DR. RORI ALTER, DPT
(founder & CEo)
Dr. Rori Alter founded PRS to help everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors to people of all ages and activity levels obtain optimal health and wellness.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Strength and Nutrition Coach
Competitive Athlete
Her training, knowledge and experience enable her to play a unique role in the lives of her clients. She not only understands how to customize and adjust programming to give her clients the best results, but also diagnoses and treats injuries and helps clients adjust movement patterns to train injury-free.
Rori is a Full Body Certified Active Release Techniques Practitioner, a Starting Strength Certified Coach and a sought-after Physical Therapist and Coach within the powerlifting community.
Rori holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Boston University. At Boston University, she specialized in Human Physiology, a topic that has fascinated her since she was a young dancer training in New York City.
Rori transitioned from the performing arts to racing triathlons in her early 20s. She not only competed, but also started the Boston University Triathlon team and competed on the regional and national collegiate level during her undergraduate and graduate careers.
Following her doctorate, Rori entered the competitive world of Powerlifting and is an internationally-ranked lifter with considerable achievements in the sport:
IPF Classic Bench Press World Championship 2018:
Silver Medalist 72kg Women Open
Arnold Classic SBD Pro Am 2018:
2nd Place 72kg Women Open
Arnold Classic SSP Nutrition Pro Raw Bench Press 2018:
2nd place Women Open
Arnold Classic Sling-Shot Pro American 2017:
1st place 72kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw National Championship 2016:
4th place 72kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw National Championship 2015:
4th place 72kg Women Open
2015 USA Powerlifting Raw Open Rankings:
7th place 63kg Class
7th place 72kg Class
USA Powerlifting Pro Raw Challenge at The 2015 Arnold Classic:
3rd place 72kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting American Open 2014:
1st place 75kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw National Championship 2014:
5th place 72kg Women Open
Dr. Alyssa Haveson, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
CSCS, FMS-Level 2, USA Powerlifting Club Coach
Personal Strength and Powerlifting Coach
Internationally Competitive Powerlifter
USA Powerlifting Category II International Referee
Alyssa has a passion for helping people discover their physical potential. She specializes in teaching people how to move well in order to achieve optimal movement for their bodies to decrease pain, increase strength, recover from injury, and achieve their ultimate goals.
Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Science from Temple University and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from MCPHS University.
She began her work as a fitness professional and coach after completing her bachelor’s degree in 2011 and, shortly thereafter, became involved with competitive powerlifting in 2012. Her personal experience as a fitness professional and strength athlete has enhanced her ability to relate to her clients and provide them with effective coaching and training.
Alyssa was motivated to further her education and earn a doctorate in Physical Therapy in order to provide her clients with continuous care. Her goal is to address all aspects of each client’s physical needs and allow for fluidity as they transition from recovery to higher level training. Alyssa combines her experience as a competitive powerlifter with her knowledge of movement and anatomy to help her clients achieve their goals.
Her dedication to her own training and love for the sport of powerlifting is reflected in many of her notable achievements:
USA Powerlifting Pro Raw Challenge at The Arnold Classic 2016:
4th place 57kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals 2015:
7th place 57kg Women Open
NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championships 2015:
1st place 57kg Women Open
IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships 2015:
8th place 57kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Pro Raw Challenge at The Arnold Classic 2015:
2nd place 57kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals 2014:
2nd place 57kg Women Open
IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships 2014:
10th place 57kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw Challenge at The Arnold Classic 2014:
1st place 57kg Women Open
USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals 2013:
5th place 57kg Women Open
dr. breanne maruca, pt
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist
• Female Strength & Powerlifting Health Specialist
Breanne has a passion for empowering exercising women across their lifespan. She specializes in rehabilitation coaching and programming for women during and after pregnancy and menopause periods. She is here to help each individual woman reach their desired goals through achieving optimal movement and function during these ever-changing periods of life. This may also include recovering from delivery and/or reducing bladder, bowel, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, and osteoporosis/osteopenia symptoms. Whether you have never experienced pregnancy or have experienced multiple, Breanne is here to help with all your pelvic health needs. Symptoms surrounding training are very common but not normal and not something you have to live with or should live with for the rest of your life. Breanne has joined the PRS team to help all athletes with pelvic symptoms continue to train while reducing or recovering from symptoms so they can continue to reach their potential.
Breanne holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Saint Francis University. She completed the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s accredited Women’s Rehab/Men’s Health residency program as part of becoming a Women’s Health Board Certified Clinical Specialist.
Growing up, she has been a lifelong athlete, participating and competing in gymnastics, dance, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. After completing her residency, she regularly began barbell training and CrossFit. It was not until she met Dr. Rori Alter at the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in 2019 where her passion for helping exercising and barbell training women aligned. Dr. Alter and Dr. James completed a platform presentation at APTA’s CSM 2020 on Powerlifting Urinary Incontinence and she has now joined the PRS team to bring together her passions to help women globally.
dr. John Petrizzo, dpt
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Associate Professor at Adelphi University
Personal Strength and Powerlifting Coach
Competitive Powerlifter
John Petrizzo is a Physical Therapist, Starting Strength Coach, and a full-time faculty member in the Exercise Science Department at Adelphi University. John has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Hofstra University where he was a member of the football team and holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology. He has worked in the fitness industry since 2006 in a variety of roles and settings and has helped many patients and clients achieve their health, fitness, and sports performance goals through barbell training. In 2012, John began competing in powerlifting.
John has published multiple research studies in peer reviewed medical and exercise science journals as well as been a member of the Starting Strength Coaches Association Science Committee since it's inception in 2014.
Jason Donders, BS
(COO & Marketing manager)
Bachelor of Science, Sport Management & Business
10+ Years of Sports Marketing & Business Experience
Competitive Powerlifter
Jason joined the Progressive Rehab & Strength team in April of 2019 to help advance the community and experience for our customers and social communities, as well as assist the business in further refining its strategies and administrative systems. Jason also serves as an educator within our Google Suite for Barbell Coaches & Business Best Practices courses in our Blackboard Online Education system.
Jason has a passion for the strength sports (and sports overall) which has led him on a career path in sports business and marketing. His experience and abilities were brought to PRS to further build and grow the business, as well as create efficiencies for our community, clients, and clinical coaches.
Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management with a Minor in Business from St. John’s University. He began his work in the sports industry in 2010 in Ticketing Operations, and transitioned to Analytics & Digital Marketing in 2012. His experience and resume includes stops with a Minor League Baseball franchise, a NBA team and major arena, an international horse racing organization and currently with one of the top fantasy sports and wagering businesses in the world.
As someone who discovered PRS from his own injury and pain woes (he’s been a client since 2016!) and competing in the USAPL as a 93/105kg powerlifter since 2015, Jason brings a unique understanding of the powerlifting realm and unique experience from a client and athlete perspective.