My journey to coaching
I love to coach…period!
After over two years of tumultuous and uncertain times, many people lost their way, mentally, physically and spiritually. I felt a huge push to want to help get people back on track. So after 10 months of studying under the OPEX Coaching methodology, Merlion Athletic was born - with the goal of helping you to live to YOUR full fitness potential throughout every stage of your life.
From playing and captaining a variety of high school sports, to becoming one of the most widely qualified watersports instructors across a variety of sports, as well as instructing CrossFit and fitness for over 10 years. I am fascinated and excited in helping people find and maintain their true potential.
Prior to Merlion Athletic I co-founded and ran a successful team building company that specialized in helping high performing companies such as Nike, Boeing, Intel and Adidas to build strong internal cultures that allowed each employee and individual to thrive and reach their highest potential both in and out of the work place.
These experiences and the knowledge I gathered have greatly improved my understanding on how to motivate and help create positive change in a wide range of people.
I look forward to helping you on your journey to finding your full potential.
Coach Matt
What is a Merlion?
Growing up in Singapore, the tale of the Merlion (a cross between a mermaid and a lion) is something you learn at a young age.
According to legend, Sang Nila Utama—a Srivijayan prince of Palembang—landed on the shores of the island amidst a tempest at sea. Near the mouth of the Singapore River, the prince spied a strange creature which he identified as a lion, thus giving Singapura its name.
The Merlion has become the National Symbol of Singapore, it’s fish-like body symbolizes Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, known as Temasek (‘lake’ in Malay). The lion head represents the city’s original name of Singapura (lion city in Sanskrit).
For me the Merlion represents a couple of things; the lion head represents strength (of body, mind and soul) as well as the land training and sports I do and coach. The fish body represents flow (being in tune with oneself and your surroundings) and my love of water and water sports.
When both strength and flow are achieved in harmony that is when you begin to live your best life.