Ep858 | Why I Reinvested In The Clinic I Sold (And What I'm Building Next)

I Sold My Practice—Then Bought It Back: Why I Reinvested in Athlete’s Potential

In this episode, Doc Danny Matta shares a major announcement: he and his wife have reinvested in Athlete’s Potential, the cash-based physical therapy clinic they originally founded, grew, and sold three years ago. Danny explains why he decided to buy back in, what’s changed since selling, and how this move aligns with PT Biz’s broader mission of transforming private practice ownership in the profession.

Quick Ask

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Episode Summary

• Full-circle moment: After selling Athlete’s Potential to their clinic director, Jake Swart, three years ago, Danny and his wife have now bought back into the business as partners.
• New role: Danny will serve as a strategic growth advisor, helping scale the clinic through expansion, systems, compensation redesigns, and brand growth—without running day-to-day operations.
• Why return? After years of coaching clinic owners at PT Biz, Danny missed the hands-on, in-person side of brick-and-mortar ownership and saw an opportunity to reinvest in a clinic—and a leader—he truly believes in.
• Shared vision: The goal is to build the largest cash-based clinic group in the U.S.—potentially reaching multiple eight- and nine-figure revenues.
• Reframing success: Selling a business doesn’t mean it’s bad—it can be the right move for growth, but coming back can also reignite purpose and balance.

Lessons & Takeaways

• Gratitude for your work: Owning a clinic is a privilege—few professions allow you to directly improve lives daily in such a positive environment.
• People first: The best and worst part of your business will always be the people. Growth happens when you give your team opportunities to rise with you.
• Big vision, bigger team: If your vision isn’t large enough for your staff to see themselves in it, they’ll leave. Growth should create opportunity for everyone involved.
• Balance matters: After years of remote, online work, Danny recognized the importance of being physically present in a mission-driven business again.
• Entrepreneurship reality: Not everyone is wired to be an entrepreneur—and that’s okay. The goal is to create a place where great clinicians can thrive with freedom and stability.

Mindset & Motivation

• Brick-and-mortar is special: In-person work brings community, culture, and real connection that can’t be replaced by virtual meetings.
• Scaling through systems: Growth requires clear tracking, compensation systems, and recurring revenue models that align with mission and culture.
• Utopia for clinicians: The future of PT could be high-level clinicians working in thriving, well-run cash practices that offer better balance and fulfillment.
• Reinvesting in purpose: Sometimes the right move isn’t a new business—it’s doubling down on what you built and believe in most.

Notable Quotes

“We just put our money where our mouth is—with a significant monetary and time investment. I think the future of these businesses is massive.”

“The best and worst part of your business is the people. Put them first, and they’ll help you achieve your vision.”

“If your vision isn’t big enough for your staff to see themselves in it, they’re going to leave.”

“Being in person is special. It’s something I missed deeply.”

Pro Tips for Owners

• Audit your leadership: Ask yourself if your staff has clear growth opportunities within your company.
• Track what matters: Know your key numbers—capacity, margins, compensation ratios—and use them to guide expansion.
• Keep culture alive: Host in-person events and celebrate wins to strengthen team connection.
• Invest in people: The right partnerships and shared vision can take your business farther than solo effort ever could.
• Reignite purpose: If you’re feeling disconnected, step back into what made you love this profession in the first place.

Action Items

• Reflect on your clinic’s vision—is it big enough for your team to see a future there?
• Revisit your compensation and growth plans to ensure they align with long-term retention.
• Host a team appreciation event or dinner this quarter to rebuild connection and purpose.
• Document your systems and metrics to prepare for future expansion opportunities.

Programs Mentioned

• PT Biz Part-Time to Full-Time 5-Day Challenge (Free): Get clear on your numbers, choose your path to full-time, and build your one-page business plan.

Resources & Links

• PT Biz Website
• Free 5-Day PT Biz Challenge

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About the Host: Doc Danny Matta—physical therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of PT Biz and Athlete’s Potential. He’s helped over 1,000 clinicians start, grow, and scale successful cash-based practices across the U.S.