Strength & Performance Training (SAPT) is a comprehensive training company which focuses on improving athletic and intellectual success in youth, amateur, adult, and professional athletes. While many athletes spend ample time honing their technical and tactical sport specific skills, they often fail to acquire appropriate and adequate physical conditioning to support and promote their peak competitive performance. The certified staff of professionals at SAPT has carefully orchestrated sport and performance specific programs to address this challenge.

Each program is carefully researched and stands at the forefront of the strength and conditioning industry. Our programs are always original and never duplicated.

Sarah Walls, President & Founder

Inspired by her experience as both an NCAA Division I Strength & Conditioning Coach and a personal trainer, Sarah Walls founded Strength & Performance Training (SAPT) in 2007 with a clear vision: to deliver the highest-quality, truly individualized performance training available.

At the collegiate and professional levels, Sarah has worked with athletes across a wide range of sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, jumps, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, sprints, tennis, throws, and volleyball. She has also supported athletes preparing for competition in cycling, distance running, figure skating, judo, obstacle course racing, mixed martial arts, and triathlon.

Beyond high-performance sport, Sarah has over 25 years of experience coaching individuals of all ages and abilities. Her work extends to goals such as weight loss, body composition change, injury rehabilitation, and improving strength, confidence, and function for daily life. This breadth of experience allows her to apply elite-level training principles in ways that are both accessible and sustainable for every client.

Sarah specializes in injury prevention, nutritional counseling, and performance enhancement, with a strong emphasis on developing speed, strength, and power. She spent eight years as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at the NCAA Division I level and currently serves as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Washington Mystics.

Mike Brown, Director of Performance

Mike Brown serves as SAPT’s Director of Performance, bringing over five years of experience developing athletes across the youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. His background spans MLS Next, NCAA Division I and II programs, and private training sector.

Mike has coached and supported athletes in a wide range of sports, including soccer, football, baseball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, track & field, and cross country. His approach emphasizes long-term athletic development, sound training principles, and helping athletes move well, build resilience, and perform with confidence.

He holds a Master’s degree in Sport Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Nutrition from Temple University.

Certifications

NSCA-RSCC (Registered Strength & Conditioning Specialist)
NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist)
NSCA-CPSS (Certified Performance & Sport Scientist)

Fun Facts

Drives a 5–6 speed manual
Comes from a family of seven children
Has a fraternal twin

Quote
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” — Molière

Hunter Hautz, General Manager & Performance Coach

Hunter Hautz serves as the General Manager at Strength & Performance Training (SAPT), where he oversees daily operations, client experience, and program execution while remaining actively involved on the coaching floor.

Hunter earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (2018) and Master’s degree in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion (2019) from George Mason University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). During his academic training, he assisted with physical training at the Prince William Fire and Police Academies, helping recruit and incumbent personnel improve injury resilience and physical readiness. He also gained experience working in a physical therapy clinic and coaching the George Mason University Powerlifting Club.

Hunter works with youth, high school, and adult athletes across a variety of sports, focusing on building strength, improving movement quality, and helping athletes develop the physical foundation needed to perform and stay healthy long-term. He also supports adult clients in developing sustainable training habits and improving performance in daily life. Having started at SAPT as an intern and grown into a leadership role, Hunter now serves as a key point of contact for everything related to training at SAPT, while remaining deeply committed to the SAPT Family culture and creating a positive, supportive training environment.

Ashley Candeletti, Performance Coach

Ashley Candeletti is a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Strength & Performance Training (SAPT). She first joined SAPT as a George Mason University Kinesiology intern in 2017 and has continued to develop her coaching career through a blend of performance training, education, and team sport leadership.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from George Mason University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She also holds a Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary Schools from George Mason University, allowing her to effectively connect coaching, teaching, and athlete development.

In addition to her work at SAPT, Ashley is a 7th Grade Life Science Teacher at Thoreau Middle School in Vienna and serves as the Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Oakton High School. These roles give her a strong foundation in long-term athlete development, communication, and leadership within team environments.

Ashley enjoys working with youth and high school athletes, focusing on movement quality, strength development, and helping athletes build confidence both in and out of the gym. She is passionate about education-based coaching and creating a positive, supportive training environment for every athlete she works with.