From Massage Therapist to Director of Operations

Episode 22 – Seven Figure Chiro Podcast
Featuring Dr. Jeff Berard, Kristin Berard & Sam, Director of Operations

Every thriving organization has one common denominator: a strong team behind the scenes. In this special episode of the Seven Figure Chiro Podcast, Dr. Jeff and Kristin sit down with Sam, their longtime team member turned Director of Operations, to share the inside story of growth, change, and leadership from the ground up.

What began as a part-time massage therapy role over a decade ago transformed into a full-fledged leadership journey through trust, adaptability, and a whole lot of faith in the process.

Sam didn’t plan to lead two bustling clinics, she just wanted a foot in the door. With encouragement and flexibility from Dr. Jeff, she transitioned from nannying to massage therapy part-time and quickly moved to full-time.

But like many providers in manual therapy, burnout crept in.

“I was massaging five to six days a week, 40-50 hours... I loved it, but I was exhausted.”

That moment of overwhelm created an opportunity, for Sam and for the clinic. When an operational shake-up followed an audit, Sam stepped into the gap and began helping staff stay grounded through the changes.

Shifting from massage therapist to billing to operations management wasn’t easy. Sam dealt with self-doubt, fear of letting people down, and the growing pains of leadership. But every uncomfortable step was also an invitation to grow.

“I realized that change is hard, but it’s where the biggest opportunities are.”

Through audits, team turnovers, and clinic expansions, Sam anchored her focus on supporting the team and refining operations. She didn’t have formal experience, but she had work ethic, curiosity, and the full support of her leaders.

Now overseeing two locations and 25+ team members, Sam’s role is central to the clinic’s ability to scale without losing its culture.

Her daily responsibilities include:

• Managing front desk operations
• Weekly check-ins with each department
• Improving internal communication
• Maintaining staff morale and accountability
• Overseeing compliance and documentation systems
• Supporting provider collaboration across services

Sam’s presence has also given Jeff and Kristin the ability to focus on their unique strengths from visionary planning to external growth, without being tied to day-to-day logistics.

One of the biggest transformations Sam has witnessed over the past decade? Culture.

“At first, it felt like every person for themselves. Now, we’re a collaborative team with a shared mission.”

From shifting toxic dynamics to implementing structured gain-sharing programs, the clinic has cultivated a culture of trust, ownership, and shared success. Sam emphasizes that leadership doesn’t mean doing everything, it means empowering others to grow.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from Sam’s leadership evolution:

1. Growth starts at the edge of your comfort zone
2. Trust is earned over time, but once you have it, it’s powerful
3. Team structure is essential for sustainable growth
4. People need to feel seen, valued, and heard
5. Your culture will make or break your clinic’s long-term success
6. Accountability isn’t about discipline, it’s about belief in someone’s potential 

Dr. Jeff wraps the episode by sharing the three essentials for building a million-dollar practice:

1. Someone to preach your “why” to the community
2. Someone to deliver the services you promise
3. Someone to manage the backend—from billing to operations

Sam has become that third pillar, the glue holding everything together, ensuring that the clinic runs efficiently, the team stays aligned, and the vision doesn’t get lost in the weeds.

“Everyone needs a Sam. But more importantly, everyone needs to build the environment where a Sam can rise.”

From a humble start as a part-time massage therapist to leading a multidisciplinary team, Sam’s journey is a blueprint for team-driven growth, culture building, and personal leadership evolution.

If you're looking to grow your practice beyond just more patients and into a well-oiled, value-driven business, you need the right people in the right seats. And that starts with trust, vision, and a willingness to invest in your team.

Listen to Episode 22 now on your favorite podcast platform to hear the full story and learn how to scale a practice from the inside out.

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