Matthew Gay of Virginia Beach wants to get you in shape physically and spiritually.
The 34-year-old certified personal trainer incorporates biblical principles into his coaching. He specializes in corrective exercise, nutrition, weight loss, behavior change and solutions for healthy living.
“My faith plays a major role in my life,” Gay said. “It’s something that moves people to take action despite obstacles. It moves beyond logic and fear to grab hold of what potentially lies before us.”
Gay, whose his faith is rooted in Jesus, said he wants to point people toward more than just a smaller waistline. Tying faith and fitness together is how he’s managed to help so many clients create a healthy lifestyle.
“I help people connect their health habits to their deepest convictions and cares,” he said. “It makes the fitness journey more meaningful and longer lasting.”
When Gay first became a health coach in 2013, he spent lots of money on supplements, read many bodybuilding magazines and followed other fitness influencers on YouTube. He even dabbled in testosterone.
Eventually, he stopped following everyone’s advice and looked to the Scriptures for answers. Once he started making biblical connections with his health practices, Gay said his life changed.
In 2020, he started Fit Church United and began integrating biblical principals into his coaching program. He’s hosted numerous free workouts around Hampton Roads in partnership with local churches to offer fitness, fellowship and encouragement.
His program uses an approach called the Kingdom Fit Blueprint. While rooted in the teachings of the Bible, the strategies are also backed by science. The program is broken down into five pillars: biblical nutrition, cardio and steps, resistance training, sleep and recovery and commitment to God.
“Matthew’s Fit Church workouts have been great for our congregation and furnish a vital part of Christian ministry that is often overlooked — holistic care,” said Steven Roby, pastor of Water’s Edge Church in Virginia Beach. “In a day where more and more people are living with unnecessary chronic illnesses due to poor health habits, Matthew has a critical message with practical solutions regarding things needed for the body.”
Gay recently released a book called “FIT Church: Destroying the Division between Following Christ and Living a Healthy Life” that presents the case for a Christ-centered approach to health and fitness. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, the book is a comprehensive guide on how to balance physical and spiritual health. Readers can find the book at Amazon.com, the Apple iTunes store or Barnes and Noble.
“The pillars in my program support the lifestyle and goals of every client,” Gay said. “They look different from person to person. They are fundamental to the success of everyone I work with.”
For more information, visit fitchurchunited.com.
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
