In Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook - Tip #39, Dr. Mike breaks down the evolution of medical exercise certifications and how each one plays a critical role in helping fitness professionals transition into respected medical exercise professionals. He emphasizes that certification isn’t just about letters after your name—it’s about building a system that bridges fitness and healthcare.

Dr. Mike walks us through the four cornerstone certifications:

• Medical Exercise Specialist (MES) – The gold standard since 1994, this certification is deep and rigorous, focusing on assessment, documentation, and business systems.
• Postrehab Conditioning Specialist (PRCS) – A powerful entry-level option introduced in 1998, ideal for professionals getting started with medically based clients.
• Medical Exercise Program Director (MEPD) – For those leading facilities or departments, this cert includes advanced topics like pharmacology, communication systems, and managing full MET programs.
• Advanced Med...

Dear MedExPRO,

You’ve taken the time to build your skills. You’re ready to serve clients. But are you missing the final piece?

✅ Consistent, qualified referrals from trusted medical professionals.

If you’ve ever wondered what to say in your introduction letter, how to follow up with a physician, or how to present yourself as a credible partner in a client’s continuum of care—this is for you.

Introducing the newly expanded MedExPRO Referral Ignition Kit – now with 49 powerhouse tools, scripts, templates, and resources to help you attract referrals, communicate clearly, and grow your practice with confidence.

This isn’t fluff. These are real-world, field-tested resources that MedExPROs are using RIGHT NOW to land referrals, build relationships, and establish authority with physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and more.

💥 What’s Inside the Referral Ignition Kit?

📝 20+ Customizable Communication Templates
→ Introductory, follow-up, and thank-you letters to MDs, PTs, DCs, ...

We hope you had an incredibly insightful and productive experience at the recent MES Workshop in Houston! As we transition back, we're thrilled to reignite our "Cracking the Code" webinar series. Due to the workshop, we took a brief break, and now we’re combining the crucial final steps of the "30 Days to Referral Ready" challenge into one powerful, action-oriented session.

This 60-minute webinar will consolidate and clarify the essential external strategies from Days 25 through 30 of the challenge. This is your definitive guide to effectively communicating your unique value, cultivating strong relationships with healthcare providers, and establishing your position as an indispensable referral partner in the patient recovery process.

This webinar is critical because it brings together all the "go-to-market" strategies you need to transition from simply being "referral-ready" to actively receiving consistent referrals and becoming a recognized extension of the medical team.

We cover ...

Setting New Standards: A Recap of the Transformative MES Workshop in Houston!

Houston was electric on June 28 & 29 as 22 dedicated MedExPROs came together for one of the most impactful MES Workshops to date—and the energy in the room was undeniable.

Led by Dr. Mike, the weekend wasn’t about ticking boxes for another certification. It was about building true competence and confidence as Medical Exercise Specialists who can step into the healthcare system with skill, structure, and clarity, managing clients with medical conditions through exercise—not guesswork.

From Personal Trainer to MedExPRO: A Mindset Shift

The workshop redefined what it means to be a MedExPRO. Instead of seeing clients as workouts, attendees learned to see them as opportunities for functional transformation—with structured assessments, precise documentation, and professional communication that physicians and therapists actually respect.

Participants practiced these skills through hands-on case work, including ...

Your LinkedIn profile is more than just a digital resume—it’s your personal brand and professional storefront. If a doctor, case manager, or referral coordinator searches your name, your LinkedIn profile is likely one of the first things they’ll see.

That means it needs to clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and how you help—all within the scope of Medical Exercise.

Day 24 is your opportunity to clean up and elevate your LinkedIn presence so it works for you—even while you sleep.

✅ Key areas to optimize:

• Headline: Use keywords like “Medical Exercise Specialist,” “Post-Rehab Fitness Expert,” or “Functional Training for Chronic Conditions.”
• About Summary: Clearly state who you help, how you help, and the outcomes you produce—without sounding like a personal trainer.
• Experience: Highlight your MET certifications, programs offered, and any relevant work with medical professionals or special populations.
• Skills & Endorsements: Add relevant skills such as “Medical Exercise
...

