Dooley Noted: 8/7/2015
The Person: Matt Tolstoy
Profession: strength coach, personal trainer, master’s candidate for acupuncture and oriental medicine
How I know him:
I had the honor of meeting Matt Tolstoy by complete chance.
In Jan 2012, I went to the NeuroKinetic Therapy Level I seminar in New Jersey, and I was missing a ride home. When I asked for a ride, two great men offered one up: Neal Snyder and Matt Tolstoy of Equinox fame.
That was a car ride I’ll never forget.
How he’s changed me:
Matt encouraged me to practice more when I first got frustrated with my understanding of NKT. As practiced together, he introduced me to the kettlebell. That moment set my heart on fire as the rehab tool that would change my life.
Matt and I started talking about acupuncture and chiropractic, and he started matriculating at the same school of Chinese medicine that I was attending.
Matt has helped change the entire course of my career.
If not for Matt, I may have given up on my NKT skills. And now I’m an international instructor for the course!
If not for Matt, I may have never learned how to swing that scary-looking cannonball with a handle that is now a part of every day of my life. I use kettlebells for my own training, as well as for the rehabilitation of my patients.
If not for Matt, I might have let my love and commitment for acupuncture die, as my schedule picked up to madness level.
If not for Matt, I would not have met Dave Whitley, who inspired me to bend steel, rip apart phone books, and basically do the unforeseen.
If not for Matt, I may have forgotten about my love for making music – a love that is easily pushed aside for my career.
Matt was one of the first men in my life to show me how a strong woman is not intimidating – how a strong woman must be empowered to become even stronger.
Now I surround myself with only these kinds of men and women.
If you are lucky in life, you meet someone that sees your light and sets you on fire.
Matt has been one of those people for me, and I am forever grateful.
His responses to a list of questions:
Book that changed me: “Pathnotes of an American Ninja Master” by Glenn Morris.
Best Website: Herbal Gansgta – on tumblr
Biggest Mentor: Forrest McClendon, David Whitley, and of course – Kathy Dooley
Secret to Success: being honest with yourself about what you love doing and committing to it
Secret to happiness: being honest with yourself and committing to that honesty
Secret to fitness: being honest about what you’re willing to do and committing to it
Secret to wealth: being honest about what you want and committing to it
Best advice received: The difference between being a nice boy and good man is the word “No.”
Acronyms: DAOM (in progress!), CK-FMS, NKT
Contact info: tolstoy145@yahoo.com
Know and acknowledge the people that change you.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
