The Story Behind the Studio
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
From a park in Ashbury with a couple of kettlebells to one of Sydney's most trusted fitness communities.
Matt & Rebecca Manca
Founders — Move With Matt
Matt and Rebecca Manca are the founders of Move With Matt, a strength and conditioning community helping busy adults build stronger bodies, move better, and create habits that last a lifetime.
It Started in a Park
Move With Matt wasn't born in a gym. It started in the summer of 2016 at Peace Park in Ashbury. Matt's brother-in-law asked if he'd be interested in running a small outdoor bootcamp with a few mates. With no business plan, no investors, and almost no money — he said yes.
That first session was built with little more than determination, a couple of kettlebells, a few purple Kmart dumbbells, and a belief that helping people could become something much bigger.
The First Gym
A year later, that belief was put to the test. In 2017, Matt leased his first facility — a humble 40-square-metre garage at 110 Frederick Street, Ashfield. He couldn't afford the bond or the rent, so his girlfriend at the time — now wife — stepped in and paid it. Before signing the lease, Matt made her one promise:
"This is going to work."
The gym wasn't much to look at. The carpet was covered in paint. There were holes in the roof. His brother-in-law had just hung the first TRX straps. The heaviest weight was a 6kg kettlebell, alongside a couple of medicine balls, four pairs of 2kg dumbbells and a handful of mats.
To everyone else, it looked ordinary. To Matt, it looked like opportunity.
Early Challenges
After the very first 6am session, a neighbour complained about the noise. Days later, the local council left a notice on the gate threatening a $3,000 fine if the business continued operating. At the time, $3,000 felt impossible.
Matt was on a week-to-week lease, barely covering rent, with no real understanding of business, leases, finances or marketing. But quitting was never an option. He simply kept showing up.
One client. One session. One day at a time.
Those early years shaped the philosophy that still drives Move With Matt today: Keep working like you started.
Every mistake became a lesson. Every setback built resilience. Every challenge made him a better coach, a better leader and a better person.
Yesterday doesn't matter. Win today.
The Journey
Peace Park, Ashbury
The first outdoor bootcamp with a few mates, a couple of kettlebells and some purple Kmart dumbbells.
First Facility — Ashfield
A 40m² garage at 110 Frederick St. The heaviest weight was 6kg. The belief was unlimited.
Campsie Community
Five incredible years building a loyal community, refining the coaching methodology and growing the team.
Current Facility — Ashfield
Opened October 2023. Bigger space, better equipment — the same mission that started in a park.
1,180+ Clients Strong
Hundreds of people stronger, healthier and more confident through evidence-based strength training and a community that genuinely cares.
The Mission
The equipment is better. The facility is bigger. But the mission hasn't changed since that first bootcamp in Peace Park: help ordinary people achieve extraordinary results by becoming stronger — not just in the gym, but in life.
