Coach Matt Shortis

Coach Matt could be the Coach for you!

As a smaller guy in high school, Coach Matt was often intimidated in the weight room – but overcame his struggles and now teaches others to do the same using philosophies he learned through Nerd Fitness.

His education, experience, and credentials span personal training and nutrition, but also specializes in being efficient with his programming – whether you workout at home or in the gym. With 5 kids (!) and a busy professional life, he can relate to the importance of making every move count.

During his time as a Coach at NF, he’s had success with all types of clients across a variety of goals, from endurance sports to nutritional support, rock climbing to increased mobility, and everything in between.

Fun fact: Matt also participated in American Ninja Warrior, Season 7 and loves working with clients who have obstacle course goals as well!

Credentials/Education

Certified Personal Trainer, ACSM
Golf Fitness Specialist, NASM
Precision Nutrition Level 1
Animal Flow Level 1
Kettlebell Athletics Level 2
WFPF Parkour Level 2
Girls Gone Strong Certified Pre/Post Natal Coach
FRC Mobility Specialist

Matt’s really aware that life can sometimes get in the way. Whether that’s being too busy, or health issues, or even when your motivation drops a bit, he gets it, and keeps the faith. I love how he also works to my preferences – whether that’s me not wanting to go into the Manly Men Grunting area of the gym, or just swapping up exercises that I hate or that don’t work for my abilities or current body shape, he’s there for me, not just regurgitating a set of exercises that he thinks I should be doing.

He guides me, rather than dictates to me, which is absolutely what I want and need.

Nicola

I’ve been working with Coach Matt S for several years, and I really value his expertise in fitness and training, which works for me, but also his expertise in finding ways to make training better and more effective. He’s always been flexible in training schedules and offers a lot of great insights with check-ins about what’s going well or what can improve, including in mental health or daily life. Coach Matt is definitely a Jedi Master!

Lindsey

I am self-employed and frequently travel for work at short notice. Matt S has been like having a small fitness coach sitting on my shoulder reminding me that the aim is to do what I can, when I can. Fitness and good habits are not binary but a spectrum and that can be easy to forget. Matt S has actively adapted my schedule and workouts to work around these constraints – either by moving workouts to better suit my timetable, encouraging me to simply “go for a walk” or tailoring the workouts to whatever I have available at the time. This has helped me to stick to my goals even when it has been difficult. Unfortunately, he has made a NY Giants fan which has brought its own challenges!

With Matt S’s support, I have gone from not being able to run continuously for five minutes to having run two 10kms, a half marathon and three Spartan Races (including a half marathon) last year – I have already booked three Spartan races for this year.

Alistair

I am in my sixth year as a Nerd Fitness Coaching client. I enjoy working with Coach Matt S. because he is positive and supportive. He is very thoughtful about the workouts he designs for me and helps me make adjustments to succeed. My workouts are portable, and I can do them anywhere. I am a runner, and he helps me with strength, balance, and flexibility exercises that complement my running. He takes an interest in the other aspects of my life, like family, travel, and photography. He has been very encouraging and compassionate about my life’s ups and downs and makes me feel confident about myself.

Pamela

Naturally, most of us find our way to Nerd Fitness looking for a *physical* fitness coach. And Matt is that, indeed. He knows fitness and physiology backward and forwards. I mean, working with Matt, I’ve lost 15 lbs, I look better, and I feel better than I have in a long time. But more than that, Matt is a “whole person” coach. He recognizes we humans are complex creations, and our physical fitness is connected to so many other aspects of our lives. He is equally comfortable talking about literature, history, parenting, or relationships, for example, as he is talking about workout routines or the mental side of fitness. He is a renaissance man in gym shorts! I’m glad he’s my coach!

Tyler

Star Wars or Lord of the Rings

I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.

I loved Star Wars growing up. As I grew into my mid-twenties, it fell off my radar a bit. One day I came home and my kids were watching the show Star Wars Rebels. I instantly fell in love all over again.

Favorite Video Game of All Time

If I go real old school, TMNT II: The arcade game & TMNT Turtles in Time. More recently, Zelda BOTW is incredible (though I haven’t played it as much as I would like). I played the original God of War non-stop when it came out. I also really enjoy some of the great multiplayer and party games like Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart.

If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be, and why?

Can I have Steve Rogers’ super-serum? And his moral compass? Basically, what I’m saying is I’d like to be Captain America.

When I worked in a chain gym, my parkour and ninja workouts earned me the nickname “Spidey.”

Ready to work with Coach Matt?

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