Coach Matt started training in 2009 during the “bar” era of the UFC. A time where people would go out for wings and beer to watch PPVs at the local pub. After moving to a new city with his girlfriend he wanted to try out some new hobbies and found an MMA gym where he began learning kickboxing. After a few classes of feeling gangly and uncoordinated, he gave BJJ a try and has been training ever since.

He loves the challenges of training - trying out new positions, figuring out what your current weak areas are and trying to improve them. Training together is a great way to form bonds with other and as a result he’s met some of his closest friends through BJJ.

He was an extremely active competitor from white to purple and won some bigger tournaments like the Ontario open (largest tournament in Canada) and Provincials. He won Provincials as a brown as well. As he relocated to Washington and his girls were born, he’s been training mostly recreationally but has recently started competing again.

Outside of BJJ and the MMA gym staples of Muay Thai, boxing and wrestling, he’s stayed true to his Canadian heritage and played hockey for 15+ years (stereotype fulfilled). He played football and rugby in high school and has been an avid weight lifter since his teenage years as well. He also enjoys winter sports like snowboarding.

Coach Matt teaches the Tuesday evening No-Gi class and oversees the Tuesday evening open mat.