The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center

What The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center does

The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center (TPS) is a privately held, founder-controlled paralysis and neurological recovery operator founded in 2007 by Hal Hargrave Jr. following his own spinal cord injury. The company delivers one-on-one, specialist-led activity-based therapy using its proprietary S.T.E.P. Method (Special Techniques and Exercises for Paralysis), which combines Patterned Neural Activity Recruitment, Exercise-Based Therapy, and Load-Bearing components. From a 23,000 sq/ft flagship facility in Pomona, California — expanded in 2024 from an original 7,000 sq/ft footprint — TPS serves individuals living with spinal cord injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, ALS, and transverse myelitis, and reports more than 120,000 therapy hours delivered to 500+ clients since founding.

The core offering is one-on-one paralysis recovery sessions at $130/hour with Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialists, supplemented by a Hybrid program (1-8 weeks in-person followed by remote support), a mobile app with video workouts and community chat, group classes (including a $10/session Pedaling for Parkinson's program run in partnership with the Davis Phinney Foundation), and on-site ancillary services (RTI functional electrical stimulation bike, Recovery Room with hyperbaric/red light therapies, massage, mental health, acupuncture, chiropractic, and open gym). The company monetizes through a mix of unit-priced therapy sessions, recurring memberships, supplemental services, professional services via a four-level Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist (CPRS) training program, and franchise/licensing fees for a Start-a-Location program targeting 20 TPS centers across the continental U.S. by 2027. GTM combines direct-to-consumer in-person sessions, healthcare provider referrals, a Client Ambassador Program (peer recruitment with free therapy hours as incentive), and a podcast community channel.

TPS is closely affiliated with the Be Perfect Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that has raised over $7 million to subsidize client access, and runs a multi-year IRB-approved research study with Kaiser Permanente intended to support legislative and third-party reimbursement reform. The company is HIPAA- and CCPA-compliant, has no institutional investors or parent company, and reports no M&A or external funding activity; ownership is concentrated in the Hargrave family.

Name

The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center

Legal name

The Perfect Step

Website

https://theperfectstep.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center is a privately held paralysis and neurological recovery operator that delivers one-on-one, specialist-led therapy using its proprietary S.T.E.P. Method from a 23,000 sq/ft flagship in Pomona, California, serving individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke, Parkinson's, MS, ALS, and related conditions through in-person, hybrid, and mobile-app channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Paralysis Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurorehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurologic Rehabilitation Centers (Stroke/TBI/SCI/MS/Parkinson’s) (HLADAJAH), Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC)

Keywords

• Paralysis recovery therapy
• Activity-based therapy
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Physical therapy services
• Specialist training certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Pomona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. One-on-One Therapy Sessions: Direct client payments for paralysis recovery sessions at $130/hour with Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialists. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Group Classes - Pedaling for Parkinson's: Structured cycling classes at $10 per session, held 3 times per week. Low-cost entry point to the ecosystem.
3. Supplemental Services: RTI Bike Program, Recovery Room, Open Gym Membership, Massage Therapy, Mental Health Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic services. Recurring monthly payments for memberships plus à la carte services.
4. Franchise Licensing: Partners pay for access to TPS brand, training, operating manuals, certification programs, yearly site visits, and ongoing support to open Perfect Step centers in their facilities.
5. Specialist Training Certification: Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Level I Certification program trains professionals in the S.T.E.P. Method, creating both revenue and expansion pathway.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center delivers one-on-one activity-based therapy sessions to individuals living with paralysis and neurological conditions (spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, TBI) at its 23,000 sq/ft Pomona, CA facility, using its proprietary S.T.E.P. Method. Services include In-Person Sessions, Hybrid Programs (in-person plus remote), group Pedaling for Parkinson's classes, a mobile workout app, and supplemental on-site services such as the RTI Bike Program, Recovery Room, massage, mental health, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. The company also offers CPRS specialist training/certification and a franchise model for national expansion.

Product overview

The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center offers an integrated suite of paralysis and neurological recovery services built around its proprietary S.T.E.P. Method (Special Techniques and Exercises for Paralysis). The core offerings are In-Person Paralysis Recovery Sessions and Hybrid Paralysis Recovery Sessions — both delivering one-on-one specialist-led training using the STEP Method at the 23,000 sq/ft Pomona, CA flagship facility. These are complemented by the Paralysis Recovery App, which provides video workout content and a community chat board for remote engagement. The Pathways to Healing Podcast extends the community reach through expert conversations on paralysis recovery topics. A range of supplemental on-site services (RTI Bike Program, Recovery Room with hyperbaric/red light/water massage therapies, massage therapy, mental health therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care) augment the core training programs, while the Pedaling for Parkinson's Cycling Program provides a specialized evidence-based cycling protocol. Community engagement is supported through the Client Ambassador Program and an Internship Program for aspiring specialists. The Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Training Program provides both internal staff certification (Levels I–IV) and an external professional credential for fitness and healthcare professionals. A franchise/Start-a-Location program enables geographic expansion. The Client Portal serves as the digital hub for payment processing, session booking, and program registration. The company also conducts IRB-approved research in partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Paralysis Recovery Sessions
• Hybrid Paralysis Recovery Program
• Paralysis Recovery Mobile App
• Pedaling for Parkinson's Cycling Program
• Open Gym Membership
• RTI Bike Program
• Recovery Room
• Massage Therapy
• Mental Health Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic Care
• Certified Paralysis Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Training Program
• Franchise / Start-a-Location Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients injured 14-15 years ago continue to see recovery gains through activity-based therapy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, foundational, core and moderate.

