Dr. Alexis Shoope, orthopedic specialist and founder of PIONE3R Physical Therapy & Wellness, shares her journey building a cash-based physical therapy practice.  We dive into the intricacies of building a cash-based practice, bridging the gap between rehab and fitness, and giving patients the tools to truly own their health. 

https://www.pione3rpt.com/
Instagram: @dr.alexis.shoope
YouTube: @alexisshoope9802

🔍 Why Listen?

Are you a physical therapist who believes there's a better way to treat patients than the traditional "quick fix" model? Meet Dr. Alexis Shoope, founder of PIONE3R Physical Therapy and Wellness. In this episode, Dr. Shoope shares her inspiring journey from a childhood dream of teaching to building a successful cash-based practice in Houston, Texas. If you are interested in orthopedics, strength training, or the mechanics of starting a practice that prioritizes education and long-term health over volume, this conversation is essential listening.

🧠 What You'll Learn

• The value of keeping an open mind during clinical rotations to find your true passion.
• The specific gap Dr. Shoope identified between rehabilitation and fitness.
• How residency training at Memorial Hermann shaped her clinical expertise.
• The philosophy behind "PIONE3R Physical Therapy and Wellness" and its focus on empowerment.
• Why a cash-based model allowed her to deliver higher quality, whole-body care.
  

💡 Key Takeaways

• PT is Teaching in Motion: Dr. Shoope realized early on that physical therapy is essentially teaching, just using the body and movement as the subject matter.
• Passion Drives Energy: During her residency rotation, Dr. Shoope found that despite working long hours, she wasn't tired because she was genuinely excited about the work—a key indicator she had found her niche.
• Bridge the Gap: Her practice was founded on the mission to bridge the gap between rehab and fitness, moving beyond pain relief to help patients stay active for the long term.
• Niche Down: Dr. Shoope developed specialized expertise in back, hip, and pelvic floor issues but differentiates herself by applying a whole-body strength and conditioning approach.
  

🎙️ Memorable Soundbites

• "I realized it is teaching. It's just a body and movement. So it was kind of cool how that came full circle."
• "I realized at the end of every day I was like, oh, I'm actually not that tired of this. And I'm really excited for the next day."
• "The company's mission is to bridge the gap between rehab and fitness, and to help patients continue to stay active while gaining the knowledge and tools to take ownership of their long term health."
  

🚀 Actionable Tips

1. Audit Your Energy: Pay attention to which clinical settings or patient populations drain you versus which ones energize you. Use this to guide your career path.
2. Embrace the Teacher Role: View every patient interaction as an educational opportunity. Empowering patients with knowledge is a key differentiator in private practice.
3. Explore Cash-Based Models: If you feel limited by insurance constraints, investigate how a cash-based model might allow you to provide the quality of care and time your patients deserve.
4. Integrate Strength Training: Consider pursuing a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification to better serve active populations and bridge the rehab-fitness divide.

💭 Conversation Starter

If you could design a practice from scratch that ignored all insurance limitations, what is the one unique service or approach you would offer to your patients?