In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast, host Dr. Karen Litzy welcomes Dr. Nick Schmidt, a practicing physical therapist and founder of PT Assist and the Physical Therapy Project. Dr. Schmidt shares his journey from a pre-pharmacy student to a passionate advocate for innovative revenue streams in physical therapy. The conversation delves into the importance of cash-based services, the potential of retail sales in clinics, and the creation of a supportive community for physical therapists. Dr. Schmidt emphasizes the need for sustainable business practices and the role of physical therapists as musculoskeletal experts.
Takeaways
- The transition from traditional to cash-based models can enhance revenue.
- Retail sales in clinics offer a viable revenue stream with the right products.
- Building a community among physical therapists fosters growth and innovation.
- Understanding the market and patient needs is crucial for success.
- Integrating new technologies requires careful consideration and planning.
- Consistency and passion are key to professional growth.
- Collaboration with other practice owners can provide valuable insights.
- The importance of aligning new revenue streams with clinic capabilities.
- The role of physical therapists as primary musculoskeletal care providers.
- The value of connecting with like-minded professionals in the field.
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction and Welcome
· [02:15] Dr. Nick Schmidt's Background and Journey
· [05:30] Exploring Cash-Based Services
· [10:45] The Role of Retail Sales in Clinics
· [15:20] Building the Physical Therapy Project Community
· [20:00] Innovative Technologies and Their Implementation
· [25:30] Challenges and Opportunities in Revenue Streams
· [30:15] Advice for Practice Owners
· [35:00] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
More About Dr. Schmidt:
Nick Schmit is a practicing physical therapist and the founder of The PT Assist and The Physical Therapy Project community on Skool. Throughout his career, Nick has developed a deep passion for helping practice owners build sustainable businesses while reinforcing the role of physical therapists as the musculoskeletal experts.
This passion led him to create The PT Assist, a platform that helps clinic owners successfully integrate retail sales into their practices. His newest venture, The Physical Therapy Project, is both a community and a resource hub for physical therapists exploring cash-based services and modalities such as dry needling, saunas, shockwave therapy, laser, retail offerings, wellness services, and more. The community provides guidance on what services are available, how they work, which might be the best fit for a clinic, and practical strategies to implement them smoothly and effectively.
Nick grew up in central Minnesota, earned his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from North Dakota State University, and went on to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He now lives in North Dakota with his wife and their growing family.
Grounded by his faith and family, Nick is grateful for the many blessings in his life. His mission is to add as much value to the profession as possible and to connect with others who are boldly pursuing their dreams and passions.
Resources from this Episode:
Nick’s email: nick@theptassist.com
The Physical Therapy Project Website
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In this episode, Dr. Karen Litzy welcomes back David Ian Wood to discuss the challenges entrepreneurs face, especially shiny object syndrome. They examine how to overcome distractions, the importance of understanding one's motivations, and practical strategies for staying focused. David shares insights on planning, accountability, and making tasks enjoyable to boost productivity. He also introduces his innovative app designed to help users in real-time during calls, highlighting the role of gamification in reaching business goals.
Takeaways
- Shiny object syndrome is prevalent among entrepreneurs.
- Understanding your 'why' is crucial for motivation.
- Planning involves knowing what to focus on and what to avoid.
- Gamifying tasks can make them more enjoyable and productive.
- Focus should be structured over different timeframes.
- Accountability is key to maintaining focus and achieving goals.
- The Pomodoro technique can enhance productivity.
- Making work fun can lead to better results.
- Reaching out to others can be a game-changer for business growth.
- Personal development is essential for long-term success.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Shiny Object Syndrome
- 05:06 Understanding Your Why
- 09:32 Planning for Focused Action
- 19:46 Gamifying Your Tasks for Success
More About David:
A former Consulting Actuary to Fortune 100 companies – including Sony Music, Chanel, and Exxon – David left his cushy Park Avenue job 20 years ago to build the world’s largest coaching business. He became #1 on Google for “life coaching”, serving an audience of 150,000 coaches, and coaching thousands of hours across 12 countries.
Alongside his clients’ successes, David is no stranger to overcoming challenges himself, having overcome a full collapse of his paraglider and a fractured spine, witnessing the death of his sister at age seven, severe anxiety and depression, and a national Gong Show!
He is the author of “Get Paid For Who You Are,” with foreword by Jack Canfield. He was nominated to the exclusive Transformational Leadership Council alongside such thought leaders as Don Miguel Ruiz, John Gray, and Marianne Williamson.
David believes that the tough conversations we avoid, are our doorways to confidence, success, and love. They become the defining moments which shape our world. He coaches high performing entrepreneurs, executives and teams – and now prison inmates – to create amazing results and deep connection. Achieve more, by focusing on less.
Resources from this Episode:
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In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy and Smart podcast, Dr. Iyer shares his unique journey from a small town in India to becoming a physician and educator. He discusses the importance of curiosity in understanding life, the challenges of maintaining focus in a chaotic medical environment, and strategies to combat burnout. Dr. Iyer emphasizes the significance of consciousness in medicine and the power of connection and listening in patient care. He also reflects on his impactful TEDx talk and the ongoing challenges of the attention economy.
Takeaways
· Curiosity drives understanding of how life works.
· Focus and attention can be developed like a muscle.
