FYZICAL Master Franchisee Wil Putt is no stranger to collaboration—or to following a calling. The owner of FYZICAL Hermitage and FYZICAL Hendersonville holds degrees from Berklee College of Music and has worn many creative titles: Composer, Producer, Founder, President, Futurist, and Chief Happiness Officer. A lifelong independent entrepreneur who once engineered tracks for global icons like Joe Bonamassa and Duran Duran, Wil had never considered franchising—especially not in healthcare.
But as he explored franchising as his next business venture, Wil received a wake-up call: a loved one had passed away due to complications from a preventable fall. He describes that moment as the clearest signal he's ever received from the universe. What began as a business pursuit quickly became a mission to bring advanced balance therapy and fall prevention services to Tennessee with FYZICAL.
The ultimate piece fell into place when he met Dr. Amir Hakim, an accomplished physical therapist and visionary leader who shared Wil’s values and drive. Together, they’re not just opening clinics—they’re building a collaborative culture and a shared commitment to helping more people stay steady, safe, and thriving.
BACKGROUND AND DISCOVERY
Q: Tell us about your background—what were you doing before FYZICAL, and how did your previous experience shape your approach to business?
Over time, I pivoted, applying the creative and technical skills I developed in music production to the commercial world. That led to the launch of Vital Media, a niche marketing firm where I served as a preferred vendor for various clients. It was there that I deepened my understanding of relationship-building in business. Years later, after selling the company, I found myself looking for my next venture.
Q: You weren’t initially looking for a healthcare franchise, so what drew you to FYZICAL?
Wil: When I started to explore franchising, I wasn’t specifically looking for anything in healthcare, and I had never owned a franchise before. I had always been an independent entrepreneur, but knew I didn’t want to start from scratch again. A broker introduced me to FYZICAL. At first, I wasn’t interested on the surface level, but I said, "Let's chat about it." I wouldn't write it off without at least some cursory analysis.
Q: What ultimately pushed you to move forward with FYZICAL?
Wil: While researching franchising, I reached out to my great-uncle to learn more about his experience, not just as a franchisee, but as a Master Franchisee, or Area Director (as we call it), with another franchise. I was seriously considering that path and wanted to understand what I was committing to. I contacted his niece to connect, and that’s when I learned he had just suffered a fall. He was in the ICU when I called, and a few days later, he passed away from those injuries.
The very thing FYZICAL is designed to prevent—falls—was what had taken him.
I remember telling my wife, “I don’t think I’ve ever received a louder or clearer signal from the universe about what I need to do.” FYZICAL's Balance Program could have saved his life.
FYZICAL is purpose-driven. I knew whatever came next would require hard work—nothing worth doing is ever easy. But this was something I could pour myself into and still feel proud of when I looked in the mirror every morning.
Helping people stay on their feet, live fully, and be part of their journey—that’s something I can genuinely put my heart and soul into. It comes down to this: we’re in the longevity business. We’re here to improve lives, which makes it pretty easy to get out of bed in the morning.
"We're in the longevity business. We’re here to improve lives, which makes it pretty easy to get out of bed in the morning"
-Owner Wil Putt
FINDING THE RIGHT PARTNER
Wil: We first connected through the interview process, and I'm so thankful we did.
Amir is, first and foremost, a gifted clinician—he’s deeply committed to growth and development. He’s multifaceted, talented, and incredibly ambitious. From the beginning, I could see the skills he naturally possessed, and I sensed he might have been under-supported in leadership. That’s where I knew I could step in and help him grow.
He has fire in his belly. He’s focused and driven and embodies what we like to say at FYZICAL: hungry, humble, and smart. I felt we complemented each other’s blind spots. While I could offer mentorship on the leadership side, Amir brought operational excellence and clinical experience to support me in an industry that was entirely new for me.
Q: What stood out to you about that first conversation with Wil?
Dr. Amir Hakim, Clinic Director, PT, DPT: I had an offer from a different company on the table, but I was interested in FYZICAL. Then Wil and I had our first phone call. What started as a quick interview turned into an hour-long conversation. So, we decided to meet in person, and what was supposed to be an hour-long meeting turned into three.
It didn’t feel like an interview—we were hanging out, getting to know each other. This opportunity had a different feel. Wil was offering me the chance to build something from the ground up. That chance doesn’t come around—unless you’re opening your own clinic.
I took the offer and joined him at Brand Triumph in Dallas, the annual meeting where franchisees come together to celebrate successes and share business strategies.
