DR. ANTONIA COUNTS
Transforming healthcare through entrepreneurship takes more than skill and determination—it requires courage, purpose, and a willingness to break the mold. For Dr. Toni, founder of Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, #VISIBILITY isn’t just about attracting clients—it’s about using her platform to inspire change and pave the way for a new generation of healthcare leaders. By tapping into her unique voice and leaning into her strengths as an Activist, Dr. Toni is redefining what it means to be a physical therapist and business owner in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Advocate for better healthcare by helping other rehab professionals build their own thriving practices, enabling them to serve patients in ways traditional models often overlook. Through social media, community involvement, and her role as a senior business advisor at PTBiz, Dr. Toni is building a nationwide movement, one entrepreneur at a time.
HER APPROACH?
Meet DR. ANTONIA (TONI) COUNTS, Advocate for Clinicians Everywhere
Dr. Toni is the founder of Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, where she focuses on sports performance, sport rehabilitation, and pelvic floor rehab. With a passion for making meaningful changes in the healthcare world, she embodies the spirit of the #VISIBILITY style, The Activist. This style is defined by its focus on creating change, rallying support, and using visibility as a tool to build momentum for a mission-driven purpose.
For Dr. Toni, the healthcare industry is one that needs a radical shift, and she’s on a mission to lead that change—one physical therapist, one practice, and one community at a time. Through her work, she’s not just impacting patients’ lives but also empowering other healthcare professionals to start and grow their own practices, amplifying the impact across the nation.
“I’ve realized I could affect one person at a time as a clinician, one community at a time as a business owner, and the entire nation—maybe even parts of the world—if I help other business owners do what I’ve done,” says Dr. Toni.
#VISIBILITY STRATEGY:
So, what is the Activist style? Melissa Barker, Founder & CEO of Women Entrepreneurs Inc., outlines 8 #VISIBILITY styles in her book to help women entrepreneurs understand how to use their unique values and strengths to grow their businesses. Each style offers a framework for leaning into the channels, content types, and outlets that make getting #VISIBLE both effective and enjoyable—find your style here!
Activists are driven by a deep-rooted desire to create change. They use their platforms to challenge the status quo, inspire their audience, and build movements around their mission. Activists thrive when rallying others to a cause, making their presence felt through educational content, community engagement, and passionate storytelling.
Finding Her Voice and Amplifying Change
For Dr. Toni, a pivotal moment came when she realized that her voice could not only help one patient at a time but could also guide the direction of an entire industry. She began connecting with rehab professionals nationwide who were eager to start their own practices. Sharing her own challenging journey, she became a mentor and role model, showing them that it’s possible to build a successful, patient-focused business that serves communities better than the conventional healthcare model. This shift in perspective led her to her role as a senior business advisor with PTBiz, where she supports others on their entrepreneurial journey. It’s technically a sales position, but for Dr. Toni, it’s so much more. “Rather than selling something to someone, I feel like I have the opportunity every day to guide people toward a decision that will not only change their life but also the face of physical therapy as we know it,” she explains.
Learning to Lead with Purpose
Like many entrepreneurs, Dr. Toni has had her share of learning moments. Early on, she admits she was more focused on closing sales rather than championing the larger vision for change. But ironically, when she shifted her mindset to focus more on helping people, the sales came more easily because the trust was already built.
Today, her #VISIBILITY is centered around inspiring others to take bold action—to be the change they want to see.
“My main goal for being #VISIBLE is so that people get the opportunity to make the life-changing decision of starting a business, which in turn, will change physical therapy and healthcare for the better,” she says. “That is a long-lasting impact and legacy that will outlive me by decades.”
#VISIBILITY TIPS & HACKS
When it comes to #VISIBILITY, Dr. Toni prioritizes authenticity and engagement over viral moments. Her favorite platforms are Instagram, where she shares fun, educational reels, and her podcast, HealthyHQ, where she interviews health and fitness professionals to discuss topics ranging from injury prevention to entrepreneurship. She’s also a big fan of community events and aims to get more involved with leadership opportunities and speaking engagements.
One of her key #VISIBILITY insights?
“I make sure to include stories of my mistakes, fears, and disappointments when I share my messages,” she says. “Being an activist means being real. Talking about the good, bad, and ugly shows character and invites a deeper conversation.”
For Dr. Toni, #VISIBILITY isn’t about chasing follower counts or viral fame. It’s about connecting deeply and authentically with a dedicated audience that believes in her mission.
“I would rather have 5,000 engaged followers who truly believe in my cause and mission than 100,000 followers who are only there because I did something funny.”
A Mission-Driven Legacy
With her sights set on the future, Dr. Toni is eager to expand her reach and continue empowering others. Whether it’s through digital challenges, community involvement, or public speaking, her goal is clear: to inspire people to become the change they want to see in the world.
As she puts it, “So often people complain that they want change, but they themselves are not willing to be the change. I’m here to show them that it’s possible.”
Dr. Antonia (Toni) Counts is a true Activist, using her voice to lead a movement for better healthcare and stronger communities. Her work extends far beyond her own practice, impacting the lives and careers of countless professionals across the country. By embracing her #VISIBILITY style, she’s building a legacy that will outlast her—and transforming an industry along the way.
DO YOU ALSO SEE YOURSELF AS AN ACTVIST?
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