MEET OUR TEAM
TONY SANDBOTHE
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Results-Driven Mentor
For over two decades, Tony Sandbothe has been a trusted leader in strength and conditioning, personally coaching more than 60,000 one-on-one training sessions. His impact on the fitness industry has been recognized with back-to-back Consumer Choice Awards for Personal Training in Portland—the only two years the award has been offered in the region. But Tony’s success isn’t just about accolades; it’s about his relentless commitment to helping people build strength, confidence, and long-term health.
Tony’s journey is deeply personal. He understands the challenges of weight management not as an abstract concept but as a lived experience. Having grown up in a family affected by severe obesity, he made a life-changing decision after being cut from his high school basketball team for being "too fat." That moment ignited a passion for transformation, leading him to lose 100 pounds as a teenager—a process he has repeated multiple times throughout his life. Through these experiences, he developed a profound understanding of weight loss and fitness as a lifelong commitment, not a temporary fix. His philosophy treats obesity and weight management much like addiction: a condition requiring structure, consistency, and a science-based approach rather than gimmicks or quick-fix trends.
Tony’s training philosophy is built on principles, not fads. He believes strength and conditioning are rooted in physics, biomechanics, biochemistry, and anatomy—not in fleeting diets or social media trends. He does not promote short-term transformations, restrictive meal plans, or buzzword-driven fitness programs. Instead, he tailors each client’s approach based on proven science and sustainable habits. Whether working with professional athletes, individuals recovering from severe injuries, or those simply looking to regain control over their health, Tony ensures each client receives a program that is personalized, results-driven, and built for longevity.
His dedication to lifelong learning is unmatched. Tony holds an extensive list of elite certifications, including:
Strength & Conditioning: NSCA CPT, W.I.T.S. CPT, ACE CPT, Strength Systems International (Levels 1, 2, 3)
Specialized Training: Westside Barbell Special Strength Coach, Starting Strength Coach, RKC, USAW Level 2, Catalyst Athletics Level 2, Wenning Strength
Nutrition & Recovery: Precision Nutrition Level 1, Vertical Diet Coach, Bio-Force Conditioning Coach
He is also the only Strength Coach to have ever simultaneously held both the Starting Strength Coach and Westside Barbell Special Strength Coach credentials—an accomplishment that speaks to his broad expertise across training methodologies
Beyond his coaching career, Tony has competed in MMA, Kickboxing, Olympic Weightlifting, Strongman, and Powerlifting, winning the 2017 NW Record Breakers 125kg Classic RAW Division. These experiences give him a unique edge in training individuals of all backgrounds, from elite athletes to those recovering from major injuries. He has worked with professional MMA fighters, top-ranked tennis players, a 91-year-old cancer survivor learning to walk again, and a quadriplegic patient regaining mobility after a traumatic brain injury. No matter where someone starts, Tony’s mission is simple: to help them become stronger, more capable, and more confident in their own body.
Tony believes that training is more than just a physical journey—it’s a transformation that empowers people to take control of their lives. If you’re ready to invest in long-term health and sustainable results, Tony Sandbothe is ready to guide you every step of the way.
DARIUS MARTE
I'm Darius Marte, a trainer here at Sandbothe Strong, with a background in massage therapy, holistic medicine and a passion for nutrition. I've spent years exploring the profound impact of food alternative health modalities on our overall health. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to evolving my approach, I discovered the transformative power of strength training.
My coaching philosophy is rooted in an understanding that just like medicine, when it comes to exercise there is a narrow therapeutic window. In order to establish and maintain positive adaptations we must take into account frequency of training stimulus and concentration of training stimulus.
These considerations are all encompassing and result not only in physical fitness but also mental and emotional vitality. On top of personal strength coaching, I offer meal prepping and planning at whatever level of help you need. Whether that is a customized meal plan, one on one healthy cooking classes where i not only teach you how to cook but grocery shop. To a full on meal prep service where i shop and prepare the most delicious meals based on the meal plan that not only taste great but support your recovery and training in the gym. Offering: 1,2,3 meal a day options, meals for the week. Together, we'll create a personalized plan that harmonizes strength, nutrition, and optimal health. My education includes extensive study in: Massage therapy, western linear periodization, The Conjugate Method, Bio-Mechanics, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Compassionate Communication, Super Slow Single set to failure training, Fasting, Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Goju Ryu Karate, Boxing, and Muay Thai. I always have a white belt mentality and strive to bring the knowledge I learn to my clients.