THE PRS APPROACH

Using a combination of expertise in physical therapy and strength training, Progressive Rehab & Strength coaches take an individualized approach for each client to help them train optimally, remain injury-free, and surpass every goal. 

Coaches adjust programming to meet every athlete’s unique needs, recognize potential movement and programming issues, and make adjustments before those issues lead to injury. Every PRS coach uses a hands-on, active approach to physical therapy, strength, and nutrition programming that yields proven results. 

The PRS coaches have helped elite athletes come back from injuries, weekend warriors realize ambitious goals, and people of all activity levels and ages move more freely, get stronger, and live their best lives. They’re with you every step of the way: from the treatment table, to the weight room, to the win on the platform.

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WHO WE ARE

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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

  • Starting Strength Coach (SSC)

  • Strength and Nutrition Coach

  • Competitive Athlete

Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSS, SSC, is the Founder & CEO of Progressive Rehab & Strength, where she provides evidence-based coaching and rehabilitation for individuals across all stages of life and performance. A Doctor of Physical Therapy, PRS Clinical Coach (PRSCC), and Starting Strength Coach (SSC), and experienced strength and nutrition coach, she specializes in helping clients move from pain, injury, or uncertainty to confidence, resilience, and consistent progress. Her clientele ranges from competitive powerlifters to everyday individuals pursuing health and strength goals, including pregnant and postpartum women and older adults who value long-term independence, wellness, and performance.

An internationally ranked powerlifter and lifelong athlete, Dr. Alter brings a unique perspective that blends high-level competitive experience with clinical expertise. She has earned podium finishes on both national and international stages, including a silver medal at the IPF Classic Bench Press World Championship. With a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Human Physiology) from Boston University, she is recognized within the strength and rehabilitation communities for her precise, results-driven approach. Clients seek her guidance for her ability to integrate performance, injury management, and sustainable training into one comprehensive system.

IPF Classic Bench Press World Championship 2019:
4th Place 72kg Women Open

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

    With over a decade of coaching and clinical experience, Dr. Alyssa specializes in helping clients move well, recover from injury, and unlock their full physical potential. Her work spans from everyday individuals building strength and health, to older adults seeking long-term independence, to competitive and recreational lifters pursuing performance goals. Known for her ability to integrate rehabilitation with progressive strength training, Dr. Alyssa guides clients seamlessly from recovery back to higher-level training.

    As both a decorated athlete and a USA Powerlifting Category II International Referee, Dr. Alyssa brings a deep understanding of the sport and its demands to her practice. She has represented the United States on the world stage, earning podium finishes at national and international championships, including first place at the North American Regional Powerlifting Championships and multiple top placements at the Arnold Classic and USA Powerlifting Nationals. Dr. Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Temple University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from MCPHS University. Her combined expertise as a clinician, coach, and athlete allows her to deliver comprehensive, results-driven care to every client she works with.

    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 Labor Doula

• Certified Lymphedema Therapist

• Female Strength & Powerlifting Health Specialist

• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Dr. Bre specializes in guiding individuals through every stage of life and health, from new parents navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery to older adults training for strength and independence. Dr. Bre has extensive experience supporting both men and women managing cancer, chronic illness, and complex medical conditions, helping them regain function, reduce symptoms, and pursue their fitness goals with confidence. At Progressive Rehab & Strength, she empowers her clients to continue training safely and effectively—whether they are returning from injury, addressing pelvic health concerns, or seeking long-term health and strength.

A lifelong athlete with a background in gymnastics, dance, and competitive team sports, Breanne later developed a passion for barbell training and coaching. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Saint Francis University, and went on to complete the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s accredited Women’s Rehab/Men’s Health residency program before becoming a Board-Certified Specialist. After connecting with Dr. Rori Alter at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting, she united her expertise in pelvic health with her love for strength training. Today, Breanne is recognized for her ability to integrate rehabilitation, medical considerations, and progressive strength coaching—helping everyday people and athletes alike train with resilience, confidence, and longevity.

Dr. John Petrizzo, DPT

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy

  • Full-time Professor at Adelphi University

  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

  • Starting Strength Coach (SSC)

  • Personal Strength and Powerlifting Coach

  • Competitive Powerlifter

With nearly two decades of experience in the fitness and rehabilitation fields, he has helped individuals of all backgrounds, from everyday lifters to competitive athletes and older adults, train with confidence, overcome injury, and achieve lasting strength. Dr. John is particularly recognized for his expertise in recovery and return-to-training after biceps and triceps tendon tears and repairs, making him a sought-after resource for lifters facing these challenges. His approach blends clinical knowledge, hands-on coaching, and practical problem-solving to help athletes return to training safely and effectively.

A lifelong athlete, Dr. John played collegiate football at Hofstra University, where he earned his B.S. in Exercise Science before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the New York Institute of Technology. Since 2012, he has competed in powerlifting while also contributing to the advancement of the field through research and education. Dr. John has published multiple studies in peer-reviewed medical and exercise science journals, served as a long-standing member of the Starting Strength Coaches Association Science Committee, and is widely respected for his academic leadership, mentorship, and evidence-based approach to strength training and rehabilitation. His unique combination of scholarship, clinical expertise, and competitive athletic experience makes him a trusted authority in the strength and rehab communities.

SUCCESS STORIES

“Under her nutritional guidance and training programming, I was able to increase my strength while transforming my body to the leanest I have ever been in my life. My preparation was very smooth with continuous progress without an extreme caloric deficit, and now she has me eating more than ever while maintaining weight.”
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COMPETITIVE POWERLIFTER COMES BACK FROM INJURY

In January of 2014, powerlifter Pete Rubish developed difficulty and pain with squatting that got progressively worse until he could no longer squat. He was then diagnosed with calcification in his quadriceps and heterotrophic ossification in his labrum via MRI as the cause for his pain and difficulty squatting.

He heard about Dr. Rori, and that she had worked with big name powerlifters, and contacted her for a consultation. Despite the fact that Pete lives in Knoxville, TN, Dr. Rori was able to help him formulate a physical therapy routine remotely that he could do from home. Regular check-ins by Skype and video assessment of Pete’s lifts enabled Dr. Rori to guide him and make adjustments as he progressed. As a result of his work with Dr. Rori, Pete has come back from his injuries and is not only squatting again, but also approaching numbers close to his all time personal record. In his first meet in almost two years following his injuries, he hit a 606 pound squat. Three months later, in November 2015, he hit a 644 pound squat in competition.

“Rori was the first person to actually get me back to a point where I could hit a squat below parallel. I had gone to ART practitioners, chiropractors, and had even gotten platelet rich plasma injections done, but working with her got me to where I wanted to be.”
— Pete Rubbish
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SPORT-SPECIFIC REHAB SUCCEEDS WHERE OTHER TREATMENTS FALL SHORT

In 2014, Brad Coulliard, a competitive powerlifter, had surgery on both of his hips to repair his labrums and remove acetabular impingements. After surgery, he hoped to resume powerlifting, but wasn’t making any real progress with local physical therapists. The rehab they prescribed addressed general day-to-day activities but not sport specificity, nor his dysfunctions and imbalances. 

Then, a year after his surgery and after many frustrating months, Brad found Dr. Rori. She provided him with new insights into his issues and a tailored rehab plan to address them. The plan was designed to improve his hip range of motion and enable him to return to the main lifts: squat, bench and deadlift. The approach had him squatting to depth and gaining noticeable hip internal rotation that he had previously lacked. 

In November 2015, Brad returned to competition and went 9 for 9 at the USA Powerlifting Wild West Showdown in Las Vegas. He hit a 237 squat, 165 bench and 347 deadlift. His goal was to push the squat as best he could and it turned out to be very easy for him. The deadlift was a nice post-surgery personal record as well.

“I think what I valued most was her personal approach for me, especially being extremely responsive and invested in my improvement.”
— Brad Collard
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NUTRITION PLANNING HELPS LIFELONG DIETER CHANGE LIFESTYLE AND REACH LOWEST WEIGHT IN 40 YEARS

Eda Tsatskis, a mother of 2 and grandmother of 8, had tried every diet in the book over the years. She had struggled with her weight for over 35 years and was unsure about trying yet another new diet. Then her daughter suggested nutrition programming and coaching with Dr. Rori.

Within a year of working with Dr. Rori, Eda had lost 25 pounds, and she is now at her lowest weight in almost 40 years. The flexible dieting approach that she follows with Dr. Rori enables her to eat all all of the foods she wants and still lose weight. She is eating more than she thought possible and maintaining her weight loss. No more low calorie diets for Eda.

“I love the regimen. It gives me such peace of mind and structure to my days. I don’t feel hungry or too full and because no food is off-limits, I don’t feel deprived. I feel great, and I will always be grateful to Rori.”
— Eda Tsatskis
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ONE-ON-ONE STRENGTH AND NUTRITION COACHING HELPS COACH MAKE GAINS, MAKE WEIGHT AND TRAIN THROUGH INJURIES

After many years competing in powerlifting, Eric Grogin knew that he was at a point where he needed to hire a coach if he wanted to keep progressing in the sport. After hearing about Dr. Rori as a strong competitor, and meeting her in person at a Starting Strength Seminar, Eric knew he had found his coach. 

As a coach himself, it was important to Eric to work with someone who was proficient in the model that he follows and coaches himself. He also wanted someone with substantial experience and credentials, a coach who was “more than just a weekend certification.” 

Eric started strength training with Dr. Rori in April of 2015. At the time, his 1 rep maxes for the squat, bench and deadlift were 372, 267 and 450 respectively. During his training with Dr. Rori, he gained strength and lost weight while maintaining a hectic schedule. In July, he had his first meet with his new coach and hit his first unwrapped 181 meet at 385, 275, 445. 

After this meet, Eric began Nutrition Programming with Dr. Rori and was able to lose fat, build strength and improve his performance further. In August, he sprained his wrist and shoulder at work, and Dr. Rori was able to program around his injuries and help him get back to training. As he prepared for his next meet, Dr. Rori provided detailed, precise programming, guided Eric through losing 9 pounds for the meet and supported him in person on the day of the event.

“Dr. Rori made my meet day stress free and fun! My numbers were 410, 285, 465. I added 60 pounds to my total and had left some pounds on the platform despite losing a month of training time to injuries. Rori has always gone above and beyond for me. She’s there to answer my questions and concerns, to keep my frustrations in check and to guide me to be a better coach and athlete.”
— Eric Grogin
“As a PT, Rori understands what powerlifters do. Other PTs gave me things to do that weren’t a stimulus for me or told me that I was crazy for lifting all this weight. Rori gets it, supports what I do, and helped me get back to doing what I love.”
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • We value subjective feedback and important information from our clients as it influences and helps build dynamic and successful programming. Depending on the plan you purchase you can communicate with your coach via Zoom video calls, emails, WhatsApp, and our private facebook group.

  • All online coaching services, excluding monthly coaching, come with unlimited email support for questions and concerns.

  • Our system is run through Google Drive which gives you and your coach dual access to your program and makes it easily accessible on your mobile device. We love this because we can communicate through and update your program in real time so you have access to the changes immediately. This eliminates the need to email and download new programs every time something is changed! And, we adjust programs regularly based on your objective and subjective feedback so this approach allows the program to be truly dynamic without being a hassle!

  • Our goal is to always help you in the best way possible but we know that not every person needs session-to-session check-ins and communication regularly but some may need more than just a monthly program review and video checks in our facebook group. For that reason we offer a free consultation call for you to speak with one of our coaches about your specific needs, goals, injury history, financial resources, and experience level. The PRS coach you speak with will advise you on the plan that will most appropriately work for you. Book a free consultation call here!

  • At PRS we LOVE helping new barbell trainees grow, get stronger, and become independent in the gym. The best place to start is with the 12 Week Weekly Coaching plan. This provides you enough access to your coach to ask all the questions you’ll have as a novice barbell trainee, get up to 28 video form checks per week to perfect your technique, and adjust the program on a weekly basis as you progress and get stronger during the first portion of your strength journey. Many of our athletes stick with this plan long term because they value the dynamic support that comes with it. Book your free consultation call and speak to a PRS Clinical Coach today.

  • We want you to work with the coach that best meshes with your personality, training history, and goals. We have ample opportunity to get to know each other before beginning your program. Through your free consultation call and the intake form you fill out after signing up, we get together as a team and discuss which coach will best help you on your journey. You can also request a coach on the intake form should you feel one is best for you based on previous communications, referrals or the consultation call. Book a free consultation call here!

  • We want to be as accessible as possible for you to succeed. We have multiple ways to reach your coach in the event of an emergency. For regular communication regarding programming we respond to emails within 24 hours (48 hours on weekends). Clients have other ways to communicate with us for support throughout the week and in the event of an emergency.  

  • We know injuries happen but at PRS they are much less likely to! At PRS we guide you through the process of addressing injuries, from small to large, if and when they occur. When your coach delivers your program to you there will be specific instructions on how to navigate acute injuries and what the process is for contacting your coach and modifying your program when they arise. We are with you every step of the way!

  • The answer to this will vary depending on which barbell programming option you choose. With monthly coaching you’ll be provided instructions for how to address these independently throughout the block but you do have access to all the PRS coaches in the private Facebook group to ask questions as they arise. For people utilizing the weekly coaching, you have access to your coach via email at any time and your program is adjusted on a weekly basis based on your performance. With rehab coaching, there are session-to-session check-ins and programming is modified and delivered in this format as well.

  • Our Facebook groups! PRS coaches are available Tues-Friday to provide form checks. You have the opportunity to submit 16 videos that are reviewed on a weekly basis between our open-access PRS Secret Society Facebook group and our private Team PRS Facebook group that is for paying clients. If you cancel coaching you are not kicked out of our private group and have lifetime access to it!

