This week's episode is a personal one. After experiencing a lower back injury with severe sciatic symptoms, I was forced to step away from working, cancel commitments, and rethink a lot of what I thought I had under control. In this episode, I share five key lessons that came from that experience, covering empathy, financial protection, planning ahead, and the importance of taking action before it's too late.

What made this experience even more challenging was the complete loss of independence.

Something as simple as walking a few steps, sitting in a chair, or driving a car became almost impossible. I had to rely heavily on my wife to get to appointments and manage day-to-day tasks, which is something I've never had to do before. That feeling of helplessness really hits you, especially when you're used to being active, working, and in control of your schedule.

It also forced me to cancel a number of commitments, including coaching calls, podcast interviews, and even a speaking engagement in Canada that I had been looking forward to for months. That was a tough pill to swallow.

But in hindsight, having that time blocked out turned out to be a blessing. It gave me the space to focus on recovery, attend appointments, and reflect on what had happened without the added pressure of trying to push through it.

Throughout this process, I also experienced very different levels of care from healthcare professionals. Some were exceptional, showing genuine empathy and understanding, while others felt distant and disengaged. That contrast really reinforced how important communication, tone, and presence are when working with patients.

These experiences don't just apply to podiatry; they apply to every healthcare professional and business owner.

Because at the end of the day, it's not just about clinical skills or business strategy. It's about how you show up, how you prepare for the unexpected, and how you treat people when they need you most.

If you have any questions, you can always contact me via email at tyson@podiatrylegends.com, and if you get the chance, check out the Podiatry Legends Website

Artificial Intelligence is no longer something for the future; it's already influencing how patients search for answers and choose healthcare providers.

• AI is already influencing patient decisions
• ChatGPT is becoming a new search engine before choosing Google
• AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is the next evolution of SEO
• Early adopters will gain a competitive advantage over late adopters
• AI can dramatically reduce admin time
• Your prompts determine your results
• AI can help personalise your podiatry marketing
• Patients are becoming more informed before visits by using AI
• Perfection isn't required, but progress is, so start taking action
• The best way to learn AI is to start using it

In this episode, Tyson Franklin is joined by Jonathan Small to explore how podiatrists can begin using AI in practical ways within their clinics. From marketing and content creation to improving systems and patient communication, AI offers opportunities to save time and operate more efficiently.

They also discuss the importance of early adoption, the role of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO), and why resisting change could leave podiatrists behind.

If you've been unsure about AI, this conversation will help you understand where it fits and how to start using it today.

Do you love the Podiatry Legends Podcast? If you do, consider leaving a rating and review. It will only take you two minutes.

Have you checked out the Podiatry Legends Podcast website?

Have you ever considered a Podiatry-Specific Business Coach?

A common phrase I hear from podiatrists is: "Once I get busier, I'll look into business coaching." On the surface, it sounds logical, but in reality, it's one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

In this solo episode, I unpack why waiting creates more problems than it solves. I discuss the "amplification effect," "the I'll wait till later trap", how inefficiencies grow under pressure, and why being busy often leads to stress rather than success.

1. Waiting until you're "busier" is backwards thinking
   Growth doesn't create clarity—clarity creates growth.
2. Being busy doesn't fix problems—it amplifies them
   Weak systems, poor communication, and inefficiencies all get worse under pressure.
3. The "I'll sort it out later" mindset keeps you stuck
   When you're quiet, you delay. When you're busy, you don't have time.
4. There is no perfect time to improve your business
   The ideal moment you're waiting for doesn't exist.
5. Business coaching is a lever, not a reward
   It's something you use to create success—not something you earn after achieving it.
6. Mental space is your biggest advantage when things are quiet
   It allows you to plan, think clearly, and implement properly.
7. Growth without structure leads to chaos and burnout
   More patients + poor systems = more stress, not more success.
8. Fixing a busy, broken clinic is harder than building it right early
   Untangling inefficiencies under pressure is slow and frustrating.
9. Successful clinics prepare for growth before it happens
   They build systems, strategy, and team alignment early.
10. Your pricing should be flexible and value-based—not fixed or competitor-driven
    Factor in your costs, future expenses, and the value you deliver—not just what others charge.

I also share two bonus insights (Easter Eggs) around pricing at the end of this episode.

In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I chat with Jason Cunningham, business advisor, author, and media commentator, about what it really takes to build a successful business.

We explore why many podiatrists get stuck working in their business instead of on it, and how shifting your focus to strategy, systems, and structure can completely change your results.

If you want to build a podiatry business that gives you more freedom, better patients, and long-term growth, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

1. Build your business as if you plan to sell it
2. Most podiatrists are stuck being technicians, not owners
3. Strategy is useless if it's not shared
4. Your mission should be simple and clear
5. Culture matters more in tough times
6. Systems create freedom
7. Patients notice friction in your business
8. Collaboration beats competition long-term
9. You need to think like an owner, not just a clinician
10. A great business gives you choice

If you've been enjoying the Podiatry Legends Podcast, consider leaving a rating and review. It will only take you two minutes.

Have you checked out the Podiatry Legends Podcast website? https://www.podiatrylegends.com/

Have you ever considered a business coach? https://www.tysonfranklin.com/coaching/

In this episode, Anne Melville shares how she built a successful private practice in the small Scottish town of Gourock and implemented a membership model that now supports both her business and her lifestyle. The result has been increased stability, stronger patient relationships, and the ability to create a genuine sense of community.

