Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Thomas.
Hi Matt, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
While competing as a boxer at the University of Georgia, I tore up my shoulder in a match. After my surgery, I started doing yoga to come back stronger and stave off future injury. In the process, I fell in love with the practice of yoga and found uncanny parallels and balance between the world of combat sports and yoga.
As I explored yoga more, I also became curious in martial arts. In 4 years, I traveled to over 30 countries and learned from every yogi and martial artist I could find; from Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand to Hatha yoga in Kolkata, India; from boxing by a Cuban Olympic coach to Kung-Fu by a multi-time European champion; from my ashtanga 200-hour yoga teacher training from lululemon to my Tai Chi certification from Harvard. I fell in love with the yin and yang of martial arts and yoga, and found incredible benefits for core strength, flexibility, mobility, coordination, and balance by combining the two in one training method, Fight and Flow.
Now, Fight and Flow has over 50 certified trainers in 5 countries with its headquarters in Atlanta. We grew through virtual training during the pandemic and now offer multiple in-person classes per week all over Atlanta, thanks to gym partners like X3 Sports, a local leader in MMA and fitness. Learn more at www.fightandflow.co or @FightandFlow on IG / TW.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Fight and Flow serves two main populations, young females (like the majority of other fitness concepts) and aging men. The latter is especially close to heart, seeing as I’m an aging man myself. Prior to needing yoga, I judged it. The sanskrit chants, tight pants, and female-dominated classes made me uncomfortable. No one wants to be the creepy old guy in a yoga class or feel silly trying to learn poses and movements unfamiliar to the western male body.
That being said, men arguably need the benefits of yoga the most. Our hips and backs are the first things to go, especially after decades of brutal contact sports, sitting hunched over in office chairs on top of the general wear and tear of life. Yoga has benefitted bodies for thousands of years in the east and is still underserved in the west. One of the main intentions of Fight and Flow is to change this, especially for men who need its medicinal movement to be more accessible.
The largest challenge we’ve faced is how to communicate to and recruit those most in need. Often, it’s too late when it hurts to get out of bed, look over a shoulder, or bend down to pick something up. If we can help people find and use these ancient movement practices in martial arts and yoga sooner, we can have a happier, healthier, more productive population to make the world a better place. So, if you’re reading this, tell a friend (or your dad)!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been an entrepreneur in the health and wellness space since college. I started a kick-ass non-profit called Brawl for a Cause, which empowers everyday people to literally fight and fundraise for what they believe in most. I still direct it, and we have our first event since the pandemic coming back in Spring 2023.
I’ve been an early employee at two successful Atlanta-based start-ups, SalesLoft ($2.4 billion exit) and Roadie ($580 million exit). I’ve built businesses in social media, virtual wellness, and fitness. I love advising, angel investing, and supporting the start-up ecosystem in Atlanta and beyond any way I can.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m involved with a few other projects. Check out:
– Chessboxing (2018 World Champion, Captain of Team USA)
– WellFests Virtual Wellness (@WellFests)
– Brawl for a Cause (@BrawlforaCause)
– OutPost Chess (@OutpostChess)
Connect with me: www.matthewjohnthomas.com
Matt@fightandflow.co
Pricing:
- Fight and Flow Certification ($299)
- Fight and Flow Class (Free 1st class at any X3 Sports location)
- Chessboxing, hosted by Ludwig in LA (Tickets here)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fightandflow.co
- Instagram: Instangram.com/movingwithmatt
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattThomas_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoA1SsCoHRTE4FmNJBnHDQ
- Other: Instagram.com/fightandflow
Image Credits
Kersti Niglas
