Matt's making an impact

For four-and-a-half years Matt has been helping young people set and reach realistic goals when it comes to their fitness and nutrition.

Here at headspace Bendigo we are proud to contribute any Push Up Challenge funds we receive towards continuing this incredibly popular service. Below, he tells us more about why he loves what he does.

“I feel so lucky to be in this position at headspace and seeing the eyes of young people light up when they are smashing their goals and doing it in a self-respecting and healthy way.”

What impact has the personal training sessions had over your four years at headspace Bendigo?

I’ve noticed young people being guided to make choices in terms of moving their body and fuelling themselves based on their individual lifestyle and preferences. If they’ve come in with a goal that’s very appearance based, they’ve been able to reframe it in terms of what can their body do. For example, the original goal might be ‘I want to look skinny’, their new goal ends up being something like ‘I want to be able to walk the dog three times a week.’

How many sessions do you hold?

I hold four 50-minutes session a fortnight.

How do you approach each session? What can a young person except?

First, I usually ask what drew them to the fitness and nutrition program the most. 

I then ask why that's important to them. This sets the scene for setting realistic goals with me being their guide. I make sure they're in the driver's seat to enhance motivation. Some like to do a workout with me at headspace, others prefer to just discuss how their goals are going and if there are any barriers in the way of them reaching their goal. 

What feedback do you get from young people about the service you provide?

Some young people said they were scared it was going to be intense and just another authority figure telling them, "You should be eating this" or "You need to hit the gym to be fit" etc.

They soon realise that's not the case with me and that I follow a very holistic approach to fitness and nutrition coaching; I'm always client centered.

What is one thing you wish young people / the community knew about the relationship between physical health and mental health and wellbeing?

I don't believe there's a mind-body connection as this can refer to there being a separation; that's like saying the waves and ocean aren’t connected. The mind and body are one, just like waves are the ocean. It's important we are nourishing our body and minds, so our ocean feels clear.