Jason Smith - First Act

Time-stamped overview

02:44
Losing believe in yourself and how to bounce forward from a 'quarter-life crisis'.
04:32
Childhood inspiration of helping children in Ethiopia.
07:00
The tragic twist in Jason's medical missionary journey.
09:05
Creating one of the fastest growing physiotherapy practices in Australia from a garage.
14:00
Planning to turn one practice into a national brand.
17:40
Finding efficiencies of a proven model as they scaled into franchises.
22:43
Unsolicited offers for business, silent auction with over 93 bids for business.
24:34
Facing corporate espionage and betrayal.
27:27
Resilience and purpose that kept him going.
31:00
We learn so much more from our failure than success.
33:53
Learning leadership, entrepreneurship and vision.
36:17
How you can make a positive social impact every single day.
39:00
People have been my greatest hardship and greatest reward.

Hosts: Cec Busby and Adam Bub
Guest: Jason T Smith
Audio Production: Morgan Sebastian Brown

Jason T Smith built a $100 million physio business from his garage – then sold it

Jason T Smith is someone who has redefined resilience in business. Jason’s entrepreneurial journey started with an entirely different goal – to become a medical missionary.

But life took him on a detour, and at just 24, he founded what would become Australia’s largest physiotherapy network, the Back In Motion Health Group, which he later sold for over $100 million.

Despite his success, Jason sees himself as an unlikely entrepreneur. He’s even written a book about it (called Unlikely, in fact). On First Act, Jason takes us through the highs and lows of his story, from dashed hopes of becoming a doctor to even – wait for it – being a victim of corporate espionage. What a story.

Key topics

Jason T Smith’s early dreams and career path

  • Jason’s initial goal to become a medical missionary
  • Transition to physiotherapy
  • Failure to achieve dream of becoming a doctor

The origins of Back in Motion Health Group

  • Starting a practice from home as a temporary solution
  • Accidental success and rapid growth
  • Challenges and skepticism from the industry

Strategic planning and expansion

  • Revelatory moments during a travel break
  • Decision to formalise and expand the business
  • Detailed plan to scale the business nationally
  • The business model and franchise development
  • Importance of structure, discipline, and relational power in business

Sale of Back in Motion Health Group

  • Impact of COVID and business resilience
  • Unsolicited interest from potential buyers
  • Decision to sell and transition into social impact initiatives

Personal Growth and Resilience

  • Facing corporate espionage and internal betrayal
  • Developing resilience through mentorship and family support
  • Reflection on early failures and continual learning

Thought leadership in books and beyond

  • Lessons and goals behind Unlikely and other publications
  • Post-business sale focus on philanthropy and leadership development
  • Jason’s ongoing mission to leave a meaningful impact
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Episodes

  • All
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2019
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