Why Private Practice PT Clinics Stay Busy but Broke (And How to Fix It)

Private practice physical therapy owners and cash-based PT clinicians: if you’re busy but your revenue isn’t matching the effort, this episode is for you. We break down why most PT clinics struggle with clinic growth—not because of marketing or reimbursement—but because they’re trying to treat everyone.

Doug Adams (CEO of RunDNA, Co-Founder of Omega Project) explains why every PT clinic needs a real sales process, how to define your ideal patient, and why saying “yes” to the wrong people caps your income.

If you want higher revenue per patient, better word-of-mouth referrals, and more freedom of time, money, and purpose—this conversation will challenge how you think about growth.

This matters now because margins are tight, AI is giving “good enough” rehab advice online, and clinics can’t afford to blend in. The PTs who win in 2026 will be the ones who stand out, specialize, and build value—not volume.

Chapters

00:00 – Why Clinics Stay Busy But Broke
04:05 – Sales Is Not Sleazy
06:10 – Stop Commoditizing PT
09:20 – Fear Of Niche Decisions
16:27 – Define Your Ideal Patient
29:15 – More Patients Is Wrong
37:20 – Fire The Wrong Patients