In this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Journey Podcast, Michael sits down with Trystan Conway, someone who has seen the NDIS from both sides. He has built and scaled an allied health business himself, and now works with providers across the country helping them fix what is not working.

This is a real conversation about what it actually takes to run an NDIS business properly.

Trystan shares why doing things ethically is getting harder, not easier, and why so many providers are feeling the pressure as the industry changes. He talks about the risks most directors are not thinking about, what happens when margins disappear, and why a lot of businesses are only one policy change away from serious trouble

They also get into the reality of running a business versus being a great clinician. Being good at your job is not the same as building something sustainable. Cash flow, reserves, pricing, and having options in your model are what keep a business alive when things shift.

Michael and Trystan also speak honestly about the personal side of it all. The stress, the late nights, the pressure on families, and the quiet trade-off people are making without realising it. There is a point where you have to ask if the exchange is worth it.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is around growth. Trystan explains how he scaled without spending money on ads, building everything through relationships instead. In an industry driven by trust, your network matters more than any marketing campaign.

They also touch on something most people avoid talking about. Walking away. Closing or stepping back from a business is not failure. Sometimes it is the most freeing decision you can make.

If you are an NDIS provider trying to grow, feeling the pressure of changes, or questioning if your business is actually working for your life, this episode will give you a clear look at what is really going on.

Connect with Trystan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trystan-conway/

If you are building in the NDIS space and want honest conversations about business, risk, and sustainability, this is one to watch.

#NDIS #NDISProviders #AlliedHealthBusiness #NDISGrowth #BusinessStrategy

Explore the journey of growth and success in the NDIS sector. Discover how effective communication, transparency, and robust systems can transform a provider's practice. Learn from real experiences and insights shared by Michael and Matt Sevier. Get in touch with Matt or visit steppr.com.au.

What actually makes a great allied health provider stand out from an average one?

In this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael sits down with Jack Matthews to talk about what is really changing in allied health and why some providers are growing while others are struggling.

Jack shares how a simple shift in approach has made a big difference in his business. It starts with communication. Getting back to people quickly, actually listening, and treating people like people instead of problems to solve.

They talk about how most services feel the same on the surface, but what really sets someone apart is how they show up. From the first point of contact through to ongoing support, it is about making things feel personal, clear, and human.

The conversation also digs into outcomes. Not just writing reports, but actually reducing frustration and helping people move forward in a way that matters to them. Jack explains how focusing on the person, not just the process, changes everything.

There is also a look at what it takes to build a business that lasts. Putting the right systems in place, trusting a team, and creating space outside of work so you can actually show up better when you are working.

This episode is honest and practical. It is about raising the standard in allied health, building trust through communication, and creating a service that people genuinely feel good about.

What does it actually take to turn LinkedIn connections into real relationships?

In this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Podcast, Michael sits down with Ali Chahine to talk about moving beyond surface-level networking and building genuine connections that actually lead somewhere.

Ali shares how he started on LinkedIn by posting content and building an audience, but realised that likes and comments are not the same as real relationships. Now, his focus is on taking those connections deeper through conversations, value, and showing up in a more human way.

The conversation gets practical fast. They break down simple ways to stand out, like sending voice notes instead of text, leading with curiosity, and actually paying attention to what matters to the other person.

From there, it shifts into something bigger. How do you go from being just another support worker online to someone people trust, remember, and want to work with?

They talk about creating real value, understanding what directors actually care about, and why solving real problems is what opens the door to better opportunities and higher income.

There is also a real look at the support work industry. The good parts, the hard parts, and the reality that often gets left out online. Ali shares his goal to shift the standard of support work and help others show up better in their roles.

This episode is honest, practical, and focused on what actually works. It is about building real relationships, creating win-win connections, and thinking bigger about where your career can go.

From burnout to balance is not a mindset shift.
It is a business decision.

In this episode of NDIS Provider Growth Journey, Michael sits down with Paul Bryan to talk about what really drives burnout in NDIS businesses and how to fix it.

