A Whole New Self Confidence

“If it wasn’t for you being the motivated coach you are – my entire life would be different. If on that one day in September 2013 you hadn’t recognized my potential and recruited me, I don’t know who I would be today. Without your introduction to the sport, training, exercises, and inspiring coaching, physically and mentally I would be completely different. You helped me reach a new state of fitness and strength I never thought I could achieve. The muscle and skill I have gained through this team has also mentally made a great impact in my life. Becoming stronger has given me a whole new self-confidence and pride in my body that I never would have had without climbing. Your constant help and motivation makes me work harder and keep fighting through the falls. Your coaching and this team has completely changed my life for the better and I am eternally grateful for the role you continue to play in my life. Inside and out you are a strong, natural coach and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you.”

Words don’t do justice…



“Words don’t seem to do justice to the person who is Matt Ferrara. He is a trainer, a coach, an enthusiastic source for a healthier mind, body, and spirit, and a very good guy. This story will help you understand Matt: I was watching my then, novice rock-climbing son, work his way about three-quarters up a 55-foot wall, and I said to Coach Matt, “I can’t see any way for him to move; he is stuck.” Matt responded, “I see hundreds of ways for Jack to keep going.”

That is why Matt is such a good trainer and life coach because he knows that there is more than one way to handle most challenges, whether it strengthening the body through exercise or nutrition or finding the mindfulness to keep going when you want to stop, he finds the way to encourage and motivate people of all ages and skills. Matt is patient, smart, strong, encouraging, and a pleasure to be around.”

A True Coach

“Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a coach as: one who instructs or trains; especially: one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a sport and directs team strategy.

Matthew Ferrara is in every sense of the word a coach. His expertise in rock climbing, physical fitness, and conditioning is top-notch. His attention to detail is only achieved by someone who thoroughly knows his craft. He coaches with dignity and treats all of his students and athletes with respect. Under Matt’s tutelage, my daughter Ella, after 18 months of climbing, advanced all the way to Divisionals Round 2 in the USA Climbing: Speed & Sport Youth competition. This would not have been possible without his expert guidance and coaching throughout the year.

Matt’s influence goes much further than the gym, and his lessons are life lessons. He teaches both of my daughters the value of hard work and to focus on goals. He teaches them to analyze and work through problems and to be persistent when faced with challenges. He teaches them the value of being honest both in and out of the gym and that competition in the gym and in life is ultimately with themselves.

Matt is consistently professional and a tremendous coach. He has my highest recommendation, and I am happy to provide more details if any additional information is needed.”

A Positive Role Model

“I am so grateful that we met in September 2013. You personally invited my daughter, Madison, to visit the gym and consider joining the team. She was so honored you recognized her abilities, a huge confidence builder for a 13-year-old girl. Madison became a stronger young woman physically and mentally due to your patience, expertise, commitment, and kindness over the years. Your natural ability to coach and motivate all the kids in the gym is commendable. Our youth have very few positive role models and as a mother, I am so very blessed to have you as a coach and a friend. Thank you for helping Madison become the confident strong young woman she is today. We look forward to many more years!

My Children Love You!

“I just want to say that although my beautiful, smart, and amazing rock climbing daughter is not advancing to Nationals, I would like to thank our wonderful coach Matthew Ferrara. Without him, our children wouldn’t have made it as far as they have. Matt, you work hard to better our children’s character as well as their talent and you mean so much to our team and their parents. My children love you so much that they have adopted you into our family and think of you as an uncle. Thank you Matt for being you and caring for our children’s minds, health, and character.”

He’s your guy, through and through!

In 2010, I suffered an unfortunate surgical complication that resulted in severe compartment syndrome in my left leg which almost resulted in amputation. During my 87-day stay in the hospital, Matthew frequently visited always helping me keep a positive attitude about my situation and helping me manifest a mental and physical regimen on how I was going to strengthen my leg, body, and mind back to the condition they were before surgery.

Through indoor rock climbing, regular hikes, ample stretching, yoga/meditation, and an inexorable focus on staying positive and motivated to keep going, Matthew truly helped with my rehab and mental state on a level I can never truly put into words. Anyone from any walk of life and background would highly benefit from even just being in a room with Matthew, let alone getting direct training from him. He’s your guy, through and through! Regardless of the personal and physical goals you are setting, Matthew will absolutely help you achieve them as long as you’re willing to put the work in! SEND IT!”

Pushed Past My Fear!

“Climbing is something that I always enjoyed, but I always felt like a beginner. Many times I avoided trying certain routes, out of fear of failure. I never thought I would be as good as “real climbers”. Then I met Matt. I remember the very first time we climbed together and he suggested I try a route. I looked up at it and said, “There’s no way! I can’t do that one.” He replied, “Not with that attitude you can’t.” A little light bulb went off in my mind and I realized that if I could adjust my attitude and try, I might actually be able to do it. Matt pushed me to keep trying and to push past my fears.

His expertise and coaching technique is incredible. From climbing with him just a few times and making a small foot adjustment here, and a body weight shift there – the precise instructions from Matt had me suddenly feeling like a “real climber” and succeeding where I had previously failed. I became brave enough to try things that were way out of my league, just for the fun of it, because why not? The old me wouldn’t have even bothered trying. I don’t know a better coach out there. If you’re looking for the person to help you get to the top, Matt is the absolute best. He will change your mindset, your athletic abilities, and your technique, and he might be the most patient and encouraging human on the planet. You’ll come away better, in every sense of the word.”

Excellent knowledge of musculature and anatomy...



Matt Ferrara has been my trainer for approximately one year. Every single workout Matt has created for me has been thorough, effective, and yes, fun.

Maybe not as fun as drinking beer and eating French fries, but to the extent that a good workout can be fun, Matt makes it fun!

As a consequence, I’m more fit now than I have been in quite some time.

Matt is always upbeat, easy-going, and encouraging as any fine trainer would be, but in addition, he never fails to assess any specific needs or aches and pains I may have on a given day.

Using his excellent knowledge of musculature and anatomy, Matt then customizes my workout on the fly to address those needs and to avoid causing or worsening any injury.

As I'm 60 years old, these aspects of Matt’s work are particularly helpful to me.

The bottom line is that I would recommend Matt Ferrara highly to anyone and everyone as a personal trainer or in any other situation where a perceptive and talented person is required.