Ep.401: How Independent PT Practices Win in 2026

In this episode of Secrets of the Top 10%, Brian sits down with Sangwon Lim, Founder & CEO of PhyxUp Health, to explore how Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) is being used as both a revenue strategy and a clinical success system for modern physical therapy practices. Rather than focusing on buzzwords or billing codes, this conversation centers on what truly happens between visits—and why visibility during that time is becoming essential for patient outcomes, therapist efficiency, and practice sustainability. https://phyxuphealth.com/  

The physical therapy industry is changing fast. Corporate groups, franchises, mergers, and acquisitions are reshaping the landscape — and independent owners are asking the same question: How do independent PT practices actually win in 2026? In this episode, Brian breaks down what it takes for independent physical therapy private practices to thrive in a highly consolidated, corporate-driven market. This is not about gimmicks, ads, or trendy tactics. It's about leadership, differentiation, culture, and scalable business models that allow private practice owners to grow without selling out. This episode is for physical therapy practice owners, startup PTs, and clinicians considering private practice ownership who want financial stability, time flexibility, and long-term independence. If you're tired of running a "vanilla" clinic, struggling with staffing, reimbursement, or scalability — and you want a clear path forward — this episode lays the foundation for winning in 2026 and beyond.    

In this episode, Brian sits down with Steve Rapposelli, PT, OCS—longtime private practice owner, entrepreneur, and CEO of StretchPlex—to challenge one of the most overlooked revenue leaks in physical therapy private practice: what happens after discharge. As the profession looks toward 2026, this conversation reframes discharge as the end of a plan of care—not the end of opportunity. Brian and Steve explore how a cash-based wellness profit center can help PT owners move out of a scarcity mindset, reduce reliance on third-party payers, and create sustainable growth without increasing patient volume. Drawing from Steve's more than 30 years as a clinic owner and his experience building StretchPlex, this episode offers real-world insight into why the future of physical therapy is hybrid—and why wellness services like assisted stretching and recovery belong inside (or alongside) the modern PT practice.   About Today's Guest Steve Rapposelli, PT, OCS is a physical therapist and entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in private practice. He is the co-owner of Performance Physical Therapy, where he has practiced since 1992, the CEO of StretchPlex, a cash-based wellness company focused on assisted stretching and recovery, and a co-owner of Performance Executive Coaching, where he helps practice owners rethink profitability, leadership, and long-term sustainability. You can contact Steve at: [email protected] Access the Quick Start 90-day Launch Calendar here: Quick Start 90-day Launch Calendar  

In this episode, Brian breaks down the real math behind building a profitable, scalable physical therapy private practice — not theory, not spreadsheets, but the numbers every owner should actually understand and control. Too many practice owners rely on reports, bookkeepers, or gut instinct when it comes to financial decisions. In this conversation, Brian walks through the core formulas he's used for decades to design clinics, pay staff, scale locations, and build real freedom — financially and professionally. This episode covers how to stop guessing, start interpreting your numbers, and use math as a tool to create stability, growth, and long-term success.

In this episode, Brian sits down with Garrett from Neufit to talk about the 2026 Hybrid Practice Model—how physical therapy owners can balance insurance and cash-based services for stronger, more predictable revenue. Learn how the Neubie helps clinics boost retention, attract cash-paying patients, and create new income streams that fuel long-term growth.  

In this episode of Physical Therapy Private Practice: Secrets of the Top 10%, Brian Gallagher, PT, breaks down how your front desk isn't just a support role—it's the engine that drives every metric in your clinic. From call conversions to patient intake, Brian explains how mastering your front desk systems directly impacts your payroll percentage, net profit, clinician efficiency, and long-term growth. If you want your practice to thrive in 2026, you need to start by tracking and tightening the numbers that matter most—right at your front desk.  

In this episode of Physical Therapy Private Practice: Secrets of the Top 10%, Brian Gallagher, PT, explores how AI and today's economic shifts are reshaping the landscape of physical therapy private practice. Fresh from APTA PPS 2025, Brian dives into the challenges facing owners — inflation, staffing, reimbursement, and the widening affordability gap — and how new technologies, outsourcing, and AI-driven systems are helping practices adapt and thrive. You'll learn how to recognize "The Great Disconnect" between Wall Street's booming AI economy and the real economy on Main Street — and what top 10% practice owners are doing right now to stay profitable, scalable, and resilient in 2026.

Hiring shouldn't feel like a revolving door. In this episode, Brian Gallagher reveals why so many PT practices struggle to keep great people — and how the most successful clinics retain loyal, productive, high-performing teams. Learn how to replace "task training" with a performance-driven culture built on purpose, clear structure, and meaningful accountability. When your staff understands their role, feels valued, and sees a future with your organization, retention becomes the norm — not the challenge. If you want to stop burnout, stop turnover, and start building a team that sticks… this episode is your blueprint.  

In this episode, Brian Gallagher sits down with Tom Cooley, founder of Go Card Connect, to uncover what's really behind the credit card fees PT owners pay every month. Tom has spent over a decade working exclusively in the physical therapy space, helping private practice owners understand where their processing costs come from, how to spot hidden fees, and what to look for in their merchant statements. Together, they reveal how small, unnoticed charges can add up to thousands each year—and how a simple merchant audit can uncover quick savings without disrupting your EMR or billing system.  

What if your practice was the Costco of physical therapy — the place everyone trusts, loves, and gladly keeps coming back to? This week, Brian Gallagher breaks down how one of the most successful businesses in America creates loyal members, delivers consistent value, and scales with efficiency — and how YOU can apply the same proven strategies inside your private practice. Learn how to elevate patient experience, hire stronger performers, and build a culture that people never want to leave.