The Successful Allied Health Practitioner

In Episode 38 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, I’m joined by Liam Fagan, an occupational therapist and managing director of Estus Health, who shares his unconventional journey from being a high school dropout and a qualified librarian to building a specialized, gaming-informed OT practice. Liam discusses how his diverse background in accounting, finance, and commercial sales eventually led him to occupational therapy, where he discovered a significant gap in the market for supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly young male gamers, through a medium they authentically value.

Liam talks candidly about the "light bulb moment" that forced him to transition from a solo practitioner to a business owner. Triggered by a family medical crisis in 2024, he realized the inherent risks of a business model that relied solely on his own manual input. This led to the rapid development of Estus Health into a scalable, telehealth-first company that prioritizes systems, delegation, and clinician support. He explains how he leverages his own identity as a "lifelong gamer" to build immediate rapport with clients, treating gaming as a genuine occupation to improve performance in areas like nutrition, hydration, and executive functioning.

The conversation also delves into the importance of financial literacy for practitioners, with Liam drawing on his masters-level finance background to discuss profit margins, NDIS legislative risks, and the necessity of sustainable business units. He shares his unique "low-friction" approach to health, his strict boundaries for parenting time, and his vision for 2026, which includes expanding into multi-disciplinary services and mentoring the next generation of business-owning clinicians. Liam’s story is a powerful example of how allied health practitioners can niche down, embrace technology, and move from being the "chef in the kitchen" to the "architect of the system" to achieve both professional impact and personal flexibility.

In episode 37 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, physiotherapist and Clinic1 founder Elliot Dobie shares his journey from managing a clinic to building a practice management software for the industry. Elliot discusses the operational frustrations that sparked the creation of Clinic1, from administrative overwhelm to disconnected software and the mindset shift required to move from clinician to tech innovator.

With insights into bootstrapping a business and building scalable systems, Elliot explores how practitioners can use technology to streamline workflows and avoid burnout. This episode is a must-listen for allied health professionals looking to move beyond "trading time for money" and build sustainable businesses that offer long-term growth and lifestyle flexibility.

In Episode 36 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, Nelson Pollard, podiatrist and director of ProFeet Podiatry, shares his journey from graduate clinician to business owner and the lessons that shaped his career and leadership. He reflects on how COVID became the catalyst for taking the leap into clinic ownership, the importance of progress over perfection, and why investing in yourself is the most powerful decision a practitioner can make. Nelson dives into the vision behind ProFeet, from putting patients first to building supportive pathways for his team, and explains how his graduate program fosters confidence through induction, CPD, and mentoring. With insights on recruitment, mentorship, and the value of backing yourself early, this episode is a must-listen for allied health practitioners wanting to grow with purpose, invest in their own development, and create sustainable businesses that put people first.

In Episode 35 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, Joseph Hanna, physiotherapist and founder of Flexile Physiotherapy, shares his journey from community physio to leading a fast-growing practice built on values, mentorship, and patient care. He opens up about defining success through family and balance, putting life before work, and the vital role mentors and his wife have played in shaping his path. Joseph discusses Flexile’s three-tiered supervision model, designed to support new grads with education and guidance while freeing clinic owners to focus on growth. He reflects on key business lessons, from avoiding burnout and prioritising patients first to building strong foundations that allow for sustainable expansion. A powerful listen for allied health practitioners wanting to embrace mentorship, lead with values, and grow without losing sight of what matters most.

In Episode 34 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, Ryan, a podiatrist, clinic owner, and mentor with 17 years of experience, shares how his journey in private practice shifted from chasing money to focusing on patient outcomes, team development, and sustainable growth. He talks about the realities of setting fees, investing in equipment, and learning to delegate, while highlighting why profitability in private practice actually strengthens the public system by offering patients more choice and easing hospital pressures. Ryan also opens up about the role of sport, travel, and hobbies in maintaining work-life balance, and why investing in yourself as a practitioner is the most powerful form of compound interest. A must-listen for allied health practitioners wanting to grow their business with confidence while protecting their wellbeing.

In Episode 33 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, I’m joined by Raquel Baptista, occupational therapist and founder of the Centre for Developing Children. Raquel shares her journey from completing her Masters in 2022 to opening a paediatric and neurodevelopmental clinic just two years later. She talks about starting out mobile, building her first clinic with a sensory gym, and the lessons of early business ownership from leases and referrals to social media and growing a team. Raquel also reflects on mentorship, balance, and the mindset shifts that guide her vision. An inspiring listen for practitioners starting out or ready to grow with purpose.

In Episode 32 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Southam, exercise physiologist and cofounder of PACE Allied Health. Ben shares his journey from subcontractor to leading a business of 80 employees, and the lessons learned along the way. We talk about stepping back from clinical work, building strong partnerships, and creating stability through employing staff rather than subcontracting. Ben also dives into the realities of scaling, from marketing and recruitment to profitability, diversification, and investing for long-term sustainability. A must-listen for practitioners ready to grow their business and step into leadership with clarity and purpose.

In the Episode 31 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, speech pathologist and business founder Emily Mackie shares how she scaled Speak About from a small practice to a multi-location clinic. She talks about using business coaching, building strong teams, delegating effectively, and reinvesting profit to grow sustainably. Emily also reflects on balancing work and life, leading with impact, and empowering others to drive the business forward. A great listen for practitioners wanting to scale their practice while staying true to their values and wellbeing.

In the episode 30 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, exercise physiologist and business owner Andrew Daubney shares how he scaled his clinics, built strong leadership teams, and structured his business for growth and flexibility. He talks about promoting from within, creating clear leadership pathways, and using profit as a tool to invest in people, spaces, and community. Andrew also shares strategies for work-life balance, client experience, and long-term success, plus insights from his consulting and mentoring work with allied health professionals. A must-listen for anyone looking to grow their practice sustainably while staying balanced.

In Episode 29 of The Successful Allied Health Practitioner Podcast, occupational therapist and entrepreneur Laura Simmons shares her journey from running a paediatric OT practice to founding Theratrak, a tech platform transforming therapy delivery across Australia, the US and beyond. She talks about turning clinical insights into a scalable app, navigating early challenges, building a mission-driven team, and balancing life as a practitioner and founder. Laura also reflects on mentorship, mindset, and her goal of helping a million kids access therapy worldwide. A must-listen for practitioners curious about blending healthcare with tech and creating meaningful impact.