Matt Peale - Fitness Trainer and Author of The Athlete in the Game of Life! -

When it comes to living and promoting a positive fitness lifestyle, Matt Peale is all-in. His commitment to keeping others fit and healthy is easily apparent. At a time when the fitness industry has experienced a lot of shifts, changes, and obstacles, it’s fitness professionals like Matt who will make sure that the need for fitness is still addressed both now and in the future. He has positioned himself to reach people both one-to-one and en mass through his recently published book, “The Athlete in the Game of Life!”

Matt knows firsthand all the benefits, both seen and unseen, that fitness can provide to those who embrace it. He’s been an athlete and fitness enthusiast virtually all of his life. His background and experiences allow him to understand the importance that living a fitness lifestyle can have physically, mentally, and emotionally. Matt is doing his part to make sure that others also know of those benefits and that they have the opportunity to experience them.

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Full Name: Matt Peale

Occupation: Corrective Exercise Specialist

Bodysport: Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

Matt: I was born in the Los Angeles area and moved away after my 7th-grade year. Where I call home and graduated high school from is Mandeville, LA, a suburb of New Orleans.

Bodysport: What were you like as a kid, did you play any sports?

Matt: Growing up I played a lot of sports: soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, basketball, and lacrosse. The sport I stuck with in high school and college was soccer.

Bodysport: How did you first become interested in exercise and fitness?

Matt: As a young teenager, I started doing push-ups in my room and my parents bought me a pull-up bar. In my junior of high school, my parents bought me a curl bar and I did whatever exercises I could in my room. Soccer players weren’t allowed to work out at school. After I graduated high school, I received my first gym membership to the YMCA. Since then, health and fitness have been a part of my life.

Bodysport: What made you gravitate towards working in the fitness industry and when did you begin?

Matt: I became a personal trainer in 2008. A career change led me to an opportunity to go into business with a high school friend/fraternity brother in the Mobile, AL, area. The recession didn’t allow me to find financing, so I used my certification to get a job at 24 Hour Fitness in Laguna Hills, CA, where I lived during that time. That was my first job in the fitness industry.

Bodysport: Please explain what a Corrective Exercise Specialist is and why you chose to focus on that aspect of fitness training?

Matt: A Corrective Exercise Specialist is an advanced certification through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). A CES works with people to correct muscle imbalances that result from overuse and injuries. Overuse also includes sitting for long periods a day at your desk or working from home. I became one at the beginning of the pandemic because I saw for years the negative effects a sedentary lifestyle has on the working population. If your muscles don’t function optimally, you can’t enjoy the active hobbies you like the most.

Bodysport: Tell us about your book, “The Athlete in the Game of Life!”. Why did you decide to write it and what is some of the messaging behind it?

Matt: I decided to write “Athlete in the Game of Life” as the way to set myself as an authority in chronic pain from sitting too long for executives and older adults. When the country shut down from Coronavirus, I also was out of work and had time to think on what my pivot with the changes is to working at a health club or gym. After wanting to write a book for a couple of years, here was my opportunity. The messaging focuses on the changes aging and being sedentary has on the body starting in our 40’s. It’s really a holistic approach to restoring muscle balance, making better eating choices, and having a higher quality of life.

Bodysport: The fitness industry has been greatly affected over this past year in terms of open and available facilities. How have you adapted business-wise to keep pursuing success?

Matt: Athlete in the Game of Life is also the name of my new company and online coaching programs. I created an affordable monthly membership to give members great tips on their favorite hobbies, eating healthy, exercise, and monthly webinars. Whether a person wants group or individual coaching, or just to be part of a positive community, I can provide that. Luckily in Louisiana, gyms have stayed open with the capacity restrictions.

Bodysport: The argument can be made that being proactive about fitness is more important than it’s ever been. What would you say to people who have concerns about getting and staying healthy and are looking for advice or help?

Matt: Getting started in anything new can be daunting and intimidating. Where do you go? What do you do? Can I do too much too quickly? The best advice I give people wanting to get started is to go at their own pace and use a professional like myself. Fitness has many different paths, and not all are right for everyone. Also, be realistic with yourself. You didn’t get into your current health condition in one day or week, it’s going to take time to change your health and fitness, don’t get discouraged. It’s small changes over time that lead to big results.

Bodysport: As you look at the fitness industry past, present, and future, what do you see happening or would like to see happen as we deal with the current uncertainty and ever-changing landscape?

Matt: With coronavirus being more deadly for people with obesity-related risk factors, I think it’s critical we look at building immunity through a healthy lifestyle. There are no pills, powders, and potions that replace sleep, exercise, and healthy food choices. If you look at what people are doing during this time, the drive-thru at Canes, Popeye’s, and Chick-fil-A’s are a mile long. That’s not helping to reduce the deadly effects of viruses, heart disease, and cancer.

Bodysport: Is there any advice you could give to other trainers, coaches, or fitness professionals as they try to build or grow their fitness business?

Matt: Write a book. Authors are perceived as experts in their fields. Don’t write a general fitness or weight-loss book. Find a niche you’re passionate about and be specific to a target market. Don’t be afraid if it’s not a best seller and for the masses. Personal training is a luxury item. Target affluence with your book and marketing.

Bodysport: Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge who has been instrumental to your success?

Matt: Tim Hutchings at 24 Hour Fitness in Laguna Hills, CA, hired me for my first personal trainer job. Without him, this journey doesn’t even begin!

Bodysport: Where can people reach you and find out more about you?

Matt: People can buy my book on Amazon, and also through my website, mattpeale.com. My website has info on coaching, a free report, and a monthly healthy lifestyle membership.

Matt’s Book: The Athlete In The Game Of Life

Facebook: @athleteinthegameoflife

Twitter: @MattPeale

LinkedIn: Click Here

Email: athleteinthegameoflife@gmail.com.