OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE TRAINING INSTITUTE

Performance Enhancement Specialists:

Joe Sansalone, Owner/Director of Performance Enhancement Training

Neghar Fonooni, General Manager/Performance Enhancement Specialist

Christine Norris, ACE-CPT, HKC

Allison Schlegel, NASM-CPT, HKC

Physical Therapists:

Karen A. Johnson, Owner CIMT/Director of Physical Therapy

Julia Kegelman, Physical Therapist

Scott Juzwak, Physical Therapist

Nutritional Specialist:

Cara Zaller, Certified Nutritionist

 JOE SANSALONE

Joe Sansalone is a lifelong athlete who earned his black belt in Kuoshu style Chinese Kickboxing in 1996 from the Baltimore Martial Arts Academy. He was a full contact fighter from 1994-2000 and has studied Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. He began his career as a fitness professional in 1996, serving as the head personal trainer for the Columbia Gym.  In the 15 years that followed, Joe has developed an impeccable reputation as an exceptional strength coach, personal trainer and fitness educator by aquirring the highest levels of education and expertise the industry offers, and by enhancing performance, reducing pain, eliminating injuries and getting extraordinary results for the athletes and clients he works with. Joe has built and developed a loyal clientele and strength and conditioning business through his passion, integrity, ethics, knowledge, advanced methodology and systematic approach to training. In fact, Joe’s very first client, Lina Jarboe, is still an active member of the OPTI program! He  has trained countless athletes, fitness professionals, personal trainers, fitness enthusiasts and post-rehab/injury clientele, both young and old. His athletes and clients have seen both measurable and immeasurable success, and have continued to refer other athletes, family members and friends to the OPTI program. Many of Joe’s clients have gone on to become strength coaches and personal trainers themselves because of the education, results and passion for fitness he has instilled in them.

Through the results Joe’s OPTI program creates for its athletes and clients, OPTI has developed a reputation among local physical therapists, chiropractors, athletes and his strength and conditioning peers as one of the top training programs and systems in the industry. Joe’s professional certifications and qualifications include:

• ACSM-CPT, Certified Personal Trainer through The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• NSCA-CPT, Certified Personal Trainer through The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• ACE-CPT, Certified Personal Trainer through The American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• Certified Level II Russian Kettlebell Instructor (RKCII)
• Certified Functional Movement Systems Instructor (FMS)
• Certified Nutrition Specialist through Lifestyle Management Associates (LMA)
• Certified Kettlebell-Functional Movement Specialist (CK-FMS)
• USA Weightlifting Certified Sports Performance Olympic Weightlifting Coach (USAW-Level 1)
• Graduate of the 4 phase performance enhancement and rehabilitation mentorship program at the world-renowned Athletes Performance Institute facility in Scottsdale, Arizona

In addition, Joe attends hours of continuing education courses every year in an effort to provide the most up to date and credible information in the industry. Joe has developed the Optimum Performance Training Institute methodology, mission, and vision through his 15 years of experience and study. He has attended all four phases of mentorship at the world-renowned Athlete’s Performance Institute in Arizona, and has returned to assist in teaching that same mentorship program in 2008. He has been an assistant instructor at several seminars for professional development and certification including the Functional Movement Screen Certification course with Gray Cook in 2007, The Russian Kettlebell Challenge with Pavel Tsatsouline in 2011, and the Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification with Brett Jones in 2009 and 2010. In addition he was the head instructor for a research project involving the FMS from 2006-2007. Most recently Joe received the great honor of being named to the Functional Movement Systems Staff as an instructor for the FMS certification program.  This passion for teaching has also led Joe to become an approved Continuing Education (CEU) provider for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2007.  He has taught several workshops and seminars for CEU’s including a joint project on the integration of Physical Therapy Modalities and Functional Training with Manual Physical Therapist Karen Johnson, Understanding the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Corrective Exercise, Understanding Optimal Nutrition and several Kettlebell seminars with Neghar Fonooni.

Joe continues to develop and teach new workshops for professionals in the community, allowing them to further their education in the field. In addition to professional workshops, he has developed and taught a 16 week mentorship program for strength coaches and personal trainers and has become recommended by Towson University and Prescott University as an internship provider for Exercise Physiology Bachelor degree candidates. Joe has also gained national recognition for his writing on the strengthcoach.com forums and has been featured on the strenghtcoach.com educational podcast and the trainerwise.com educational podcast.  Through these many avenues Optimum Performance Training Institute has grown into an elite system of performance enhancement training, injury reduction and pain elimination solutions.

NEGHAR FONOONI

Neghar Fonooni is a Los Angeles native who has resided in Maryland since 2006. She is a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast. She has competed in fast pitch softball for 10 years and has been a fitness professional for 11 years. Neghar is also a military veteran, having served four years in the United States Air Force as an Arabic linguist. During her time in the Air Force she assisted hundreds of Airmen in physical endeavors through her role as a Physical Training (PT) leader. In addition to that role, she served as an Airmen Leader and excelled in her Arabic studies and military obligations. She received the highest GPA and exit scores of all 65 students in her class, and was awarded the Commandants Award, The Army Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Because of her accomplishments, Neghar was granted early promotion to Senior Airman (Below The Zone).

