Darin Deaton: Businessman, Physical Therapist, Christian, Cowboy
Neil interviews Darin Deaton, a physical therapist, entrepreneur, and rancher. Darin shares his shift from pre-med toward PT after observing an independent practice owner’s lifestyle, his education at Texas Woman’s University, and juggling full-time work with graduate school. He describes learning business through an early partnership, then launching his own clinic using SBA financing and a $60,000 investor check that enabled a 1998 seven-figure exit. Darin later built and sold a seven-location Fort Worth PT group (sold in 2024) and runs DPT Therapy. They discuss Deaton Ranch Beef, regenerative ranching, raising Achi/Red Wagyu over Angus, local food systems, health pillars, aging and muscle loss, faith, integrity, and “Make America Grit Again.”
Links
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Topics
00:00 Meet Darin Deaton: PT, rancher, and entrepreneur
02:20 From pre-med to PT: choosing a life with family balance
06:34 PT school hustle & how the profession evolved (BS → MS → DPT)
11:34 First clinics & learning business the hard way
14:23 Getting funded: the $60K check that launched the practice
19:05 Debt, integrity, and having your spouse’s backing
22:12 First big exit: selling the clinic & discovering equity
25:58 Building a multi-location PT group + becoming the landlord
27:14 Food, fitness, and the origin story of Deaton Ranch beef
35:29 Local food systems, small producers vs big supply chains
38:52 Cattle economics: herd size, restaurant demand, and market cycles
41:39 Wagyu curiosity & the “better-for-you” meat business angle
42:19 Wagyu Experiment Gone Wrong: Chasing Pounds vs. Premium
43:23 Learning the Cattle Game: Associations, Webinars & Old Cowmen
43:50 One-Man Ranch Ops: Working Cattle Solo with Border Collies
44:34 PT vs. Gym: The Full Health Stack (Sleep, Diet, Stress & Genetics)
45:23 Maximum Genetic Potential: The Animal Analogy for Human Performance
46:47 Muscle Mass After 40: Protein, Strength Training & Aging Reality
49:26 Backflips at 59: Athletic Roots, Training Smart & Avoiding Injury
51:53 Mortality, Meaning & Faith: Making the Time Count
56:20 Grit, Failure & Raising Tough Kids in a Softer Culture
01:00:48 Immigration & Opportunity: Lawful Grit, Hard Work, and ‘Luck’ Excuses
01:03:47 Earning Credibility: Humility, Ranch Hierarchy & Learning to Lose
01:10:38 Integrity When Nobody’s Watching: Pride in Craft & Old-School Values
01:14:37 Building Better Horses: Breeding, Cow Horse Prospects & Ranch Standards
01:17:18 Be the Dumbest in the Room: Getting Coached, Taking Ribbons & Growing
01:20:01 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Darin (Deaton Ranch Beef + DPT Therapy)