After that, I felt ready to take on the world.
Q: What made FYZICAL different from other opportunities you considered?
Dr. Hakim: The most appealing part was the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Every company in this area has been here for decades. If I wanted what I now have with Wil, I’d have to go out and open my own clinic. But the idea that I could join Wil, learn from his expertise, have the backing of a franchise, and still build a clinic from scratch was incredibly unique.
I get to be the Clinic Director, see the first patient, and earn the first dollar. These are rare opportunities for physical therapists, especially since it feels like larger corporations already claim every corner of the country.
This opportunity was unlike anything else.
"The most appealing part was the opportunity to build something from the ground up...the idea that I could join Wil, learn from his expertise, have the backing of a franchise, and still build a clinic from scratch was incredibly unique."
Dr. Amir Hakim, PT, DPT, Clinic Director
I was a Clinic Director before joining FYZICAL, so I was familiar with operations. But after attending Brand Triumph, my eyes really opened. Sitting in those general sessions and breakout discussions sparked something in me.
In fact, Dawn Hesse, the Vice President of Franchise Operations, introduced me to Rick Douglas, FYZICAL’s Chief Clinical Officer. He was looking for a PT for one of the franchisees, and I connected him with a classmate of mine who now works for him.
I believe in FYZICAL and the opportunity it offers so much that I’ll tell anyone who listens.
BUILDING AND GROWING TOGETHER
Dr. Hakim: I marketed the clinic for about a month before our opening, and we had referrals ready before our doors opened, which was nice. We hit the ground running. I would go out and market whenever I didn’t have patients, and then we got so busy I couldn’t sell anymore. About seven months in, we started talking about clinic number two. I’ve been in our second location for over nine months, and I’ve got 100 scheduled visits on my schedule this week. I should finish off June with close to 350 for my one clinic in Hendersonville.
Q: Once referrals started coming in, how did you approach building and maintaining those physician relationships?
Dr. Hakim: I think it’s essential for the PT to make that first impression. That part is key. We can send out our best liaisons—and they’ll do a great job—but I’ve heard time and time again from physicians how valuable it is that I’m the one who came in. Not “just another rep.” Doctors see reps all day trying to sell something or ask for referrals. But when they see another provider taking the time to build that relationship, it really makes an impact. Currently, our liaison is doing the marketing, but I'll still come in for presentations or a lunch-and-learn.
Wil: The PT has to be involved. I’ve seen it firsthand—more than once. When Amir and I were looking to fill that role, it was something we were both protective about. Our physician liaison's job is to qualify and make that connection, but when the physical therapist steps in to speak directly about a specific condition with the right audience, everything changes. Referrals start coming in the very next day. And if not the next day, then pretty darn soon.
Q: How do you position yourself when introducing FYZICAL to physicians for the first time?
Dr. Hakim: Whenever I walk into a doctor's office for the first time, I let them know we are the vestibular and vertigo experts. I tell them they'd be doing a disservice if they didn't send patients to us because that's what we do. And you know what? They love it.
Vertigo is a trigger word for physicians because, honestly, no one treats it. Most providers hear “vertigo” and pass the patient along. So I lead with that. I let them know I treat vertigo, and once those patients come in and see results, it opens the door. I always ask if they’re dealing with any other issues; most of the time, they are. I tell them, “I can treat that too.” Before long, I’m treating the same patient for multiple conditions—neck pain, joint issues, TMJ, you name it. Those cases make their way back to the physicians, who realize we treat much more than vertigo. Eventually, we start getting referrals for all of it, not just for balance therapy.
CULTURE, VALUES, & LEADERSHIP
Wil: I believe firmly in building a values-led team. Being intentional about your culture is critical, no matter the size of the group. That approach didn’t come out of nowhere; I picked it up from years of working alongside other entrepreneurs, including my time in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. I also drew inspiration from Verne Harnish’s Mastering the Rockefeller Habits. One of the key takeaways from that book—and something I’ve seen work firsthand—is the importance of meeting rhythm: setting clear, repeating agendas for weekly meetings can make a huge difference.
Another thing that drew me to FYZICAL was everything I just talked about from Verne Harnish. FYZICAL already had it. It’s built-in. I recognized a lot of it right away. The core values—altruism, insight, and resilience—aren’t just words on a wall. I was like, "Oh, this is awesome!" You can feel those values at the corporate level—especially at Brand Triumph. That was huge for me.
