Milica McDowell, DPT — clinic owner, professor, and now AVP of Education at USPH — joins Jimmy live from APTA CSM to make a bold claim:

Most PTs are recommending the wrong shoes.

In this episode:

• Why 10,000 steps is marketing, not medicine
• The real step counts tied to longevity and mental health
• Why tapered toe boxes weaken feet
• The concept of the “24-hour shoe clock”
• Why cushioned shoes in clinic may be a clinical liability

If you're a PT who cares about mobility, longevity, and biomechanics, this conversation matters.

Functional footwear is not a fashion preference.

It’s a biomechanical responsibility.

???? Walk (Releases May 5, 2026)

???? milicamcdowell.com

Follow: @gaithappens | @altrarunning | @vivobarefoot

Physical therapy research may feel invisible — but it protects reimbursement, strengthens professional credibility, and ensures long-term growth.

In this episode, Jimmy talks with Becky Craik about:

• The mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
• How a $10,000 seed grant can turn into millions in federal funding
• Why funding interruptions damage entire research teams
• The importance of cost-effectiveness research
• The Marquette Challenge and engaging the next generation
• Why “Don’t make enemies” might be the best professional advice you’ll hear

If you believe in evidence-based practice, this episode explains why ongoing research funding matters to every PT — whether you work in a clinic or academia.

Live from CSM, Jimmy talks with Eric Fernandez from Hyperice about the uncomfortable realities facing outpatient physical therapy.

• The three-year journey behind the Nike x Hyperice recovery shoe
• Why AI and efficiency won’t save a broken business model
• Why PTs must start thinking like consumer brands
• The importance of lifecycle care and long-term value
• Why wellness companies are winning cash-based dollars
• The danger of waiting for insurance companies to “fix it”
• The mindset shift clinic owners must make

The system is perfectly designed to produce the results you’re currently getting.

If you don’t like the results, rebuild the system.

Eric Fernandez – Hyperice

https://hyperice.com

Faith Stokes takes over the mic at CSM and interviews Jimmy McKay about 10 years of PT Pintcast.

This episode covers:

• Why reimbursement is the profession’s defining issue
• How students may drive the next innovation wave
• The Costa Rica wheelchair fundraiser story
• What APTA could do differently
• Why PT must embrace visibility and communication
• The difference between communicating and being understood

If you’re a PT, clinic owner, or healthcare leader trying to protect trust and earn attention in your market — this episode matters.

• SaRA Health
• EMPOWER EMR
• U.S. Physical Therapy

Live from CSM in Anaheim, Eric Bellm joins PT Pintcast to challenge one of the most uncomfortable truths in physical therapy:

Are we too focused on being liked?

This episode tackles:

• The difference between support and accountability
• When to have the “coming to Jesus” conversation with a patient
• Why labeling someone “noncompliant” is often lazy
• How to introduce accountability from the first eval
• Why educators must model humility
• How PTs should approach AI and healthcare change
• The importance of professional pride

• “Help me understand” changes conversations.
• Accountability starts at evaluation.
• Treat the human, not just the diagnosis.
• Have an accountability buddy at work.
• Don’t fight change. Evolve with it.

Eric Bellm, PT, DPT, OCS

Assistant Professor – Saint Louis University

Performing artists train like elite athletes — but they’re rarely treated like them in healthcare.

In this episode, Emily Scherb (The Circus Doc) shares:

• How she transitioned from professional circus performer to PT
• Why circus participation is exploding across the U.S.
• What “adult-onset circus” means
• Why pole dancers avoid seeking care
• The stigma problem in healthcare
• How load management applies to performing artists
• Why saying “I don’t know” builds trust
• The massive business opportunity PTs are missing

• Circus artists are athletes.
• Performing arts lack a strong culture of training load management.
• PTs don’t need to be experts — just curious and respectful.
• Niching down builds authority and trust.
• This population is actively looking for clinicians who understand them.

Website: https://www.thecircusdoc.com

Instagram: @thecircusdoc

LinkedIn: Emily Scherb

At CSM 2026, Jimmy sits down with Devon Morris to discuss generational differences in physical therapy — and why clinic culture may matter more than compensation for retaining Gen Z clinicians.

Key themes include:

• The impact of growing up in a “phone-based world”
• The Zoom communication shift
• Why stereotypes about “kids today” miss the point
• Burnout and student debt realities
• Why some therapists leave higher pay for better culture
• How intentional leadership improves retention

If you're a clinic owner struggling with retention — or a PT navigating your early career — this episode delivers practical insight.

00:00 – CSM 2026 Live

02:15 – Gen Z Explained

04:20 – The Zoom Effect

06:05 – Culture Over Salary

07:30 – Retention Crisis

08:40 – Parting Shot

From CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ben Lindaman to discuss one of the biggest identity tensions in physical therapy:

Generalist vs. Specialist.

Healthcare rewards depth.

Marketing rewards niche positioning.

But patient care often demands integration.

Ben argues that:

• Early over-specialization can stunt development
• Generalist thinking is critical in rural and primary care settings
• Most patients don’t need hyper-specialization
• Confidence and competence matter more than credentials
• PT’s versatility is both a strength and communication challenge

If you’ve ever felt pressure to define your niche immediately — this episode is for you.

• Specialization has value — but so does breadth
• Young clinicians should explore before committing
• Value-based care demands better triage and integration
• Rural PTs must be adaptable generalists
• Clinical identity should be internally driven, not externally pressured

Ben Lindaman, PT, DPT

Assistant Professor, Tufts University

PRN Clinician, Philadelphia

???? [email protected]

Social: @ben10dpt

Recommended Book: Range by David Epstein

Supported by:

SaRA Health

EMPOWER EMR

U.S. Physical Therapy

Recorded LIVE from CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ami Faria from the APTA Board of Directors to discuss:

• The honest conversation happening around PT student debt
• Why the Department of Education’s proposed rule could create bottlenecks
• How APTA prepares PTs for real advocacy on Capitol Hill
• Why AI in healthcare needs guardrails — not avoidance
• The strategic push toward Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

This episode highlights the Earned Attention principle in action:

Attention → Trust → Action.

The profession cannot outsource its future. Collaboration is the strategy.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Zoffness – Pain Psychologist | UCSF + Stanford Faculty | Author of Tell Me Where It Hurts

Topic: Revolutionizing Pain Education and Treatment

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the brain—not the body—is the control center for pain
• How chronic pain can be managed and treated (not just medicated)
• Real case study: “Sam” and the power of biopsychosocial care
• Why PTs, MDs, and psychologists must collaborate
• Why medical education fails to teach modern pain science
• How you can create your own “pain recipe” for better outcomes
• Behind the scenes of Rachel’s new book, publishing journey & outreach

Links + Resources

???? Website: zoffness.com

???? Book: Tell Me Where It Hurts — Order Now

???? Follow: @TheRealDocZoff, @drzoffness

???? Want Rachel to record your voicemail? Preorder and submit at zoffness.com