One of the most common reasons physicians don’t refer to Medical Exercise Professionals has nothing to do with your expertise—it’s because they don’t understand what you do.

And it’s not their fault.

Physicians operate in a fast-paced, outcome-driven environment. They need clarity, structure, and immediate confidence that the professional they refer to knows how to produce results and communicate them professionally.

That’s why Day 4 in your 30-Day Referral-Ready Plan is to “List Your Services Clearly.”

Why Clarity Is Essential for Physician Referrals

You may have all the skills in the world—but if your services aren’t presented clearly and professionally, doctors will default to safer, more familiar referral options (e.g., physical therapists or nothing at all).

A clear list of services gives physicians:

• A sense of safety and structure
• Confidence in your professionalism
• A quick understanding of how you support their patients after therapy ends

Think of your service menu ...

If a physician sent you a referral today—would your practice be ready to handle it confidently, professionally, and consistently?

Most Medical Exercise Professionals assume that passion and skill alone will open the referral floodgates. But doctors refer based on “trust in your systems”—not just your certification.

That’s why Day 3 of our “How to Make Your Medical Exercise Practice Referral-Ready in 30 Days” series is all about taking an honest, structured look at your business using the MET Practice Readiness Scorecard.

What is the MET Practice Readiness Scorecard?

It’s a powerful self-assessment tool designed to help you evaluate the core elements that matter most to medical professionals:

• Practice Systems & Infrastructure – Intake, scheduling, billing, client follow-up
• Medical Documentation & Communication – Session logs, summary reports, HIPAA compliance
• Outcome Tracking & Reporting – Functional goals, measurable results, data-driven adjustments
• Referral Network & Outreac...

Let’s face it—most Medical Exercise Professionals stumble when asked, “What do you do?”

You’re not alone. And no, saying “I do post-rehab” or “I help people exercise after therapy” won’t cut it if you want real referrals from physicians, physical therapists, and case managers.

You need a crystal-clear, 30-second pitch that positions you as a professional solution to a medical problem. This is your verbal business card—the message that plants a seed in someone’s mind that you are the go-to resource when exercise is part of the treatment plan.

So What Makes a Great Medical Exercise Elevator Pitch?

It should answer three questions—fast:

1. Who You Are

2. What You Do

3. How You Do It

4. Who You Do It To

Here is the framework for the elevator speech;

Hello, my name is [Your Full Name].

I am a [insert your certification: Medical Exercise Specialist] and I develop medically-based exercise programs for individuals with [medical conditions you specialize in], especially after t

...

Day 1: Clarify Your Niche – The First Step to Becoming Referral-Ready

If you’re serious about building a medical exercise practice that earns consistent physician referrals, you must start with clarity—specifically, clarity about your niche.

Your niche isn’t just a marketing tool. It’s the foundation for every system, protocol, and referral relationship you’ll develop in your business. When a physician considers sending a patient your way, the first question they unconsciously ask is:

“What type of clients does this professional really specialize in?”

If that answer isn’t immediately clear—or worse, if you try to be everything to everyone—you become invisible.

What Is a Niche in Medical Exercise?

In the context of medical exercise training, your niche is the specific group of clients or set of medical conditions you are uniquely prepared to manage using structured, outcome-driven exercise.

It’s not enough to say, “I help people get stronger after therapy.”

You need to be able t...

Let’s be honest.....

If you're a MedExPRO grinding day after day, wondering why the phone isn’t ringing, why doctors aren’t referring, and why your bank account still looks like it did six months ago—you’re not alone. But you are stuck. And it’s time to stop pretending that another social media post or another “networking event” is going to magically fix it.

You didn’t invest in your education, get certified, and study medical conditions just to settle for three clients, no physician referrals, and a practice that feels more like a side hustle than a business. You became a Medical Exercise Specialist to bridge the gap—to change lives and get paid like the professional you are.

So why isn’t it working?

Because you’re likely missing the “Five Foundations of a Thriving Medical Exercise Practice”. Every stuck MedExPRO I coach is missing at least two. And the ones who turn it around? They master all five.

