Meet Matthew McDonald
Owner & Trainer at M.Train Strength and Wellness Studio in Westport, CT.
Matt McDonald
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
Practice of Movement
Movement is a skill. The more you practice it, the better you get. We train with purpose so strength, control and confidence become second nature.
Patience, Progression, Consistency
There are no shortcuts to getting stronger. Show up, put in the work and keep building. Progress comes from what you do consistently over time.
Strong Body, Strong Mind
Getting stronger takes more than muscle. Training builds discipline, resilience and the ability to do hard things well.
Better Together
People train differently when they're surrounded by people who show up and put in the work. No ego. No competition for attention. Just good people getting stronger together.