Hello everyone. My name is Matt Erhart. I am twenty-four years old and currently reside in Kansas City where I work for the largest non-governmental financial securities regulator in the United States. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Kansas. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! In May of 2009 I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Finance with minors in Entrepreneurship and Psychology. I graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors, having earned a 4.0 cumulative GPA. I was the recipient of the Frank T. Stockton Beta Gamma Sigma Key Award, awarded each year to the one business school student with the most distinguished undergraduate academic record. During my time at the University of Kansas I was actively involved in the Undergraduate Business Council, the Finance Scholars Program, and the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. I also held positions as a Business Calculus II Tutor and a Teaching Assistant for Managerial Economics. I am originally from Valley Falls, KS, a small town in rural Northeastern Kansas.
For as long as I can remember I have always been very active. During my senior year in high school I began to strength train for the purpose of improving athletic performance. I continued to strength train in college when I first began to witness noticeable changes in my physique, the development of muscle mass and tone. As the physical changes became more apparent, so too did my passion for training. As a naturally competitive, results-driven person, I challenge myself every day to continuously improve my body. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse; there is no such thing as maintaining.
The general public has formed stereotypes for people like me, those who take pride in being physically fit and who strive for the perfect body. Often we are mislabeled as “meatheads”, one dimensional, selfish individuals, who care solely about our physical appearance and who are incapable of success outside of the athletic arena. I can’t find this stereotype to be further from the truth. The same characteristics needed to achieve elite physical fitness are the same fundamental characteristics required to achieve elite status in any avenue of life, whether it be in one’s career or personal relationships. To me these three universal characteristics are: hard work, discipline, and passion.
My goal is to never be content but to always be proud. I believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being average, but there is everything wrong with wanting to be average. I have made it a priority in my life to differentiate myself from the pack. To achieve the things that most people can’t means to do the things that most people won’t. I can’t tell you that it’s going to be easy, because it’s not. But I can tell you that it will be worth it. The most rewarding thing in life is to have a passion and to know that you are doing everything in your power to be the best you can possibly be at that passion.
In essence I hope to change people’s perceptions of individuals who are passionate about physical fitness and to inspire others to live a healthier, more active life. I want to demonstrate to others that good physical health provides you with the energy as well as the confidence to excel in all aspects of life. The human being is a combination of the body and mind. Don’t underestimate the impact of the body on the mind.
I initially met John Mitchell through a college friend, Dan Freed, who spoke volumes to John’s work. John is a first-class photographer, but more importantly, he is a first-class person. John is very supportive and looks out for the best interest of his models. He is easygoing but sets the bar high. I would definitely recommend John to anyone in the fitness industry, whether you are a first-timer like me, or an experienced veteran. John is the epitome of professionalism and class. I am very appreciative to have had the opportunity to work with John Mitchell and look forward to working with him in the future. Thank you John!
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