Business Muscle

Would we open a cash-based PT practice in 2026? Absolutely. In fact, we'd argue there's never been a better time. In this episode, we discuss why we're such strong believers in the cash-based model, from escaping the headaches of insurance to building a business that's both profitable and rewarding. We break down the low startup costs, high earning potential, and ability to create a better experience for both clinicians and patients. We'll also share what we'd do differently if we were starting from scratch today, the opportunities we see in the industry, and why so many PTs are realizing they don't have to settle for burnout, low reimbursement rates, and endless paperwork. If you've ever wondered whether cash-based PT is worth it, this episode is for you.

Download the FREE cash based practice checklist: https://tinyurl.com/5xxtd2xp

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Everyone seems to be waiting for interest rates to drop before buying a home—but is that actually the smartest move? In this episode of Business Muscle, we sit down with mortgage expert Lacey Faria to discuss why waiting could end up costing buyers more in the long run. We break down the realities of today's housing market, refinancing, and why some of the best opportunities happen when everyone else is standing still. Lacey also shares her journey from leaving a salaried job to building a successful career in a male-dominated industry, the lessons she learned along the way, and what it takes to bet on yourself and build a business from the ground up. Enjoy!

Work with Lacey: https://crosscountrymortgage.com/lynnfield-ma-4815/lacey-faria/

Download the FREE cash based practice checklist: https://tinyurl.com/5xxtd2xp

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Your questions, answered! This week on the podcast we’re answering some of your best business questions — including the best purchase we’ve ever made for our business for under $1,000, what we would do if we had to start over and lost everything, and the biggest things we’d do differently if we could go back to the beginning. We’re talking about lessons learned the hard way, the mistakes that actually helped us grow, and the practical decisions that made the biggest impact on our businesses. Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with honest conversations, strategy, and perspective we wish we had earlier on.

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Everyone is motivated when things are going well — but the real challenge is staying consistent when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, not seeing results, running on no sleep, or trying to balance work, kids, and life. On this episode, we break down why consistency has less to do with motivation and more to do with systems, structure, and minimum standards. We talk about stopping the cycle of waiting for the “perfect time,” creating non-negotiable habits for hard days, avoiding decision fatigue by planning ahead, and using the “eat the frog” method to tackle the hardest tasks first. Whether it’s workouts, business, content creation, or everyday life, this episode is all about building routines that still work when life gets messy — because consistency isn’t perfection, it’s continuing to show up anyway.

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

This week, we sit down with Matt Ganem, a recovering heroin addict turned entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, and CEO of multiple addiction treatment and behavioral health centers across Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey. Matt shares his powerful journey from addiction and early recovery to building and scaling successful businesses that help thousands of people. We dive into the realities of running treatment centers, rebuilding after losing a business partnership, opening a new company during the uncertainty of COVID, and the lessons he's learned about leadership, culture, resilience, and growth. Matt also discusses how real estate became a key part of his wealth-building strategy, the mindset shifts required to scale multiple businesses, and the hard-earned lessons that shaped the entrepreneur he is today! This is a must listen!

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattganem_poet/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this week’s episode, we’re calling out the real problem with most women’s networking events — too much venting, not enough strategy! While community and support matter and we love women who support women, too many events leave women emotionally drained instead of walking away with actionable ideas, referrals, or business growth opportunities. We break down the difference between networking that feels good and networking that actually moves your business forward, the kinds of conversations women should be having more often around pricing, hiring, marketing, systems, and negotiation, and how to show up to any event with intention. This episode is about raising the standard, asking better questions, and creating rooms where women leave smarter, more connected, and more confident in business.

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about why women struggle to talk about money — and how that silence can hold us back in business. Inspired by Emma Grede’s book Start With Yourself, we break down the conditioning that teaches women to stay quiet about finances, and how that impacts pricing, negotiating, paying ourselves, and owning our success. We also cover the key business numbers every owner should know — revenue, expenses, profit, break-even point, and owner pay — and why understanding them gives you the confidence to make better decisions and advocate for your worth. This episode is a reminder that knowing your numbers isn’t selfish or bragging — it’s power! Enjoy!

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

On this week’s episode we welcome Chris Cuozzo, the owner of Christopher Cuozzo, LLC, a thriving multi-million dollar custom clothing brand. Chris shares his journey from starting his business as a side hustle in 2009 to building a distinguished company specializing in custom shirts, suits, blazers, and tuxedos. Tune in to hear Chris discuss what makes his brand unique, the inspiration behind starting his custom clothing line, and the challenges he faced in the early days.

We explore the strategies Chris used to scale his business to reach the million-dollar mark, including key financial decisions, important milestones, and the technology that has been crucial for efficient operations. Chris offers valuable advice on funding, investment, digital marketing, and customer acquisition. He gets vulnerable and honest about the challenges of business growth, lessons learned from mistakes, and how he stays motivated and balances business with fatherhood. Enjoy!

Get your first suit from Christopher Cuozzo: https://www.christophercuozzo.com/

Work with us here:

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Today on the podcast, we sit down with Lori Haverty, founder of Tread, who has spent over 20 years in the fitness industry building a high-energy, community-driven brand with locations in Reading and Winchester. Lori shares the real story behind how Tread came to life back in 2015 while she was teaching at another studio, and what it actually looked like to scale from one location to three. We get into the unfiltered side of running a boutique fitness business—how her role evolved from coach to owner to manager, what got harder as she grew, and the realities of managing part-time instructors, building team buy-in, and navigating tough leadership decisions. Enjoy!

Book a class at Tread: https://www.treadreading.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Madison Macmillan, the creator behind the viral account @enzothebluestaffordshire , to talk about how a few funny videos of her dog turned into a massive online following. With Enzo recently hitting 1 million followers on TikTok, Madison shares the story behind the account, the viral moments that helped it grow, and the running jokes that fans love—like the debate over what animal Enzo actually sounds like. We also dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of navigating brand deals, learning the business side of social media, and balancing a growing online presence while running her dog walking and training business! If you’re looking to grow your social media account, this episode is for you.

Follow Enzo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enzothebluestaffordshire/

Follow Enzo on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@enzothebluestaffordshire

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt.

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/