This section is dedicated to my amazing clients and their stories. I hope you find inspiration and motivation from their journeys to help you on yours.
Q and A with:
Bill Vawter
Bill is no stranger to fitness, having been an active member/owner of a Crossfit gym for several years. With a passion for Olympic lifting, he is also a keen biker (both road and mountain) and trail runner. However, as can happen to most of us, the stressors of life, COVID lockdowns, and the like led to the development of unproductive habits and unhealthy choices.
Fast forward to June 2022: Bill decided he wanted to be back in charge of his body and health again. First he set up a gastric sleeve surgery with Blossom Bariatrics .
Bill then booked a consult with me, and during this time we made a 12 month plan on how to create new, productive and healthy habits to attain his goals as well as help set him up for success pre and post surgery. The pictures speak for themselves!
What was your goal before you started?
To maintain muscle and increase fitness during intensive weight loss following my gastric sleeve procedure.
How has having a personalized coach benefited you?
Having a coach that knows my background, strengths, and goals and can adapt my program accordingly has been hugely impactful. Knowing that I can trust Matt to write the best thing for me has allowed me to just focus on doing the work, and the results have been truly transformational.
What has been the hardest part about your journey so far, and how have you dealt with it?
Having been fairly athletic earlier in life and very strong, though not that fit, more recently, it's been humbling to essentially start over. Doing this concurrent with the weight loss journey has definitely helped.
What advice can you give to others on achieving their health and fitness goals?
I read a post earlier today from member of my post-op support group. Their question was "when did you guys feel like working out again after surgery?" My immediate thought in response was, why do you need to feel like working out? I just don't think about it that way anymore. I just get up and do the work. So my advice is, forget about motivation. Focus on discipline, consistency, and why the work is important to you.
Q and A with:
Julie O’Donnell
Julie (Jules to those in the know) has a joie de vie in everything she does, whether it be her work, downtime or purposeful movement.
Jules came to me with the goals of '‘Being able to do what I want (physically) and feel good about my body…I also love to be challenged!”.
Her job as a (LCSW) therapist can be as physical as it is emotionally demanding, plus working both privately and in the schools district means a lot of location movement, and not a lot of time to self care during the day, which resulted in huge energy crashes throughout the work day.
First thing we did was create a eating routine that fit easily within her schedule, accommodated her dietary requirements and fueled her body with the necessary nutrients it needed. We coupled this with a movement program that focused on strengthening and balancing out her body and raised intensity each week to keep it challenging, fun and could be done easily at home.
What was your goal before you started?
When I began working with Matt my goals were to build up strength and endurance in a way that was healthy and sustainable. I had several issues with joints and muscles and felt discouraged as I tried to workout. I wanted to trust my body again and feel strong.
How has having a personalized coach benefited you?
Before working with Matt I was really good at starting and stopping workout routines. I wanted to get into more strength training, but had no idea what I was doing. Now I am in a fitness routine that easily fits into my life, and yields results. I am intentional about what I feed my body and how it serves my physical and emotional wellbeing. I am being more intentional about all of my daily routines. Matt has also helped me be patient and compassionate with where I am with a focus on the long term.
What changes, physically, mentally and emotionally have you noticed from having a personalized coach?
In the three months I have worked with Matt my body has changed significantly. I have muscle definition in all parts of my body that were not there before. I feel stronger, have better balance, and more endurance in all activities. My elbow was in so much pain before I started that I could not grip or pick up any weight. Now I can pick up a 20lb weight. With coaching around eating I am no longer starving by 10am at work, or completely exhausted in the evenings. This leaves more space to enjoy the things I love, and be a more attentive partner. My mind is clearer and I feel more confident.
What has been the hardest part about your journey so far, and how have you dealt with it?
Working with old and new injuries has been the most challenging part of my journey. Communicating with Matt, working his adjusted plans, and again keeping focus on the long term has allowed me to move through frustration, heal pain, and still achieve new goals.
What advice can you give to others on achieving their health and fitness goals?
My advice would be to listen to your body. Pay attention to how you feel after the food you eat, after the activities you do that feed your soul and help you feel grounded, as well as while you are exercising. Having long term goals is great, but waking up everyday and choosing to give your body and mind what it needs to thrive is the key. Especially when that is rest.
Q and A with:
Chris Sweeting
Chris has been active and athletic all his life, whether playing top level rugby, games of squash, running marathons, hiking the Himalayas, sailing, scuba diving, water skiing…you get the point…
So, after having two hips replaced (left him with knee valgus both sides), a hernia and shoulder operation in the space of 12 years coupled with 3 years hard lockdown in Hong Kong I could understand his dismay and frustration at feeling incompetent with everyday tasks such as walking properly as well as a lack of energy throughout the day.
The plan has been to build a routine around achievable movement, highlighting mobility then strength, with slow increments of intensity. We coupled this with improving nutrition, increasing calories and balancing the macronutrients - again keeping this very easy ie no long term tracking but by going with feel to start. Increased water intake to stay hydrated (especially living in a humid environment like Hong Kong).
We have seen huge progress with Chris, who is now taking frequent multi mile hikes each week as well as increased energy throughout the days.
What was your goal before you started?
Improve balance and build muscle
How has having a personalized coach benefited you?
Very much, makes me more disciplined
As a client living overseas, as well as a prolific traveler what benefits have your noticed with the remote coaching program?
Exercise more regularly, getting fitter
What changes, physically, mentally and emotionally have you noticed from having a personalized coach?
Variety of exercises makes exercising more enjoyable and you're not alone!
What has been the hardest part about your journey so far, and how have you dealt with it?
Self discipline; exercising properly and not rushing
What advice can you give to others on achieving their health and fitness goals?
Exercise daily, however simple - especially as you get older