"I have worked with coaches on both ends of the spectrum. There are those who write incredible training, but fail to emotionally connect with their athletes; there are others who can form bonds with their athletes, but do not understand the physiology of the sport. Matt approaches training both mentally and physically. He engages in every workout and then goes the extra mile to check in after each session. In the six months we have been working together, I have shaved four minutes off my half marathon time and am ready to take a shot at the Olympic Trials standard in the marathon. Matt has become a coach, a friend and a mentor."

“I have been training with Matt and BU for about a year and a half now and I am weekly reminded of my love and dedication for the sport. Matt and I only had a few months to work together in 2019 before I got pregnant and opted not to train through. But even in those few months, I was engaged and excited for the first time in years— since my collegiate career had concluded. Matt has the most incredible way to take the pressure off and keep the fire burning all at the same time. I love that his training is now adaptable to my life of being a mom, wife and working full-time. I’m never worried about how I’ll fit in a grueling workout that will suck the life out of me. Trusting Matt means trusting the process and trusting my fitness and to me that gives me a greater joy in the sport than I’ve ever had”

“I asked Matt to train me so I could run the 10K Bolder Boulder with my daughter- who already trained with him. The challenge: I was a 58-year-old achy athlete who lived across the country at sea level and had continued to be active but hadn’t run regularly since college... and frankly didn’t like it much. Matt’s challenge to me: Would I commit to the workouts? Matt’s Challenge to himself: for me to learn to love running.

Matt’s training plan kept me safe and opened my eyes to the importance of “active recovery days” rather than just pushing harder every day. With strategic scheduling of longer, shorter and harder workouts I was able to keep my commitment to the program and was amazed to see my progress every week. Not only did I surpass my goals for the Bolder Boulder, but I never could have imagined that I would be able to run 9 miles during a training run.. far more than I had ever run in my life.

As for my love of running... While I can’t say I’ve become a loyal runner, I have a newfound appreciation for it, and continue to run “just for fun” intermittently thanks to the confidence that Matt helped me develop in my ability to get out of my comfort zone and onto the road.”

"I have really enjoyed working with Matt over the last couple of years and have loved seeing Boulder Underground turn into such a successful program. His dedication to his athletes, combined with his expertise and extensive knowledge, has helped me continue to develop as an athlete and achieve several personal goals and best times."

“I could not thank Boulder Underground enough. In the last year my performances have improved dramatically working with BU. I have used programs based on the ideals of Jack Daniels, Renato Canova, Arthur Lydiard in the past, but I would say nothing has worked better than the philosophy that BU uses. The mindset endowed by BU on their athletes is a mindset that you can apply to everyday life. My level of confidence has increased and my level of fear has decreased in all my endeavors.

I have PRd in every distance from 3k - Marathon working with BU. Workouts are made specifically for you. Pre-race hype talks are also made specifically for you. The best coaching service I have ever used.”

“After knowing Matt for years, I can attest to his attention to detail in every aspect of the sport. Matt is a true student of running, taking learnings from years of being around some the best coaches and athletes in the game. He prescribes training based on physiological objectives, but most importantly he relates to people. I have big goals for over the next four years, and Matt is the right coach to share my journey with.”

"Matt was such an amazing coach and person. His training helped me to qualify for both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Marathon trials.

Before working with him, I didn't really ever think I would be able to get back into competitive running after burning out in a D1 athletic program. Matt made training fun again and helped me to believe in myself as a runner and human. I would recommend Boulder Underground to anyone really looking to get to the next level."

“After becoming a mom, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to return to running at the same level I was before having a baby. I assumed my PR years were behind me. Running with Boulder Underground and being coached by Corey gave me the self-confidence I needed to prove myself wrong.

I’ve run faster times than ever before from the 5K through the half marathon with the schedule, guidance and company of this team. I can’t wait to conquer more goals in the future knowing I have the full support of Boulder Underground behind me.”

“Boulder Underground is one of the best communities of athletes I've ever been a part of. I worked with BU coach Corey Wall throughout most of 2020. The program he put me on was tailored to my specific goals and helped me achieve several PRs. Corey got me in the best condition I've ever been in, all while avoiding injury.

