Born to a small town in Northern Ontario Matt quickly realized the responsibility for his future success would be determined by himself. Achieving a full athletic scholarship to the University of Toronto, Matt ultimately transferred and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor of human kinetics and set his sights on re-defining the personal training industry with business partner Jeff Sharpe.
One decade and six facilities later, they had accomplished his goal of being one of Canada's only multiple location professional training businesses as well as creating the opportunity for personal training to become a viable 'career'. Having managed the generation x & y's, Matt quickly realized the need for education on the realities of employment.
"There is so little information detailing the power each employee has to be an integral part of the solution making process".
Matt currently resides in North Vancouver, British Columbia where he continues to work with helping people maximize their potential through education and physical balance. A 7 time marathon finisher, 2 time Ironman finisher, accomplished adventure racing enthusiast, Matt's next feat includes a cross Canada ride to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes.
Matt has been nominated for the Earnest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1999 and Canada's prestigious Top 40 under 40 award in 2006. His company has raised over 1 million dollars for charity across 10 years of business and published a wide variety of articles relating to hiring in his industry publications and the provincial newspaper.
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A business owner for fifteen years, a University of British Columbia scholar-shipped athlete and then an academic drop-out as well as co-author of the Hire Me! educational book, Willie has dedicated the majority of his adult life to empowering people to fulfill their full potential using his own life experiences, both ups and downs, as a real world example that anything is possible.
Raised in North Vancouver, British Columbia Willie played professional soccer and represented his country at the Under 19 level allowing him to see the world and all it has to offer. As University was finishing and through illness in the family Willie took on ownership of the family business (a local bike shop) and has never looked back. Taking on everything from marketing, selling, merchandising and ultimately hiring and firing Willie realized his passion for personal growth and a team environment could be fulfilled through his business. Growing the business over fifteen years Willie realized the need for greater education on the realities of the 'real world'. Working with young people and lifer employees alike Willie developed training techniques and educational techniques to help build and empower people to maximize their abilities and their life.
"The current education system is not set up to help people maximize their own abilities and constantly leaves students and people without the correct skills or motivation to be happy with their lives. I wanted to help change the perception of work being evil and help people harness their true strengths so they could maximize their earning potential but most importantly their every day lives."
Willie, also an Earnst and Young Nominee for Entrepeneur of the year, still lives in North Vancouver where he and his business partners help people reach their true potentials through educational seminars, regular media articles, open forum discussion and finding physical balance. Willie continues to challenge himself and his comfort zone by actively participating in events and new activities so he can see what the world has to offer.
Check out the first book in the Hire Me series here.