Meet Matthew McDonald
Owner & Trainer at M.Train Strength and Wellness Studio in Westport, CT.
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His Story
A Fairfield, CT native, Matthew McDonald began his football career at age 7 playing Pop Warner. By high school he had earned the respect of his teammates as a leader, organizing summer mini-camps to help them prepare for the season while also competing on the power-lifting and indoor track teams. He spent time working with Special Education students, teaching basic health and fitness concepts.
An academic scholarship took Matt to Marist College, where he was recruited to play Division I AA football. He became the first African-American captain of the team, leading Marist to its first MAAC championship and earning the highly acclaimed Coach's Award of Excellence. Throughout, he spoke to local students about leadership, self-esteem, self-motivation, and health and fitness.
Back in Connecticut, Matt trained clients full time at the Fitness Edge, where he achieved Master Level status and became one of the most sought-after trainers for young athletes preparing for football camps and pre-season play. He also developed a unique training style for clients with special medical needs, including Parkinson's disease and Lupus.
As the founder of M.Train, Matt continues to develop new techniques in health and fitness — creating simple, challenging, and ever-evolving systems that produce amazing results.
Career Highlights
A foundation in athletics, leadership, and elite training.
Division I AA Football, Marist College
First African-American Team Captain & MAAC Champion
Coach's Award of Excellence
Master Level Trainer, Fitness Edge
What We Stand For
Safety First
Our priority is form and technique. By keeping class sizes small, our student-to-teacher ratio is one of the lowest in the fitness industry.
Practice of Movement
We use muscle-memory principles to develop and improve everyday movements through our specific training style.
Patience, Progression, Perseverance
Strength improves over time with deliberate practice of movement and dedication to achieving your goals.
Individual Wellness Path
No two people develop the same way. Hard work, self-motivation, a balanced diet, and lifestyle choices determine your results.
Mind / Body Connection
The most underestimated concept in fitness: challenging the mind to work the body. Unique exercises in every workout improve balance and strength as you progress through life.
Quality Instruction
Every instructor understands the proper techniques required to maintain a safe environment.
Mental Strength & Physical Durability
Our training style pushes the body and challenges the mind, highlighting quality over quantity in its design and execution.
Reasonable Expectations
There's a difference between fitness fads and quality training. Goals are reached with sensible expectations, practical discipline, and moderation.
Balance in Life
Exercise, proper nutrition, good sleep, and healthy relationships must all be a priority — even when busy lifestyles make time hard to find.
Community
We foster a sense of community within our facility, where clients support and encourage one another toward individual and shared goals.