🔥 1. Clarity is Your Compass

If I asked you to describe your practice in one sen...

Are you a Medical Exercise Professional (MedExPRO) who finds insurance billing overwhelming or confusing? Understanding CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes is critical to your success and profitability as a medical exercise specialist.

In our upcoming Cracking the Code Webinar on Friday, April 18th at Noon ET, we'll simplify these essential coding systems—providing exactly what you need to know to streamline your billing and reimbursement process. Register now at www.crackingthecode.net.

Why CPT & ICD-10 Coding Matters for MedExPROs

CPT codes describe the specific services you provide as a medical exercise professional, while ICD-10 codes define your client's medical diagnoses or conditions. Correct coding ensures you receive accurate and timely reimbursement from insurance companies, creating a sustainable and profitable practice.

Key Concepts in CPT Coding for MET

• Selecting Accurate CPT Codes: Learn ho
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Medical Exercise Training (MET) is more critical than ever, bridging the gap between healthcare and fitness to help individuals manage medical conditions through structured exercise programs. As a Medical Exercise Professional (MedExPRO), your work positively impacts your clients' health and quality of life. However, achieving sustained success in this specialized field requires careful navigation.

To help you thrive, here are five common pitfalls every MedExPRO must avoid:

1. Ignoring the Business Side of Your Practice

Passion for client care alone is not enough. To run a successful MET practice, you must also master fundamental business principles. Neglecting essential management systems—such as scheduling, documentation, billing, and marketing—creates chaos and financial instability. Without clearly defined systems and regular tracking of your practice metrics (client retention, acquisition rates, profitability), you risk losing control of your business.

What to do instead:

• E...

Becoming a successful Medical Exercise Specialist (MES) is about more than your clinical skills—it’s about adopting the right mindsets and embracing specific practices that elevate your role from practitioner to business owner and trusted medical partner. Based on decades of experience and proven success, here are five essential mindset shifts that every MES needs to develop to build a thriving, impactful Medical Exercise Training (MET) practice:

1. Think Like a Business Owner

Your passion for helping clients improve their function is critical—but so is your ability to manage and grow your practice. This means knowing your numbers (clients, retention, revenue, and costs) and implementing efficient practice management systems. These systems aren’t just about paperwork; they're tools that streamline everything from scheduling, billing, and documentation, to marketing and staffing. Embrace the business owner mindset and watch your practice thrive.

Ask Yourself:

• Do you regularly revi...

As medical exercise professionals, getting comfortable when your schedule fills up with regular clients is easy. But have you ever wondered what happens when your client list remains unchanged for years? While consistent client sessions might feel stable, this approach can limit your practice's growth and your ability to help even more people.

Dr. Mike shares an essential insight: successful medical exercise practices aren't built solely on client sessions—they're built on systems. Systems are repeatable processes that efficiently handle key areas of your business, freeing you to focus on growth and professional development. Instead of just being a technician who addresses immediate needs, a system-focused professional creates sustainable solutions for a larger number of clients.

Critical systems to implement include:

• Assessment Systems: Develop consistent protocols tailored to specific medical conditions to streamline client evaluations.
• Scheduling and Onboarding: Automate appoi...

Medical Exercise Specialists, this post reviews how to price Medical Exercise Training (MET) services effectively by understanding your real costs and the valuable outcomes you provide to clients. Pricing should reflect the effort, expertise, and significant improvements you bring to your clients' daily lives, such as reducing discomfort, improving strength, or restoring important activities. Pricing too low can create financial stress and suggest lower quality service to clients.

Avoid setting prices just by comparing yourself with competitors, as this can result in unsustainable price wars. Instead, base your rates on your actual costs, including expenses like travel, insurance, and professional time spent on client education and follow-up with medical professionals. Your pricing should also clearly represent the professional value and quality of the services you offer.

Understanding your client's perspective on pricing is important. Clients highly value the positive changes MET br...