Vice President - Matt Soldner

From Athlete to Coach: Empowering Others Through Dedication & Elite Performance

Work ethic and dedication have defined me since the day my athletic career began. I joined GP Training to continue my lifelong passion for performance, health, and fitness.

Growing up as a four-sport athlete, I competed in football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. In high school, I

focused on football and baseball, leading my conference championship football team in receiving touchdowns. I went on to play Junior College football at Central Lakes College, where I helped the team win an MCAC Championship as the starting slot receiver and long snapper.

I continued my journey at Adams State University (NCAA Division II), where I started on special teams and contributed as a backup wide receiver before transitioning to outside linebacker/strong safety. Despite battling injuries, I recorded 36 tackles my senior season and earned my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, completing my internship under my Head Strength & Conditioning Coach.

After college, I pursued professional football in Europe, playing two seasons in the German Football League (GFL). In 2022, I led the league in interceptions and interception return yards with the Pforzheim Wilddogs, helping the team to an undefeated season. In 2023, I joined the New Yorker Lions and was ranked the #8 player in the GFL despite being injured toward the end of the season.

During my off-seasons, I trained youth athletes and provided 1-on-1 nutrition coaching through my company - Direct Health - helping clients build sustainable performance and wellness habits. In 2024, I joined Crunch Fitness in Minnesota, where I was promoted from Personal Trainer to Manager, and later served as Personal Training Director for nine months.

Our founder Garrett & I met as teammates while attending Adams State University. Our comradery developed into a lasting friendship. We realized we share an equal drive, ambition, values, ethics, and always wanted to work together in some capacity. Now, as Vice President and Athletic Performance Coach at GP Training, I’ve returned to my true passion - training athletes to reach elite levels of performance while helping a diverse range of people rediscover their strength, energy, and confidence through movement and healthy living.