Private Practice Owners Club

Hosted by Nathan Shields

Business Careers Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Episodes

368

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

September 29, 202634 min

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 expense How to keep total employee compensation within a healthy revenue ratio The 2.5–3.5x compensation-to-revenue productivity benchmark Why hiring another person isn't always the solution How to create and manage an admin staffing budget Why every practice needs to be evaluated based on its own financials How technology and virtual assistants can reduce administrative costs How to simplify and eliminate unnecessary processes Why constraints can create innovation How AI can improve patient communication and scheduling How virtual assistants can support your front desk How to determine when your front desk needs additional support Why keeping operations lean can improve profitability How technology can help practices maintain a cleaner revenue cycle Why 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/

September 22, 202655 min

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 practice The key financial numbers every practice owner should know How to calculate and understand your average reimbursement Why cost per visit matters when evaluating payers How your front desk can become a major revenue driver Why collecting copays, deductibles, and coinsurance matters How to better manage your billing and collections team Ways to optimize provider billing and revenue per visit How to use data and AI tools to improve financial decision-making How to evaluate insurance companies using a scorecard When it may make sense to negotiate or drop a low-paying payer Why 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/

September 15, 202632 min

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 problem The 4 buckets of marketing every private practice owner should consider Why current and past patients are often your cheapest and most reliable marketing channels How to use enrollment conversations to generate new opportunities How role-playing can help your team become more comfortable asking for referrals Why marketing should become an SOP, not a random activity How volume and consistency create momentum and lead flow How to identify the key influencers in your community Why your ideal patient avatar should determine your marketing strategy How physicians, chiropractors, trainers, gyms, pastors, and other community leaders can become influencers How social media can help you reach your ideal patients directly Why knowing who you're trying to help makes marketing dramatically easier How to use simple messaging that actually resonates with patients Why consistency and calendaring are critical to successful marketing How to use video, AI, CRM systems, and social media tools without overcomplicating your strategy What to do when hospital systems control a large portion of physician referrals Why private practices need to pivot instead of making excuses How developing marketing skills can help with recruiting, launching programs, and growing new locations Why 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/

September 8, 202643 min

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 like Why there may be more sellers than buyers over the next few years How EBITDA and valuation multiples affect your potential sale price Why owners should know the value of their business today How charge capture, schedule management, and provider productivity can increase value Why clean and credible financials matter to acquirers How leadership teams can make a practice more attractive to buyers Why owner-dependent practices can be harder to sell How documented systems reduce dependence on individual employees How long owners may be expected to stay after a transaction Why culture fit should come before structure and price Why structure can matter more than the headline sale price How multiple offers can give sellers more leverage The 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/

September 1, 202645 min

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 know How to set realistic productivity expectations for providers Why systems must come before accountability The relationship between culture and clinic performance How to identify when you have the wrong people on your team Tips for leading difficult accountability conversations Why production is the foundation of team morale Books and leadership resources that improved their management skills What 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/ Register for the 2026 Private Practice Owners Club conference here - https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026

August 25, 202637 min

High-Performance Practice Series, Ep. 5: Is Your Biller Keeping You Broke?

Most private practice owners know they need a good billing department but very few know how to actually manage one. In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, Nathan Shields and Adam Robin break down one of the biggest hidden profit leaks in private practice: poor billing oversight. Whether your billing is handled in-house or outsourced, simply trusting your biller isn't enough. As an owner, you need to understand the numbers, ask better questions, and establish accountability. Nathan and Adam share hard-earned lessons from years of losing—and eventually recovering—hundreds of thousands of dollars by learning how to manage the revenue cycle more effectively. In this episode, you'll learn: Why billing is one of the biggest hidden profit leaks in private practice The costly mistake of relying solely on your billing company The essential reports every owner should review every month How to run productive billing accountability meetings The KPIs that actually matter collections, denial rates, and AR aging Benchmarks every billing department should be hitting Why denial rates are the leading indicator of billing performance How front desk processes directly impact your revenue cycle What separates average billers from truly exceptional ones How to build stronger communication between your front desk and billing team The leadership mindset required to take ownership of your clinic's financial health If you've ever wondered whether your billing department is leaving money on the table, this episode provides a practical framework to take back control of your revenue cycle and protect your clinic's profitability. Join us at the High-Performance Practice Conference and learn proven systems to build a more profitable, efficient private practice. Love the show? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another private practice owner. Explore more resources from the Private Practice Owners Club: https://linktr.ee/ppoclub Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://ptoclub.com/ Register for the Private Practice Owners Club conference now at https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026

August 18, 202636 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/ Register for the Private Practice Owners Club conference now at https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026

August 11, 202643 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/ Register for the Private Practice Owners Club conference now at https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026

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/ Register for the Private Practice Owners Club conference now at https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026

July 29, 202640 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/ Register for the Private Practice Owners Club conference now at https://ppoclubevents.com/home-page-2026