Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Sheets.
Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Be Strong began as a simple idea: that strength training could be more than just workouts; it could be a vehicle for service, integrity, and real community. I started Be Strong in Chattanooga with a few clients in the middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic. This dream was fueled by a deep belief in doing things the right way, and a clear mission: to help people become the strongest version of themselves in every area of life.
Over time, that mission grew. What started in a small studio gym space with a few dumbbells has become a thriving community built on trust, personalized coaching, and meaningful transformation. I didn’t build Be Strong to be the biggest; I built it to be the most intentional. And that’s still what drives us today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting Be Strong wasn’t glamorous. I didn’t have outside investors, a big name, or a roadmap to follow. Just a deep conviction that people deserved better in an industry known for sub-par coaching and lack of alignment with client goals. Instead, I believed I could create a reputable business known for prioritizing integrity, service, and real human connection.
In the early days, I was doing everything: training clients, cleaning the gym, managing client acquisition, and learning how to run a business by trial and error. There were weeks I wasn’t sure how I’d pay rent, days I questioned if I had what it took to lead something bigger than myself, and moments of isolation that come with building something from scratch.
What made it harder, but also more meaningful, was choosing to do it differently. We didn’t chase trends or sell empty promises. We focused on consistency, quality coaching, and treating people with care. That meant slower growth, but it also meant real growth. The kind that lasts.
Be Strong has taught me that strength doesn’t just come from lifting weights, it comes from showing up when it’s hard, leading with humility, and staying grounded in your values even when no one’s watching.
Now, Be Strong is more than a gym, it’s a reflection of every lesson I’ve learned the hard way. And that’s what makes it so personal, and so worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Be Strong Health and Fitness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Be Strong Health and Fitness was founded to serve Chattanooga, Tennessee with expert level personal training and fitness coaching. We work with our clients based on their individual needs, providing the guidance and coaching needed to meet their goals. We prioritize a practical and sustainable approach through our coaching, and we believe that health and fitness should enhance one’s life regardless of strength or experience level.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always observant and thoughtful, never the loudest in the room, but always paying attention. I loved learning, especially when I could connect ideas to real life. I was naturally disciplined, often more comfortable with structure and focus than chaos and crowds.
Sports and movement gave me an outlet in a chaotic childhood. I loved the feeling of working toward something physical, of pushing boundaries and seeing what I was capable of. But just as much, I was drawn to helping others, whether it was encouraging a teammate or quietly supporting a friend.
I wasn’t driven by spotlight or recognition, I was driven by purpose, by doing things well, and by the belief that consistency could build something meaningful. That same foundation has shaped how I train, how I lead, and how I live today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bestronghealth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestronghealthfitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestronghealthfitness
