Build a Resilient Business - Before, During and After a Health Crisis
Most private physiotherapy businesses are built around the expertise, presence, and availability of the owner.
But what happens when that suddenly changes?
Whether through illness, injury, or unexpected life events, many practitioners find themselves unprepared for the impact this has not only on their health, but on their business, their patients, and their future. The Return to Work Mentor® has partnered with Physio First to provide members with structured, evidence-based support to navigate these challenges.
About The Return to Work Mentor
The Return to Work Mentor® was founded by Heather McLellan, a Chartered Physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience in occupational health, vocational rehabilitation and business leadership. Throughout her career, Heather has supported individuals to return to and remain in work following illness or injury, helping them navigate complex health and employment challenges.
Following her own serious health crisis, Heather experienced first-hand the difficulties of managing personal health while running a business and discovered the lack of structured support available to business owners in similar situations. This experience inspired the creation of The Return to Work Mentor®, combining professional expertise with lived experience to help business owners and self-employed professionals build resilience, protect their livelihood and prepare for the unexpected.
Resources for Physio First Members
- FREE 50-minute video training: Future-proof Your Business Success with Personal Health Crisis Planning, plus additional resources.
- Resilient Business Quiz: Discover how prepared you and your business are for the unexpected with 10 quick-fire questions.
Exclusive to members:
- Exclusive Resilient Business Audit: Identify priority areas and address gaps before they become problems.
- Complimentary 60-minute 1-1 consultation to review your results and discuss next steps (valued at £250).
- Exclusive member discounts: 20% off the Resilient Business Roadmap online course and 10% off other services.
- Priority access to new Return to Work Mentor® resources and services.
- Referral Partner opportunities: Register to refer patients who need specialist work and business support, creating a more joined-up care pathway (*subject to registration).
What makes this approach different
The service is grounded in a unique combination of:
- Clinical expertise in occupational health and vocational rehabilitation
- First-hand experience of running both small and national physiotherapy businesses
- Personal experience of navigating serious illness while managing business responsibility
This enables a level of understanding that goes beyond traditional business coaching or occupational health advice alone. The focus is not simply on returning to work but on ensuring that work remains possible, sustainable, and aligned with changing health needs over time.
How the Resilient Business Roadmap Model™ Supports You
1. Future-proof your business (Flow) with practical resilience planning
2. Navigate periods of disruption (Pitstop) with structured, confidential support
3. Return to work sustainably (Go) with a clear, realistic plan
This partnership provides Physio First members with access to training, mentoring, and strategic guidance to ensure your business can continue to operate even when your personal capacity is challenged.