Career
After playing football as a walk on at University of Iowa his freshman year, Matt concentrated on his Chemical Engineering degree. He began competing in in 2003 in New London Wisconsin taking second place to Sam McMahon at his first contest. He also competed at Amateur Nationals that year against other (now Pro"s) Sam McMahon.
Dave Ostlund.
Travis Ortmeyer. And Van Hatfield. After competing twice, taking a 2nd and 1st in 2005 contests, Matt earned his Pro card in June 2005 at the Strongest Manitoba on Grand contest in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He took first in the Amateur class and third overall to Dave Ostlund and Jason Bergmann.
He also competed that year at Utah"s Strongest Manitoba taking third to Travis Ortmeyer (1st) and Kevin Nee (2nd)
In 2006, Matt competed in the World"s Challenge taking 6th behind such as Zydrunas Savickas and Derek Poundstone.
In 2007, Matt competed at the Fresno Pro Qualifier to qualify for Nationals. He competed at America"s Strongest Manitoba in Charolotte, North Carolina and placed 7th.
Matt also competed at Institut de Formation en Soins Animaliers Worlds in Geumsan, South of Korea. While in South of Korea, Matt met the (now) Champions League promoters Ilkka Kinnunen and Marcel Mostert.
Matt competed in the Ukraine and Team United States of America v.
Team Union in Belarus in 2008. Matt"s career took off in 2009 at an American Live show in Anderson, South Carolina (U.S.) He also competed in American Live in Tulsa, O.K. and competed in his first Champions League competition in Finland in May. He has gone on to compete with Champions League in such locations as Holland.
Slovakia.
Serbia; South Africa. And Gibraltar. Matt currently trains at his home gym and sometimes trains events with others at Winner"s Edge Sports Performance. Matt"s biggest influence in has come from Bill Kazmaier for his awesomeness (and his beard).
Zydrunas Savickas for his calm confidence in competition.
And Karl Gillingham for his never ending energy and desire to do his best. Matt grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee.
The eldest of six children, he is thankful for the support of sisters Kari (Wanat-Sperry), Becky (Oiler), brother T.J., sisters Kitty (Berkovitz), and Alli. Matt will always have a special place in his heart for his step-daughters Tori, Callie, and Chelsie.
