The EP Growth Podcast

Pain is something almost every Exercise Physiologist works with; but understanding pain and knowing how to talk about it with patients are two very different things.

In this episode, Chris is joined by Accredited Exercise Physiologist Martin Tisdell, who draws on his experience working in multidisciplinary pain management to explore what modern pain science actually means for EP practice.

What actually changes as you go from being a new graduate EP to an experienced clinician?

It’s easy to assume the answer is simply more knowledge and more experience. But over time, some of the biggest changes are actually in how you think, make decisions and respond when you don’t have all the answers.

In this episode of the EP Growth Podcast, we explore five shifts that can help you develop from an inexperienced EP into a more confident and capable clinician.

When should you actually progress an exercise and what should you change when you do?

For early-career EPs, exercise progression can quickly become more complicated than it needs to be. More weight? More reps? A harder exercise? Something completely different?

In this episode, we simplify the decision.

If you sometimes find yourself standing beside a client wondering "what do I progress from here?", this episode is for you.

As Exercise Physiologists, we spend a lot of time educating our patients. We explain pain, prescribe exercises and provide evidence-based advice; but what happens when none of it leads to change?

In this episode, I explore one of the biggest lessons I've learnt in clinical practice: knowledge alone rarely changes behaviour.

We'll discuss why clients don't always follow through, the common barriers that sit beneath "non-compliance", and how changing the questions we ask can dramatically improve engagement and long-term outcomes.

Technical skills might earn you your degree, but they're only part of what makes a great Exercise Physiologist.

In this episode, I'm joined by Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Partnerships & Engagement Manager, Martin Tisdell, to explore the communication, relationship and professional skills that university doesn't always prepare us for.

Over the past few episodes, we've discussed building rapport, communication and client buy-in. In this conversation, we take that one step further and explore how those same skills extend beyond the treatment room to colleagues, GPs, employers, insurers and every other stakeholder involved in a client's care.

Most clients aren't unmotivated; they're misunderstood.

In this episode, we explore why clients don't follow through with exercise programs and how EPs can create genuine buy-in instead of relying on motivation alone.

Most EPs think rapport takes time but the best clinicians build it in the first few minutes.

In this episode, we break down simple communication strategies you can use immediately to build stronger relationships with your clients, improve trust, and create better engagement in sessions.

We discuss:

• Why rapport matters more than most EPs realise
• The biggest communication mistakes clinicians make
• How to ask better questions
• Simple ways to make clients feel understood
• What high-performing clinicians do differently

If you’ve ever felt awkward, rushed, or unsure what to say in sessions, this episode will give you practical tools you can start using immediately.

One of the toughest moments as an EP is when a patient says, “I’m not improving.”

It can quickly shake your confidence and if handled poorly, it can cost you the patient.

In this episode, we break down a simple, practical approach to handling these conversations. You’ll learn how to respond without becoming defensive, how to better understand what the patient is actually saying, and how to adjust your plan to rebuild trust and momentum.

If you’ve ever felt unsure in this situation, this episode will give you a clear way forward.

Struggling to get clients to commit after the initial consult?

In this episode, we break down the key mistakes EPs make and walk through a simple framework to run a consult that builds trust, creates clarity, and leads to better outcomes.

Most exercise physiologists focus heavily on programming but often overlook the most important part of the session:

👉 The first 5 minutes.

In this episode, we break down a simple, repeatable structure you can use at the start of every session to improve engagement, retention, and outcomes.

In this episode, we break down what a Primary Health Network (PHN) is, why it exists, and the role it plays in shaping healthcare delivery across Australia. Whether you’re a clinician, practice owner, or simply curious about how healthcare systems connect, this episode provides a clear and practical overview.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a Primary Health Network is and why it was created

• The role PHNs play in supporting primary care and community health

• How PHNs work with GPs, allied health, hospitals, and community services

• Funding, commissioning, and how services are prioritised

• How healthcare providers can engage with and benefit from their local PHN

A great listen for anyone wanting to better understand the system behind primary healthcare and how to work more effectively within it.

