In today’s episode, we dive deep into one of the biggest challenges facing new physical therapists: massive student debt. With the average PT owing around $185,000, the pressure can feel overwhelming—but what if becoming debt-free in under five years was actually possible?

Join us as we break down the exact strategies I used to pay off six-figure loans fast without burning out or sacrificing their quality of life. We explore smart how from outpatient PT to travel along with, side-hustles that actually fit a PT’s lifestyle, how you have to have the right mindset shift that separates the therapists who struggle from the ones who succeed.

Expect actionable numbers, honest conversation, and a step-by-step roadmap you can start applying today. 

What’s Missing in Physical Therapy: The Truth Behind the System

Is the physical therapy profession losing its identity? In this episode, we take an honest look at what’s truly missing in PT today — from authentic patient care to clinical creativity. We discuss how insurance-driven models, productivity standards, and burnout culture have turned passionate therapists into paperwork machines.

You’ll hear real talk about:

• Why PTs feel restricted by insurance codes and time constraints.
• How overemphasis on metrics is killing patient relationships.
• The decline of mentorship and hands-on skill development.
• The gap between academia and real-world clinical practice.
• What needs to change if we want to bring purpose and fulfillment back to the field.

Whether you’re a new grad trying to find your place, or a seasoned PT questioning where the profession is headed, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what physical therapy should be.

#PhysicalTherapyPodcast #PTLife #RehabRevolution #MissingInPT #PhysicalTherapist #DPT #HealthcareTruth #PTBurnout #MovementMatters #ManualTherapy #PatientCenteredCare #FutureOfPT #TherapyTalk #RehabProfession #PhysioLife

Youth sports are booming — and so are the opportunities for physical therapists who know how to position themselves as experts in prevention, performance, and recovery. In this episode, we break down how PTs can ethically and strategically capitalize on the growing youth sports industry. From injury prevention programs and sideline consultations to partnerships with clubs, schools, and parents — we’ll talk about how to build trust, create value, and turn your passion for movement into a thriving, sustainable business.

If you’re a physical therapist looking to expand beyond the clinic and make an impact in your community, this episode is your playbook.

Most new grad physical therapists think mentorship means learning manual techniques or treatment progressions — but that’s only a fraction of what real mentorship should be. In this episode, we dive into why true mentorship must extend beyond patient care. From billing and documentation to handling productivity pressures, clinic politics, and even learning how to build a sustainable business — mentorship is what determines whether you survive or thrive in the PT industry.

We’ll talk about what mentorship should look like, why most new grads are getting it wrong, and how seasoned PTs can step up to guide the next generation the right way.

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept

In this episode, we take a hard look at the fine line between pain management and pain dependence. Are pain clinics truly helping patients recover—or are they creating a cycle of reliance that physical therapists end up cleaning up after?

We break down how the medical system incentivizes symptom suppression over movement restoration, why quick fixes dominate healthcare, and how PTs can step up as the true long-term solution for pain management.

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept

In this episode, we break down why starting your own physical therapy practice in today’s world is more achievable than ever. From the rise of direct access, to affordable digital marketing tools and streamlined EMR systems — the barriers to entry are lower, and the opportunities are massive. We’ll talk about how social media can attract your ideal clients, why you don’t need a huge clinic space to start, and how modern PTs are building thriving practices with lean business models.

Whether you’re a new grad dreaming of autonomy or a seasoned clinician tired of productivity quotas, this episode will show you how to take control of your career and make private practice a reality.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important conversations shaping the future of physical therapy — the shift from manual therapy to exercise-based treatment. While manual therapy still holds undeniable value, the profession must evolve to emphasize movement, strength, and patient-driven rehabilitation. We discuss why therapeutic exercise is the key to long-term outcomes, professional sustainability, and recognition within the broader healthcare system. Tune in as we explore how focusing on exercise-based care can redefine physical therapy’s identity — and ultimately, save our profession.

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept

In this episode, I sit down with student physical therapist Zac Farson to talk about the profession, where it’s heading, and how he plans to grow within it. Zac shares his vision for building an online platform while still in school, the lessons he’s learning as he prepares to enter the field, and where he sees himself as a professional in the years ahead. Whether you’re a PT student, a practicing clinician, or just curious about the future of physical therapy, this conversation offers insight into the next generation of therapists shaping the profession.

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept

Welcome in on today’s episode! 🎙️ Gavin Cole, a PT student midway through his hybrid program, joins us to share his journey. We dive into his experience in PT school, his growing social media presence, and his hopes for the future. Tune in as we talk all things physical therapy, student life, and the next generation of clinicians.

#PhysicalTherapy #PTStudent #HybridPT #FuturePT #DPTJourney #Physio #StudentLife #Rehab #StrengthAndConditioning #HealthcareFuture #PTPodcast #PhysicalTherapist

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept

In this episode, we dive into a tough but necessary conversation: Who’s really living up to their end of the bargain—the physical therapist or the physical therapy industry? On one hand, individual PTs are showing up every day, committed to patients, outcomes, and advancing the profession. On the other hand, the larger industry—education, healthcare systems, and insurance—sets the stage, often with barriers, expectations, and costs that don’t always match the promises made.

We’ll unpack the realities, the disconnects, and the responsibilities on both sides. Is the profession supporting its therapists the way it should, or are PTs carrying the weight to keep the field alive? Tune in as we break down where the bargain is balanced—and where it’s falling apart.

Leave a review, rate the show and follow wherever you listen to podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/id1759890549

https://open.spotify.com/show/2y0wJhJthp6q1ujraYzgGx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: ValleyPerformancePT.com

Instagram: @Valleyperformancept