From 2 to 162 Clinics: How Smart Marketing Scales Physical Therapy Practices

In this episode, we sit down with Christian, a top-tier healthcare recruiter and the mind behind one of the largest LinkedIn communities for rehab professionals (170K+ members). Christian pulls back the curtain on what really drives hiring success for physical therapy clinics — and what’s quietly sabotaging it.If you're a PT clinic owner, healthcare manager, or even an overwhelmed therapist stuck doing HR between patients, this episode will change the way you look at recruiting forever.

What does it really mean to be a leader in today’s complex healthcare world? In this conversation, Jimmy McKay sits down with two long-time friends and leadership pros — JJ and Lucas — to challenge outdated leadership myths and offer a roadmap for leading with empathy, clarity, and impact.Whether you're a clinic owner, healthcare manager, or a PT looking to step into more responsibility, this episode breaks down the shift from old-school top-down authority to human-centered leadership that actually works.In this episode, we cover:Why mentorship might be holding you back, and how coaching is the unlock for growthA powerful story from the FDNY that reshaped Jimmy’s view of leadershipThe real impact of your words in clinical care — and how most PTs are unintentionally digging emotional holesWhy stealing from other industries (hospitality, venture capital, tech) is crucial for innovation in PTHow to think about AI as a force multiplier instead of a threatWhat JJ means by: “The future will reward people who are uncomfortable in the right ways”This episode will leave you thinking differently about how you lead, speak, and grow in your career — and it might just spark the shift you didn’t know you needed.Guests: J.J. Kuczynski and Lucas VanEtten

Episode Highlights:Referral Logic & Golden Tickets: Drop referral pads, skip plans-of-care—what really adds value.Client Intro Videos: Capture warm trust with short, unscripted therapist intros.AI Personalization: Automate video personalization to scale.Hyper‑Local Ads: Use geofencing and zip-code targeting like a Rockstar realtor.Reactive Marketing: Learn from Oreo’s “Dunk in the Dark” and Wendy’s Twitter swagger.Times Square Pop-up: We pitch the “Doctor Is In” live experiment—raw interviews, real people.Tools & Resources Mentioned:Vistaprint (Golden Tickets)AI video creation toolsGeofencing ad platforms“Doctor Is In” pop-up blueprint (coming soon!)

Katie Sutton and Jimmy McKay dive into the major shakeups coming in rehab therapy:- The PT/PTA/OTA workforce shortage and why high schoolers are choosing other paths- The power of *unpacking* a career before diving in- 5–10% innovation boosts that actually stick—no panaceas- Why PTAs and digital tools are set to shoulder more care (and business!) load- The importance of leaning into *unsafe* zones first — “luck favors the bold”Tune in from DC as we head to the summit—expect insights, surprises, and actionable predictions!

How do you build a thriving physical therapy business in the middle of Manhattan while surviving cancer—three times—and undergoing a lung transplant? You lean on grit, community, and the undeniable will to live, love, and lead.Meet Cynthia, a force of nature in the PT world and beyond. In this powerful conversation, Cynthia shares:Her experience as a three-time lymphoma survivorStarting her first PT clinic at age 29 with a platinum Amex and a dreamHow Team in Training and endurance sports became both personal therapy and business rocket fuelThe leadership lessons she learned scaling seven NYC clinic locationsWhy building a practice is a lot like training for a triathlon: painful, joyful, and always worth itYou’ll hear about resilience, self-talk, business mistakes, and the moments that shaped her as a healer and leader. Whether you’re a clinic owner, PT student, or just someone navigating adversity—this one’s for you.⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why PTs Make Great Storytellers00:22 – Cynthia’s Life-Defining Grit02:50 – Starting a Practice After Cancer05:30 – Business Failure, Then Business Boom08:00 – Treating Patients Through Chemo10:30 – A Second Diagnosis and Choosing Fertility13:40 – Endurance Training as Healing17:00 – Building Client Cohorts Through Triathlons19:15 – Coping Mechanisms and Self-Talk23:00 – Leadership Lessons from Scaling in NYC25:10 – Strategic Partnerships: Can’t Do It Alone27:30 – Building a Brand That Heals and Inspires

Physical therapists: tired of relying on referrals that never come? Discover how concierge PT and podcast host Dave Kittle uses high-trust networking events to fuel cash-pay patient growth, referral partnerships, and collaborative opportunities — all without traditional ads.Learn how to structure the perfect dinner event, avoid overdoing your outreach, and build lasting relationships with providers and businesses in your area.Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Why Relationship-First Marketing Wins 03:12 - Why Guerrilla Marketing is the New Standard 07:45 - Dinner Strategy 101: Who to Invite, What to Ask 15:22 - The “High School You” Question That Stops People Cold 20:40 - How Table Layout Impacts Conversation Dynamics 27:51 - Don’t Overdo It: The Anti-Scavenger Hunt Rant 34:00 - Luxury Personal Training & MSO Partnerships 39:20 - How to Collaborate Without Competing 43:12 - Creating a Rise-Together Provider Network

In this episode, Jimmy McKay sits down with podcasting legend Dave Jackson of School of Podcasting to answer a key question for healthcare providers and clinic owners: Is podcasting worth it if your show is small?Dave shares insights from nearly 20 years of podcasting experience, including:Why 50 downloads could outperform 5,000 YouTube viewsWhat makes a podcast “successful” beyond numbersThe case for audio-first content and short-form videoReal-world examples from niche creators (including chameleon breeders

Heidi Jannenga returns to PT Pintcast to break down the 10th annual State of Rehab Therapy Report. This year’s conversation covers the bright spots—like salary growth and the increased adoption of hybrid care—and the hard truths about burnout, job-hopping, and the pressure on clinic margins. Heidi also shares how AI is already reshaping clinical workflows and why hybrid care will likely become the new standard.We also spotlight the work of the Rising Tide Foundation, which is helping bring more diverse students into the PT profession with scholarships, networking, and mentorship.What You’ll Learn:Key takeaways from the 2024 Rehab Therapy ReportThe current state of PT salaries and student debtWhy burnout and clinician turnover remain big issuesHow AI and hybrid care models are shaping the futureThe impact of the Rising Tide Foundation on the professionLinks & Resources:Rising Tide Foundation: rising-tide.comHeidi Jannenga: WebPTSubscribe to PT Pintcast:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube

In this value-packed episode, host Jimmy McKay sits down with Aaron LeBauer, a leading voice in the cash-based physical therapy world, to bust myths, challenge industry assumptions, and unpack what actually works when building a profitable PT business today. They cover the evolution of PT opportunities post-pandemic, how to position your services in a shifting economy, pricing strategies, the reality of insurance limitations, and why creating genuine value always trumps traditional pathways.Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned PT, this episode will reshape the way you think about the future of physical therapy and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Kayla breaks down how JAG Physical Therapy scaled from 2 locations to over 160 — and the marketing strategy behind it.We cover:Why every patient experience is a marketing momentHow to measure ROI without obsessing over itUsing EMR data to improve campaignsPartnering with local communities (not just physicians)Tactical advice for solo PTs to get started