What’s changing in the world of cash-based physical therapy? In this episode, Danny Mattei breaks down three emerging trends in 2025 that every clinician should know—whether you're just starting your practice or trying to scale past yourself. These shifts are reshaping the profession and will impact how you grow, hire, and stay profitable.

1. Clinicians are starting younger than ever: More DPT grads are skipping traditional jobs and going straight into private practice. Is this the new norm?
2. The first growth cycle is getting harder: Inflation, higher overhead, and tougher competition make scaling past yourself a real challenge—and many get stuck or quit.
3. Compensation plans must evolve: Clinicians want more guaranteed income and less variable pay. Business owners need better systems and higher margins to compete.

• Why early-stage solo clinics are exploding in number
• Why it's harder (but more profitable) to grow past $20K/month
• How private equity interest shows the maturity of the cash PT model
• Why performance-only pay structures are being rejected—and what to do instead
• The importance of becoming a business owner first, clinician second

• PT Biz Website – Coaching & strategy for starting or scaling your cash-based practice
• Join the 5-Day Challenge – Go from part-time to full-time with a clear plan
• Get the PT Biz Book – How 240+ clinicians grew thriving cash practices
• PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly training for entrepreneurial PTs

The landscape is better than ever for starting a cash-based clinic—but scaling is harder. The reward? Massive income potential and time freedom if you can push through. Know the trends. Prepare to lead. And build a real business, not just a side hustle.

In this episode, Danny explains why momentum is everything in business—and how clinicians often sabotage their growth by going too slow. Using the analogy of riding a bike or snowboard, he breaks down how fear, hesitation, and “waiting for the right time” lead to instability and burnout, not safety.

• Why clinicians tend to move too slowly—and how it backfires
• The difference between healthy speed and reckless acceleration
• How going too slow creates pain, burnout, and lost momentum
• The mindset behind self-sabotage and hesitation
• How to identify when you're playing small out of fear
• Why momentum matters more than perfection

• Push yourself to make timely decisions, even when it’s uncomfortable
• Recognize when fear—not logic—is driving your delay
• Audit your pace: Are you stuck in “prep mode” for too long?
• Realize that momentum attracts opportunity—don’t let it die
• Leaning in creates confidence. Hesitating kills it

• PT Biz Website – Strategy and coaching to build your dream clinic
• Join the 5-Day Challenge – Free training to break out of neutral and start scaling
• Get the PT Biz Book – Learn from 240+ clinicians who stopped playing small
• PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly insights on growth, mindset, and leadership

The biggest risk isn't going too fast—it's moving too slow. Momentum brings clarity, opportunity, and control. If your growth feels wobbly, it might be time to pick up the pace.

In this episode, Danny breaks down one of the most overlooked barriers to growth: fear of debt. He shares hard-earned lessons from building his own clinic and working with 1,000+ others—and explains why your mindset around borrowing can make or break your business as you grow past the lifestyle phase.

• Why PTs are so debt-averse (and why it makes sense)
• How bootstrapping can hurt your growth
• The real risks of borrowing vs. self-funding
• Why strategic debt isn’t bad—it’s a business investment
• The scary truth about growing from 1 to 3+ employees
• How to push through the “profit dip” and build a real business
• The mindset shift from clinician to CEO/investor

• Start lean—but don’t try to scale lean. Growth needs capital.
• Use debt strategically to accelerate team building and capacity.
• Expect your profits to dip before they rise again—it’s normal.
• Borrow when you’re stable, not scrambling—it puts you in control.
• If you want a scalable clinic, shift your identity to business owner/investor.

• PT Biz Website – Get expert coaching to start and scale your clinic
• Join the 5-Day Challenge – Build your practice with clarity and momentum
• Get the PT Biz Book – Learn how 240+ clinicians grew their dream practice (many with smart debt)
• PT Biz YouTube Channel – Weekly insights on business growth and strategy

If you want to build a practice that gives you freedom—financial, time, and impact—you can’t stay stuck in a debt-avoidant mindset. Learn to think like an investor. Borrow wisely. Grow faster. And build the business you were meant to run.