"[FYZICAL's] core values—altruism, insight, and resilience—aren’t just words on a wall...You can feel those values at the corporate level. That was huge for me."
-Owner Wil Putt
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that clearly defined core values—and actively using them in your language and interactions—are more powerful than the values themselves. They become a shared touchstone, a common ground to which we can return so the entire team speaks the same language.
So, once a week, we have Witness Wednesday. With a background in the music industry, I love alliteration! That's when we share a value they have witnessed in a colleague over the last week.
Wil: It’s a huge morale builder. It’s a structured opportunity to give a genuine shout-out to a teammate. I’m a big believer in catching people doing things right, which allows everyone to be acknowledged for living our core values.
It also removes hierarchy—everyone is encouraged to recognize the execution of our values in others. It just feels good.
Dr. Hakim: We make every decision as a team. We don’t just tell people what to do—we ask for their input first and explain the “why” behind every choice. We're transparent about its importance if we focus on a particular metric. We keep it human because none of us succeeds if we’re not aligned. We also bring our values—altruism, insight, and resilience—into weekly conversations. They’re not just words on the wall. We speak through them in meetings and decisions. And honestly, all the credit for that culture goes to Wil.
I love that we center many conversations and meetings around our values. Many companies say they have a family-like culture—ours actually does. We lead with purpose and make space for people to grow in a way that works for them.
Q: Beyond Witness Wednesday, what leadership habits or structures has Wil introduced that have helped you grow?
Dr. Hakim: I started to lead biweekly video meetings with my two therapists at Hermitage. It’s a metrics-driven meeting, but we structure it in three parts. First: “What’s up?” We check in, whether clinical, personal, or anything in between. Second: "Where are the Numbers?" This means cancellation rates, weekly volume, etc. Third: "Where Are You Stuck?" For example, I struggle to fit in new evals because I’m completely booked out. I’ve even started giving up my lunch hour to make room. It’s a good kind of stuck but stuck all the same. Credit to Wil for introducing me to that structure.
Wil: He’s really taken to it intuitively—embraced it, expanded it, and made the meeting his own. He used a structured meeting rhythm I introduced and just ran with it. As a result, we saw some key metrics improve pretty quickly. He's been able to make significant productivity improvements. Amir is actively using the leadership skills he's learned 100 percent.
Q: Did FYZICAL help fill any gaps in your clinical training, especially in vestibular care?
Dr. Hakim: From a clinical standpoint, one of my biggest takeaways has been learning more about BPPV. Most of us come out of PT school hilariously underprepared regarding the vestibular world. If it wasn’t the Dix-Hallpike to diagnose or the Epley to treat, I had no idea what I was doing—and honestly, I didn’t even know those very well. And it’s not just me. Many PTs are in the same boat because we don’t get enough vestibular education in school.
Here’s a company that found its niche treating these conditions—and they won’t throw you to the wolves. FYZICAL educates you. You’ll learn the anatomy, the physiology, the diagnostic tests, and the different treatment maneuvers so that when a BPPV patient walks through the door, you’re not intimidated. You have everything you need to treat them confidently and successfully.
"Most of us come out of PT school hilariously underprepared regarding the vestibular world. Here’s a company that found its niche treating these conditions—and they won’t throw you to the wolves. FYZICAL educates you."
Dr. Amir Hakim, PT, DPT, Clinical Director
MARKETING & STRATEGY
Q: You recently attended FYZICAL’s Marketing Summit. What was your experience, and how did it impact your clinic?
Wil: It was fantastic. The content was strong, and the marketing team, Director of Performance Marketing, Justen English, the Local Marketing Consultants, Franchise Regional Consultant Mallory Hertz, and everyone involved did a great job putting it all together. I’m a huge fan of LMC Taylor Robbins. She and FRC Nicole Young nailed the delivery. I’d absolutely recommend it.
Honestly, more franchisees should have attended. They would have been better equipped to navigate challenges and pain points if they had. It was a missed opportunity for some.
It was especially helpful for us. I attended as a franchisee, and Taylor later came on-site to work directly with our liaison. That combination worked really well. In our clinic, the owner and liaison are two distinct roles, so it was valuable for me to better understand and contextualize what our liaison does daily. It clarified how our marketing efforts tie into the bigger picture.
