About Matt
The Gist
Matt first discovered the power of breathwork in 2019 while operating his yoga studio in Colorado, looking for a way to bring a more diverse offering to his business. After studying under the acclaimed Anahata Ananda and her school in Sedona, Arizona, Matt began to offer breathwork through his studio, SOL 19 Yoga, and has since led over 150 public breathwork classes, 50 breathwork ceremonies, and 10+ international and domestic retreats, working with both public and private groups and individuals. During this time, Matt started and led a Men’s Breathwork Group and partnered with a local Substance Abuse Recovery Center to provide breathwork to their clients with a focus on breathwork for trauma.
Having sold his business in Colorado in 2024, Matt recently relocated back to Charlotte, NC with the love of his life and business partner, Tamara Burke, and their two fur-babies, Bailey (14) and Rocket (4). Matt is excited to offer breathwork full-time in the Carolinas, where he was born and raised.
More About Matt
As a former D-1 collegiate soccer player, Corporate Sales top-contributor in Tech, and experienced successful entrepreneur, Matt brings a wealth of real world experience blending a variety of backgrounds over the last 20 years. Earning a B.S. from The College of Charleston and an MBA from The University of South Carolina, Matt was well suited to succeed in both his corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors, understanding what it means to be a team player and a leader while balancing school and athletics. After 7 years in a high pressure corporate sales environment, Matt and his partner Tam pursued their dream of being small business owners. Together they took over a failing yoga studio in 2018, building the community and finding their passions in the process. For Matt, that was breathwork.
First a student, Matt experienced the power and magic of breathwork during his very first session with the wonderful Nancy Wunderlich in Boulder, CO. Towards the end of the hour long breath journey, Matt felt two hands on his face and forehead, massaging gently conveying a feeling of peace and calm. Assists not being uncommon from the practitioner, he asked Nancy about the face massage, to which she replied, “I did not, but someone certainly was….” In addition to the immense feeling of peace and calm internally, Matt now got the feeling that something larger, more spiritual had an opportunity to come through when we commit the breath practice. Matt was hooked and from there, he began to explore teaching and how he could share this practice with others.
Why Work with Matt
From changing careers twice, to moving across the country, to redefining and rediscovering who he is and how he can share his gifts, Matt is a seeker who continues to evolve. Breathwork has helped him let go of the parts of his life that no longer served him, allowing space for the right things to come into alignment. The guiding message that has served his journey and mission: JUST BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER.
His diversity in background, training, and experience has provided Matt with a unique perspective on what it takes to:
· Succeed in athletics
· Succeed in the corporate world
· Succeed in entrepreneurship
· Transition careers
· Move across the country
· Be a team player
· Be a leader
· Forgive yourself
· Let go of old patterns and habits
· Step into your power
· Release shame and guilt
· Set healthy boundaries
· Learn to love yourself fully
· Realize your potential
· CHANGE YOUR LIFE