I'mDario.ThisismyStory.
Sport
Scientist,
Coach,
Basketball
Player,
Tech
Enthusiast.
Besides
sports
I'm
interested
in
social
psychology,
introspection
&
creative
tasks
like
dancing
&
freestyling.
The Journey
From an ACL Tear to the World Stage
2019
The Birth of Saisan Training
Tore my ACL at 18 playing basketball. This caused a big depression for me. In my small hometown physiotherapy was subpar and I intuitively knew I wouldn't get my athleticism back like that - so I quit PT three months post-surgery and took rehab into my own hands. I started reading books and articles like a maniac while also starting Saisan Training to document the process. This new-found passion for training & rehab lead me to ditch my original plans of going the safe route and studying medicine to pursue study sport science and turn my hobby into my job.
The Birth of Saisan Training
Tore my ACL at 18 playing basketball. This caused a big depression for me. In my small hometown physiotherapy was subpar and I intuitively knew I wouldn't get my athleticism back like that - so I quit PT three months post-surgery and took rehab into my own hands. I started reading books and articles like a maniac while also starting Saisan Training to document the process. This new-found passion for training & rehab lead me to ditch my original plans of going the safe route and studying medicine to pursue study sport science and turn my hobby into my job.
2020
Vienna - A New Chapter
9 months after making the decision to study Sport Science at the University of Vienna I left my hometown and family to move there and start a new life. After watching me be a unknowing fool on social media I met my mentor who invited me to come to his facility for an assessment and eventually start interning at RAWO (Researched Athletes World), immersing myself in a high-performance environment full of professional athletes and young talents.
Vienna - A New Chapter
9 months after making the decision to study Sport Science at the University of Vienna I left my hometown and family to move there and start a new life. After watching me be a unknowing fool on social media I met my mentor who invited me to come to his facility for an assessment and eventually start interning at RAWO (Researched Athletes World), immersing myself in a high-performance environment full of professional athletes and young talents.
2021
Head of Basketball at RAWO
I was thrown into cold water and handed numerous football athletes to coach immediately. I was making many mistakes, but I proved my ability to learn at a high rate. 3 months of internship passed and I became a coach at RAWO by building trust and competence to take over the entire basketball department. Leading strength & conditioning for professional basketball athletes at just 20 years old and 1.5 years into the industry was a huge milestone in my career up to that point. Some of those athletes I still train to this day.
Head of Basketball at RAWO
I was thrown into cold water and handed numerous football athletes to coach immediately. I was making many mistakes, but I proved my ability to learn at a high rate. 3 months of internship passed and I became a coach at RAWO by building trust and competence to take over the entire basketball department. Leading strength & conditioning for professional basketball athletes at just 20 years old and 1.5 years into the industry was a huge milestone in my career up to that point. Some of those athletes I still train to this day.
2022
Move to DAS GYM
After RAWO closed its doors I made the decision to take my training into DAS GYM - Europe's greatest public gym. This was the start of yet another new chapter for me - my solopreneur era - working on my business while studying sport science and actively competing in basketball. My first big move was hosting a basketball camp with ByAnyMeansBasketball in April 2022 making my first real global connections.
Move to DAS GYM
After RAWO closed its doors I made the decision to take my training into DAS GYM - Europe's greatest public gym. This was the start of yet another new chapter for me - my solopreneur era - working on my business while studying sport science and actively competing in basketball. My first big move was hosting a basketball camp with ByAnyMeansBasketball in April 2022 making my first real global connections.
June 2023
Setback - Meniscus Tear
A year of good training passed and I trained myself to a 38-inch vertical, catching tip-in dunks off a lob - the highest I've ever jumped in my life. But then someone crashed into my knee during basketball. Second knee surgery. But this time, I had the knowledge to come back like it's nothing. I got back to playing basketball within 5 months and my athleticism was basically the same just 9 months post surgery. This process taught me a lot.
Setback - Meniscus Tear
A year of good training passed and I trained myself to a 38-inch vertical, catching tip-in dunks off a lob - the highest I've ever jumped in my life. But then someone crashed into my knee during basketball. Second knee surgery. But this time, I had the knowledge to come back like it's nothing. I got back to playing basketball within 5 months and my athleticism was basically the same just 9 months post surgery. This process taught me a lot.
