In this episode of PTA+ (Physical Therapist Assistant), Katie talks with Ryan Elsass, PTA, CSCS, owner of Ace Sports Performance in Pittsburgh. Ryan shares how failing forward—PT school rejection and an early setback in PTA school—pushed him into a niche bridging rehab to real-life performance for golfers, tennis players, and pickleball athletes.

We cover:

• Why patients often get re-injured after discharge—and how to close the gap
• The mindset shift: don’t demonize pickleball (or deadlifts)—train for the demands
• How TPI screens reveal mobility/stability needs that show up in the swing
• PTA career growth: mentorship, certifications, and building a role that fits you
• “Assess, don’t guess” training—why cookie-cutter exercise lists fall short

00:00 Intro: bridging rehab + performance

01:04 Sponsor: MedBridge

01:24 Katie & Ryan history

04:00 What Ryan does now (PTA + performance)

07:13 PT school rejection → new path

09:04 The discharge-to-gym injury gap

13:40 Closed-loop care + collaboration

17:20 Pickleball + “don’t demonize the movement”

20:15 TPI screens + prevention

22:35 PTAs boxed in + building a niche

27:50 Failure stories + growth

34:10 Student panic + safety nets

36:01 “My name is Linda” (rapport + confidence)

38:24 Advice for PTAs who don’t fit the mold

41:45 Game: screen or swing?

44:38 Live mini-screen demo + regional interdependence

51:17 Ryan’s plus points + mentorship

53:00 Where to find Ryan

Where to find Ryan:

Website: https://www.aceperformancepgh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AceSportsPerformancePGH/

Ryan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsassrt/ (bio references @aceperformancepgh)

Follow PTA+:

Website: https://www.ptapluspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ptapluspodcast/videos

Instagram (show): https://www.instagram.com/pta_plus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/PTA-Podcast-100093326902910/

LinkedIn (Katie Sutton): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-sutton-0725

MedBridge —

Katie’s affiliate discount is available via:

https://www.medbridge.com/pricing?utm_source=PTA+Plus+Podcast&utm_medium=Affiliate+Link

https://www.ptapluspodcast.com/

(code:PTAPLUS, also mentioned in episode).