operations, and create a practice that delivers more purpose, profit, and freedom. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share with another practice owner. https://ptoclub.com 99.5% of successful owners interviewed on this podcast have leveraged a business coach at some point in their journey. Private Practice Owners Club is the coach you need to build a thriving practice while avoiding burnout. 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/

June 23, 202645 min

Overcoming Aversion To Numbers & Data With Adam Robin

If your new patient flow feels inconsistent, unpredictable, or completely random, this episode is going to change the way you think about marketing forever. In Episode 2 of the Private Practice Scorecard series, Adam Robin breaks down the exact lead generation framework private practice owners can use to create more predictable patient growth — without spending thousands on complicated marketing funnels or ads. This is not theory. This is a practical, boots-on-the-ground system built specifically for healthcare practices that want more control, confidence, and consistency in their marketing. Adam walks through: ✔ The #1 marketing metric every clinic owner should track ✔ Why marketing does NOT equal new patients ✔ The difference between leads and conversions ✔ How to build a simple lead tracking system using only a spreadsheet ✔ The exact framework for generating referrals consistently ✔ Relationship marketing strategies that cost $0 ✔ How to create referral partnerships that actually send patients ✔ The biggest mistakes owners make with outreach and follow-up ✔ How internal referrals can become a massive growth engine ✔ Why most owners stay stuck in “hope and pray” mode This episode is packed with actionable systems, scripts, outreach strategies, and mindset shifts designed to help you stop guessing where your next patient is coming from — and start building a real marketing engine. If you’re opening a new clinic, trying to grow a location, or simply tired of inconsistent schedules and unpredictable revenue, this episode is a must-listen. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How to track leads the right way The difference between external and internal referrals Why every clinic needs a lead list How to build a referral partner outreach system The 4-step referral conversation framework How to leverage current and past patients for growth Why consistency beats complicated marketing tactics Resources & Links 👉 PPO Club: https://ppoclub.com/ 👉 Join the PPO Club Community 👉 Follow Adam Robin on social media for more private practice growth strategies Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with another practice owner who’s tired of unpredictable patient growth and wants a clearer marketing system. 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/

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