Metal, Muscles, and Meal Prep - Matthew Diana's Fitness Journey Rocks

Matthew Diana isn't your average fitness guru. This ISSA Master Trainer and 2020 ISSA x REIGN scholarship winner has a backstory that's as unique as his approach to health and wellness. From teenage meal prepper to touring metal drummer, this fitness leader has always been driven by his passion for health.

Most of us were chowing down on whatever we could find as teens, but not Matthew. This guy was ahead of the curve, whipping up his own meals at just 16 years old! He realized early on that the food he ate directly impacted how he felt. Matthew shared, "When I was younger, I just knew that it was the food that was making me feel the way I felt."

This early awareness set Matthew on a path of nutritional exploration. While his peers were grabbing fast food, Matthew was researching healthy eating habits and experimenting with meal prep. "There weren't anywhere near as many outlets back then than there is now to figure this out yourself," he recalls. "There was no ChatGPT. Google was nowhere near where it is now." Despite these challenges, Matthew persevered, focusing on whole foods like fruits and vegetables.

Drumsticks, Microphones and Protein Shakes

Fast forward to 2015-2017, and Matthew's living the dream as a musician in a metal band. While he started his musical journey as a drummer at age 18, by this time he had taken on the role of lead singer. But he didn't ditch his healthy habits on tour. Matthew brought a huge cooler filled with prepped meals on the road. He says, "I would continuously fill it up with ice because I didn't have ice packs and I would always find a kitchen."

Matthew's dedication to fitness didn't stop at meal prep. He found creative ways to stay active while on tour. "I researched which gyms were literally everywhere and had nice showers," he explains. "Anytime Fitness is literally everywhere. I mean, I would sometimes go to these venues and there was an Anytime Fitness five minutes from it."

The coolest part? Matthew's band mates and other touring musicians started noticing. When they ran low on cash and energy from constant fast food, they'd turn to Matthew for his homemade meals. He recalls, "They turned to me and were like, 'Hey man, we're running low on money and the tour is still another week or two. Can we have some of your meals?'" Matthew's response? "Don't even worry about it. Here, just I'll make more."

This experience sparked an idea in Matthew's entrepreneurial mind. He realized there was a need for healthy, affordable meal options for touring musicians. It was the seed that would later grow into his unique approach to fitness and nutrition coaching.

From Mosh Pits to Fitness Hits

After his touring days, Matthew took his passion for fitness and nutrition to the next level. He became an ISSA certified personal trainer and nutritionist, eventually earning the title of ISSA Master Trainer. Now, he's helping others achieve their health goals with a unique twist on personal training.

Matthew's journey to becoming a certified trainer wasn't without its challenges. He tried various certification programs before finding his home with ISSA. "I started looking over and had a couple people be like, 'Hey, you should check ISSA out,'" he remembers. "ISSA  had the perfect blending of the knowledge and not being so formal and just easier and digestible for me."

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The Ultimate Meal Prep Maestro

Matthew's current approach to client care is next-level awesome. He doesn't just create nutrition plans - he executes them 100% by cooking and delivering meals to his clients! As he puts it, "I execute that nutrition plan 100% by also cooking them the food, and delivering it to them, so that they literally just have to eat, and they're done."

He's got this super detailed system where he calculates exactly what each client needs to eat daily, plans out their meals to the gram, and even breaks down the food costs. Matthew explains, "I know exactly how much they need to eat every day. So then I do that for a week's worth and then I literally break it down by going online to the grocery store where I do my own shopping. I like to be able to show my clients how affordable it can be for them to eventually do it on their own."

This comprehensive approach stems from Matthew's belief in removing all barriers to success. "As a human being, we're not perfect," he acknowledges. "We never want to be perfect because that would make life very boring. But someone that's used to having excuses... I've realized, why don't I just strip away every single possible excuse for these people?"

Rocking the Fitness World

Matthew Diana's path from teenage meal prepper to metal drummer to ISSA Master Trainer is proof that you can pursue your passions while prioritizing health and fitness. His unique approach to client care, blending personal training with  personalized meal prep, sets him apart in the fitness world.

But Matthew's commitment to helping people doesn't stop at physical health. He's expanded his expertise to include wealth management, recognizing that financial well-being is just as crucial to overall life satisfaction as physical fitnes.

From Fitness to Finances: A Holistic Approach

Matthew's passion for helping people live their best lives has led him to explore the world of financial wellness. He's educated himself on the Infinite Banking Concept, a financial strategy that emphasizes paying yourself first and recapturing your money.

"I feel like health and wealth are two things that people really want and need," Matthew explains. "Unfortunately, our school systems don't teach us either of these things." This realization drove him to become a licensed insurance agent and join several mentorship groups focusing on various investment vehicles.

Matthew's financial expertise now includes:

• Short transactional lending

• Real estate investing

• Creative financing

• The Infinite Banking Concept

By combining his fitness knowledge with financial guidance, Matthew aims to be a one-stop shop for clients looking to improve both their physical and financial health. "If you need your wealth and health increased, which I think most people do, you can come to me and I can help you," he says.

This holistic approach reflects Matthew's understanding that true wellness encompasses more than just physical fitness. It's about creating a balanced, fulfilling life where both your body and your bank account are in great shape.

As Matthew says, "I love helping people." And it shows in everything he does! His journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the right education. Whether you're a budding fitness professional or someone just starting their health journey, Matthew's story proves that with dedication and the right tools, you can rock your fitness goals and help others do the same.