I am 37 and a father of two so it was really fun to knock off times that I hadn't run in a really long time. Not only that, I've had a blast in the process and made some amazing friends.

It's obvious that Corey and the other BU coaches really care about their athletes and the community that BU represents. Finding BU was one of the best parts of our move to Colorado...and that's saying a lot because CO life is amazing!”

“I am not an easy person to coach. I'm stubborn. I get in my own way, a lot. I'm impatient, injury-prone, sensitive, and slow to trust.

Yet thanks to Nicole, I've come a long way. Not just in training, but in life.

When I started training under Nicole, I was a burnt-out, former D1 athlete, struggling to balance major life changes with maintaining my mental and physical health. I wasn't performing well in any area of my life, let alone running. She met me where I was. Nicole listened to my story and goals, and positioned herself as a guide, letting me control the pace and direction of training. Her holistic approach to running continues to challenge me to set sustainable training goals and keep the long-range-view in mind, which, for me, means that health and happiness are just as important--if not more--than a PR.

Part of what makes Nicole's insight so invaluable is that she's been there herself; she knows what runners struggle with, and more importantly, she knows how to overcome those struggles. Nicole is more attuned to her athletes than almost anyone I've been coached by, and she communicates training philosophy and objectives in a clear, creative way that tends to stick with me long after a workout.

I still struggle with mental blocks and staying healthy in general, but Nicole is getting me there. After years of going through the motions, exhausted and unmotivated, I finally feel like I'm beginning to race again. She's given me strategies to take control of what I can in my life, and helped me re-prioritize my goals, with a view toward longevity and enjoyment. As a result, I'm fitter than I've been in years, and having a whole lot more fun.

Nicole is a great coach, and a great person. Trust her with your dreams; you won't be disappointed, no matter what the journey brings.”

“I was coached by Matt both before and after he started Boulder
Underground. I have been coached by others, but I have never felt as
much genuine trust and care as when I was coached by Matt. He cares
about you as a person first. He takes the time to get to know you and
then tailors your training to your individual goals and needs, and is
there for you day or night. I felt he truly believed in me and my
training. Most of all I trusted him and felt confident in myself
thanks to the training I did under his coaching. Anyone who can call
Matt a coach and friend is lucky. I would recommend him and his
coaching to anyone!”

"The coaches and team at Boulder Underground have changed the way that I view training in a way that has helped me grow tremendously both athletically and personally. I played Division I field hockey in college and switched gears to longer distance running post-graduation but my habit of "100% effort for every workout" carried with me.

My training for my first marathon consisted of long hard runs without purpose and very little speed work or strength, all while over-training, under-recovering and doing no physical therapy support along the way to keep my body functioning at its best. When I started working with Matt and the Boulder Underground team, I very quickly learned the importance of training cycles within a given week, month and block, and learned that the slow runs, recoveries and PT/ strength work were just as important as the long and grueling training runs.

With BUs coaches and teammates, I shaved almost ten minutes off of my marathon time and built a new mindset for training. Matt taught me the smarter way to train and it has improved my overall athletic performance, my ability to recover and build, my mindset of not taking any one workout too seriously and my resilience in trusting the process over a long period of time.

Most importantly, Boulder Underground is an incredible group of people that inspire me to push myself both in and out of my running shoes."

"I’ve worked with Boulder Underground for almost two years now, and they have helped me become a better and stronger athlete, both physically and mentally. Boulder Underground tailors my training around what I need to run my best and provides daily inspiration and encouragement. Most importantly, they believes in me and help me believe in myself. Because of Boulder Underground, I have found the joy in running again and truly believe I still have many PR’s in my future."

“While I’m a relatively new member to Boulder Underground (BU), I couldn’t be happier with the guidance I’ve received so far regarding running, nutrition, and life. BU advocates a holistic approach to training, emphasizing the mental aspect of the sport through access to meditation apps and bi-monthly phone calls. The flexible training plan allows me to run at my best without compromising my sanity or performance at work. As someone who felt in a training rut, joining Boulder Underground has inspired me to set some bold goals and has given me the skills to achieve them!”