You’ve built your documentation, designed your programs, and clarified your niche—now it’s time to speak with providers and referral coordinators. Day 21 is all about practice. It’s not enough to know your value; you have to communicate it clearly and confidently.

Rehearsing your introductory conversation helps you avoid rambling, self-doubt, or missed opportunities when you're face-to-face with a decision-maker. This is your chance to present your role as a Medical Exercise Professional (MedExPRO), highlight your scope, and explain how you support better client outcomes without crossing into treatment or diagnostics.

Here’s what your intro should include:

• Who you are (credentials and training)
• Who you help (specific populations or conditions)
• What you do (your MET services—clearly and concisely)
• How you collaborate (communication, documentation, progress updates)
• What you’re asking for (permission to send information or a brief call)

Practice this in front of a mirror, rec...

Medical Exercise Training (MET) is no longer a "nice-to-have" after rehab—it’s becoming a vital service in the future of healthcare delivery. As systems shift toward a value-based care (VBC) model, the role of the Medical Exercise Professional (MedExPRO) is evolving in real time. No longer confined to post-rehab maintenance, MedExPROs are now being called upon to produce measurable results, reduce healthcare costs, and support long-term functional outcomes across the care continuum.

This transformation creates both a massive opportunity and a serious challenge. Those who are prepared with the right tools, documentation systems, and language of healthcare will rise as outcome-driven professionals essential to hospitals, insurers, and physician networks. Those who cling to old, activity-based models may be left behind.

Why Value-Based Care Changes Everything

In the traditional fee-for-service model, volume was king. The more visits, the more reimbursement—regardless of whether the cli...

Day 16 – Create a Referral Information Packet That Gets You Noticed

When it comes to building referral relationships with physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals, you don’t want to show up empty-handed.

Day 16 of our Make Your Medical Exercise Training Practice Referral Ready in 30 Days challenge is all about creating a professional Referral Information Packet — your practice’s first impression in a folder.

This simple packet showcases your professionalism, highlights your training, and communicates what you do and how you support patient outcomes.

What should go in your packet?

• ✅ Your Introductory Letter to Physicians
• ✅ A Brief Professional Bio
• ✅ Your Medical Exercise Service Sheet
• ✅ One Strong Case Study
• ✅ A Sample Outcome Summary Report
• ✅ A MET Referral Form
• ✅ A Practice Brochure

Whether you deliver this in a physical folder or as a polished PDF, your Referral Information Packet should say:
“I’m ready to support your patients, and here’s h...

If you want consistent referrals from physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors, one thing is essential: communicate results clearly, concisely, and professionally.

That’s where the Outcome Summary Report comes in.

On Day 14 of our Referral-Ready Challenge, you’ll learn how to create a one-page summary report that demonstrates the value of your medical exercise training services and positions you as a trusted member of the healthcare continuum.

A well-crafted report should include:

• Initial Deficits: ROM, strength, balance, pain levels, ADL limitations, etc.
• Improvements Achieved: Objective data and real-world functional gains
• Next Steps: Recommendations for continued progress, transition plan, or discharge

When done well, this document becomes your most powerful professional tool. It not only communicates outcomes — it earns trust, creates credibility, and leads to future referrals.

We’ll walk through how to design your own Outcome Summary Report, complete with te...

If you want medical professionals to trust your work and refer their patients to you, you need to speak their language. And nothing communicates clinical credibility like a well-documented case study.

Day 13 of our 30-Day Referral-Ready Challenge is all about building your own case study template — one that highlights the functional outcomes you deliver.

A powerful case study includes:

• Initial Client Condition: Diagnosis, limitations, and goals
• Interventions Provided: Assessment findings, exercise strategies, and programming rationale
• Client Progress: Functional milestones, objective outcomes, and improved quality of life

This isn’t just about storytelling. It’s about showing your value through structured, evidence-supported results.

Case studies are the key to:

• Strengthening your credibility with referring professionals
• Demonstrating outcomes to insurance carriers or administrators
• Positioning yourself as a results-driven MedExPRO

If you don’t already have a go-to c...