Paul shares why “we just need more clients” is usually a symptom, not the root problem. They unpack boundaries, time management, self-sabotage, and why being available to everyone can quietly destroy your growth.

You’ll hear how Paul moved from eighty-hour weeks to a structured schedule that protects family, health, and business performance. He explains why important work belongs in your calendar, not on a to do list, and how small structural changes can completely shift momentum.

If you are constantly on call, chasing revenue, or feeling stretched thin, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth.

Connect with Paul Bryan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbryancoach/

In this episode of the NDIS Providers Growth Podcast, Michael sits down with Leesa Tuffnell, one of the most respected coaches working with occupational therapists and allied health professionals in the NDIS space.

Leesa mainly works with sole traders and small clinic owners who never planned to become “business people.” They started because they loved the work and wanted flexibility around their families. Then referrals grow, systems get messy, money becomes a stress point, and leadership suddenly feels real. That is where Leesa steps in.

This conversation goes straight into the mindset battles most NDIS business owners carry quietly.

They unpack the idea of imposter syndrome and why Leesa prefers to call it an imposter experience. Is it really a condition, or is it simply the discomfort of growth? They talk about how language shapes identity, how doubt can actually guide you, and why stepping into something bigger will always stretch you.

They also tackle one of the biggest tensions in allied health and the NDIS world, profit. Why do so many providers feel awkward about making good money? Why does billing feel uncomfortable, yet clinical care feels safe? Leesa shares how our money stories, often formed in childhood, quietly influence how we price, lead and show up in business.

Leesa also speaks openly about her own turning point. A severe burnout led to two weeks in hospital during COVID, completely isolated and forced into stillness. What felt like the worst moment of her career became the moment she started looking inward. That season reshaped how she thinks about freedom, sustainability and what success really looks like.

If you are an OT, allied health professional or NDIS provider who has ever asked:
Am I good enough?
Am I allowed to make real profit?
Why does growth feel so uncomfortable?
Should business feel this hard?

This episode will steady you and challenge you at the same time.

Leesa does not just talk about strategy. She helps people work on themselves so they can actually implement what they know. Because you cannot build a sustainable business if you are constantly fighting yourself.

You can connect with Leesa at:
https://themindfulot.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesa-tuffnell-66797828a/

If you are building in the NDIS space and want real conversations about leadership, profit and long term sustainability, this one is worth watching.

#NDIS #NDISProviders #AlliedHealthBusiness #OccupationalTherapy #NDISGrowth

In this episode, Michael speaks with allied health manager Michael Hasson about what leadership looks like inside an NDIS business right now.

They talk openly about frozen and reduced NDIS fees, rising costs, and the pressure this puts on providers trying to stay sustainable. Michael shares how he has adapted his business model to stay lean, why cutting unnecessary overheads matters, and how leaders can make hard decisions without losing sight of their people.

The conversation explores staff retention when budgets are tight, showing how recognition, growth, and appreciation often matter more than money. Michael also reflects on the reality many directors face — earning less than their senior staff — and why this can still make sense when building a stronger business long term.

They discuss leadership beyond ego, choosing flexibility and lifestyle over short-term income, and why seeking outside perspective through consultants or coaches can be a turning point for growth. The episode closes with reflections on humility, acting on advice, and making decisions that support both the business and the people behind it.

This episode is a grounded look at the real decisions NDIS leaders are making, and the thinking required to keep going when the work feels heavy.

Do BDMs still belong in the NDIS world? That’s the question we tackle in this episode of the NDIS Provider Growth Journey, where Michael sits down with Stu Paull—one of the most respected and connected BDMs in the sector. They talk honestly about the reality of the role, what’s not working, and why some businesses struggle to get results from their BDMs.

Stu shares what small providers can do if they can’t afford a full-time BDM, why niche and clarity matter more than networking, and what he’d do differently if he ran his own SIL business. They also dive into marketing mistakes, lazy copywriting, and the difference between good ideas and real impact.

This isn’t just theory. Stu brings real talk, grounded advice, and the kind of perspective only someone deep in the NDIS trenches can offer.