Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Kocchi
Hi Austin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Title: Dr. Austin Kocchi’s Journey to Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance
Introduction: Every great business has a story, and for Dr. Austin Kocchi, the journey to founding Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance was driven by passion, experience, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the Upstate community. Through a commitment to high-quality care and a deep-rooted love for movement and performance, Dr. Kocchi has built a practice that goes beyond rehabilitation—helping athletes and active individuals optimize their performance and prevent injuries before they occur.
The Beginning: Dr. Kocchi’s path to physical therapy began with his own experiences as an athlete. Like many in the field, he faced injuries that required expert rehabilitation. This first-hand experience sparked his curiosity about human movement, recovery, and performance optimization. After earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, he honed his skills in various settings, working with athletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to elite competitors.
The Vision: Recognizing a gap in traditional physical therapy models, Dr. Kocchi founded Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance to provide a more hands-on, personalized approach. His vision was clear: to create a space where patients receive one-on-one attention, customized treatment plans, and education on how to stay injury-free while performing at their best. By blending rehabilitation with performance training, his practice empowers individuals to move better, recover faster, and achieve their goals.
Community & Collaboration: A key pillar of Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance is its strong connection to the local athletic community. Dr. Kocchi has partnered with organizations like the Upstate Running Club, the Greenville Spinners and Greenville Cycling & Multi-Sport, working alongside professionals such as renowned bike fitter Jim Cunningham. He has also made his services available at major local events, including many of the Upstate Running Club events, the Trees Upstate Turkey Trot and the Greenville Hincapie Gran Fondo, ensuring athletes have access to expert care when they need it most.
Looking Ahead: As Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance continues to grow, Dr. Kocchi remains committed to innovation and excellence. Whether through new treatment techniques, expanded partnerships, or community engagement, his mission remains the same: to help people move better, feel stronger, and stay active for life.
Through Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance, Dr. Austin Kocchi is redefining what physical therapy can be—bridging the gap between rehab and performance while fostering a healthier, more active Upstate community.
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?
When I started Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance, I knew I had a strong foundation within the running, cycling, and triathlon communities. Because of my involvement in these circles long before opening my practice, establishing a client base was the easiest part—I already had the trust of athletes who knew my passion for movement and performance. But while building relationships came naturally, running a business was a whole different challenge.
One of the biggest struggles was navigating the logistics of business ownership. I was confident in my ability to treat patients, but handling marketing, finances, scheduling, and everything behind the scenes required a steep learning curve. It’s one thing to be a great clinician; it’s another to successfully run and grow a business while maintaining the quality of care that sets you apart.
Another challenge was differentiating myself from traditional physical therapy clinics. Many people are used to an insurance-based model where treatments are dictated by coverage rather than what’s actually best for the patient. Educating my community on the benefits of a performance-driven, cash-based approach took time. I had to show people that investing in high-quality, individualized care wasn’t just about recovering from injuries—it was about preventing them and improving long-term performance.
Balancing growth with personal time has also been an ongoing challenge. As both the clinician and business owner, I’m constantly wearing multiple hats. It’s easy to get caught up in expansion and new opportunities, but I’ve had to be intentional about maintaining a balance between my professional responsibilities and personal well-being. At the end of the day, I want to continue growing Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance while ensuring that every patient still receives the same level of personalized, high-quality care that I built my practice on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance, we take a different approach to physical therapy. We don’t just focus on injury recovery—we specialize in optimizing movement, enhancing performance, and preventing injuries before they happen. Our practice is built around one-on-one, hands-on care, giving athletes and active individuals the personalized attention they need to move better, recover faster, and perform at their highest level.
We specialize in working with runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes, offering expert treatment that goes beyond traditional physical therapy. What sets us apart is our performance-based model. Unlike many clinics that operate within the constraints of insurance companies, we focus on what’s truly best for our patients, providing customized treatment plans tailored to their unique goals and needs. Whether it’s rehabbing an injury, improving biomechanics, or preparing for a big race, we help athletes stay strong and injury-free.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built within the Upstate athletic community. From partnering with Upstate Running Club, the Greenville Spinners, the Supra Cycling Club, Run In, many of the bike shops in town, to being present at major events like the Greenville Hincapie Gran Fondo, Trees Upstate Turkey Trot and many of the Upstate Running Club events, we’ve positioned ourselves as a resource for athletes who want the best in performance-based physical therapy.
For readers unfamiliar with our approach, I want them to know that physical therapy isn’t just about recovering from injury—it’s about investing in your body’s long-term health and performance. At Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance, we bridge the gap between rehab and performance, helping people move pain-free and stay active for life.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
When it comes to risk-taking, I don’t necessarily think of myself as someone who’s reckless, but I do recognize that starting and growing a business inherently involves stepping into the unknown. One of the biggest risks I took was deciding to open Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance as a cash-based, performance-driven clinic. The traditional route in physical therapy is often insurance-based, and many people were used to the idea of PT being covered by insurance. Shifting away from that model was a risk in itself—it required not only financial investment but also a lot of effort in educating potential clients on the value of personalized care and performance optimization.
Risk, to me, is all about weighing the potential rewards against the consequences. I approach risk with a mindset of calculated decision-making. Every move I make in my business is done with careful thought—whether it’s investing in new technology, partnering with another business, or even expanding services. It’s about ensuring that I’m moving forward in a way that aligns with my values, goals, and the best interests of my clients.
I think what’s most important is the willingness to take risks that push you to grow, but also knowing when to step back and reassess if something doesn’t feel right. Growth often requires a little discomfort, and taking smart risks can lead to breakthroughs and opportunities that might not have been possible without that leap of faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.swamprabbitphysio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swamprabbitphysio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwampRabbitPhysio
