Watch Out: Matt Trudeau

Welcome to this week’s episode of Watch Out. I have a special treat for you this week. I want you all to welcome Matt Trudeau. Who is Matt? Matt is a Toronto firefighter and a fitness model.

Hi Matt, it is a pleasure to have you here as my guest this week.

For those readers out there who might not know about fitness modeling, can you tell us a little bit about it?

There’s a few ways to describe fitness modeling.
While a typical model is in good shape, a fitness model is just as the name describes, fit, muscular, and well proportioned. It appeals to a different market group of more athletic looking, and active people. Companies such as Rebok, Nike, and Underarmor, usual hire fitness models to do their advertising. They would also find work on the cover of a magazine like Men’s health, instead of muscle mag.
“Fitness Model” is also a category for many fitness organizations. Men who don’t like the look, or don’t want to compete on stage as a bodybuilder have another option in this category. There are no mandatory hard posing that’s in body building. It’s an overall very fit, and balanced look.

What made you get into fitness modeling?

I have trained in the gym for years, and never had a goal to train for. I went to a friends fitness show and instantly got hooked. I saw the hard work, the dedication, that my friend went through, and wanted to try it. She set me up with a knowledgeable set of trainers and I jumped in with both feet. It was a lot to take in all of a sudden, and I had to change my entire way of thinking for training, eating, and living. I really enjoyed the changes, and my new lifestyle.
I did very well for my first show, coming in 3rd against a very tough group! This opened some doors. Some people, and photographers took notice.

How much do you train in the gym to be in the shape you are in?

I’m in the gym at least 5 days a week. Months before a show it’s 6.
Roughly a month before a show, it gets increased to twice a day, 6 days a week.

Favourite part of training?

I love the feeling of having a tough workout. Pushing myself harder, getting in better shape, and improving.
It’s a natural high when you’re having a good workout. You get to zone out life’s hassles and stresses and focus your energy for a positive outcome.
Your focus is off everything else, but pushing yourself. When you’ve completely exhausted yourself and your done, its an amazing feeling to know what you’ve just accomplished.

Least favourite part of training?

Taking yourself to the next level of fitness and competing has sacrifices, and is expensive!
Friends that you normally would call up to go and party, or go drinking, suddenly disappear. Friends who don’t understand what you’re doing, and why you go on stage in a little posing suit stop keeping in contact as much. More of your focus and time gets directed away from other things in your life to fitness. For the first year I had to explain to everyone why I wasn’t drinking, eating birthday cake, having popcorn at the movies, and why I was carrying around my containers of food. You’re life does change.

Expenses increase dramatically as you surround your life with fitness, the training, and diet. Besides your clothes never fitting quite right again, the diet is very expensive. It’s a huge volume of food that you eat ever hour or so. This isn’t eating cheap cans of tuna, or rice. It’s chicken breasts and steak all the time. Grocery bills are a lot, but healthy eating is well worth it!
Supplements including vitamins, and protein powder don’t ever seem to last long enough! They are just part of the day and aren’t cheap as well!

Do you compete in fitness events? What is the highest you have ever placed?

I have competed in 7 different fitness events in the fitness model category.
This past weekend I placed 1st in Musclemania. Other placings include 2nd in UFE Mayhem, and 2nd in Fitnessstar.

I know you’ve been in a few magazines. Where have you been featured?

I have been on the cover of Beyond Fitness, which is a Canadian Fitness Magazine.
I have also been in Inside Fitness, Restore, and others.

What do you like most about doing fitness modeling?

The harder I work, the more opportunities that come out of it.
There are a lot of avenues with fitness modeling, from magazines, to advertising, acting, and TV appearances. I really looking forward to what’s coming up, and opening more doors for myself.

Being a fitness model, has that opened some doors for you to do other things in the industry?

It has allowed me to work with some great photographers! I’m currently working on my portfolio with one right now, and hoping it will lean to working with some agencies.
I also have a sponsorship with Perfect Nutrition who supplies some of my supplements, which has been a great help!

I think it must be an amazing job to be a firefighter. I use to know a few guys who trained to become a firefighter and the stuff that they had to do when it came to training. It is intense and very demanding.
What made you decide to become a firefighter?

Just wanted a hands on role that involved helping people. A lot of jobs you can’t physically see the outcome of your efforts or hard work. With this job its immediate and very apparent.
I started as a co-op student for a small municipality. My first call was to a vehicle on fire and a mother and son trapped. It was -15 and we were in the back of an open-cabbed aerial truck, rushing in a snow storm to help them. The lights, sirens, and the feeling of helping someone in need was incredible. I was hooked.

Have you ever had any close calls while battling a fire?

Not yet.

If you weren’t a firefighter what would you like to do?

Maybe an mechanical engineer? Always loved fixing mechanical problems, and trouble shooting. Probably in the automotive sector.

Any misconceptions people out there might have about fitness modeling and or firefighting that you would like to clear up?

When people hear “model” they instantly think I starve myself for some reason. I eat over 3000cals a day, and I’m never suppose to be hungry during that time or I’m doing something wrong.
I’m constantly eating, and its fantastic!

Hearing people say that I “just have good genetics” or “you must have a fast metabolism, that’s why I can’t do it.”
Everyone is built almost the exact same. You can speed up your metabolism, and your hard work can overcome a lot.

What are some of your hobbies that you love to do when you are not training or fighting fires?

I have too many hobbies!
I’ve been playing guitar for 13 years now, and don’t see myself stopping. I just learned how to kite board this summer, and I’m hooked already!
Cars are a passion of mine. Everything to do with them, how they work, how to fix them, etc…I like to race my car locally at small track events, and learn how to fix it.
Just recently got my M2 licence and hoping to pick up a bike next summer! The acceleration and speed is addicting!
Love everything to do with the outdoors. I wake board, fish, hunt, go camping. If its outdoors, I’m all about it!
That should be most of them.

What advice can you give to people out there who might want to get into fitness modeling and or firefighting?

Hard work and dedication pay off every single time. If you want something go at it with all you have. There will always be people there who will doubt you, but just let it fuel your fire and push forward even harder. You will fall, and struggle, but its how you learn from that which will give you the necessary strength to strive forward.

There’s lots of people out there who want to be firefighters, and the same with fitness modeling. They are both super competitive, but well worth the work.
Be Persistent. Excel above the others who are just doing the minimum. Stand out from the crowd.