Why I Started The Pannell Project

It all started out of frustration.

I was scrolling through social media, and what I kept seeing over and over again were these quick-fix mobility hacks, injury advice, and "healing" techniques that just weren’t backed by real science or experience. As someone who’s studied this stuff, it was maddening. Not because people were trying to help—but because so much of what was being shared just wasn’t accurate.

So, I started The Pannell Project as an educational YouTube channel. I wanted to provide clear, trustworthy, research-backed information that real people could use to move better, feel better, and understand their bodies. No gimmicks. Just practical, effective strategies.

But that was only the beginning.

As I kept working in a traditional physical therapy clinic, I started to notice something even more concerning. I was seeing multiple patients every hour—juggling people in different rooms, rushing from one to the next. It felt like I couldn’t truly help anyone the way I wanted to. Clients were paying $20 to $50 in copays every visit, and insurance was only covering around 60-80% of the total cost. That meant weeks—or even months—after therapy, clients were still getting hit with surprise bills.

And for what?

Most injuries were taking 8 to 16 visits to fully resolve. I saw cases like:

• A weekend warrior with low back pain who was in therapy for 3 months

• A high school athlete dealing with chronic knee pain who had no clear plan

• A busy mom with shoulder pain who kept getting passed between providers

It just didn’t sit right with me.

I knew there had to be a better way. So I started researching cash-based therapy models—a growing movement happening in places like Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, and Denver. These clinics were offering one-on-one care, more personalized treatment, and often at a lower total cost than traditional clinics. No insurance hoops, no rushed visits—just high-quality care that puts the patient first.

And that’s when the real idea hit me:

What if I could bring that model back home?

So I did. I opened up The Pannell Project as a cash-based performance therapy clinic in Pontotoc, Mississippi—my hometown. It’s been a slow start, but the word is spreading. People are realizing that there’s another way to get out of pain, move better, and take ownership of their health.