Anna F.
“I am incredibly thankful to be coached by Tansey and Matt Hensley. While there are many aspects of their coaching that I appreciate, the three biggest ones are their flexibility, belief in athletes, and long-term perspective. On their flexibility, I have particularly appreciated that Tansey and Matt want to truly collaborate to create a bespoke plan for me. With that said, they have adapted workouts and training to help prevent burnout and ultimately help me feel my best on race days. Tansey and Matt believe in their athletes more than most athletes believe in themselves. Having them in my corner, as huge cheerleaders for my running and non-running lives, has been a privilege; it's made me believe in myself more too! Finally, Tansey and Matt are great at shifting perspectives between the fine details and the bigger picture, depending on what the situation calls for. This has helped me harness my own ability to do so, and is a great reminder for athletes who want to be running for many years to come. They offer sustainable paths to success, have an arsenal of tools and resources for us to utilize, and truly want the best for athletes as foremost human beings. The running community would be even stronger and more marvelous if all runners had coaches like Tansey and Matt!”
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Kim E.
“After being away from competitive running for six years, I knew I needed some guidance to get back into training and racing. I have been working with coach Tansey for a few years now & she has exceeded my expectations. Especially, working with her virtually. When we first started, she would check in with me at the end of every week. Something that I was not use to. And, she’s continued to be so supportive and patient with me coming back through injuries and illnesses. Her training style has been perfect for me after a long layoff, injury, or sickness. I could tell pretty quickly that she cared about me as a person & not just an athlete to push to produce a certain time on the clock. She’s just as excited about the little wins like hitting the nutrition or just feeling great during a workout, and most importantly, that I’m having fun in the process! All while still supporting my goals as an athlete. Tansey has really kept me grounded as an athlete and a person and I’m super thankful to have her as a coach! And, I just ran my first half marathon in six years, at altitude! ”
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Sabine K.
“Matt has been my coach for about 10 months. One of my favorite Matt quotes: "They say the key to happiness and performance is being in the moment". I love this. Having a well-structured training plan while being reminded to enjoy the process has been a big self-trust-building component. Like many, I juggle multiple hats, work, three active kids, and everything else that life throws at us, and running is what keeps me grounded and energized. Having a coach like Matt, that I can talk to and run questions by is truly priceless. I am so glad to have found BU and I am very excited for this upcoming season!!”
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Kristy M.
“I've been working with Matt for a little over a year now and feel so lucky to be coached by him. I appreciate that he takes the time to understand what I need both physically and mentally to be a successful athlete and reach my goals. He strikes the perfect balance between challenging me to improve while ensuring I stay healthy holistically. He truly believes in me even when I feel like I sometimes have lofty goals and reach for the stars. I love his philosophy of long-term development, staying healthy (in the mind and body) and keeping running simple and enjoyable. With his guidance, I continue to set PRs in all distances from the mile to the marathon and look forward to working with him as my goals get even bigger!”
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Tim S.
“My love of running started later than most with my first race being a half marathon at age 37. I immediately became hooked and have been consistently racing since then. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Matt and the BU team in the summer of 2023. Matt is my first running coach and I had no idea what to expect for someone who is a "middle of the pack" runner. The results over the past 18 months have been astonishing - I've PRed in every distance and shaved off over 40 minutes in my marathon time. Matt has worked with me to develop a program that adjusts to a busy work and family schedule, and most importantly he spends as much if not more time on the mental aspects of running as the physical. Matt & team have built a truly amazing community and I would highly recommend BU to any runner looking to progress in the sport.”
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Jmir C.
“I can’t recommend Matt Hensley and Boulder Underground enough! After a challenging Chicago Marathon in 2021, I knew I needed a different approach to training, and Matt has been a game-changer. Despite the demands of my life—working as an emergency medicine physician with unpredictable shift hours, being a father of three, and running well into my 40s—Matt has tailored a program that not only keeps me injury-free but has allowed me to consistently improve.
With Matt’s guidance, I’ve achieved things I didn’t think possible at this stage in life, including a marathon PR of 3:13! His coaching is thoughtful, personalized, and effective, making each run feel purposeful and sustainable. I’m stronger, faster, and more motivated thanks to his expertise. If you’re looking for a coach who understands real-life constraints while still pushing you to reach your goals, Matt is the one to go with!”
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Greg P.
“After my senior year of high school I had a major injury that kept me out of sports the a while. With only a quarter left of the school year Tansey helped me get my on the college team and get back to competing. Within 2 months of her help I was back and even set PRs in the 800 and 1500. In the short time I was coached by Tansey she taught me so much about middle distance running and staying healthy and injury free while training.
Fast forward three years to my senior year of college when our head coach left abruptly. I reached out to Tansey and she was more than willing to help again. Words can’t describe how happy I was to have someone like Tansey working with me throughout my college career. She quite literally saved 2 of my seasons and guided me to my fastest times ever. There isn’t another coach out there that I would recommend as much as her and her husband Matt. Thank you so much for all you have done for me Tansey!”
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Kelly J.
“Matt Hensley is one of the kindness, coolest, calmest and most gracious humans I’ve ever known, over the last three years he has taught me how to run like a fast person and not get injured, to be kind to myself, when to hold back and when to go balls to the wall (which was my regular way to run, if I was not dying at the end have I even worked out) he has sat on the phone when I’ve cried over a bad run (like an idiot) navigated my extreme anxiety and mid run panic attacks. He is more than a coach now, he is my friend.”
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Connor L.
“Working with Coach Matt has been life-changing. His training methodology has allowed me to stay injury-free, while building significant fitness. Before the year started, I told Matt that my top goals were to go sub-5 in the mile, sub-17 in the 5k, and to show up to the Chicago Marathon strong and healthy. Thanks to him, I accomplished all of these goals, so what more can you ask for?! As someone that didn't run in college or high school, I'm grateful for Matt's wisdom and mentorship. Whether it's guidance for a track workout or preparing for a race, he really goes above and beyond, because he genuinely cares about his athletes. Running is simply so much fun with Boulder Underground!”
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Erik B.
“Matt has been an incredible partner and coach for my first marathon. I've had other coaches for triathlons, but Matt is the best at paying attention and quickly adjusting my training to match how fit I am, not just where we want me to be. He's great because he looks at the whole picture of being an athlete - not just my splits and race times. He helps me focus on rest, eating well, and having a positive attitude about my race schedule. I'm excited to see the compounding benefits over the years to come.”
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Brian S—
"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."
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Laura C—
“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”
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Sarah H—
“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.”
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Britt K —
“Matt is the best. I couldn’t have imagined a better coach. He genuinely cares about each athlete's mental and physical fitness. He has a way of pushing and encouraging your limits without overdoing it or risking injury. It’s a fine balance that he has mastered even across a team of different people and personalities.”
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Julie H—
“Kudos to Matt and the whole Boulder Underground team for always motivating me via motivational Instagrams. My workouts are challenging and on point with my marathon goals. I couldn’t be happier to have found Boulder Underground.”
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Wayne R—
“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.”
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Anh B—
“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.”
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Aaron L—
“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!”
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Stephen C—
“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!!”
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Erik S—
“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.”
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