Neghar’s professional certifications and qualifications include:

• Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• Certified Level II Russian Kettlebell Instructor (RKC II)
• Certified Functional Movement Specialist (FMS)
• Certified Kettlebell Functional Movement Specialist (CK-FMS)

She has attended the prestigious mentorship program at the world renowned Athlete’s Performance Institute in Arizona and strives to constantly educate and better herself as coach in order to provide the most efficient and effective training methods to her clientele. She attends several continuing education events per year, including the annual Functional Training Summit in Providence, RI. Neghar is quickly being recognized as one of the experts in continuing education in the Baltimore area, having taught professional workshops on the FMS, Kettlebell Training and nutrition. Recently she had the honor of presenting Kettlebell training for performance enhancement, along with Joe, at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditoning (MBSC) in Boston, MA. She has also spoken at several local events as an expert in the strength and conditioning field, including the Catonsville Women’s Expo in Baltimore County. As the first female level 2 RKC Instructor in the state, she heads the Group Performance and Kettlebell Program, which has been a tremendously life changing experience for many of it’s members. Since it’s inception in 2010, the program has more than tripled in size and has garnered incredible results in strength, power, movement quality and fat loss. Neghar is heavily involved in the RKC community and has served as an assistant instructor at several events, including the Russian Kettlebell Challenge with Pavel and the Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification with Master RKC, Brett Jones.

In addition to coaching, Neghar has a deep-rooted passion for writing. She maintains a popular blog, has been published on DragonDoor.com, and is a regular contributor to strengthcoach.com. She uses her voice and her passion to educate and inspire females worldwide to train intelligently, with intensity and purpose.

CHRISTINE NORRIS

Growing up, Christine played a variety of sports but never found her niche. It wasn’t until her senior year of high school, when she participated in a weight training course, that Christine’s passion for health and fitness blossomed. Staying true to her hometown roots, Christine attended the University of Maryland where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology in 2009.

Additionally, Christine is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise and is also a Hardstyle Kettlebell Certified Instructor. She has worked as a Personal Trainer at Sport Fit Total Fitness Clubs and is currently a Health Educator at Providence Hospital.

Early in 2009, Christine completed an internship with UMD’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. During this time, she worked with a team of researchers on a national research study, Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG), which aimed to reverse the decline of physical activity in middle school-aged girls using school- and community-based intervention. Christine’s experience with TAAG shed light on the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of adolescent girls and reinforced her determination to empower women of all ages to be strong, healthy and confident.

Christine is thrilled and honored to be part of the OPTI team!

ALLISON SCHLEGEL

Allison Schlegel has spent her life devoted to movement; first as an athlete, and later as a trainer. While she has been involved in many physical activities her competitive pursuits include acrobatics, college level and club ice hockey, and most recently, figure competing in the NPC.

Allison’s interest in helping everyday people achieve their fitness and health goals began when she decided to major in Kinesiology while attending the University of Maryland. She then began personal training at the University’s gym and a year later, in 2005, she received her personal training certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

That same year she felt called to serve her country and enlisted into the US Army. In early 2007 she voluntarily deployed for a year to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Her awards include the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and the Army Commendation Medal for her meritorious service in Iraq.  After her combat tour was completed she immediately returned to school to finish her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, whereupon she graduated in 2010 from the University of Maryland.

Currently she serves as Non-Commissioned Officer in the Maryland Army National Guard and was recently appointed by her unit to develop a physical training program to help her fellow soldiers improve their personal level of fitness and pass the Army’s Physical Fitness Test.

Allison’s vision of herself as a trainer matches the passion, expertise, and dedication defined by the OPTI professionals and she is excited to be a part of the team.

KAREN A. JOHNSON, MPT, CFMT

Karen received her certification as a Functional Manual Therapist from The Institute of Physical Art in 1997. After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from The College of William and Mary in 1982, she graduated from the U.S. Army/Baylor University Master’s Degree Program in Physical Therapy in 1984. Karen taught for 10 years in the Functional Orthopedics series for the Institute of Physical Art and has 25 years of experience solving complex musculoskeletal problems. She co-founded The Center for Integrated Manual Therapies, LLC in March of 2000. Karen has a precise and compassionate healing style, and is successful in her work with a diverse group of clients, from high-level athletes to individuals with chronic pain trying to regain their quality of life. She has a reputation for solving even the most difficult and treatment-resistant musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

Additionally, Karen is a sailing instructor at the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore. She earned the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification in 2009. Also, she is a ski instructor at Whitetail Ski Resort in Pennsylvania.

JULIA KEGELMAN, DPT, FOC

After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology in 2003, Julia continued at  The University of Delaware and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2006. Shortly after, she began practicing at The Back Clinic, Inc. in her hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. In August 2010, Julia received her Certification in Functional Orthopedics from The Institute of Physical Art. In the clinic, Julia takes time to understand each individual’s current limitations and goals for the future. With a team approach centered on education and functional manual therapy, she is able to assist her clients in attaining virtually all of their goals. She is always focused on restoring efficiency rather than normalcy, and in turn she sees symptoms resolve and quality of life improve in even the most challenging cases.

SCOTT JUZWAK, PT, DPT

CARA ZALLER, CNC, MBA

Cara L. Zaller has a B.A. from Emory University, an M.B.A. from The George Washington University, and a C.N.C. from the American Association of Nutrition Consultants. She is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Certified Metabolic Effect Nutrition Consultant, Certified Healthcare Fitness Liaison and Group Fitness Instructor. She is one of the authors of the nutrition column in the CA Monthly section of The Columbia Flier, the nutritionist for the Columbia Association and a sponsor for the Mid-Maryland Triathlon Club. She has worked in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years and has competed and placed in aerobics and figure competitions, 10K and 5K races and several triathlons.