Building a Preferred Provider Network with Dr Michael Lea DC – Chiro Hustle Podcast 760
INTRODUCING Dr. Michael Lea, DC
Alternate Titles:
Build Networks, Not Walls – Dr. Michael Lea on Growth & Collaboration
🧠 Background
Episode 760 of the Chiro Hustle Podcast brings back Dr. Michael Lea, a fast-rising chiropractor who has rapidly scaled his practice while staying grounded in principle. In this conversation with James Chester, Dr. Lea shares how he built a preferred provider network, learned to communicate with the medical community, and leveraged coaching to dramatically grow his business.
At the heart of this episode is a powerful tension:
👉 How do chiropractors stay subluxation-centered while operating in a system that doesn’t speak their language?
This episode answers that question with clarity, humility, and real-world application.
🔥 Highlights
- Building a preferred provider network inside a medically-dominated system
- Why chiropractors must learn the language of medicine without abandoning principle
- The Norway model: chiropractic as a first-line healthcare solution
- The biggest mistake chiropractors make: poor communication & ego
- The truth about coaching — losing $150K vs gaining 6+ figures
- How one small “tweak” tripled a practice in 6 months
- The scarcity mindset holding chiropractors back
- Introducing the DISC-Rx Rehab Program for patient retention and results
- Why collaboration (not competition) is the future of chiropractic
- The real battle: education vs. perception vs. funding
From Our Sponsors and Partners
JAMES CHESTER (HOST): You made it to Chiro Hustle! Sit back and learn from the greatest influencers in the profession on the world’s number-one chiropractic podcast. Before we dive into this powerful episode, please remember to subscribe to our channels and give us a 5-star rating on iTunes to continue hustling.
This episode is brought to you by…
Peach State Payments – Ethical Processing. More Profit, Less Stress
ChiroHD – More than an EHR; Practice Management, Simplified
The Chiro Speaking Company – Attract, Educate & Convert
ChiroSpring – cloud-based, user-friendly software with all the essential features chiropractors need
OmniWave – Redefining Comfort in Acoustic Wave Technology
Redmond RealSalt – creates simple, clean, and real products that elevate the human experience—body, heart, mind, and spirit.The Chiro Hustle Podcast is sponsored by Redmond RealSalt , Peach State Payments, Chiro Health USA, ChiroScript AI, Chiro Moguls, Pure Chiro Notes, Titronics, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Life Chiropractic College West, and the IFCO.
Do you want to support The Sacred Trust and uphold a Subluxation model without the grind of launching a new project? Visit our Patreon, choose the tier best suited for you. That way we can continue keeping “The Big Idea” strong, supporting speech, medical, and family health freedoms.
Now let’s hustle!
📖 Summary
This episode is a masterclass in evolution without compromise.
Dr. Michael Lea lays out a blueprint for modern chiropractic success:
- Speak in a way other providers understand
- Deliver outcomes patients can feel
- Build systems that scale
- Stay rooted in the principle of subluxation-centered care
A defining moment comes when Dr. Lea explains that medical professionals don’t reject chiropractic outcomes—they reject the language. Once communication improves, collaboration becomes possible.
The takeaway is simple but powerful:
👉 If chiropractors want a bigger seat at the table, they must learn how to sit at it.
🔍 Diving In (Core Philosophy & Strategy)
1. Language vs. Truth
The medical profession doesn’t reject results—it rejects terminology like “subluxation” due to different definitions.
👉 Solution: Translate, don’t dilute.
2. The Norway Insight
In countries like Norway, chiropractic reduces:
- Surgeries
- Drug dependency
- Time off work
👉 When barriers are removed, chiropractic wins.
3. Scarcity vs. Abundance
Chiropractors serve ~7% of the population.
Yet many operate as if patients are scarce.
👉 Reality: The opportunity is massive.
4. Coaching = Acceleration (or Costly Mistakes)
- Bad coaching cost Dr. Lea ~$150K
- Good coaching tripled his business in 6 months
👉 The difference is implementation + alignment.
5. Give Them What They Want → Give Them What They Need
Patients may come for pain relief…
But what they need is correction and long-term care.
6. Collaboration Over Ego
Two of Dr. Lea’s top referral sources?
👉 Other chiropractors.
That’s the future.
⚡ Action Steps
-
For Chiropractors:
- Audit your communication – can MDs understand you?
- Build 3–5 strategic referral relationships (DCs + MDs)
- Implement ONE operational tweak this week
- Stop thinking scarcity—you’re serving a tiny fraction of your market
- Add patient education systems (in-office + at-home)
For Patients:
- Choose least invasive options first
- Stay consistent with care
- Ask your provider for home strategies, not just visits
- Invest in health now—or pay for sickness later
📢 Hashtags:
#Chiropractic #ChiroHustle #Subluxation #HealthcareFreedom #ChiropracticCare #PracticeGrowth #Entrepreneurship #HolisticHealth #SpineHealth #Vitalism
chiropractic podcast, chiro hustle podcast, chiropractic business growth, subluxation chiropractic, chiropractic philosophy, spinal decompression, chiropractic coaching, healthcare entrepreneurship, chiropractic marketing, medical collaboration chiropractic, preferred provider network chiropractic, chiropractic success strategies, innate intelligence chiropractic, chiropractic practice growth, disc rehab program