Meet Matt Jasper of 5G Fitness and BeneBites

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Jasper.

Hi Matt, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a husband, father, and owner of my own personal training company and co-owner of a meal prep business. The first two titles, husband and father, were ones I always knew I wanted to be, the other two were a journey.

With a double major in Accounting and Finance from Grand Valley State University, I started my professional career in banking, but sports, fitness, coaching, teaching, and helping others has always been my passion. After 3 years in banking, I started part-time personal training. Working as a trainer from 4am-7am, the credit union from 7:30-5, then back to the gym from 6-9pm, after 3 months I was feeling burnt out. I ended up taking the leap into full time training at a commercial gym. I loved training, but I couldn’t help people my way, and the gym and the training company took their cut, so the pay wasn’t enough for what I wanted in a the future, a family. After 3 years full time training I went back into banking and worked there for 7 more years until a call from a former personal training client pulled me away to become the Chief Accounting Officer of a dermatology office. At this point, it looked like I made it. C-level position, 6 figures, built a brand new house on the family land on a road named after my family, and I had a 4 month old daughter.

But I wasn’t happy. I always knew I would get back into training, my way. I thought I would work the C-level job for 3 years, have my brand new house paid off, then it would be a safer time to start my own business. But each morning I’d look at my baby girl and think, I can’t be this dad. I have to lead by example. I can’t be the dad who says “follow your dreams” if I wasn’t following mine. Do as I say, not as I do wasn’t going to be how I parent. Watch me.

So I quit. New house, new baby, no stable income or benefits (my wife is also self employed). I started personal training out of my parents garage. Then put up a building for my wife’s salon, Salon 2110, and my training business, 5G Fitness – being the 5th generation to work on the family land.

4.5 years later here we are. Working with over 40 clients, hundreds of pounds lost, confidence and strength gained, and I absolutely love what I do and the people I work with. Donating thousands of dollars to charity ($1 per session trained is donated). Started a meal prep company with a buddy because I felt this area was missing that piece to help get people healthy. And best of all – doing it with my little family, showing my daughter the way and letting her be a part of the mission – eliminate obesity in America, helping every person we can, and impacting my family and others through health and fitness for generations.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
From the how I got here section, the road here was not smooth. The decisions to take the leap weren’t easy. But I give my wife more credit there. It means the world to me to have her with me in all this, and trust me enough to leave the stability for a dream when we had just had a baby (and during COVID). Building a business isn’t easy. Wearing multiple hats – husband, dad, friend, business owner, personal trainer, and all the other jobs with them like janitor, maintenance, and just normal day-to-day, can be exhausting. I start my mornings at 2am. Its the only way to get my work in so I can be the best for everyone else. But it is all worth it. Every day.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
5G Fitness is my personal training business. I have my own studio gym to train my clients in private one-on-one sessions, couples, or groups. I specialize in personal training – emphasis on personal. I feel too much personal training is done through phones, videos, screens, or here is my cookie cutter workout and macros to follow. That isn’t personal. I want to see, coach, adjust, and get to know that person. A good coach knows what makes each person tick. How to motivate. What they like and don’t like. I want to keep personal training personal. Because I love people. I really care about my people. Yes I offer online through an app, because I want to help as many people as possible, and I can’t do that in person. But I love coaching people and seeing people change their lives with the results they get. Fires me up!

My favorite client success story is a mid 50’s year old female. She emailed me about wanting to come talk to me saying it was way outside her comfort zone and was hesitant. She signed up. But she wouldn’t come into the gym until the person ahead of her had left. She was shy, lacked confidence, and in a letter to me later on, was in such a bad spot in life she had pretty much given up. But I was there for her, I wouldn’t give up on her. I helped her learn the right way to do things. She built strength, mental toughness, and lost 75 lbs. But the internal transformation was the most inspiring. She is now part of a 4am workout group I have and workout with Monday – Friday. Working out with 5-6 other people, and is honestly the heart and sole and leader of the group. She is studying to become a personal trainer (and work with me in the future!). I just couldn’t be more proud of what she has achieved and who she has become.

BeneBites is the meal prep company a buddy and I started. Our meals are made fresh – not frozen. Balance macros for real life. Family and locally owned and operated. And it is good for you food that tastes good too! Tasty Bites – Mighty Benefits.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My inspiration. My inspiration is my daughter. I know that doesn’t sound right or make sense, but that is how I have always been. When I was little, it was my younger brother. Now, its my daughter. I find inspiration in knowing there is someone looking up to me. It keeps me pushing myself. It makes me think about every single thing I do. “Would I want this for my brother” “Would I want my daughter to do this” “Would I want my daughter to think like this” “Would I want my daughter to find a future husband that acts or treats her like this”. This constant motivation keeps me going. Pushes me to be better. To lead by example.

I journal daily. I write my mission statement on the top of every page: Be a leader for my family, friends, clients, and community in all areas of life. I will go first and show them the way and how much I care by what I do daily to build the life I want for myself and them. I will eliminate obesity in America – make us strong again and impact my family and others for generations – generational health and wealth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://5gfitness.mypthub.net/3/p/208179
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.jasper.39/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5GFitness
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jasper-910bb118
• Other: https://youtu.be/p6rLCZZwDAg?si=CsJA0sOPmm9AGR6e