Matthew's journey into firearms began with a unique education from his father, a Civil War historian, who taught him the intricacies of black powder rifles. This early immersion, coupled with hands-on experience at his grandfather's ranch and a love for hunting, naturally evolved into a lifelong advocacy for the shooting sports. However, it was a harrowing experience as a young man, stranded defenseless in an active war zone overseas, that truly forged his path.

In 2016, remembering the 1994 assault weapons ban that President Clinton signed, and with then-democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton campaigning to make it permanent, Matthew was motivated to share his skills with others. These pivotal moments instilled a profound resolve: to always build a robust personal 'life skills toolbox' and ensure preparedness for himself and others. This commitment directly led him to become a highly qualified NTAC and NRA Certified Firearms Instructor for the last seven years.

Driven by this foundational belief, Matthew's aim as an instructor is clear: to foster self-improvement in every student. He empowers them to add crucial new life skills by significantly increasing their knowledge, confidence, and responsibility when handling firearms. His valuable affiliation with Nielsen Training provides the ideal environment to continually pursue this vital objective.

• NRA Certified Instructor – Pistol, Rifle, Range Safety Officer (RSO), Personal Protection Inside the Home and Personal Protection Outside the Home
• BPMF and The F2 Group – Co-Founder of a community training center providing health, safety and wellness programs along with live fire and virtual simulator training
• Fight Back Nation – Defensive tactics and crisis preparation for school personnel and administrators.
• 7 Years professional training under Nielsen Training and consulting.
• Known as the fixer of all things mechanical, due to his mechanical experience with guns and cars.