· Burnout is linked to identity and purpose.
· Connection is essential for effective communication.
· Listening without judgment enhances patient care.
· Consciousness plays a crucial role in medicine.
· Resilience can be built through self-expression.
· The pandemic highlighted the need for human connection.
· Opportunities are abundant when viewed as space.
· The best is yet to come in personal growth.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Iyer
06:08 The Journey of Life and Curiosity
15:03 Focus and Attention in Medicine
21:48 Navigating Burnout and Resilience
26:38 Helping Others When Life Doesn't Work
42:08 The Power of Connection and AttentionMore About Dr. Iyer:
Ravi Iyer, MD is a Harvard-trained Physician-scientist, 3x viral TEDx speaker, best-selling award winning author, inventor, entrepreneur and global educator whose 42-year career in medicine, science and leadership includes a 9-year Directorship of a Hospice caring for dying patients, and a 4-year Chairmanship of a 225-bed hospital and global recognition by Marqui's Who's Who in America and Who's Who in TOP Doctors of America.
Sought after as a brilliant engaging educator and transformational behavioral coach, Dr Iyer’s TEDxGary talk on The Power of Intentional Focus is currently the #1 most globally viewed TEDx talk released in 2024 with over 4.28 million views. His book “The Art of Viral Speaking” that describes his journey to the TEDx stage is the winner of the 2025 International Impact Book Award in Business Marketing and Brand Excellence. Dr. Iyer is recognized as a Leadership expert and global educator. A passionate believer in the liberating power of education, he is the founder of Education Beyond Borders, a free program of educational content that goes out via Zoom to over 300 million students worldwide in the ICSE and CBSE Schools in India and 28 other countries. In the healthcare field, his workshops on Burnout Resistant Leadership; Cognitive Alignment for teams and courses on Strategies of Neuroaligned Groups are rated as transformational for enabling individuals, teams, and organizations to discover methods by which they can remain connected to their purpose with immense focus, creativity, resilience and flexibility in navigating the challenges of their enterprise and their life.
Dr Iyer is a staunch believer in the value of empowered women in pushing forward every aspect of social and enterprise accomplishment and his programs demonstrate the various ways in which men can discover their validation of themselves as enablers of feminine success.
Resources from this Episode:
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In this episode, Dr. Karen Litzy speaks with Steve Lewis, founder of Nabu, about the importance of empowering patients through technology. Steve shares his personal journey from working with musicians to developing a health tech startup aimed at improving patient care. The conversation explores the challenges of creating a health tech product, the importance of communication in healthcare, and the future of patient advocacy. Steve emphasizes the need for comprehensive tools that help patients manage their health information and advocate effectively for themselves.
Takeaways
· His daughter's health challenges inspired Steve’s journey into health tech.
· Naboo aims to provide a single source of truth for patient information.
· Effective communication is crucial for patient care and adherence.
· Building a health tech startup requires understanding the needs of all stakeholders.
· Safety and compliance are paramount in developing health tech solutions.
· Patients need tools that help them advocate for their own care.
· The entrepreneurial journey involves collaboration and community support.
· Technology can enhance the patient experience and improve outcomes.
· Don't hesitate to share your ideas and seek feedback.
· Financial literacy is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Patient Empowerment
03:11 The Journey from Music to Medicine
05:55 The Birth of Nabu: A New Tool for Patients
08:42 Building a Health Tech Startup
12:01 Navigating Challenges in Health Tech
14:50 The Importance of Communication in Healthcare
17:57 Enhancing Patient Care with Technology
20:42 Safety and Compliance in Patient Care
23:49 His daughter’s Experience with Nabu
26:52 The Future of Patient Advocacy
29:41 Entrepreneurial Insights and Advice
More About Steve:Steve Lewis is an internationally recognised healthtech founder, product leader, and patient advocate, known for building breakthrough solutions at the intersection of technology and real-world care. As Founder and CEO of Nabu.ai, Steve is on a mission to transform fragmented health information into a single, actionable source of truth for patients, families, and care teams.
With over 20 years of experience spanning creative, brand strategy, product design, digital transformation, and startup leadership, Steve’s work is informed by both professional expertise and deeply personal experience. His daughter’s early arrival in the NICU and complicated health journey catalysed his relentless pursuit to fix the fragmented care journey as an advocate, an insight that powers Nabu’s vision for a truly comprehensive patient- and carer-led technology addressing the most critical problems in health.
Steve is rapidly emerging as a sought-after voice in digital health and innovation. He has been invited to share his authentic, “from the front lines” perspective at live events and on leading digital health podcasts. Steve’s talks explore themes including AI for health equity, patient empowerment, data privacy, and the future of connected care, resonating with audiences for their candor and real-world relevance.
A passionate believer in co-design and inclusion, Steve is actively collaborating with Australia’s leading healthcare providers to validate the Nabu Advocate platform and drive innovation in its core feature set. By working closely with clinicians, families, special needs communities, and expert advisory boards, Steve ensures Nabu is built to meet real-world needs and deliver meaningful impact.
Steve’s story, which is rooted in resilience, empathy, and systems change resonates with audiences from hospital executives to grassroots advocates. Whether on stage, on air, or in the boardroom, he is known for challenging the status quo and inspiring others to put patient voices at the centre of healthcare transformation.
Resources from this Episode:
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