Posts in Athlete Reviews
Brian S—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIIGuest UserBrian Schroy
Sarah H—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IGuest UserSarah Hiner
Britt K —
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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Athlete ReviewsGuest UserBritt Kelland
Julie H—
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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Athlete ReviewsGuest UserJulie Harris
Anh B—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserAnh Bui
Aaron L—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserAaron Lange
Stephen C—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserStephen Cesler
Erik S—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserErik Stanley
Jason B—
Jason B—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserJason Broll
Taylor S—
Taylor S—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserTaylor Sandman
Adrienne Z—
Adrienne Z—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserAdrienne Zwijacz
Enoch N—
Enoch N—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserEnoch Nadler
Mary H—
Mary H—

“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!”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserKurt Barnhill
Kurt B—
Kurt B—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserKurt Barnhill
Sarah H—
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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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserSarah Hiner
Cassi A—
Cassi A—

“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 😊”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserCassi Ahrens
Jackie G—
Jackie G—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserJackie Gross
Kelly B—
Kelly B—

“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!”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserKelly Babcock
Kelsey B—
Kelsey B—

“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.”

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Athlete Reviews, Athlete Reviews IIGuest UserKelsey Beckmann