“Boulder Underground has helped me fall in love with the process of being an athlete again. After retiring from my career as a professional triathlete, it was a challenging transition to navigate what my athletic life would look like. Boulder Underground gave me a space to be myself, have fun and work toward my goals every day with acceptance at the heart of each step.

Coach Matt’s calm energy and wise approach to coaching has left me incredibly confident in my abilities and what I can do as a runner. He coaches us in a holistic way, helping each of us individually manage the great balancing act of life, work and running.

I have found some of my best friends through BU, and I feel an immense amount of support each day when I show up for training. I’m pretty excited for all that’s to come for all of us :)”

“Stoked to have been able to find Matt and Boulder Underground. The running community has always been close-knit and I couldn’t be happier to be apart of it. Having the ability to stay healthy and see progress is something every athlete dreams of. I owe all that to Matt’s coaching abilities and love for the sport. Anyone looking to pursue goals within the sport should definitely reach out to this group. After competing in this sport for almost 8 years, I have certainly found the training program that works best for my ability and future.”

“I started working with Matt to train for the 2020 Boston Marathon, which would have been my first marathon, when it was originally postponed from April to September. Matt has been a constant source of support and motivation throughout this very uncertain time and a stop-and-go marathon training cycle. When the Boston marathon was made virtual, he helped me evaluate my options for completing my first marathon while making it clear that we'd meet my goals no matter what path I took. He's helped me lay a strong running foundation and been patient when my motivation waned. He's applied the perfect combination of accountability and understanding to keep me going and making progress. I am so excited to eventually conquer 26.2 miles and feel so much more confident that I'll be able to do so and to meet my goals with Matt's help!”

“Boulder Underground has played a crucial role in my development as an athlete over the last 2 years.

Tailored workouts, weekly sessions with a group of like-minded runners, and a culture that values mental health and strength just as much as the physical have all helped create an amazing training system for me.

I've reached new PRs and gained invaluable tools that have fostered confidence and growth. I feel an immense sense of community and support in my athletic pursuits under the guidance of Boulder Underground.”

“I started working with Boulder Underground in 2013 after dabbling in a couple of marathons, and they have helped me achieve higher than I ever could have imagined. Brick by brick and season by season, Boulder Underground has helped me cut thirty-six minutes off of my best marathon time, and they continue to remind me that no dream is too big. Boulder Underground has supported me through the highest of highs and the lows of injury and continues to evaluate training as it applies to me on an individual level. (They also reply to my 4 AM texts, so that's a major coach win!) I couldn't ask for a coach who wholeheartedly believes in the physical and mental well being of their athletes more than Boulder Underground, and the family that they have created and nurtured in Boulder Underground is truly one of a kind.”

Photo by @904fitness

“Boulder Underground is the best. I couldn’t have imagined a better coach. They genuinely care about each athlete's mental and physical fitness. They have a way of pushing and encouraging your limits without overdoing it or risking injury. It’s a fine balance that Boulder Underground has mastered even across a team of different people and personalities.”

“If you are serious about a race or getting into race shape, Boulder Underground is the best move you can make for yourself. The group feels like family and with Matt being a genuinely great person, he takes the time to work with you, check in, and cares about your success.”

“Matt Hensley of Boulder Underground has helped me PR in every event from the mile all the way to the marathon in just under a year. I learned to train smarter and most importantly, develop “true confidence”, meaning my fitness is not determined by my workout outcomes but my ability to stay consistent and healthy through training.

I worked 45 hours a week for the whole first year with BU and Matt helped me navigate my training and recovery around my work schedule. The team atmosphere is supportive and fun with committed athletes that show up for each other every single day.”

“I spent the first few years with my fiancé, who is a professional distance runner, chasing her down for as long as I could. After meeting Matt he helped me to understand how to train in my own capacity. Through joining Boulder Underground I not only became a part of an amazing group of lifelong friends but I also grew in more ways than I ever thought possible.

Matt has the deepest understanding of any coach I have met ranging from the precise physiology of training to the mental strength needed to prevail through the toughest of races and events. I have now run every race distance from 1500m to 50 miles and I am confident that anytime I commit to a race Matt will set me up to greatly exceed my expectations!”

“Matt was invaluable to me as my running coach. I had been trying in earnest to qualify for Boston for many years. I was able to get into a fast race but only had a couple of months to ramp up my training.