FEB 2024
First Seminar
After doing my thing for 2 years the owner of DAS GYM noticed that I am "The Athletic Guy" in the gym and I was invited to give a seminar teaching my philosophy on athlete training. After 2 months of preparation I gave my first public seminar at DAS GYM with 30 attendees. My first speaking gig and a true career highlight being able to share my story and knowledge on stage.
First Seminar
After doing my thing for 2 years the owner of DAS GYM noticed that I am "The Athletic Guy" in the gym and I was invited to give a seminar teaching my philosophy on athlete training. After 2 months of preparation I gave my first public seminar at DAS GYM with 30 attendees. My first speaking gig and a true career highlight being able to share my story and knowledge on stage.
MAR 2024
RIskiest Move ever: Buy Force Plates at 22y/o
I got to a point where my knowledge was growing and I was starting to ask questions that I couldn't get answers to because I lacked the technological insights. So I made the decision to spend every last cent of my savings on force plates - the biggest financial risk of my life. It completely transformed my business model and understanding of movement. For the first time, I was assessing rigorously and diving deep into the connection between movement strategies and movement outcomes.
RIskiest Move ever: Buy Force Plates at 22y/o
I got to a point where my knowledge was growing and I was starting to ask questions that I couldn't get answers to because I lacked the technological insights. So I made the decision to spend every last cent of my savings on force plates - the biggest financial risk of my life. It completely transformed my business model and understanding of movement. For the first time, I was assessing rigorously and diving deep into the connection between movement strategies and movement outcomes.
MAY 2024
Second Seminar
This time I solely spoke about plyometrics building on the momentum and growing reputation in the local performance & physio community.
Second Seminar
This time I solely spoke about plyometrics building on the momentum and growing reputation in the local performance & physio community.
June 2024
David Grey Workshop in Munich
After learning from David intensely through his online materials for years I got to meet him at his 2-day Munich workshop and had a blast bombarding him with questions. Phenomenal experience that shaped my practice and allowed me to make some connections in the german area and improve my craft when it comes to rehabilitation.
David Grey Workshop in Munich
After learning from David intensely through his online materials for years I got to meet him at his 2-day Munich workshop and had a blast bombarding him with questions. Phenomenal experience that shaped my practice and allowed me to make some connections in the german area and improve my craft when it comes to rehabilitation.
November 2024
Proof of Concept
After losing a race to my fastest athlete (Jordan Bouah) I entered a deep sprinting rabbit hole. Just 2 months into it I hit a 35 km/h - a 1.02-second 10-meter flying sprint. After two knee surgeries, this was the moment I knew: knowledge and training mastery can overcome anything. This is this fastest I've ever been in my life.
Proof of Concept
After losing a race to my fastest athlete (Jordan Bouah) I entered a deep sprinting rabbit hole. Just 2 months into it I hit a 35 km/h - a 1.02-second 10-meter flying sprint. After two knee surgeries, this was the moment I knew: knowledge and training mastery can overcome anything. This is this fastest I've ever been in my life.
Dec 2024
My first German Bundesliga Client
Colin reached out to me via Instagram after following me for a couple years. After tearing his ACL in a game with the U21 German nationalteam he was struggling to make progress in his rehab - just like me - he took matters into his own hands and travelled to Vienna to start working with me. 4 months into our online rehab we then decided to do a 1-week training camp in Vienna to introduce CoD and clear him to start football training. He successfully returned to full football play and has been healthy and performing ever since. Currently he's on loan in Swiss 1st league and we are working together year-round for in-season online training.
My first German Bundesliga Client
Colin reached out to me via Instagram after following me for a couple years. After tearing his ACL in a game with the U21 German nationalteam he was struggling to make progress in his rehab - just like me - he took matters into his own hands and travelled to Vienna to start working with me. 4 months into our online rehab we then decided to do a 1-week training camp in Vienna to introduce CoD and clear him to start football training. He successfully returned to full football play and has been healthy and performing ever since. Currently he's on loan in Swiss 1st league and we are working together year-round for in-season online training.
MAY 2025
Third Seminar
Third public seminar, this time back at DAS GYM talking about plyometrics again.
