Ex-Firefighter From Port Washington Appears On ABC's 'Shark Tank'

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — A Port Washington woman and former volunteer firefighter with the Halesite Fire Department recently appeared on ABC's hit show "Shark Tank."

Smiling and confident, Sarah Apgar opened the show, walking into the tank and requesting $250,000 in exchange for 15 percent equity of the company. She described herself as a veteran of the Iraq war, women's rugby All-American from Princeton University, volunteer firefighter, spouse of a West Point graduate and fellow U.S. Army veteran, and mother of two girls.

"I invite you to train like a hero," she said. "Like our nation's bravest, with the most versatile and durable fitness product on the market: the FitFighter steel hose."

The weights are made in the United States from real fire hoses, recycled steel shot, and brass grommets, she said. The steel hose system is a complete, full-body strength and conditioning program.

On the product's website, Apgar said FitFighter began in a Long Island firehouse to better prepare firefighters for their job.

"Now, we bring that same strength, stamina, and spirit of service to you, whether you're a soldier, CEO, athlete, parent, pro or all the above," she wrote on the website.

Apgar invited the four sharks to try out her product on stage, having them raise the weight above their heads and swing it around.

In response to questions, Apgar said the intent is to mimic a fire hose charged with water.

"When I joined my volunteer fire department, I noticed there was a gap between the fitness training and the gym, and what really happened out there on the fire ground," she said. "The obvious place to start was how to mimic a charged hose without pulling hoses off the trucks and charging it on the hydrant with water."

Her pitch took a dicey turn when Mark Cuban, billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, told her she was spreading herself too thin. While he didn't want to partner with her, Cuban said he hoped she would get a deal from one of the other sharks.

Spoiler alert: She did. Apgar received an offer from Daniel Lubetzky, founder and CEO of KIND, for $250,000 in exchange for 25% of equity. After he declined her initial counteroffer, she accepted.

Click here to watch the full episode on ABC.com.

At a time like this, I think @SarahApgar can be a huge inspiration for our country. It’s obvious that she's committed to her community and passionate about uniting people through the spirit of service. #SharkTank
— Daniel Lubetzky (@DanielLubetzky) November 14, 2020