Peer respect

“I started seeing Matt Kirk as a massage therapist in September, 2009. I’d heard about Bowen Therapy before, but never found someone who had studied it, so Matt’s technique was immediately different to anything I’d experienced.

After my first treatment, I felt a profound difference in the way my body was working.  I’d always suffered from a weak lower back and incredibly tight neck and shoulders, and had seen many Osteopaths and masseuses before, but Matt’s treatment made me feel improvement on a large scale.  I was so impressed I had four consecutive weekly treatments, then started seeing Matt as a trainer.  I’d been training and working in the fitness industry for years, but he made me take my program back to basics and has improved my yoga teaching amazingly.

He has a keen eye for correct technique, and doesn’t let anything slip past him.  His knowledge and passion for the body and the way it works is amazing, and while I have access to many different trainers through my work, Matt is the only one I would trust my body to. If you want someone who is patient, enthusiastic and encouraging to help you make a permanent and profound change to the way you move, Matt is the person to see.

His impressive qualifications set him apart from most trainers you’ll encounter, and whether you’re someone looking to start exercising for the first time, or needing some sports specific training, he’s got you covered.”

Emma Honey
Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, Life Coach

Strength and Conditioning

It only took a couple of sessions working with Matt for me to realise I had finally found someone who was not only knowledgeable enough but also committed enough to help me overcome my injuries and achieve my sporting goals.

I have a background in distance running and triathlon (running being my passion) and have competed at an elite level. Unfortunately various injuries eventually forced me out of both sports. I’m now 36 and a mother of two and about a year ago the desire to compete returned to me. I tried to run but as in the past injuries continued to slow me down. After months of intense physio (and even meetings with surgeons) and still not able to run I made the difficult decision to forget about running and buy a bike. Sadly, I succumbed to the idea that my running days were over.

After being on the bike for 6 months, training under a coach and even managing to compete at the state titles late last year I developed a knee injury. Once again I tried physio but without much success. I began to feel as if I’d lost the battle not only physically but also mentally until by chance I came across Matt and his very effective and common sense approach to my issues. This approach was different from any one I’d seen before (physio, doctors, osteos etc) but straight away I felt positive that what he was doing was going to help me.

Matt’s knowledge of the body and the way it works, his power of observation, his ability to apply his knowledge to me as an individual and his commitment, are by far the best I have ever come across. He has identified my areas of weakness and areas of potential injury and we are working hard together to improve these weaknesses. He has also applied his knowledge of posture and movement efficiency to me on the bike, changing my position and allowing me to feel considerably stronger and more comfortable.

After only two months of working with Matt, I competed in, and won the Victorian Masters State Road Time Trial Championships and was thrilled. Matt has, in such a short time, dramatically changed the way I feel, the way I hold myself and the way I move. With Matt leading me I am well on my way to achieving a strong and balanced body which I know will be more efficient in the way it moves and far less likely to break down under the stresses I subject it to. And I’m not only back on the bike but am back on the running track and loving it!!!

As an experienced athlete Matt is truly a breath of fresh air for me and my training. I’m excited about continuing to work with Matt and continuing to learn from him and am also excited about sharing my experience with as many others as possible (athletes or not). Matt really has a lot to offer.

Lisa Nelson
former Australian Triathlon team member

Posture

I have always been active and reasonably fit and have a lifelong involvement in competitive sports. I first met Matt in 2009 after I’d aggravated a long term back injury water skiing giving me not only a short term “big headache” and neck pain, but also impacting my work as I was unable to sit for very long without getting a very sore hip. I was so impressed with Matt’s approach – not only did the massage treatment work and provide relief he also provided me with some very practical exercises at the end of the session to begin to correct some of my long term issues associated with the old injury and resulting poor posture that had occurred over years.

I was impressed enough to decide to take on some personal training with Matt as well as the massage to improve my posture and get fitter & stronger. Over a relatively short period of time with Matt’s careful help and attention to detail I was able to undertake a program that suited my individual needs and really see and feel the results. Matt was easily able to work with me on a regular basis both in person, as well as via email and phone to ensure I was doing the right things for my needs. I am fitter and stronger than I was 20 years ago and confident that I can continue to improve and manage my posture going forward.

I now see Matt on an ongoing semi regular basis to correct some of my exercises and add to my program, and for massage treatment as I need a lot less treatment both massage and chiropractic than I used to which is amazing. I continue to be impressed by Matt’s knowledge of the body, fitness and human movement and his ability to see just what his clients need and tailor their program or treatments to each person’s unique needs.

