S2N Podcast

🎙️ Podcast Episode Summary Recorded live at CSM in Anaheim, this episode of the S2N Podcast features a dynamic conversation with Tiffany Treis, Program Director of the PTA program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in Fresno. Tiffany shares her 20-year journey as a Physical Therapist Assistant turned educator and program director, helping launch Gurnick’s first PTA program in California’s Central...

She didn’t plan on becoming a physical therapist. She didn’t expect to lead a clinic. And she definitely didn’t think she’d be shaping marketing strategy for a growing company. But 15 years later, Dr. Whitney Britton is doing all three. In this episode of the S2N Podcast, Whitney shares: • How MDT changed her clinical confidence • What leadership really looks like behind the scenes • The hardest l...

Episode 19: In this special episode of the S2N Podcast, Richard sits down with Stacy Schwab, the longest-tenured team member in PRO-PT history, to reflect on nearly 24 years of growth, relationships, and experiences second to none. From walking into a brand-new physical therapy clinic in 2001—without a job posting and armed only with red velvet cake and homemade cookies—to becoming a cornerstone o...

Episode 18: In this episode of the S2N Podcast, Richard sits down with Dr. Henry “Rocky” Cisneros, Director of Talent Acquisition at PRO-PT, to unpack Rocky’s decade-long journey with the company and the mindset behind building teams that are truly second to none. Rocky shares how his career evolved from treating therapist, to clinic director, to leading talent acquisition — all while staying grou...

🎙️ Episode 17: PRO-PT 2.0 In the first S2N Podcast episode of 2026, Richard sits down with Dave Harris, PRO-PT’s new CEO, to talk leadership, culture, and what’s next for the organization. Dave shares his journey from PT tech to executive leadership, the mentors who shaped his philosophy, and why developing people—not just growing clinics—is the real measure of success. Together, we unpack what “P...

In the Second Episode on Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT)—formerly known as the McKenzie Method—Richard sits down with a heavyweight guest: David Oliver, PT, OCS, Dip. MDT. David is a senior faculty member with the McKenzie Institute and a clinician at the University of Michigan Spine Clinic. He walks us through his UK-to-U.S. journey, why MDT “clicked” after early Cyriax training, and what th...

Episode 15: Host Richard (fighting a bit of a cold!) sits down with co-host Ronnie to unpack why PRO-PT embraced Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT)—formerly the McKenzie Method—as its primary lens for spine and joint care. Ronnie traces his first course in 2002, the shortcomings of purely pathoanatomic thinking, and how MDT’s classification, progression of forces, and patient empowerment deliver...

Episode 14: We welcome back Dr. Todd Martin, CEO of PRO-PT, for a follow-up conversation that dives into the numbers, systems, and vision behind nearly 24 years of growth. Todd shares how he and Ronnie have balanced their strengths—data-driven decision making and people-focused culture—while navigating “glass ceilings” and creating systems that support long-term success. From overcoming “forward p...

🎙 Episode 13: The Real Reason We've Grown In this episode, Richard and Ronnie pick up where the last conversation with Todd left off — but not without a little playful attempt by Richard to stir up some “he said/he said” banter between the co-founders. Ronnie stands by Todd’s take on the early years, but the discussion quickly pivots to the bigger question: What now? With PRO-PT closing in on its...

🎙️ Episode 12: Richard sits down with PRO-PT Co-Founder & CEO Dr. Todd Martin to hear his version of how it all began. From early days at USC and an unexpected outpatient rotation… To writing a business plan before he even graduated… To the now-legendary partnership with Ronnie… Todd shares the real origin story of PRO-PT — full of scrappy beginnings, hard-earned lessons, and unwavering belief in...

🎙 Episode 11: Verticality in PRO-PT– Creating Growth Without Giving Away Ownership In this episode, Richard and Ronnie explore the concept of verticality—how to create upward mobility and leadership opportunities within a business without diluting ownership. They reflect on the decision to grow PRO-PT beyond two clinics, the challenges of doing so, and the realization that ownership isn’t the only...

🎙 Episode 10: Early Growth in PRO-PT– How PRO-PT Scaled In this follow-up to the origin story, Richard and Ronnie dive into the next chapter of PRO-PT’s journey—growth. They unpack the pivotal decision to expand from a single clinic to multiple locations, starting with Tulare in 2003, and the internal challenges that came with it. Ronnie shares how a major disagreement between him and co-founder T...

🎙 Episode 9: PRO-PT Origin In this special interview-style episode, Richard turns the mic to co-host Ronnie to dive into the story behind PRO-PT’s founding. Ronnie shares how the company was never born out of a desire to be entrepreneurs, but rather from a passion for delivering better patient care. He reflects on his early career, meeting co-founder Todd, and the sacrifices they made to open thei...

🎙 Episode 8: PT & PTA National Exam Prep – Strategies for First-Time Success In this episode of the S2N Podcast, Richard and Ronnie dive into the declining first-time pass rates for both PT and PTA national licensing exams, down nearly 5% over the past five years—and even more for PTA candidates. They explore how schools and companies are adapting, including remediation programs and mandatory prac...

🎙️ S2N Podcast – National Exam Pass Rates In this episode, Richard and Ronnie dive into current trends in NPTE pass rates for both PT and PTA programs — and what those trends might reveal about education, preparedness, and student decisions. They explore: The 5-year decline in first-time pass rates Differences in outcomes between public vs. private universities Applicant pool trends and why fewer...

In the final episode of the Return on Investment in Physical Therapy series, Richard and Ronnie shift the conversation to its most important point yet: your personal responsibility in maximizing the value of your career. After breaking down everything from PT school costs to mentorship, job selection, burnout, and growth opportunities in Episodes 1–4, they now ask the essential question: What’s yo...

In this fourth episode of the S2N Podcast's Return on Investment series, Richard and Ronnie turn their focus to what happens after the early years in a physical therapy career. You've gotten through PT school, landed your first job, and maybe even joined a mentorship or residency program. Now what? This episode explores the crucial pivot point many therapists hit between years 3 and 7, where quest...

In this third episode of the S2N Podcast's Return on Investment series, Richard and Ronnie dive into the key decisions new grads face when entering the profession—specifically how to choose that all-important first job and what to look for in a company if you want your career (and income) to grow. They explore: 🎯 Why your first job doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to be intentional 📈...

In this second episode of the S2N Podcast's "Return on Investment" series, Richard and Ronnie take a deeper dive into one of the most common questions in rehab careers: Should you pursue becoming a Physical Therapist (PT) or a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)? They compare the costs, timelines, and life implications of both routes—financially and personally. From early career income gaps to stud...

In this episode of the S2N Podcast, Richard and Ronnie kick off a multi-part series exploring the real return on investment (ROI) in becoming a physical therapist. With humor, honesty, and firsthand experience, they break down what aspiring PTs and PTAs really need to consider before diving into this career path. They tackle the big questions: Is physical therapy a financially smart career choice?...

In their inaugural episode, co-hosts Rich and Ronnie introduce the S2N Podcast, a project rooted in their shared mission at PRO-PT: to create and deliver experiences second to none. They open with humor (and a not-so-serious pitch for Altoids as a sponsor) before diving into why they’re starting a podcast at all. They explain their purpose: after 24 years in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy,...