Drowning in student debt? Feeling undervalued as a PT? Here's why: You're trapped between an artificial floor and a glass ceiling. The floor? PT school costs more than an MBA at MIT—that's your barrier to entry. The ceiling? The AMA's physician-dominated board literally decides what you're worth. And between those two forces, you're stuck. Today we break down the economic trap keeping PTs fragmented, underpaid, and powerless—and what you can actually do about it. You're not alone, and the problem runs way deeper than you may think.

What You'll Learn:

• Why PTs earn less than other providers for the same skills - Discover how the American Medical Association controls your reimbursement rates
• The hidden economic barriers keeping PTs fragmented - Learn why our 400,000-strong profession has less influence than professionals with a smaller number of providers
• Why your PT school education failed you - The critical finance and regulatory knowledge gaps that leave new grads unprepared (and how to fix them yourself)
• The private practice opportunity - Understanding debt structures, consulting fees, and why smaller clinics actually have MORE freedom to innovate
• Your path out of fee-for-service dependence - Practical strategies for recouping your investment beyond insurance reimbursement
• Why certifications actually DO matter (despite what cynical colleagues say) - How specialization opens doors beyond your clinic job

Our guest today is Jon Lee, PT, DPT, MBA, the co-founder of Pickle, former pro sports PT, and someone who's navigated from clinical practice to Oxford MBA to vaccine development to healthcare tech

It's a conversation about the structural economic problems facing PTs—and actionable knowledge you won't get in school. You will enjoy how the three of us challenge each other throughout this hour-long conversation. We keep it real and it's ultimately optimistic.

This episode is great for new grads struggling with debt, mid-career PTs feeling stuck, clinic owners questioning their business model, and anyone wondering if they made a mistake choosing their healthcare profession.

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