We explore the importance of professional connections, why you need to overcome self-doubt, and why podiatrists who stay engaged with their peers are far more likely to thrive in the profession and less likely to leave long-term.

Like many podiatrists, Anne reached a point where she considered walking away from her business. The pressure, the responsibility, and the emotional toll caught up with her, and she even put her practice up for sale.

But what changed everything wasn't a new marketing strategy or a business course. It was a connection.

The relationships she had built within the podiatry community pulled her back. Conversations with peers, friendships formed at events, and simply knowing she wasn't alone made the difference.

This reinforces something I've said many times: Connected podiatrists don't leave the profession.

• Connection is the key to long-term success in podiatry
• Membership models create stability and stronger patient relationships
• Small towns can support highly successful practices
• Community-building increases patient loyalty
• Collaboration beats competition
• Mature-age learning builds resilience and discipline
• Family support can be a powerful driver of success
• Patients value how you make them feel, not just what you do
• Imposter syndrome is common, but often inaccurate
• Connected podiatrists are far less likely to leave the profession

If you've been enjoying the Podiatry Legends Podcast, consider leaving a rating and review. It will only take you two minutes.

Have you checked out the Podiatry Legends Podcast website? https://www.podiatrylegends.com/

Have you ever considered a business coach? https://www.tysonfranklin.com/coaching/

In this episode, Tyson Franklin is joined by Melbourne Podiatrists, Richard Chasen, for a deep and thought-provoking discussion about business, life choices, and what success really looks like in podiatry.

They explore the idea that while you can have anything you want, you can't have everything, and how this impacts decisions around hiring, income, lifestyle, and long-term career direction. The conversation also challenges common beliefs about money, patient care, and what it truly takes to build a sustainable practice.

This episode is ideal for podiatrists who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about their next move and are looking for clarity and practical insights to move forward.

1. You'll understand why trying to "have it all" is holding you back
   And how making better trade-offs can actually move your career forward.
2. You'll learn the real reason many podiatrists feel stuck
   It's not lack of skill—it's lack of clarity and direction.
3. You'll discover why "winging it" in business never works long-term
   And what intentional planning actually looks like in real life.
4. You'll rethink when (and why) to hire another podiatrist
   Including the biggest mistakes clinic owners make when employing too early.
5. You'll get a clearer understanding of money vs patient care
   And why treating them as opposites is a dangerous mindset.
6. You'll learn how to design a business that fits your lifestyle
   Instead of building something that eventually burns you out.
7. You'll hear a simple framework to make better decisions
   The "why" questioning approach that cuts through indecision.
8. You'll understand the hidden cost of success
   What you have to give up—and why most people ignore this part.
9. You'll see why systems and structure matter more than motivation
   Especially when it comes to training staff and growing your clinic.
10. You'll walk away thinking differently about your future
    With a stronger sense of direction, priorities, and what actually matters.

If you've been enjoying the Podiatry Legends Podcast for the past seven years, please consider leaving a rating and review.

Have you seen the Podiatry Legends Podcast website yet? If not, go to www.podiatrylegends.com

And, if you're looking for a podiatry business coach that only coaches podiatrists, visit www.tysonfranklin.com

This episode is a special one. It's a conversation from my previous podcast, It's No Secret with Dr T, recorded back in 2020—long before the Savannah Bananas became the global sensation they are today.

Back then, Jesse Cole was already doing things differently, selling out games and rethinking what a sporting experience could be.

But what makes this episode so valuable isn't baseball… It's business.

Jesse shares how shifting focus from product to experience completely transformed his team. The same principles apply directly to podiatry clinics and small businesses. How you make people feel matters more than what you do.

If you want to stand out, build loyalty, and create a business people talk about, this episode will get you thinking differently about everything you do.

1. You're not in the business you think you're in.

2. Experience always beats product.

3. Stop focusing on money and focus on moments.

4. Remove friction wherever possible.

5. Make your patients feel something.

6. Small touches create a big impact.

7. Stand out by doing things differently.

8. Build fans, not just customers.

9. Community drives long-term growth.

10. If people talk about you, your marketing is done for you.

If you're enjoying the Podiatry Legends Podcast, please consider leaving a RATING AND REVIEW.

In this episode, Tyson Franklin welcomes back Melbourne podiatrist James Ferrie, the owner of My Sports Podiatrist, to explore regenerative medicine and ultrasound-guided treatment techniques.

James shares insights into prolotherapy, PRP and nerve hydrodissection, explaining how these approaches stimulate healing in degenerative tissues and relieve nerve-related pain.

The conversation also covers clinical growth, continuous learning and why podiatrists should never feel trapped in the type of practice they've created.

• Regenerative medicine focuses on stimulating tissue healing rather than only managing pain.
• Prolotherapy and PRP aim to restart the body's natural repair processes.
• Ultrasound allows clinicians to assess and treat structures with far greater precision.
• Chronic foot and ankle conditions often involve degenerative changes rather than inflammation.
• Nerve hydrodissection can relieve neuropathic pain by releasing nerve compression.
• Learning ultrasound requires practice and patience, but adds enormous clinical value.
• Some of the best learning opportunities come from outside podiatry conferences.
• Developing a clinical niche can transform both your practice and your professional satisfaction.
• If you feel stuck clinically, it may be time to pivot your practice direction.
• Continuous learning keeps clinical practice interesting and rewarding.

Are you an ambitious podiatrist looking for a strategic thinking business coach?

If you are, please visit my website https://www.tysonfranklin.com/. If you just want another marketing tactic and no strategy, there are plenty of other mentors and advisors who can assist you.