Breakthrough Performance Physical Therapy wants to change the way you view not just injury recovery but health care in general.
It’s a performance physical therapy practice that focuses on athletes, orthopedics and pelvic health. Their mission is to raise the bar of patient-centered care in the Asheville area, and they utilize techniques like dry needling, strength and conditioning programs, soft tissue work, joint mobilization and expert exercise progression to get their patients back to doing the activities they love — at 100% health.
We sat down and spoke with Dan Carmack, the Founder and Owner of Breakthrough Performance PT, to discuss why he started his company in Asheville, how his team overcame Helene’s challenges and what he hopes is the future of Breakthrough Performance PT.
How did you get involved with your company?
I started working as a physical therapist in Atlanta for a large company. After two years, I grew frustrated with the quality of health care services being provided there. I wanted to offer patients and my community more, so I decided to move to Asheville to start my own practice. Asheville’s culture of community-driven businesses, living an active lifestyle and doing things just a little bit different really appealed to me, so starting a business with a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience was an easy decision.
In 2018, I rented a room out of a local CrossFit gym, and I later moved my office to a different gym and hired my first employee in 2021. We’ve since hired several more physical therapists and opened our own dedicated office on Biltmore Avenue early in 2024. We’ve really grown and have set our roots in the center of Asheville.
“Asheville’s culture of community-driven businesses, living an active lifestyle and doing things just a little bit different really appealed to me.”
What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome?
Helene was probably the biggest hurdle I feel we’ve had to overcome. It came just as we were hitting our stride in our new space, and it made just about everything more difficult. Trying to find a balance of keeping our doors open while also making sure we all spent time within our community helping the people and businesses that were impacted more directly than ourselves was incredibly challenging. Thankfully, I have an amazing team that came together to stay active in the community, offering sliding scale and even pro bono visits for those most impacted by the storm while also volunteering in clean-up efforts. We just wanted to help other business owners as much as we could. We made the decision to prioritize our community, and I really believe that’s what helped us get through that moment.
How has your company’s idea of success transformed?
When I started the company, I thought success was just surviving in a new city and getting comfortable working for myself. As I got busier and realized there were only so many people who I can help by myself, that vision of success changed from being personally sustainable to growing an actual business that can help as many people as possible.
While the target is always moving, success currently looks like continuing to bring on more people to my team, expanding our reach within the Asheville area and really changing the standard of physical therapy and health care in WNC.
“I hope we’re able to change how people view physical therapy and health care in general: that it can be system in which people are empowered and built back up stronger than before, and that actually listening to the person in front of you is the standard — not the exception.”
What’s the greatest business advice you’ve been given?
Follow up — and keep following up. So often, I feel like people miss opportunities by giving up on things too quickly. I can’t count how many patient and business opportunities have come from being persistent about checking in with people and trying to foster relationships.
What is most important to you right now?
This is a two-parter.
The first is continuing to build relationships within the Asheville community and deliver excellent care that prevents unnecessary surgeries, improves athletic and general performance and reminds people they are more resilient than they think they are. I want to continue to expand our reach in the Asheville and surrounding areas, ideally opening up a larger facility that will allow for more group classes, community events and work with local athletes. I hope we’re able to change how people view physical therapy and health care in general: that it can be system in which people are empowered and built back up stronger than before, and that actually listening to the person in front of you is the standard — not the exception.
The other is how important my team is to me. I’m grateful for the amazing people I have on staff, and a primary focus for me is continuing to invest in them while finding more people who can help us continue to grow.