Ep. 006: From Japan to Iowa - A Navy Physical Therapist's Journey to Entrepreneurship w/ Bryan Ladd

From Navy Physical Therapist to Des Moines Entrepreneur: Bryan Ladd's Story

The path to entrepreneurship is rarely linear. For Bryan Ladd, owner of Kaizen Health & Wellness in Des Moines, Iowa, that path wound through Nebraska, Rhode Island, Washington state, and Okinawa, Japan.

On a recent episode of the Rhymes with Odd Podcast, host and marketing expert Ryan Snaadt sat down with Bryan to discuss his unique journey from a high school athlete to a Navy physical therapist, and finally, to a thriving small business owner in Des Moines. This interview is a must-listen for Des Moines business owners, marketers, and anyone navigating career transitions or the challenges of growing a local service-based business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6KfvfEynSo

From Nebraska Football to Des Moines University: A Foundation in Health

Bryan Ladd is originally from Aurora, Nebraska. Like many entrepreneurs, his early career ambitions evolved significantly. A lifelong athlete, he originally planned to become a strength coach. However, during undergrad at Hastings College (where he played football), his now-wife, a nurse, suggested he explore physical therapy.

"In my hometown of 4,000... there was one physical therapist," Ladd told Snaadt. "When she said that, I was like, 'He had a pretty cool job... looks pretty chill.' It started shadowing places and... found out there's jobs everywhere."

This shift led him to Des Moines University, where he completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)—a demanding seven-year commitment combining four years of undergrad and three years of graduate school.

"Accidental Promotions" and a Career in the US Navy

After graduating in 2014, Bryan was commissioned in the Navy as a physical therapist. His service took him to Rhode Island for Officer Development School, then to Naval Hospital Bremerton in Washington, and eventually to Okinawa, Japan, to fill an urgent need.

In Washington, just six months into the job, Bryan experienced his first "accidental promotion." Despite his junior status, he was fast-tracked into interviewing for the department head role. While a more experienced colleague ultimately got the head position, Bryan became the assistant department head, overseeing 25 staff members across physical therapy and chiropractic services.

A similar situation occurred in Okinawa. When the incoming department head declined the role, Bryan's peers ("nose goes thing") pointed to him. He served as both department head and staff PT for three years in Japan, gaining invaluable leadership and operational experience, but also experiencing significant burnout due to the "Old Navy" bureaucracy.

"I can't do 20 more years of this," Bryan realized. "The stress and everything is just not worth it."

The "Jumping Point": Overcoming Burnout to Launch a Des Moines Small Business

Bryan's struggle was not unique. When looking at his civilian peers from PT school, he found that nearly all were burnt out, many even regretting their degrees.

"A handful of them were talking about like, 'I don't want to be a physical therapist anymore,'" Ladd shared with Ryan Snaadt. "And it's like, 'What? I just spent $150 grand on that!'"

This industry-wide dissatisfaction convinced Bryan that the traditional outpatient PT model wasn't for him. He began researching alternatives and stumbled upon the "cash-based PT" model, which bypasses traditional insurance bottlenecks (though his practice has since evolved to accept insurance as it grew).

Deciding to start a business with no formal background required a leap of faith. Like many Des Moines entrepreneurs, Bryan faced the classic "jumping point" decision—a moment of fear balanced against the potential for freedom.

"It's like the skydiving effect where... everything your body is saying, 'Don't jump out of that plane,'" Ladd explained. "And the second you're freefalling, it's like, 'completely free.'"

For Bryan, the realization that he could "always go get another job" if the business failed was the safety net he needed to jump.

The Power of Coaching and Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

Determined not to just "wing it," Bryan invested in business coaching from the very beginning. Lacking knowledge on invoicing, scheduling systems, and churn management, the mentorship was critical. For the past four years, some form of business coaching has been central to his operational strategy.

Bryan officially launched Kaizen Health & Wellness in late 2019, right before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, just as his business gained momentum, local lockdowns were implemented.

However, as a healthcare provider, Bryan was deemed essential. The gym where he originally rented space (Infinity Training Center, now Full Strength Fitness) had to close to the general public, but Bryan was allowed to continue his one-on-one sessions, sometimes operating with free rein of the entire facility.

Defining "Kaizen" in the Des Moines Business Context

The name of Bryan's practice, "Kaizen," is a direct nod to his time in Japan. It is the Japanese word for "continuous process improvement." He first encountered the term in the Okinawa hospital where he worked, where every department used a "Kaizen board" to track and implement ideas.

The principle is famously used by Toyota, which requires employees to identify multiple "kaizens" daily to increase efficiency.

For Bryan, the name is perfect for both his personal business philosophy and the goals of his patients. "No matter where we're at in our health and wellness journey, there's always room for more," he said. "Elite-level athletes are always looking for more... there's always something we can improve upon."

Interestingly, local Des Moines business owners and marketers often recognize the term from corporate efficiency training or Six Sigma methodology, sparking conversations that transcend standard health-related interactions.

The Evolution of Kaizen Health & Wellness: From Gym Corner to New Facility

After spending a year at his first gym and two and a half years at CrossFit 8035 West, Kaizen Health & Wellness celebrated a major milestone in May 2023: moving into its own dedicated facility. The new nearly 2,000-square-foot space in Des Moines is a testament to the business's growth and stability.

Throughout the growth process, Bryan has remained focused on the fundamental needs of his clients rather than rigid branding definitions. "People don't care what I am," he told Snaadt. "They just want their problem solved." Whether he is seen as a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or something in between, his priority is helping active adults and athletes return to the activities they love.

For marketers looking to reach Des Moines demographics, Bryan’s journey highlights the effectiveness of authentic storytelling and a commitment to service, showing how a locally-owned business can stand out in a competitive field by focusing on real results and genuine connection.

To hear the full conversation about Bryan’s international career path, his operational challenges, and the unique history behind the name Kaizen, listen to Episode 006 of the Rhymes with Odd Podcast with Ryan Snaadt.