Matt had me focus on the things I could control, like nutrition and elevation in my training to match the actual run. He listened to me when I felt I needed to do something different than planned and we made adjustments together.

I have had other coaches, but they seemed to plug me into their schedule. Matt tailored the training to my needs. And while I have run many marathons, he talked me through his marathon preparation and I learned new things.

I ran an 8 minute PR at age 64. Oh, I almost forgot... I BQ'd!!”

“I really enjoyed working with Matt as my coach for the 2019 CIM Marathon. Having him to support me with my training plan, nutrition planning on race day, and my mental struggles along the way really helped me have a solid race. I liked that most of the training focused on perceived effort as opposed to pace. That really helped me dial into myself a little more and not necessarily have to stare at my watch the entire run. I went from a 2:24 to a 2:20 marathon with his help, and I look forward to working with him again as I prepare to improve on my next marathon.”

“What impressed me the most about Matt and Boulder Underground was his level of interest to develop his athletes in all aspects of the sport. I asked him to train me to my first Boston Marathon. And although the weather in 2018 was absolutely dreadful, Matt kept me motivated and optimistic.

Typically the day after a marathon the last thing I want to be doing is thinking about racing again. But that’s exactly what I did. I wanted more. I felt like I was in the best shape of my life, and I was excited. I wanted to know what else was possible... and I still do.

Being coached by Matt changed my approach towards running. The drills, injury prevention exercises, dynamic warmups, all the little things that never mattered before now do. The system works. Over three years later I’m still healthy, motivated and tapping into potential I never thought I had.”

“Thanks to Matt I'm running faster, further, and more frequently than I have ever done before! New to intentional training, he explains the "why" behind workouts (hi easy days!) and is incredibly genuine in his approach to learn more about me and my goals. Even in the short time together he has challenged me to expand my views of myself as a runner and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

“After working with Matt for a few months, my perspective on training has changed for the better. I’m learning how to take the pressure off myself and run for the joy of it. I feel less stressed about workouts and upcoming races because I’m not striving for perfection, but making progress towards my long-term goals.

Boulder Underground understands that the mind plays a powerful role in performance. Matt not only focuses on my physical strength and endurance, but also encourages me to develop effective coping strategies so I can show up on race day confident in my ability to succeed.”

“I have known Coach Matt for the better part of two decades. We first raced in High School and then became teammates while running together at the University of Florida. We remained friends after college and then after taking some time off from the sport I began training again in 2012. I reached out to Matt and we've been working together in some capacity ever since.

I qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials under his guidance and then left the sport for a few years to travel the world and pursue other passions. Then in my early 30's I decided to get back into competitive running again and Matt was the first person I called.

Within a year, I made my debut in the Marathon running 2:18 to Qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials all thanks to Matt. I then went on to PR in the 1500, 5k, 10k, 15k, and Marathon. I lowered my Marathon PR to 2:13:04 in 2019 and then finished 24th at the Olympic Marathon Trials beating many professionals along the way.

Despite working with Matt from halfway across the country, we were able to accomplish all of my goals and had a blast doing it. I've never had an injury under Matt's guidance and had success in all of my Marathons.

Matt has a unique gift of being able to deliver short term success while always keeping an eye on the big picture. His seemingly endless knowledge of the sport is only surpassed by his love for it. I am also a Coach and I have helped many runners reach their goals and dreams. And most of what I've learned is from working with Matt over many years. I regularly refer runners to Matt and I will continue to do so as long as he offers his gift to the world.”

“Boulder Underground keeps me grounded through professional and personal life changes. Whether I am setting 4:30 a.m. alarms to run or working on my mental health, BU is fundamental to my success on and off the roads. BU’s focus on being “the eye of the storm” sets Matt’s coaching and training apart from the competition. His comprehensive approach continues to make me a stronger athlete!”

“Boulder Underground is the REAL DEAL! Training and being guided under Matt's wing showed me how much true potential I was capable of. The motivating energy that is throughout the BU group is so uplifting and helps keep you on track for your goals. I was training for the Boston Marathon 2020 which ended up being canceled. Matt helped keep the momentum going and was creative in a way for me to put my fitness to the test, even though it was not my A race, the Boston Marathon.”

