Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Kocchi.
Austin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began with a simple belief: people deserve better care than the traditional physical therapy model provides.
As a physical therapist working in conventional clinics, I saw patients getting passed between multiple providers, receiving half of the therapists attention, and rushed through sessions that felt more like generic routines than individualized treatment. I knew I could make a bigger impact if I could work one-on-one, dive deeper into each person’s goals, and offer care that was truly tailored—not dictated by insurance or productivity quotas.
At the same time, I was growing more involved in the Upstate’s running and cycling communities. I realized there was a huge need for a clinic that understood endurance athletes, supported their training, and helped them stay active rather than telling them to stop doing what they love.
So I took a leap.
I started Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance with the goal of creating a place where active adults could come, feel heard, feel understood, and get results—not just symptom relief, but real performance progress. What began as a small, one-man operation has grown through community partnerships, word of mouth, and the trust of athletes who want something better than the status quo.
Today, I’m proud to serve a growing community of runners, cyclists, and motivated active adults who want to move better, feel stronger, and stay in the game. The mission hasn’t changed: help people live active lives, without fear of injury holding them back.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
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 – so what else should our readers know about Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy and Performance?
About Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance
Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance is a patient-centered, performance-driven physical therapy practice based in Greenville, SC. We help active adults, runners, cyclists, and everyday athletes get out of pain and return to what they love—without unnecessary medications, imaging, or surgery.
Our philosophy is simple: movement is medicine, and your body is built to heal with the right guidance.
What We Do & What We Specialize In
We provide one-on-one, individualized physical therapy sessions focused on helping people overcome injury and perform at a higher level. Our specializations include:
Running gait analysis
Cycling assessments and bike-fit collaboration
Manual therapy & soft tissue treatment
Strength, mobility, and performance programming
Return-to-run & return-to-sport rehab
Dry Needling
Our patients range from weekend warriors to competitive athletes—and plenty of motivated individuals who simply want to move better and live pain-free.
What Sets Us Apart
1. One-on-one care—always.
No techs, no juggling multiple patients at once. Your session is 100% your time with your doctor.
2. A performance mindset, even in rehab.
We don’t just “treat what hurts.” We identify why it happened, address the root cause, and build you back stronger.
3. Deep community roots in the Upstate running and cycling scene.
From partnering with the Upstate Running Club, Run In and the Greenville Spinners to supporting events like Hincapie Gran Fondo and all the major running races in town, we’re embedded in the active community we serve.
4. Athlete-to-athlete coaching.
We walk the talk. We train, race, ride, and run—so we understand the demands you put on your body.
What We’re Most Proud Of
Our brand represents trust, results, and genuine human connection.
We’re proud that people don’t just come to us because they’re in pain—they stay with us because they know we’re invested in their long-term success.
What We Want Readers to Know
Choosing Swamp Rabbit Physiotherapy & Performance means choosing a partner in your health—not a quick fix. We are here to:
Help you recover faster
Keep you training through injury safely
Prevent future setbacks
Unlock your highest level of performance
If you’re active, motivated, and ready to take control of your health, we’re the place for you.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is this: don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You’ll never have everything perfectly figured out—start anyway, and learn as you go. Action creates clarity.
A few things I wish I’d known earlier:
1. Consistency beats perfection.
You don’t need flashy branding, the perfect website, or a huge audience at the start. Show up, serve people well, and momentum builds.
2. Relationships matter more than advertising.
The connections you build—whether in your community, local businesses, or among people who believe in what you’re doing—will carry your business far more than any ad campaign.
3. Stay true to your mission.
It’s easy to get influenced by what others in your field are doing. Focus on the kind of work you want to do and the people you want to serve. Your business will grow in that direction.
4. Invest in skills that compound.
Communication, marketing, and learning how to run a business are just as important as clinical skill. The people who grow fastest are the ones willing to learn outside their original lane.
5. Expect the highs and lows—both are normal.
Entrepreneurship is full of seasons. Some days you feel unstoppable; others you question everything. Neither lasts forever. Just keep going.
Ultimately, the best advice is simple: bet on yourself. Most people fail because they never start or they stop too early—not because they weren’t capable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swamprabbitphysio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swamprabbitphysio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwampRabbitPhysio
