From Panic to Pass

For over two decades, he’s been the definition of endurance—both in medicine and in sport.A seasoned Emergency Room PA-C.An Ironman athlete.Someone who knows exactly what it means to push through pain.But nothing could prepare him for the moment everything changed.Last year, he experienced a life-altering injury that challenged not just his physical limits—but his identity, his purpose, and his outlook in a way that rivals the devastation many feel after failing the PANCE.This episode is about what happens when resilience is no longer a choice—but a necessity… and how community, perspective, and mindset can carry you through the moments that feel impossible.

Today I’m joined by Shin, whose path to becoming a PA was anything but straightforward. As a Korean immigrant, his journey included a few unexpected turns—including reluctant military service—before eventually finding his way to PA school.But even after graduating, the road wasn’t over. Shin faced multiple PANCE failures that tested not just his knowledge, but his confidence.In this episode, we talk about the long and winding journey that brought him to his final attempt—the mindset shifts, the strategies that finally clicked, and how persistence and the right support helped him cross the finish line.

Listen now to hear whether or not Princess passed her PANCE!!!!

In this episode, I sit down with my PA school bestie to talk about practicing as a PA, balancing life and family, and the challenges of recertifying. We share an honest discussion about failing the PANRE and why it doesn’t define your career—or your worth.

Today’s episode is about advocacy, confidence, and showing up when things feel hard. I’m sitting down with a wife, a mom of two, and a future PA who navigated PA school with dyslexia and ADHD — and learned just how challenging high-stakes testing environments can be.She missed passing the PANCE by just eight points after testing with a live reader rather than the computer-based format she was used to, and that experience shook her confidence. But this is not where her story ends.She’s done the work to rebuild her self-trust, advocated for the support she needs, and is stepping into her next attempt ready. And today, our community is here to cheer her on.

Meet Karley. Almost three years after graduating PA school, and after six attempts, she finally passed the PANCE. Her story reminds us that success isn’t just about the final result—it’s about who we become along the way. Join me as we explore how this journey reshaped her confidence, her identity, and her vision for the future.

Welcome back to the podcast and another episode with the PANCE Whisperer. Listen as he answers some of YOUR questions about study habits, tips and keys to success. He also introduces his newest course "Beyond the Cut Score" where he provides continued strategies and an opportunity to join a community of students who are on a journey just like you!

Hear the rest of Grace's story of success and mentorship. Listen to some REAL suggestions on how to identify and change the journey for at risk students.

Today I’m talking with a brand-new PA who calls our tutoring “the Willy Wonka golden ticket.” After transforming her own study journey, she’s now mentoring students at her alma mater, advocating for earlier academic intervention, and helping normalize the very real struggles so many at-risk students face.Here’s Grace’s story of resilience—and how she’s using her experience to create meaningful change for the students coming behind her.

This quick update dives into the real secret behind test-day confidence: consistency. Learn how small routines protect your focus and how AI tools can help you snap out of anxiety spirals in seconds.

Meet Mimi. She excelled in the last portion of her EORs thanks to Pathway to Pass but then fell back into old habits like over thinking, lack of confidence and imposter syndrome. Hear how she took her first PANCE failure and turned it into an opportunity to reset, refocus and return to "ATTACK" mode in order to pass her PANCE the second time around and jumpstart her career as a PA-C!

In this episode, I sit down with a family friend I tutored through her PANCE journey—supporting her academically while she shared stories and memories of my nephew, whom she knew well. Together, we talk about anxiety, growth, friendship, and the unexpected ways our lives stay connected to those we’ve lost. This conversation blends the triumph of passing the PANCE with the healing power of remembering someone who mattered deeply to both of us.

Meet Ariane. A mother, a wife and an at risk PA student in her 40s. Hear how she came back from the brink of remediation and found success and rediscovered her self confidence while working with us at Pathway to Pass. She talks about school/life balance, how Erich and I approach coaching in similar and different ways and what it means to her to have found solace in our services. You don't want to miss this one!

What does golf have to do with passing your PANCE? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Katy sits down with former golf pro Jody Rokisky, who knows firsthand what it’s like to crumble under pressure — and how to build the mindset to rise above it.They dive into the parallels between sports performance and test performance: anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of failure. Jody shares how studying mindset, motivation, and flow transformed not only his game but his entire approach to performing under pressure — lessons every PA student can apply before, during, and after exam day.

A former golf pro shares how mastering the mental game under pressure can help you conquer anxiety on test day.

When panic, doubt and anxiety overtake you - learn how to reset your mind using these strategies. Success is as much a matter of mindset as it is knowledge recall.

Meet Jenna Murray, newly crowned PA-C! Jenna and I worked together to prepare for her second PANCE attempt and when she failed...again...I picked her back up, dusted her off and we got back on the horse. Through a very emotional and mentally challenging family situation, she rose to the challenge and overcame the looming "retake rat race" to buckle down, study hard, and believe in herself. It worked! She is now a certified PA and starting her first job in rheumatology. Join me as she takes us on her journey from Panic to Pass!

Tutor or Therapist? Maybe both....Episode 2 dropping tomorrow!

Meet Erich Fogg, PA-C. The man, the myth, the legend. He has been helping PA students pass high stakes exams for over 5 years and today he joins me to share some of his strategies and insights into conquering your fear and harnessing your power to PASS the PANCE!

Join me as I take you on a journey of self discovery, renewed self confidence and provide you with concrete test taking strategies that will help you overcome your test anxiety and PASS the PANCE!