Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Snipes.
Hi Drew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a central Alabama kid at heart. I grew up on a 300-acre farm where hunting, fishing, and baseball filled most of my days. Though I was somewhat undersized, I made the most of my athleticism, enjoying a successful high school baseball career that led to a junior college scholarship. Once my playing days wrapped up, I transferred to the University of Alabama, where I earned my undergraduate degree in 2005 before moving to Nashville shortly after.
My interest in fitness grew steadily, and I found myself wanting more from my work. In 2009, I earned my personal training certification and began my career at the St. Thomas Hospital Wellness Center. I quickly realized how much I valued one-on-one time with clients—helping them set goals and work toward them became deeply rewarding. However, as I worked primarily with older adults, I began to notice gaps in my knowledge and felt the pull to grow professionally. That realization led me to pursue physical therapy.
After completing my prerequisite college courses, I was accepted into The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s physical therapy program and began in 2013. I graduated in 2015 and started my PT career working for what I now call a “big box” provider. In that setting, therapists were judged by productivity, cancellation rates, and other revenue-driven metrics—not by patient outcomes. It was common to juggle three or more patients at once, rush through care plans, and do documentation outside regular hours. Burnout and high attrition rates were the norm, and I often felt I could do better if I just had the time to slow down, connect, and truly focus on the individual.
I’ve always believed that therapy should be centered on the patient—not metrics. The true measure of care lies in satisfaction, outcomes, the strength of the therapeutic relationship, and the healing it fosters. My guiding mission has always been simple: Do what is right for the patient—nothing less, nothing more. After more than five years working within the constraints of the insurance-based model, I made the leap to start Adventure Ready Physical Therapy in October 2021. It was founded on the belief that I could offer better, more personal care through a fee-for-service model. Today, my services are exclusively one-on-one, free from the limitations of insurance, giving me the freedom to focus fully on each patient’s unique path to recovery, performance, and long-term health.
I’ve steadily grown my clinical skillset over the years, and much of that growth has come from being able to spend meaningful, uninterrupted time with my patients. In many cases, it’s during the third or fourth session—well beyond a typical 15-minute exam in a noisy, big-box clinic—that a patient will share something crucial that becomes the key to unlocking their healing. Real progress takes time: time to understand the individual, what motivates them, and how to tailor a program that truly serves their needs and goals.
The gold standard for this kind of individualized care, in my view, has been developed by Dr. Stuart McGill through what’s known as the McGill Method. As a McGill Certified Practitioner, I’ve been trained to apply his principles for assessing, diagnosing, and treating low back pain through a science-based, biomechanics-driven lens. Rather than relying on passive treatments or cookie-cutter protocols, I use detailed mechanical assessments to pinpoint the root cause of pain and craft customized plans that help people move with confidence again. I primarily work with individuals suffering from years-long, debilitating back pain—people who’ve often tried everything else. My role is to give them their best shot at avoiding surgery, becoming pain-free, and in many cases, even reclaiming a higher level of athleticism than they thought possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has the road been smooth? Not at all. But the challenges have shaped who I am as a clinician and business owner. I’ve always had a sincere desire to build strong, meaningful relationships with my patients. That was difficult to do in the “big box” clinic environment, where I constantly felt rushed, constrained, and underappreciated. Over time, I developed a deep frustration with the physical therapy establishment and the insurance system that seemed to prioritize profit over people. By the time I was ready to launch my own practice, those feelings became a powerful motivator to push through the uncertainty and hard work required to build something better.
I’ll never go back to the insurance-based model. It’s unfair—to both the patient and the therapist. Starting my own practice allowed me to fully align with my mission: to do what is right for the patient—nothing less, nothing more. That simple principle has guided every decision I’ve made and has sustained my business since day one. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have patients who trust me, refer their friends and family, and form the backbone of my word-of-mouth network. Honestly, God has blessed me with the BEST patients—people who care about me as much as I care about them.
That said, running a business as a therapist isn’t without its struggles. The administrative and operational side can feel like writing with my left hand—I can do it, but it takes extra time, and it’s not where I shine. Where I do shine is in the treatment room. Give me a movement problem, and I’m in my element. Helping people move better, feel better, and return to the activities they love—that’s where my heart is. I believe that the gifts God has given me in physical therapy aren’t just for my own benefit. He gave me this ability and opened the door to this business, and it’s my responsibility to glorify Him through the care I give, the words I speak, and the relationships I build with every patient I’m fortunate enough to help.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Adventure Ready Physical Therapy?
At Adventure Ready Physical Therapy, I specialize in one-on-one, personalized physical therapy care with a focus on helping people live without pain, move better, feel stronger, and return to the active lives they love. Whether that means getting back on the trail, returning to sport, or simply being able to pick up your kids without pain, my mission is simple: Do what is right for the patient—nothing less, nothing more.
I’m best known for delivering high-quality, undistracted care in an environment where patients are truly heard. Unlike traditional insurance-based clinics, where therapists are often juggling multiple patients at once and racing the clock, my model is built around individualized sessions. This allows for deeper relationships, more accurate assessments, and more effective outcomes.
I work extensively with people who have long-standing, complex pain—particularly low back pain—and I bring specialized training as a McGill Certified Practitioner, following the methods developed by renowned spine biomechanist Dr. Stuart McGill. This certification allows me to offer a science-based, movement-focused approach to spine care that helps patients avoid surgery, reduce pain, and often improve performance beyond what they thought possible.
What sets me apart is the level of trust and connection I build with my patients. Many of my clients come to me after months or years of trying other therapies that didn’t work. What they find at Adventure Ready PT is a therapist who takes the time to understand their story, their goals, and their pain—and who builds a custom plan to guide them forward. I’m incredibly proud that most of my growth has come from word-of-mouth referrals. That speaks volumes about the care people feel here.
Above all, I want readers to know that this isn’t just a business—it’s a calling. I believe in the power of movement, the importance of individualized care, and the privilege of walking alongside people as they heal. That’s the heart of Adventure Ready PT.
Any big plans?
I’m currently pursuing Dr. Stuart McGill’s highest level of certification—the McGill Master Clinician—which represents the pinnacle of expertise in spine care. As I continue to deepen my clinical knowledge, I’ve also begun to expand Adventure Ready Physical Therapy in thoughtful ways. One recent addition is our small group fitness programming, which I personally design and implement alongside my assistant personal trainer, Faryn Bardin. These sessions allow us to bridge the gap between rehab and performance, helping clients build strength, resilience, and confidence in a supportive, high-quality environment.
Looking to the future, I would consider bringing another physical therapist into the practice—but only if it’s the right fit. I’m looking for someone whose treatment philosophy and professional values align with mine. I believe in the power of collaboration to foster growth—for patients and clinicians alike—and I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to keep improving my craft. I also have a strong desire to mentor and teach other PTs, to pass along the clinical nuance and experience I’ve gained over the years.
Will ARPT grow? Hopefully. But it will grow the right way—with the right people, the right intentions, and always with the patient at the center of it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adventurereadypt.com