Get organised and prepared for 2026 with these 3 simple questions!

As a new grad it can be quite daunting and overwhelming when you first encounter all the registrations, certifications and insurances you may need on your first day as an EP.

In this episode Chris brakes down some of the fundamental requirements and things to be aware for new grad EP's to help you ensure you thrive from day 1.

Join this episode as Hunter Rehabs very own Amber Holland shares her story on how she went from student to flourishing EP. Tune in for some tips that may just make this process easier for you or someone you know.

In this episode, we break down everything exercise physiologists need to know about writing effective WorkCover reports in NSW. From insurer expectations and reportable content to fees, timelines, and best-practice communication, we unpack how to create reports that are clear, compliant, and genuinely helpful for all stakeholders. Perfect for early-career EPs looking to lift their WorkCover game and write with confidence.

Our final episode looking at flags in healthcare. This episode unpacks black flags and what we can about them as exercise physiologists.

In this episode of the EP Growth Podcast, I sit down with Elliot Dobie the visionary behind Clinic1, a practice management software that’s changing the way allied health clinics operate. We dive into the story behind Clinic1’s creation, the challenges of building innovative solutions for health professionals, and how technology can streamline clinic management, improve patient outcomes, and boost business growth.

Whether you’re running a solo practice or leading a large allied health team, you’ll walk away with practical insights and strategies to help your clinic thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Website: https://clinic1.ai/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clinic1.ai/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinic1ai/

Join Chris as he unpacks yellow flags in the rehabilitation process.

Continue on with Chris in this series as he discusses the flag system in healthcare. This week we take a look at Red Flags.

Join Chris as he discusses the coloured flag system used to identify psychosocial and physical risk factors in patient care.

As a healthcare provider, this is one you need to be across!

Join Chris for a chat about WorkCover and where you can add value for the various stakeholders in this system. If you feel like you get good results for your patient but aren't generating repeat referrals- you need to listen to this.

Catch up with Ryan and Chris as they sit down and talk about neck and shoulder injuries, their rehabilitation and considerations as an EP.

Join us for this episode where Chris chats about the new AHTR and raises some pro's and cons when comparing it with the older AHRR.

In this episode Ryan sits down with Director of Simply Stronger Exercise Physiology - Sara Woodroffe for a discussion of her journey to date and the challenges she has faced in the industry.

Tune in to this one to hear some great insights and nuggets of gold that you will all use!

Find Sara on Linkedin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-woodroffe-1aa18077/?originalSubdomain=au

Email - sara@simplystronger.com.au

In this episode, Ryan interviews special guest former ESSA CEO of 17 years and now Chief Allied Health Officer of Australia, Anita Hobson Powell

In this episode, Anita shares her fascinating career journey, leadership advice and her vision for EP's and allied health in the future!

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-hobson-powell-caho-b79160333/

Email - caho@health.gov.au

Patients consistently late to your sessions?

Your calendar keeps getting changed without notice?

Are you unhappy with how you are generally spoken to?

It could be that you need to work on your boundaries and how you communicate them.

Check out today's episode as Chris runs through all things boundaries and how you can use them to improve your own quality of life.

In this episode,

Ryan is back on deck for this solo episode on motivational interviewing

Ryan discusses the two key questions that can significantly increase your chances of facilitating long term behaviour change

Online Course Link - 0-100 How to get more GP referrals - https://epgrowthmentoring.freshlearn.com/more-gp-referrals

In this episode Ryan is joined by fellow Exercise Physiologist Danny Miller to tell her story and share some exciting updates about Exercise Physiology!

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-miller-942a7010b/

Join the Hunter Rehab and Health Team - https://www.hunterrehab.com.au/join-our-team/

A different style of podcast today as we take a look at some current news topics from ESSA as well as current CPD options of interest.

Enjoy.