  • The biggest difference is the amount of communication you have with your private coach, performance/log reviews, and adjustments to the program. With Weekly Coaching you have unlimited email access to your coach and weekly programming adjustments based on your weekly check-in. With monthly this is not available. All questions are asked through the private Facebook group and any PRS coach can answer them. Additionally, we do not do performance/log reviews for monthly coaching until the end of the 4th week.

  • For all the online coaching services, except the monthly coaching, there is NO payment commitment. You are free to cancel your automatic payment at any time before it renews. There are no refunds for the month once a program has been delivered. If you choose the monthly coaching option there is a 3 month commitment and automatic payments can be canceled at any time after the third month.

  • At PRS we understand that life can throw you a curveball which is why we do not have a payment commitment for our weekly and 12-week coaching plans. Because we value your commitment to your strength, fitness, and health, we do offer the option to freeze 12-week packages for up to 3 months. For monthly and month-to-month programs we do not offer the opportunity to freeze mid-month but you can cancel your recurring payment for the next month. If you’d like to hold your spot on your coach’s roster we can do so for a small hold-fee of $25 per month recurring until canceled for up to 3 months.

  • YES! Often times people start with Rehab Coaching and transition into Weekly Coaching after they’ve successfully moved out of pain and addressed the issues causing their symptoms. Additionally, people who begin with Monthly Coaching oftentimes bump up to Weekly Coaching 8 weeks before a competition for more intensive support during the preparation for their meet. Our goal is to help you optimally, so we’ll work with you to find the best plan for you at each step in your training career.

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THE PRS CERTIFIED COACH REGISTRY

This page is dedicated to highlighting coaches and clinicians who have spent dedicated time working closely with PRS through our educational platform, the PRS Blackboard, and received the PRS Coaching Certification.

The PRS Coach Certification is proof of one’s qualification and competence to provide barbell coaching to all individuals from the general trainee to the high level athlete regardless of their history or abilities. Possessing this certification indicates competency and capability in barbell programming and coaching as well as the promise of ethical business practices.

If you’re interested in attaining the PRS Coaching certification or any of our courses, please click here!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COURSES HERE

Official PRS Clinical Coaches (PRSCs who work directly with clients through PRS):

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Additional individuals who have completed the required courses (Programming Fundamentals, Barbell Coaching & Movement Optimization, and Business Best Practices) for becoming a PRSC are listed below.*

*These individuals are outside the PRS network and do not work directly with Progressive Rehab & Strength, LLC.

Rebecca Fishburne

Rebecca Fishburne has been working in the fitness industry since 2008 as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. For decades her passion was endurance sports, but in her forties, she discovered the benefits of barbell training. She has been working with people under the bar since 2016 and earned her Starting Strength Coaching (SSC) credential in 2019 and her PRSC in 2021. While she has competed in USSF and USAPL meets and dabbled in the sport of Strongwoman, her real love is helping individuals build strength and confidence in their abilities in order to enjoy an active life and to maintain their independence and health while aging.


Available for: Online Coaching, In Person Coaching, General Strength Training, Powerlifting, Fitness

Population of Interest: Masters Athletes, Beginner Lifters

Contact Info: cornerstonestrengthmaryland@gmail.com

Janet Loesel Sitar

Janet is a professional engineer by day and a passionate powerlifter, coach, meet director, and referee by night. She has been competing in powerlifting for 8 years and at Canadian Powerlifting Union Nationals since 2016. As a late bloomer who started lifting in her basement at the age of 42, Janet knows it is never too late to get strong and loves training new lifters and introducing them to the sport of powerlifting. Janet will be competing for Canada in Halmstad Sweden at IPF Worlds 2021 in the 76kg M2 category.

Available for: Online Coaching, In Person Coaching, General Strength Training, Powerlifting

Population of Interest: Novice Powerlifters and Strength Trainees

Contact Info: jlsitar@gmail.com

Chris Haggit

Chris Haggit has been resistance training since 2010 which developed into a lifelong passion for barbell training and educating others about the health benefits of strength training. He has been coaching others as a hobby since 2013 and in 2021 began to scale his coaching to help more people like himself who have always struggled with busy family life and grueling work schedules.

Chris has competed in strengthlifting and powerlifting, but his real focus lies in training and nutrition for life outside of the gym and setting a healthy example for his three children.

Chris earned his PRSC in 2021 and completed Layne Norton’s Science of Nutrition Certificate the same year.

Available for: Online Coaching, In Person Coaching, General Strength Training

Population(s) of Interest: Fathers, Beginner Lifters, People of Non-Traditional Work Schedules

Contact Info: chris@haggitbarbell.com

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BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION CALL
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION CALL