• Kaiser PermanenteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Multi-year IRB-approved research study measuring quality of life improvements and reduction of secondary complications through patterned neural activity recruitment. Goal is to provide evidence for legislative reform and third-party reimbursement for chronic paralysis recovery programs.
• Project Walk (Original)foundationalTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2013TPS founders and early staff were trained at Project Walk in Carlsbad, CA, studying the Dardzinski Method to become Recovery Specialists. Jason Smith was trained under Ted Dardzinski, pioneer in nervous system recruitment. TPS evolved from this training to develop its own proprietary S.T.E.P. Method.
• Be Perfect FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that raises funds for individuals living with paralysis. Provides financial and emotional support for wheelchairs, medical supplies, home/car adaptations, and participation in exercise-based therapy programs. Since inception, has raised over $7 million for individuals with paralysis. TPS directs donors and clients seeking financial assistance to this foundation.
• The Claremont ClubfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Mike Alpert, CEO of The Claremont Club, offered space for an adapted gym after Hal Hargrave Jr.'s spinal cord injury in 2007. TPS operated from The Claremont Club for 13 years before relocating in 2020. Custom care packages for ambassadors include items from Be Perfect Foundation and The Claremont Club.
• Davis Phinney FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowers the Pedaling for Parkinson's program at TPS. The evidence-based indoor cycling program is shown to significantly reduce Parkinson's symptoms (up to 35% reduction). Grounded in research by Dr. Jay Alberts at Cleveland Clinic.
• Casa Colina Hospitals and Centers for HealthcaremoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral TPS staff members (Nathan Lozano, Christie Tomashek, Randell Alfeche) gained experience at Casa Colina's Inpatient Rehabilitation and Transitional Living Center before joining TPS. Represents a talent pipeline and referral relationship.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Journey Forward: Journey Forward is a non-profit paralysis recovery center serving Greater Boston with intensive activity-based therapy for SCI and related conditions. It is a regional peer with an analogous service model.
• Neuroworx: Neuroworx is a non-profit outpatient paralysis recovery clinic in Sandy, Utah offering activity-based therapy for SCI, stroke, TBI, and other neurological conditions. It overlaps directly with TPS in clinical model and patient population.
• Push to Walk: Push to Walk is a New Jersey-based paralysis recovery center offering exercise-based therapy for individuals with SCI and other neurological conditions. It is comparable in mission, service model, and target population to TPS.
• Center for Neuro Recovery: Center for Neuro Recovery provides intensive activity-based therapy programs for spinal cord injury and neurological conditions at multiple US locations. It is a direct competitor in the activity-based paralysis recovery niche.
• Project Walk: Project Walk is the original paralysis recovery center (Carlsbad, CA) where TPS founders trained under Ted Dardzinski. It operates the same activity-based therapy approach and represents TPS's most direct methodological lineage and competitor.
• NextSteps Chicago: NextSteps Chicago is a non-profit paralysis recovery gym providing activity-based therapy and wellness programs for individuals with SCI. It competes for the same donor- and out-of-pocket-paying client base.

Broad incumbents

• Craig Hospital: Craig Hospital is a Denver-based specialty hospital exclusively for SCI and TBI rehabilitation, recognized as a national leader. It is comparable in its specialty focus but operates as a large inpatient institution rather than a recovery-focused outpatient center.
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is a major research hospital for SCI, TBI, and stroke rehabilitation. It overlaps with TPS in patient population but operates at significantly greater scale and academic scope.

Others

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: The Reeve Foundation is a leading national nonprofit supporting paralysis research, advocacy, and quality-of-life programs. It is comparable as a peer ecosystem participant that channels awareness, donors, and policy support to the paralysis recovery community in which TPS operates.

Regional players

• Casa Colina Hospitals and Centers for Healthcare: Casa Colina is a Pomona-area hospital and post-acute rehabilitation network that serves as both a referral source and former employer for several TPS staff. It is comparable as a broader rehabilitation provider in TPS's home geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/the_perfectstep
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theperfectstep9119
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThePerfectStep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-perfect-step
• Instagraminstagram.com/theperfectstep

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Perfect Step Paralysis Recovery Center