Early Career Excellence

We are excited to share that Episode Ten of Future-Proof PT is published!

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This feels like a major milestone. 90% don’t make it past episode 3!

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Key Insights from Our Conversation with Early-Career PT Leader Cody Lee, PT, DPT

We had an enlightening discussion with physical therapist Cody Lee, who demonstrates that innovation and leadership can emerge at any career stage.

Key Takeaways:

Community-Driven Growth: Cody emphasizes the vital importance of building small, supportive professional networks (like his "Junto" group) where clinicians can learn, share challenges, and grow together.

Servant Leadership in Practice: Rather than traditional top-down management, Cody advocates for a servant leadership approach where leaders:

• Lead by example

• Focus on supporting team members' growth

• Prioritize patient and staff wellbeing over hierarchy

Three Essential Resources for New PTs: When asked about supporting new clinicians, Cody identified:

• Strong professional communities

• Direct clinical mentorship

• Financial support for education costs

Actionable Steps for Clinicians:

Build Your Community: Form or join a small group of peers for regular professional discussion and support

Seek Mentorship: Actively pursue relationships with experienced clinicians who can guide your clinical development

Choose Culture Carefully: When selecting a practice setting, prioritize workplace culture and growth opportunities alongside financial considerations

Industry Challenges Addressed:

• The concerning ratio of PT education costs to early-career salaries

• The need for multiple career growth pathways (clinical, administrative, and academic)

• Strategies for maintaining clinical excellence while ensuring financial sustainability

This episode highlighted how combining traditional PT values with innovative thinking can create more sustainable and fulfilling careers. Cody's approach to value-based care and professional development offers a blueprint for future-proofing our profession!

Cody shares some of his favorite resources for our community. This is straight from his mouth!

Podcasts:

My First Million (business and tech but inspires me towards action)

The Knowledge Project from Farnham Street (Shane Parrish) helps with my thinking

E3 Rehab (more clinical but pushes me to strive to be better clinically)

Barbell Medicine (hugely influential in how I developed my thinking around pain, and communication with patients.)

Future Proof PT (enlightened me on healthcare economics, VBC, and PT roles moving forward)

I just followed every one, and thanks to Cody for a shout-out to ours!

Books

Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey

Dare to Lead - Brene Brown (currently reading)

The Lost Virtue of Happiness (Faith based (Christian) and highly impactful for me last year)

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius (I like to just pick this up and read some from it every now and then.)

The Obstacle Is The Way - Ryan Holiday

Ego Is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday

From the YouTube channel to the Podcast to community-only resources, we support the modern day physical therapist and other rehabilitation, allied health, and medical professionals who wants to get the most out of their clinical degree, experience, and expertise.