One of the most effective tactical things we’ve implemented came from FRC Brian Sganga. It’s something we call “goodie bags”—just an internal name—but it’s been very well received by physicians. We use them every couple of rounds, and they’re relatively inexpensive and make a substantial impact. We’ve also found real value in driving community events. Some of the strategies shared at the Marketing Summit around executing those events effectively have been helpful for us, too.
LONG-TERM VISION
Q: You opened your first clinic, FYZICAL Hermitage, in 2023 and your second, FYZICAL Hendersonville, in 2024. What are your expansion goals moving forward?
Wil: As a Master Franchisee, my goal is to open as many clinics as possible by 2035—that’s probably near the end of my window of involvement and when I’d consider an exit. Ideally, we’re aiming for 20.
But what drives me is what I’ve experienced in the clinic—getting to know patients personally and seeing our direct impact in this community. That shifted everything. It became less about the number and more about the reach. So now the question is: Where can we go next to extend that impact? How can we help a broadening segment of our community, Love Their Lives?
Amir: I enjoyed the process of opening Hermitage so much that I wanted to do it again at FYZICAL Hendersonville. The new location would be 55 miles from my house, but I didn’t care. I love the challenge of opening a new clinic. I said, “I want to do it again.” I'll be opening up the third one, too. I told Wil that my ultimate goal is to be the COO of FYZICAL Middle Tennessee.
PARTNERSHIP & PURPOSE
Dr. Hakim: Wil is unlike any boss I’ve ever had. He’s the most open, inclusive, generous, and genuinely kind person I’ve worked with. Given his success, he’d have every right to be arrogant or controlling, but he’s the opposite. He trusts us. He empowers us to lead, treat the people we’re passionate about, and operate with complete autonomy, as long as we act in good faith and stay true to our core values.
He’s incredibly human, which can be rare. Wil isn’t just a boss—he’s a leader—a leader first, boss second.
Wil: Amir is committed. He’s passionate. He’s incredibly open to learning and growth and doesn’t just embrace his own development; he actively looks for ways to bring others along with him. He’s always spotting group and team growth opportunities and shares them enthusiastically. He’s selfless in that way—he genuinely wants everyone to succeed.
And at the same time, he’s the kind of person who’s willing to carry the entire damn thing on his back for a stretch if he has to.
Q: What inspires you the most about being part of FYZICAL?
Amir: The network is hands down my favorite part of being with FYZICAL. I connected early with Master Franchisees and franchisees nationwide. I’d cold-message them to talk. They’d ask, “How can I help you?” and I’d say, “You can’t—I just want to connect.” And before you know it, we’d be on the phone for an hour.
I’ve had conversations with FYZICAL owners and operators all over the country. Everyone’s so open and willing to share—what’s worked, what hasn’t, what we’re trying next. It’s a network of like-minded people who want to grow and help their communities. That kind of connection is rare, and it’s by far my favorite part of being here.
I can travel anywhere in the company and know I have a network and a reputation that precedes me. It's such a cool place to work.
There is no other company here that offers this much opportunity.
Wil: From my perspective—and I know it’s a bit of a dated term—what I keep seeing across FYZICAL is a real commitment to innovation. And the way that shows up most clearly for me is through iteration.
As Amir said, the network is incredibly valuable. But beyond that, I see ongoing improvement at every level—individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole. There’s this constant push to refine, adjust, and do things better. That mindset of perpetual growth is something I really admire about FYZICAL.
That spirit of innovation starts with Brian Werner, FYZICAL’s National Director of Balance Center Development, Education, & Training, and his conceptualization of the safety harness. Of course, the broader industry is evolving, too, so I’m not saying FYZICAL is entirely outside the norm—but one of the key values of being part of this franchise is that you can’t ignore the iterations.
You don’t get left behind.
I feel supported and protected from obsolescence, which is powerful as a clinician and a business owner. Running an independent small business is almost impossible, as are keeping up with industry trends.
But being part of FYZICAL, we often lead and set those trends.
"I feel supported and protected from obsolescence, which is powerful as a clinician and a business owner."
-Owner Wil Putt
I really saw that this year at Brand Triumph. One of my favorite takeaways was learning about creating a dedicated innovation role—Sarah Frohnhoefer’s position as Chief Strategy Officer. Just knowing that role exists inspires me a lot.
It shows me FYZICAL isn’t just reacting to change—we’re actively building for it, which gives me great hope.
Being part of a system that’s looking over the horizon and actively working to lift all boats has been incredibly encouraging.
Thank you for your time.
Read more franchisee stories here.