Matt is an absolute badass CrossFitter, always ready to improve and take on the next challenge.
He is an inspiration for many of us in the gym! He is super humble, supportive of other members and overall a great guy!

Here is Matt’s journey in his own words

What initially drew you to CrossFit, and how has your perspective on fitness evolved over the years?
I first tried CrossFit 12 years ago. Someone showed me a clip from the 2011 Games and theworkouts looked challenging, so I wanted to try. At the time I had been doing triathlons, which were taking up a lot of time cycling and running. Six months later I entered another triathlon and my results were identical despite doing nothing but CrossFit. My perspective on fitness has changed over the years, from seeing fitness as a test of absolute endurance, to seeing fitness as the ability to handle whatever life throws your way. As a kid I was a swimmer and spent hours grinding away in the pool. To make fitness sustainable you want to enjoy what you’re doing.

As someone in your 40s, what advice would you give to others about staying fit and healthy as they age?
The advice I would give is ‘All or Something’ - if you can’t train at the time you want, train when you can. It’s better to do something than nothing, because there are a whole lot more distractions competing for your attention later in life.

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your CrossFit Journey that you are particularly proud of?
First muscle up, and winning a couple of masters comps. I’m genuinely happy anytime I finish a workout that looks challenging.

How do you balance the demands of being a single dad with maintaining such an impressive level of fitness?
When I became a single dad I had five years away from training - work and kids and life got in the way. But I missed CrossFit and knew that I wanted to get back eventually. Now the kids are both at school my routine is normal enough to train again. I train every second week at the moment (when I don’t have them), and try to jog in the weeks between. My kids say I’m always moving around at home, which is true - either in the house doing lunches or dinner, or outside in the yard doing a garden job. I walk/ride with them to school and to the bus-stop. Having a good level of fitness as a parent helps with everything else.

What’s your favourite CrossFit workout and how does it challenge you both physically and mentally?
My favourite is Karen (150 wall balls) because it’s a good test of repetitive suck. I got damaged by it when I first started CrossFit, as it looks so simple. It challenges you to balance the pain in your arms/legs with your rocketing heartrate and I think its a good metaphor for CrossFit in general.

We’ve all got that one movement that makes us groan. What’s yours?
Mine is Toes to Bar. Once the core goes, it goes.

What are your other favourites and what’s to love about them?
My favourites are handstand walks and triple-unders, because you don’t do them every day and it’s a challenge to try.

In the middle of a WOD, what animal would best represent you?
A giant tortoise. I’m trying to get to the end while absorbing the blows from each movement.

You’ve been asked to write a sales pitch for Crossfit. How would you pitch it?

CrossFit has a knack of making you want to come back to the gym tomorrow. Suck at a workout? You’ll want to come back to get better. Ace a workout? You’ll want to come back and ace it again. Also, it’s like a jungle gym for adults - what’s not to like!

Crossfit Inc. decided to name and design a WOD in your honour. What would the “Matt”WOD be?

MATT -
3 Rounds for Time:
40 Wall Balls (6/9Kg)
300m Run
20 Box Jumps (24”/30”)
10 Clean & Jerk /Snatch / Thruster (42.5/60kg)
5 MU / 20m HS Walk / 20 Triple Unders