Third Seminar
Third public seminar, this time back at DAS GYM talking about plyometrics again.
June 2025
Bachelor of Sport Science
I finally got my degree in 2025 because I stretched my BSc. from 3 years total study time to 5 because my focus was on building Saisan Training. Not having to attend uni courses alleviated a huge bottleneck in my time resource allocation and allowed me to delve even deeper into my personal research of sport science and my business. The video is my live reaction to passing my final exam.
Bachelor of Sport Science
I finally got my degree in 2025 because I stretched my BSc. from 3 years total study time to 5 because my focus was on building Saisan Training. Not having to attend uni courses alleviated a huge bottleneck in my time resource allocation and allowed me to delve even deeper into my personal research of sport science and my business. The video is my live reaction to passing my final exam.
Dec 2025
Oktagon MMA Title Fight Prep
Together with my mentor, I prepared Mochamed Machaev for his Oktagon MMA title fight. While my mentor led the mental and psychological preparation, I was responsible for the full strength and conditioning process. This project involved an intensive 8-week fight camp in Vienna and represented the highest-stakes training environment I’ve worked in to date. To start the fight camp off a german TV production (RTL) came in and filmed a documentary during our first assessment session. Mochamed KO'd his opponent in the 1st round to become the Oktagon champion.
Oktagon MMA Title Fight Prep
Together with my mentor, I prepared Mochamed Machaev for his Oktagon MMA title fight. While my mentor led the mental and psychological preparation, I was responsible for the full strength and conditioning process. This project involved an intensive 8-week fight camp in Vienna and represented the highest-stakes training environment I’ve worked in to date. To start the fight camp off a german TV production (RTL) came in and filmed a documentary during our first assessment session. Mochamed KO'd his opponent in the 1st round to become the Oktagon champion.
JAN 2026
USC — Dream Come True
My student years looked nothing like the norm. I built my life around a long-term vision, worked relentlessly, and made sacrifices that most people my age were neither willing nor required to make. I fulfilled the biggest goal I had set for myself when I began this journey seven years ago: earning the opportunity to step into the elite U.S. basketball environment. I flew to the USA to complete an internship at the University of Southern California with the Men's Basketball team under Andre Mattson. A prime-time Division 1 program - meeting D1 and NBA strength coaches, coaching top prospects including Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas.
USC — Dream Come True
My student years looked nothing like the norm. I built my life around a long-term vision, worked relentlessly, and made sacrifices that most people my age were neither willing nor required to make. I fulfilled the biggest goal I had set for myself when I began this journey seven years ago: earning the opportunity to step into the elite U.S. basketball environment. I flew to the USA to complete an internship at the University of Southern California with the Men's Basketball team under Andre Mattson. A prime-time Division 1 program - meeting D1 and NBA strength coaches, coaching top prospects including Gilbert Arenas' son Alijah Arenas.
FEB 2026
Learning From the Best
After I finished the USC internship I continued the US trip by visiting former NBA strength coach Terris Hightower in Charlotte, then flew to Cincinnati to train with and learn from Joel Smith.
Learning From the Best
After I finished the USC internship I continued the US trip by visiting former NBA strength coach Terris Hightower in Charlotte, then flew to Cincinnati to train with and learn from Joel Smith.
NOW
SAISAN TRAINING
Training pro athletes worldwide and locally in Vienna while teaching coaches the methodology behind the results. I continue to learn and work on my craft. I'm grateful for everything that Strength & Conditioning has given me. This is my story.
SAISAN TRAINING
Training pro athletes worldwide and locally in Vienna while teaching coaches the methodology behind the results. I continue to learn and work on my craft. I'm grateful for everything that Strength & Conditioning has given me. This is my story.
The Method
What Drives My Coaching
Movement Quality First
Understanding how you move is the foundation. I connect movement strategies to kinetic outcomes to find the real limiting factor.
Data-Driven Diagnostics
Force plate assessments and video analysis replace guesswork. Every decision is backed by objective data.
Individualized Programming
Every athlete gets a program built from their diagnostic profile - targeting their specific needs.
Rehabilitation
I've successfully rehabbed numerous knee, ankle & shoulder surgeries for my clients. Return-to-play is one of my specialities.