“I asked Matt to train me so I could run the 10K Bolder Boulder with my daughter- who already trained with him. The challenge: I was a 58-year-old achy athlete who lived across the country at sea level and had continued to be active but hadn’t run regularly since college... and frankly didn’t like it much. Matt’s challenge to me: Would I commit to the workouts? Matt’s Challenge to himself: for me to learn to love running.

Matt’s training plan kept me safe and opened my eyes to the importance of “active recovery days” rather than just pushing harder every day. With strategic scheduling of longer, shorter and harder workouts I was able to keep my commitment to the program and was amazed to see my progress every week. Not only did I surpass my goals for the Bolder Boulder, but I never could have imagined that I would be able to run 9 miles during a training run.. far more than I had ever run in my life.

As for my love of running... While I can’t say I’ve become a loyal runner, I have a newfound appreciation for it, and continue to run “just for fun” intermittently thanks to the confidence that Matt helped me develop in my ability to get out of my comfort zone and onto the road.”

“Boulder Underground has changed my life over the past year. After a tough post collegiate transition to racing Matt welcomed me with open arms to a team and program I could channel my competitive energy while keeping long-term goals in mind. He has taught me to be patient, trust in his training and that working on the little things outside of running is what makes us better athletes. I’ve accomplished things in the last several months I would never have thought a year ago. I wake up excited to go to practice and grind out hard efforts at 6 am before work. Matt and Boulder Underground as a whole, is very special. I feel grateful every day to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.

Here’s to many more PR’s in the future 😊”

“Nicole coutures each plan to your body and how it is impacted by her training. Her style of training is effort based which fosters an environment of quality training over quantity.

Nicole listens and makes you feel heard and validated. I trust and respect her input and know that if I am honest and open she will work to push me through my insecurities.

She does this while also pushing me outside my comfort zone not just in effort but in routine. Placing value on all the little things I don’t put much value in, but really make the difference.

Nicole wants nothing more than for you to succeed at your goals and will be there every step of the way. As I move forward from a previous over-training injury into my ultramarathon training, I am excited to see how the 2021 season progresses.”

“When I began working with Nicole, I was coming off of a stress injury. My running needs had to be tailored to fit my long term running goals, she helped me work through all the mental and physical roadblocks that came with recovering from an injury. I’m now about 9 months into her training and I have never felt more confident and strong with training. If you’re looking for personalized training and thorough communication, Nicole is the coach for you!”

“Matt started coaching me shortly after concluding my college soccer career. Running was a new sport for me in general, and he was really starting with the basics of running that I had yet to experience. It didn’t take long for me realize I loved running and Matt was a key component to my development in the sport.

I can’t say enough about his commitment to building a strong foundation within my running toolbox that allowed me to keep progressing now 7 years later in the healthiest way possible. While Matt has taught me nearly everything I know about running at this point, what I needed most from him is to learn to believe in myself again after ending soccer unfulfilled. That alone has been monumental in him/ Boulder Underground being with me from the transition from college soccer player to US marathon Olympic trials qualifier.”

"I have never had a dedicated coach for running since before BU and removing the energy required to coach myself has been one of my favorite things. My other favorite part is Matt’s methodology and the results that have come from it. I have been running faster than I ever have in my late 30s and have been doing the least amount of miles I ever have. I also have not been injured for more than a week or two which was a dramatic change from before BU."

“Having the opportunity to know Matt for so many years, it came as no surprise to me that he became such a successful runner and coach. What I couldn’t have predicted is what makes him such an incredible coach. Matt truly understands people. Not just the PRs they can hit or progress they can make, but he understands the athlete as a whole, and the level of investment he has in his athletes in unparalleled.

Matt has a way of building the confidence of the athlete and creating a space for them to simultaneously set big goals and believe in their ability to achieve them. His optimism and relentless belief in his athletes is infectious. The creation of Boulder Underground was simply an extension of something Matt was already building through his coaching and involvement in his community. BU meets a need that as athletes, we crave - an organized, fun, and supportive group that brings out the best of everyone who is fortunate enough to be involved with it.”