418 - Should Australian Podiatrists Use the Dr Title?
Podiatry Legends Podcast
The debate about whether Australian podiatrists should use the title Dr regularly resurfaces within the profession, usually at least once per year. In this solo episode, I explore the psychology, professional identity, and patient perception behind the discussion. I also examine common arguments raised in the debate, including concerns about academic qualifications, potential patient confusion, and the influence of professional hierarchy. He also highlights the important distinction between research expertise and clinical experience. By introducing concepts such as The Authority Illusion and...
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417 - Five Life Lessons from My Lower Back Injury
Podiatry Legends Podcast
This week’s episode is a personal one. After experiencing a lower back injury with severe sciatic symptoms, I was forced to step away from working, cancel commitments, and rethink a lot of what I thought I had under control. In this episode, I share five key lessons that came from that experience, covering empathy, financial protection, planning ahead, and the importance of taking action before it’s too late. What made this experience even more challenging was the complete loss of independence. Something as simple as walking a few steps, sitting in a chair, or driving a car...
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416 - Why Podiatrists Must Embrace AI with Jonathan Small
Podiatry Legends Podcast
Artificial Intelligence is no longer something for the future; it’s already influencing how patients search for answers and choose healthcare providers. 10 Key Takeaways from this Episode AI is already influencing patient decisions ChatGPT is becoming a new search engine before choosing Google AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is the next evolution of SEO Early adopters will gain a competitive advantage over late adopters AI can dramatically reduce admin time Your prompts determine your results AI can help personalise your podiatry marketing Patients are becoming more informed before...
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415 - The Worst Time to Get Business Coaching with Tyson E Franklin
Podiatry Legends Podcast
A common phrase I hear from podiatrists is: “Once I get busier, I’ll look into business coaching.” On the surface, it sounds logical, but in reality, it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. In this solo episode, I unpack why waiting creates more problems than it solves. I discuss the “amplification effect,” "the I'll wait till later trap", how inefficiencies grow under pressure, and why being busy often leads to stress rather than success. 10 Key Takeaways Waiting until you’re “busier” is backwards thinking Growth doesn’t create clarity—clarity creates growth. ...
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414 - The 7 Ingredients of Success with Jason Cunningham
Podiatry Legends Podcast
In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I chat with Jason Cunningham, business advisor, author, and media commentator, about what it really takes to build a successful business. We explore why many podiatrists get stuck working in their business instead of on it, and how shifting your focus to strategy, systems, and structure can completely change your results. If you want to build a podiatry business that gives you more freedom, better patients, and long-term growth, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Key Takeaways Build your business as if you plan to sell it Most...
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413 - Connected Podiatrists Don't Leave Podiatry with Anne Melville
Podiatry Legends Podcast
In this episode, Anne Melville shares how she built a successful private practice in the small Scottish town of Gourock and implemented a membership model that now supports both her business and her lifestyle. The result has been increased stability, stronger patient relationships, and the ability to create a genuine sense of community. We explore the importance of professional connections, why you need to overcome self-doubt, and why podiatrists who stay engaged with their peers are far more likely to thrive in the profession and less likely to leave long-term. The Turning Point Most...
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412 - The Truth About Success in Podiatry with Richard Chasen
Podiatry Legends Podcast
In this episode, Tyson Franklin is joined by Melbourne Podiatrists, Richard Chasen, for a deep and thought-provoking discussion about business, life choices, and what success really looks like in podiatry. They explore the idea that while you can have anything you want, you can’t have everything, and how this impacts decisions around hiring, income, lifestyle, and long-term career direction. The conversation also challenges common beliefs about money, patient care, and what it truly takes to build a sustainable practice. This episode is ideal for podiatrists who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or...
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411 - The Savannah Bananas Fans First Experience with Jesse Cole
Podiatry Legends Podcast
This episode is a special one. It’s a conversation from my previous podcast, It’s No Secret with Dr T, recorded back in 2020—long before the Savannah Bananas became the global sensation they are today. Back then, Jesse Cole was already doing things differently, selling out games and rethinking what a sporting experience could be. But what makes this episode so valuable isn’t baseball… It’s business. Jesse shares how shifting focus from product to experience completely transformed his team. The same principles apply directly to podiatry clinics and small businesses. How you...
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410 - Ultrasound Guided Nerve Hydrodissection and Regenerative Medicine with James Ferrie
Podiatry Legends Podcast
In this episode, Tyson Franklin welcomes back Melbourne podiatrist James Ferrie, the owner of My Sports Podiatrist, to explore regenerative medicine and ultrasound-guided treatment techniques. James shares insights into prolotherapy, PRP and nerve hydrodissection, explaining how these approaches stimulate healing in degenerative tissues and relieve nerve-related pain. The conversation also covers clinical growth, continuous learning and why podiatrists should never feel trapped in the type of practice they’ve created. The registration link for the workshop is You can also...
