I spent 7 years hosting a monthly “Pity Party” with my friend Mike… That is, until he stopped showing up.

The following is a personal account from FYZICAL franchisee, Bridget Hathcock.

I had spent hundreds of hours on the phone with my friend Michael Shiver, a fellow physical therapist I went to PT school with, discussing physical therapy. We were both private practice owners in South Georgia a few counties apart.

Michael and I had a good working relationship. We operated in similar markets (non-competing areas), and we talked monthly to share what was going on with our businesses. Eventually, our monthly call turned into more of a pity party than a successful monthly conference call. We complained about finding good therapists, how consolidation was eventually going to put us out of business, and all the daily struggles of owning a practice. I think we both found comfort in venting to someone facing the same problems.

Then one day, Michael stopped complaining. He seemed excited about his business again. He would let me vent, but he was talking about marketing strategies that were working, business management skills he was learning, and how his business was growing like wildfire.

What happened to the Michael I knew?

He and his business partner joined FYZICAL and their business doubled in size within 18 months.

I had seen FYZICAL’s flyers and mail for a couple of years, but always felt a bit skeptical. With Michael’s first-person recommendation, and my observation of his true change in attitude towards his business, I knew I had to check it out.

I went to a FYZICAL Game Changer event and saw everything Michael had been talking about – the business model, FYZICAL’s balance program, management practices, marketing strategies, BodyQ, branding benefits, networking opportunities and ultimately, freedom to treat when I want to, not because I have to.

So I joined FYZICAL. Rather than just telling you how I’ve grown, I’ll just show you. Below is a chart of our new evals by month. We joined FYZICAL early 2016.

Michael and I still talk, but the calls are much more productive, and no more pity parties. We also have access to hundreds of other practice owners all working towards the same goal under the same brand. Joining FYZICAL is the best business decision I’ve ever made and have Michael to thank for recommending it. From one practice owner to another… just check us out, there is no risk in that. The only risk you’re taking is not exploring what we’re all about.