Robyn N – Ashburton

Professionalism

I had been having ongoing back issues for 3 year and had seen numerous different therapists and medical experts regarding the condition I was suffering. Some of these “professionals” were even employed by AFL teams as recovery trainers. Although they were able to provide temporary relief and/or short term recovery the same injury would resurface within a short period of time. After I was referred to Matt Kirk by a friend, I called him on a public holiday when I could not get in to see any of my regular therapists.

He returned my call within less than an hour and had me in for an appointment the next day. At the time I was barely able to walk and was in constant spasming pain. He immediately upon meeting was able to diagnose my issues from my visual appearance and then started on the Bowen Therapy. The results of the applied therapy were startling. I immediately felt massive relief and was able to walk freely again after the first session. The results multiplied on themselves, I was able to walk completely pain free and within a next few days I was able to run again.

I have had no recurring issues since seeing Matt, if I had seen him 3 years ago I would have saved myself a lot of pain and torment. I found Matt’s professionalism to be exceptional and I have no reservations about referring his services to others.

Terence V – Brunswick
“The Hunting Club”

Attention to Detail

I first met Matt as a massage therapist at my local gym when I was suffering from a chronic lower back problem mainly associated with my job.  I remember clearly him telling me I needed to “get strong”.  Given I felt I had a reasonable level of fitness and exercised almost every day I was truly taken back however, challenged by this, I embarked on a “Matt Kirk get strong programme” – it has truly changed my life and I now understand the difference between being fit and being fit and strong.  I no longer suffer from any back pain, can continue to do the job I am trained for and feel fantastic. Matt’s approach to progressively improving your condition really works, it’s motivating, and it’s challenging but best of all it’s really rewarding!

Now when I am at my gym I see so many people performing exercise routines that are almost futile.  Matt helps you perfect your technique to get the most out of every single exercise………most people don’t understand how important this is.  I see Matt once a month to train and update my training homework and massage every 6 to 8 weeks, my back, neck and shoulders are now pain free.

The other thing I love is I no longer need to go to the gym to do Matt’s training programme, I can do it in the backyard, at the park or on the beach when I’m on holidays.

Matts also the most amazing masseur, he finds sore spots you don’t even know you have! 

Julie P – Ashburton

Massage and Training for Injury Prevention

Bulla runs a comprehensive workplace wellness program and it is via this program that we engaged Matt Kirk. Matt initially provided remedial massage to staff at one of our factories. Factory work is physically demanding and involves repetitive movement, lifting of moderate weights and long periods of standing upright. Some of our staff has physical restrictions which, unless carefully managed, can result in increased damage as a result of the work environment.
The massage program was very well received by all staff who participated. Staff reported feeling more energized, free from aches and pains and generally feeling really good following their 20-minute massage session. Many team members had not experienced remedial massage before and everyone was generally very positive about the experience.

We were looking for an activity that was more about building morale than repairing injuries, and in this respect the massage program was extremely effective. People continued to speak positively of the massage program, and about Matt personally, for months after the program concluded. I experienced the program myself and I believe that Matt is one of the most capable massage therapists operating in Melbourne today.
Matt also ran a boot camp for our corporate head office. Matt’s program was perfectly designed for people of all fitness levels, and focused on educating people about how to use their bodies effectively. A few of us were sporting acute or chronic injuries, and Matt was able to help us to address our injuries very effectively with a range of customised exercises.
Matt’s emphasis on efficient human movement was very different from other boot camps I have participated in outside the work environment. I would be wary of running a traditional boot camp in a work environment due to the risks of causing sporting injuries to staff. Matt’s program eliminated this risk, as everyone was able to work at their own pace and with sensitivity to pre-existing injuries.
In summary, I think very highly of Matt’s skills and approach and would wholeheartedly recommend him to businesses and individuals who are looking for fitness training or therapeutic massage services.

Justin Downey
General Manager Human and Culture
Bulla Dairy Foods

Achieving goals with increasing confidence

Training with Matt was recommended to me by my Mother who had been working with Matt for some time and had seen amazing results in her health, fitness, wellbeing and waistline.

I’m 28 and I’ve always hated physical activity. I loathed PE at school and would go to great lengths to avoid public demonstrations of physical prowess. This led to me having a low confidence in my body image and my body’s capabilities… and these feelings would cycle round again to not wanting to engage in exercise and so on and so forth.

It was the lead up to my wedding and I was anxious about committing myself to a regular training regime when exercising and dieting by myself had never lead to sustained change. What if I committed to three days a week and still didn’t see the results that I wanted? What if it was all too hard? What if I couldn’t keep up with the other people in the group?

As it turns out all these fears and worries were unfounded and quickly dispelled in my first one on one session with Matt. Matt’s approachable, warm and friendly personality is strongly complimented by his professionalism and holistic practice philosophy.

