🎙️ 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 Valley. With healthcare facing a shortage of nearly 30,000 clinicians nationwide, the need for innovative education models has never been greater.

Key highlights from the conversation:

✅ Launching a new PTA program in the Central Valley

🚀 An accelerated 11-month pathway to licensure

🎓 Serving students from 19-year-olds fresh out of high school to second-career professionals

📈 Addressing the growing workforce shortage in physical therapy

🤝 The power of mentorship and clinical partnerships

🧠 Continuing education insights from CSM sessions on O2 desaturation, diabetic neuropathy, and Parkinson’s interventions

Beyond the professional conversation, there’s culture, connection (yes — Azores shoutout 🇵🇹), and a shared passion for elevating the next generation of clinicians.

If you care about the future of physical therapy education, workforce development, and building strong clinical leaders in the Valley — this episode is for you.

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 lessons she learned managing people

• Why mentorship accelerated her growth

• How PRO-PT 2.0 is creating new opportunities to serve and lead

If you care about growth — personally or professionally — this conversation is for you.

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 of PRO-PT’s marketing and referral relationships, Stacy shares the unlikely, heartfelt story of how it all began.

The conversation dives into:

What drew Stacy to PRO-PT before it was PRO-PT

Why patient experience and genuine care mattered then—and still matter now

The hustle of the early days, doing everything from front desk to cleaning

Lessons learned from building trust, relationships, and culture over decades

A few unforgettable stories (including diesel fuel, Venice Beach, and a lot of laughter)

This episode is a reminder that culture isn’t built overnight—it’s built through people, consistency, and showing up the right way, day after day.

If you care about leadership, longevity, relationships, and what it really means to create experiences second to none, this is one you don’t want to miss.

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 grounded in patient care and relationships. He reflects on the importance of values-based leadership, long-term vision over short-term fixes, and why great recruitment is less about filling positions and more about aligning purpose, culture, and growth.

Throughout the conversation, Rocky and Richard explore what defines a “PRO-PT person,” the difference between burnout and boredom, and why service-driven healthcare professionals must think beyond a job and toward a career. Rocky also offers candid insight into decision-making, personal growth, and the responsibility leaders have to invest in people — not just systems.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder: you only get one shot — aim big, commit fully, and surround yourself with people and a culture that challenge you to be your best.

This conversation is a must-listen for physical therapists, leaders, and anyone thinking about what it really means to grow, lead, and elevate together.

🎙️ 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 “PRO-PT 2.0” really means: staying rooted in the Second to None mission while expanding opportunity, elevating leaders at every level, and building infrastructure that allows clinicians to focus on what matters most—patient care. From opening new clinics to creating clear leadership pathways, this episode sets the tone for a year focused on growth, accountability, and intentional culture.

If you care about leadership, people development, and building something bigger than yourself, this episode kicks off 2026 the right way.

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 the diploma/residency was really like (think nine weeks, 15 patients a day, full immersion). David explains MDT as a language—you can attend A–D, but true fluency comes from consistent use, live patient problem-solving, and staying curious. We dig into credentialing vs. diploma, why classification before treatment is non-negotiable, and how “blending everything” can dilute outcomes. We also talk about the unique culture at PRO-PT: hosting MDT Courses, learning together, and fighting to preserve live patient demos in a post-COVID, more-online CE world. Tons of practical advice for clinicians: build MDT as your foundation, keep sharpening the tools, and be relentlessly interested in your patients.

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 delivered better, faster outcomes. They dig into why PRO-PT adopted MDT as a common language for clinicians (not just another “tool”), how it aligns with active care and research, and why manual therapy still has a place within the framework. The conversation tees up next week’s interview with MDT educator Dave Oliver and lands on a key takeaway: MDT is the belt, not just a tool—use the right forces at the right time, and empower patients to help themselves.

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 paralysis” to reverse-engineering solutions, Todd explains how to put ideas into play, measure outcomes, and refine along the way. We also explore the pivotal moment when he stepped away from full-time patient care to focus on leading the business, the creation of the VP role, and how PRO-PT continues to align its five-year plans with its core “why.”

If you’re interested in leadership, scaling a practice, or learning how to balance growth with culture, this episode is packed with insights—and maybe a little friendly banter too.

🎙 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 24th anniversary, the two dive into what sustained growth looks like after decades in business. They revisit the leap from 4 clinics in 2011 to 19 today, unpack the importance of spotting and investing in leadership talent, and share how personal and company visions aligned to drive expansion.

Listeners will hear candid reflections on why team members stay for the long haul and why transparency, opportunity, and adaptability are non-negotiables for continued success. Whether you’re in physical therapy or any business, this conversation offers insight into growth strategy, leadership development, and staying true to your “why” while reinventing when needed.

🔹 Growth fueled by people, not just numbers

🔹 Matching opportunities to employee strengths and goals

The episode leaves the door open for next time — diving into vision, decision-making, and what it really takes to keep moving forward when plans meet reality.

🎙️ 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 building something different.

🔑 In this episode:

✅ How a mentor changed the course of Todd’s career

✅ Why starting small (and broke) was a gift

✅ The moment he finally convinced Ronnie to join

✅ The mindset behind verticality and lasting growth

✅ Why you must believe in your plan — and be unapologetic about it

💥 Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or just love hearing how legacies are born — this one's for you.