Joe Sansalone is the Owner of Optimum Performance Training Institute (OPTI) located in Columbia, Maryland outside of the Baltimore/DC area specializing in injury reduction, sports performance enhancement and functional strength and conditioning.

Joe holds certifications through the ACSM, NSCA, USAW-1, RKC-2, CK-FMS, FMS and ACE.  Joe has received high-level specialty education in injury reduction strategies and performance enhancement training from Athletes Performance Institute in Scottsdale, AZ.  In addition, he attends several continuing education courses to provide current and credible information in the industry to his athletes, clients and staff.

Joe has been an assistant instructor at several seminars for professional development and certification including the FMS Certification course with Gray Cook in 2007, The Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Instructor Certification Course with Pavel Tsatsouline in 2011, and the Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification with Brett Jones in 2009 and 2010 and with Andrea DuCane in 2011.

In 2007 Joe became an approved Continuing Education (CEU) provider for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).  He has taught several workshops and seminars for CEU’s including a joint project on the integration of Manual Physical Therapy and Functional Training with Manual Physical Therapist Karen Johnson, Understanding the Functional Movement Screen and Corrective Exercise, Understanding Optimal Nutrition and several Kettlebell training seminars.  In 2009 Joe developed and taught a 16-week sports performance and injury reduction mentorship program for strength coaches and personal trainers and OPTI has become an internship provider for several Universities.

Joe has also gained some small recognition for his writing on the strengthcoach.com forums and has been featured on the strenghtcoach.com educational podcast and the Trainerwise educational podcast.