We started small. Posture, neck position, walking… the building blocks of good balance and effective efficient movement and gradually built up to sprinting longer and longer distances, lifting heavier weights and hovering longer to the point where I barely recognised the person who had started training with Matt originally.

Matt started where I was at and helped me to feel confident in my physical ability and my body for the very first time. I now feel like I can trust my body to not let me down.

I was married in April 2012. I looked and felt fantastic. I would highly recommend Matt Kirk to anyone looking to improve their health, wellbeing and outlook in a fun, vibrant partnership.

Megan J

Health and Wellbeing Improvement

“Working with Matt is the best thing I have ever done for my health. I recently began to work with Matt to improve my general fitness and strength and to lose the excess weight I had carried for most of my life. Following Matt’s initial assessment of my state of health, we developed an eating and exercise plan that I am still following with ease weeks later. It’s actually something that I can see myself sticking to for the rest of my life. It’s not so much of a diet but a happy lifestyle change.  I am fitter and have more flexibility than I have had since I was 20. My core strength is improving and the aches and pains I was suffering from have eased. My posture is improving, and I thoroughly enjoy working with Matt every week. Most importantly for me, I have so
much more energy and I have lost my goal of 5 kilos in just over 6 weeks and I have Matt to thank for that!”
Paul B, Kew

Weight loss and long term weight management

“My name is Ann, I’m a fifty two year old married woman and have a busy, demanding life. I’ve always struggled with my weight from my teenage years, where I would starve myself through the week so I could eat and ‘join in’ on the weekends. I’ve had two tummy tucks, have gained and lost 40kg, (doing it on 700 calories a day over 5 months), just to put it all back on within a couple of years. This yo-yo dieting contributed to my becoming a type II diabetic at age forty with the added bonus of
high blood pressure. I’d lost confidence in myself and my body’s abilities. My self esteem slipped and I had many self doubts.  I’d been depressed about my weight and lack of fitness, feeling much older than my 51 years. This was compounded by having had a back injury 15 years ago and more recently, a shoulder injury, limiting my movements. I was very frightened of re-injuring myself. I found myself slipping silently into ‘old age’ and was terrified of never again feeling truly alive, being unable to participate in life to its full extent.

I went to see Matt Kirk in September 2009 through a professional recommendation and haven’t looked back! With the elimination of ‘diet foods’ and introduction of a normal nutritionally balanced diet, (which was much easier than I thought) along with a graduated fitness program tailored to my needs, my journey began.  Matt slowly increased my confidence in my own physicality and restored my belief in myself through his unique style of personal training. Matt encourages and challenges in a supportive, non threatening fun way, often using humour as the catalyst to urge me that bit further. An example of this is my
fear of running and skipping believing it would reinjure my back. Within the first week Matt showed me how to safely skip, first just swinging the rope with one hand and listening for the tap on the ground or its beat. A few sessions later I would jump to the beat (not the rope), and I realised the world didn’t stop, nothing bad happened and my back was fine. A very non threatening approach to what I now see as a unrealistic fear.

I’ve gained strength, flexibility, mobility, energy and increased fitness. My posture’s greatly improved along with my physique. I’ve lost 22kg, dropping 4 clothing sizes. I now go into normal clothing shops and buy off the rack! I enjoy clothes shopping and feel good about myself when I look in the mirror. My diabetes is well controlled with the added bonus of greatly reducing my medication. Finally I can get off that ‘weight loss’ roller coaster, confident that I‘ve found the right combination for permanent results.  Feeling fitter, healthier, happier and more integrated into my life, I now look forward, not back to an exciting,
challenging life ahead! My goal is to run a half marathon, with Matt’s help I’m sure this is achievable.  Thank you Matt!”

Ann, Melbourne

Reaching My Goals

I found Matt whilst searching for a new personal trainer in Matt’s area. From the initial phone call, I felt comfortable with meeting Matt and coming along to one of his group training sessions.

From the first session, he got me straight to work on my posture and learning how to adjust my body position whilst walking and running to prevent injury.

General gym programs make me feel very unmotivated as I am the type of person who needs variety to keep me interested and to encourage me to keep coming back. I find the variety of Matt’s sessions really refreshing as they are constantly changing and adapting to my strength and abilities. A year later, I continue to enjoy being motivated by Matt and the other members of the group to challenge myself and to take on larger weights or to add a couple more reps!

As an added bonus from working with Matt, my shoulder and neck problems from working in an office has been significantly reduced from a once-a-fortnight appointment with an osteopath to once every six months as a preventative measure. I was not expected this improvement by joining Matt’s group fitness sessions but with Matt and his focus on body positioning and posture, I am now reaping the rewards.

I feel stronger and more confident within myself and I have Matt to thank!

Thanks Matt!

Nat Melbourne