Meet Matt Haynes

We were lucky to catch up with Matt Haynes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Matt, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

My confidence really began to grow when I discovered CrossFit in 2011. CrossFit was the first “sport” that I excelled at. Up to that point, I had enjoyed the training side of sports like football, cross country, and swimming, but I never truly connected with the structure of mandatory practices and scheduled games or meets. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but I think a big part of that was my personality and how I respond to authority.

For me, CrossFit was different. It was the first time I was participating in a “sport” all on my own time. It combined the training elements of every sport I loved—lifting weights, running, pushing myself physically—but without someone telling me what to do and when to do it. It was entirely voluntary, and that freedom was something I didn’t know I wanted or needed. I never left the gym.

Because I was passionate about the training itself, I quickly excelled. That drive also pushed me to learn everything I could about the movements, techniques, and principles of fitness. My confidence grew not just through physical progress but through developing a deep knowledge base. Today, that same passion translates directly into how I lead fitness classes and connect with others about working out and health / fitness.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a business owner. I own a gym in Fort Worth, TX.

I recently bought an old movie theater (The Ridgmar Movie Tavern) located at 6801 Ridgmar Meadow Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76116. We are in the middle of construction and we will be turning this 25,000 square foot building into the best gym in the world!

We will have 24-Hour access to our traditional gym space as well as our 4,000 square feet of functional fitness space (think your own personal CrossFit / HYROX gym that you can utilize 24 hours per day, 365 days per year).

We will also have over 4,000 square feet of dedicated 1-Hour group fitness class space. Our group fitness classes are different. We are one of the only gyms where all of our employees are full time. This creates a consistently good product from class to class. Our coaches are not splitting time at other jobs and coaching part time. They are all 100% dedicated to teaching fitness classes and making Westwood excellent. Our programming is top notch too and it is all done “In-House”.

I am also going to be opening a 2nd business called Climate Change: A Sauna & Cold Plunge Experience. Climate Change will operate out of the same building at the gym. This experience is going to be like no other. While lots of gyms have a sauna or a cold plunge, we are going to have 6 private TRADITIONAL SAUNAS (not infrared saunas) that you can reserve for an hour. Each suna suite can sit up to 4 people so you can bring your friends or conduct a business meeting inside of the sauna suite. It truly has redefined a classical business meeting. Instead of meeting at a bar or the golf course, come do something allegedly is good for your health while meeting with business partners. Its amazing! We will also have 4 cold plunge tubs so the idea is you spend 15 – 20 minutes inside your private sauna suite, then you get out and hop in a cold plunge for 1 – 3 minutes and repeat this cycle 2 – 3 times within your hour. It’s life changing and its so enjoyable! AND ANYONE CAN DO THIS!

We will also be teaming up with Julian Carreno and his business, Peak Performance. They will be located inside the building and he specializes in manual therapy. He’s a life changer and in my opinion is the absolute best!

We will also be teaming up with Amy Robbins and her business, Youthful Magnolia. Her second clinic will also be located out of the building and she is going to center this clinic around health and wellness. She will have a Dexa scan, V02 max testing, she can draw blood work, red light therapy, peptide therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and more!

I’m literally trying to build my ideal Fitness Factory and bring it to all of you in Fort Worth and I cannot wait! We are targeting to open March, 1 2026. You can sign up now to become a founding member and receive our lowest rate ever for the first people to sign up before we open. You can sign up here: http://wwfit.co/memberships

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Here are some unique qualities about me:

You have to be willing to take the risk. One of my favorite quotes is “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” This is so prevalent in an entrepreneurs journey.

I truly am passionate about health and fitness. I see a lot of people who think they can make good money opening a gym. They think it’s cool. I am 100% all about exercise and I love that I get to share this passion with people in Fort Worth and I thankfully get the opportunity to turn this passion into a business.

A few of my main personality traits are I am nice, authentic, and truthful.

“I don’t know S about F!” (Ruth Langmore). I don’t know anything about anything except gym stuff. I chose to open a business centered around my passion: the gym. I make this known. I am not arrogant or a know it all by any means.

Due to my experience with rejection from business owners, I have an open door / open book policy. If you want to know anything about my business, let’s talk! I love the conversation and will always make time to sit down with someone in person!

Don’t be secretive. Share what you know and what you have learned!

I love talking with fellow entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I love collaborating and talking about business or gym stuff. My all time favorite conversation is about Gym Business!

I will always make time to meet with people and I encourage anyone to reach out any time! I am an open book and live my life by having no secrets. I will share anything with you!

Reach out anytime!
• Phone: 956-217-1838 (text preferably, or call)
• Email: [email protected]

Contact Info:

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