[The Performance Architect] In just a few short weeks, this coach helped reshape Ashton Salwan’s career, unlocking breakthrough results, fierce confidence, and a season that proved just how far belief and precision can take an athlete.
When Preparation Meets Coach
In August 2024, beneath the blazing summer sun of Park City, Utah, Ashton Salwan returned from a three-month training block in Switzerland with one goal in mind: deliver a statement performance at the 2024 Ultimate Airwave water ramp competition. Hosted at the Utah Olympic Park, this event marked a pivotal checkpoint in his 2024/25 preseason — and a turning point in his career.
For one week only, Ashton was under the watchful eye of Coach Matt “Saundo” Saunders — a rare but transformative opportunity. From their first session, Saundo brought immediate clarity. He identified Ashton’s technical strengths and weaknesses with surgical precision, then implemented a plan tailored for performance. It wasn’t just mechanical; it was mental. Strategic. Empowering.
With Saundo in his corner, Ashton soared to a second-place finish among all U.S. men and ninth overall — a breakout result that proved what was possible with the right guidance, even in just seven days.
Six Intense Weeks
Their collaboration resumed in full force on January 7, 2025, kicking off a six-week competitive stretch across four major stops: Bristol Mountain, Lake Placid, Deer Valley, and Lac-Beauport. Each venue brought new terrain, new weather, and new pressure — but through it all, Saundo remained steady, detailed, and invested.
His coaching style was rooted in transparency. Every call he made had a purpose. Every correction came with explanation. For Ashton, it was the kind of environment that fostered full trust and total buy-in. The results followed: consistent jumps, elevated difficulty, and rising respect on the circuit.
Tactical Brilliance, Unshakeable Support
Setbacks were inevitable. But Saundo never flinched. He adapted in real time — recalibrating strategy when conditions changed, rebuilding mental resilience when things got shaky, and keeping Ashton’s momentum on track with a no-stone-unturned approach. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about progress.
Fueled by Saundo’s precision, Ashton secured a career-best 11th place at the Almaty World Cup — a milestone made even more meaningful by the personal-record jump that got him there. It was validation not just of the training, but of the trust.
“Saundo brought clarity when this sport felt chaotic. He didn’t just give me answers and tactics — he gave me momentum. And in the moments that mattered most, he believed in me without hesitation.” ~Ashton Salwan
A Coach Who Believed — And Taught Belief
For Ashton, choosing Saundo wasn’t just a strategic decision. It was a belief decision. As an independent U.S. athlete navigating the elite world of freestyle aerials without institutional backing, having someone who saw his potential — and knew how to unlock it — was everything.
Saundo didn’t just coach. He invested. He believed. He built Ashton into a stronger athlete and a more grounded competitor. And though their time together was limited, the impact was lasting.
Ashton Salwan's 2024/25 Competition Results With Coach Saundo:
- Bristol (USA) US Ski & Snowboard 2025 Freestyle Aerial Selections: 1st place
- Park City (USA) FIS Freestyle 2025 NorAM Cup: 2nd place, Top American
- Quebec (CAN) FIS Freestyle 2025 NorAM Cup: 2nd place, Top American
- Bristol (USA) US Ski & Snowboard 2025 National Aerials Championships: 5th place
- Park City (USA) FIS Freestyle 2024 Ultimate Airwave: 9th place, 2nd American
- Almaty (KAZ) FIS World Cup 2025 Freestyle Aerials: 11th place, 2nd American
- Deer Valley (USA) FIS World Cup 2025 Freestyle Aerials: 13th place, 4th American
- Lake Placid (USA) FIS World Cup 2025 Freestyle Aerials: 18th place, 5th American
