There is so much noise in the fitness industry.
So much “Don’t do that” or “You’re wrong if…” So much fear and finger pointing. And frankly, it frustrates me.
It’s over hyped, over the top and not that helpful. Especially for those of us who just want strength, energy and health to flow into everything else we have.
One year ago today, I took over the writing of this newsletter from Steve with one goal in mind: I bring you practical, real lessons from my 15+ years of coaching that you can actually use.
I wanted to show you how fitness can be a part of your life without it dominating your life. AND that we can have fun with it too. 😊
I am so grateful for the response. For every note and reply you tell me about your goals, your struggles and what resonated the most.
So to celebrate one year, here’s a list of my best newsletters. These are the ones worth a refresher or a second look if you missed them the first time.
💙 Those who arrived home
,Turns out I needed my own advice last week (twice!) Sometimes we need to listen to the same advice we give others. As I often say: “Even coaches need coaches!” If you’re holding yourself to an impossible level, start here.
“Thank you for helping me get up to speed. I’m not going to put pressure on myself, just allow myself to take each day as it comes and do the best I can. And thank you for being vulnerable. I’m learning that vulnerability like that is a beautiful thing. It’s more powerful than any advice because it’s real and raw.” – W
,NAWs: The Art of Getting Back on Track If you are in the midst of turmoil right now – illness, travel, life – this is for you.
“This mail came at the perfect time! For March, I had planned a whole fitness structure and couldn’t stick to it due to medical reasons… Last week, I tried to show up independently. No PRs, no new exercises. The only victory was showing up and trusting the process. Ending the night with this reading was so comfortable. Thank you!” -LARGE
,Feeling drained? Try this. For when your tank is empty and the answer isn’t “push harder”. Sometimes the most important training decision you make is the one that conserves your energy.
“That was really helpful, a pick-me-up at a difficult time.” -J
,Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. The post that elicited more “I felt like you were talking directly to me” replies than anything else I’ve written. Thanks again to Charlie for sitting down to record this live coaching session with me.
“Matt, you speak to my soul with this email today! It’s exactly what I need to hear to remind myself that I’m not alone, I’m not a total failure, and there’s still hope! Thank you!” -SMALL
🔧 The Practical Book
,How to get stronger if you feel stuck Another live session with a reader, Rosanne and I clarified exactly what to do when your progress stalls. If you plateau, this is for you.
“I’m seeing a LOT more progress. I really think I’ll need to buy some heavier weights soon to have around the house, as I’m maxing out what I have in a few moves, which is a big problem!” -R
,What does “good enough” fitness look like?(plus the 5 minute mobility routine) In answer to one of the most common questions I get: “How do I know I’m doing enough?” This pair of posts gives you a real answer and a concrete example that you can do today.
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,The Beginner Dumbbell Workout The most clicked workout of the year – and an amazing bodyweight training partner for beginners.
🏆 The most read of the year
,3 Lessons from Coaching Thousands of Nerds The fundamental frameworks I return to again and again. It’s worth re-reading whenever you’re feeling off track, just to check in: do i do these 3 things?
,What if I Fail Again? One of the most difficult mental hurdles I see people face. If you’ve struggled to maintain fitness habits in the past, it may feel almost impossible to believe you’ll succeed this time. You are not alone in this. This post is the first step I take people to in breaking that cycle.
Phew, we’ve covered a lot of ground this past year!
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Once again, I want to say thank you.
Thanks for the questions. The kind words. “hey Matt, that sounded different” he replies. If you’ve ever written before, you know I read every single one. It really makes my day to hear from you, solve problems together, and cheer you on from afar.
That’s what this whole thing is about.
Here’s to another time to cut through the noise together. 🥂
– Math
