Coach Mat has been involved in martial arts since 1985 and commenced his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in 1993 after watching the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament. In the Summer of 1996, Coach Mat became the first Canadian member of the legendary mixed martial arts team, Lion's Den, which had been founded by UFC and MMA icon, Ken Shamrock. Coach Mat trained and competed professionally in MMA from 1996 to 2000, and participated in one of the first sanctioned MMA events in Canada.

Coach Mat has been an avid grappling competitor and has participated in tournaments in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Coach Mat has also experienced success at the highest levels of BJJ competition, having won his weight class at the 2012 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation No Gi World Championships, and earning a silver medal in the open weight class at the same event. Coach Mat is still an active competitor, and earned bronze medals in his weight class and the open class at the 2019 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation No Gi World Championships. Coach Mat is a dynamic instructor who prides himself on delivering high-energy BJJ programming.