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409 - Psychologist Dr Dave Weiman Discusses Purpose Values and Best Self
Podiatry Legends Podcast
This week, I’m digging deep into the archives and bringing back one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had on the podcast. Episode 64 originally aired in 2020, and it went gangbusters. But many of you who’ve discovered the show more recently may never have heard it. My guest is Dr Dave Weiman, psychologist and leadership consultant from Pennsylvania. Dave has worked with business owners across multiple industries, including podiatry, and in this episode, we explore something far more important than marketing tactics or business growth strategies. We dive into why motivation alone...
info_outlineThis episode is not about increasing fees; it's about understanding the value we put on feet. Jonathan Small is a UK podiatrist, and we discuss why the podiatry profession needs to start thinking differently about the value of feet.
If we think differently, so to will our patients.
Thinking differently is not about charging more, it's about valuing what we do, the service we provide, the lives we change, and the long-term benefits to the patient.
What we do as podiatrists and what the patient gains from seeing us holds tremendous value, more than just pain relief. We can give patients their lives back by allowing them to be active and mobile.
Level of Care & Fee Structures
Podiatrists need to value the solutions we have at our disposal. We can provide services far better than any other health profession, and when we provide this service, we need to value it and charge accordingly.
Respect from our patients only comes once we respect ourselves.
Funding Your Fees
You get what you put out. If you do not value what you do, your patients won’t value it either. Undercutting another podiatrists fees is not good for you, your business or the profession.
You may think patients cannot afford what you're really worth, but is that true?
How are they funding and prioritising other aspects of their life? Haircuts, beauty treatments, teeth whitening, eating out all costs money, and people budget for this, so it's important to remember they also budget for healthcare.
Listen to Patients
Podiatry brings value to patients lives. When someone is in pain, they will probably have a money figure in their head on how much they are prepared to pay to have it fixed.
Therefore when we’re setting our fees, how can we determine what is value for the patient?
What's more important to the patient is not the fee you're charging; it's the cost of it not being fixed properly. This is where the patient really suffers.
If you cut your fees too low, you may unknowingly cut time with the patient or short-cut a service.
Clinic Registration Fee
Jonathan introduced a clinic registration fee for all new patients because a lot of work goes into their first visit before they arrived.
If an insurance company can charge an admin fee, why can't a podiatry business do the same? I think it's brilliant!
You Can't Do That
Some podiatrists will say, 'you can't do that', but Jonathan Small has proven you can. And his business is in a small town with a competitor only 50 meters away.
It's simply a change in mindset.
Defining Our Fees
We shouldn’t define our fees based on what we think is valuable to the patient. We think their health is the most important aspect, but time is more important or convenient for some patients.
Can you have an on-time guarantee or more convenient hours and be prepared to charge a premium for this service?
VIP Experience
Can you create a VIP Experience? That's a game-changer. Are you able to give your patients a choice or different service levels?
Car companies do this all the time. They have the basic model, and then there are added extras. They offer extra because they know a percentage will say YES.
It’s then up to the consumer to decide...not you.
Value Perception
It’s all about each visit's perceived value, but not just from the patient; it's also the perceived value from the podiatrist.
What else can and will you do at each consultation to justify the fee you charge. How else can you increase the value of each visit?
"You’re not going to rush through an appointment if you know you're charging more than your competitors".
While your competitors are bulk billing, cutting fees and rushing patients through their clinic in an attempt to make more money, you can take your time with each patient, add value to each consultation, work fewer hours and in the end make more money and have a better reputation.
Respect
If you want more respect from your patients, you need to be charging what you’re worth.
Stop being told by GP's that you should be bulk-billing certain patients. They have no right to tell us (the podiatry profession) what to do.
Reinvest and CPD
When you're making good profits from your business, it's not about taking more holidays; it's about reinvesting back into your business, buying new equipment and providing more services. This helps your patients and your community.
Don't be 'that podiatrist' that's too busy and flat out with patients, who don’t value their feet, which prevents you from attending CPD events and upskilling.
It's All About the Experience
When patients go to a restaurant and eat a high-quality meal, they’re happy to pay $150-$200, and if the service were good, they'd drop an additional $20 tip without giving it a second thought.
We need to be delivering a nice meal experience.
Final Tip
Step away from you being the only opinion on the value of feet and the value of the services you provide for those feet.
Listen to the A-type patients that happily pay your fees and respect the value you provide. Never listen to C's and D's that do not value their feet, do not listen and want the cheapest treatment possible.
If you have any questions about this episode, please send me an email at , or you can connect with Jonathan at Health First Foot & Gait Clinic.
If you want to learn more about Jonathan's short 2-hour course, follow this link to FOOT VALUE.
Jonathan's previous episodes:
Ep 006: Work Smart, Not Harder
Ep 044: Podiatry Success Is A Mindset
Ep 081: Don't Live In The Land of Low Fees
This episode was sponsored by PODIUM and to learn more CLICK HERE.
My Next Event - Podiatry Marketing: Success Leave Clues
This marketing workshop is like no other, and when you complete this 4-hour workshop you will have a definite competitive advantage over other podiatrists in your area because you will know what makes a podiatry business successful.
Every successful podiatry business leaves clues, and for the past thirty-plus years, I have been paying close attention and taking note of what successful podiatrists have been doing, and it has nothing to do with your podiatry knowledge.
For more detail, please visit my EVENTS PAGE.
If you want to learn more about my next 12-Week Podiatry Business Reboot or join the Podiatry Business Owners Club on Facebook, please follow the links.
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