matthew fast

matthew learned to walk again.

Matthew Fast was in the kind of car accident most people don’t survive. He says, “I shattered my arm, broke my femur, broke all of my ribs on my right side, collapsed my lung, and suffered two traumatic brain injuries.” ten months later he was very weak and in a wheelchair, but determined to recover fully. He landed a job at 24 Hour Fitness, where he was befriended by one of the trainers. In his own words, “One of the trainers, Tuelo, had heard what happened and so she took my under her wing. I went from a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane, to a very weak walk. She not only made me physically stronger but made me mentally stronger by helping me understand that things take time..Because of Tuelo, I am a better and stronger person.” Asked what he would say to others after his experience, “Believe in yourself, and others will see it.”

Story Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

Anonymous's picture

Matt
Iam very proud in the accomplishment that you have done and being very strong and pushing yourself to go forward with your goals.

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 01:45

Zach Tisdel (not verified)

Zach Tisdel's picture

That's so awesome Matthew!!! I'm so proud of you and fo sho keep up the good work!!! :)

PEACE!!!
Zach

Posted by Zach Tisdel (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 20:00

I had the opportunity to have Matt has my assistant for a period of a few months at Club 435.
It is truly amazing what he is capable of after this accident. He is an incredibly hard worker on the job and in the gym and one of the most awesome people I know!
I'm proud of you Matt, you rock!

Posted by katg on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 13:53

Anonymous (not verified)

Anonymous's picture

I actually got to work with Matt the crazy thing about this kid is that you can't tell that he had went through anything. The only reason why I knew is cause of the scars and he didn't even really want to talk about it. The best thing about matt is his attitude towards life and his abiltiy to keep everybody else around him smiling. He is a great rolemodel and most definitely one of the nicest and outgoing people I know. Keep up the great work!!!

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 21:59

Anonymous (not verified)

Anonymous's picture

Matthew what an inspirational story. I really hope you are hanging in there and achieving your gaols. It sounds like you have a lot of drive. Good luck and keep up the great work!

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 22:33

Anonymous (not verified)

Anonymous's picture

wow thats amazing reading about your story and reading comments left, you sound like a pretty good guy and pushing forward like that. I am assuming you had many challenges and to hear about you pushing forward and not giving up that is so awesome. I wish you the best! GoodLuck!!

Posted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 22:40

Hi Matthew,
I read your story and when I read the last line."Believe in yourself and others will see it".
It brought tears to my eyes for it was so eloquently said.
I just wrote a story on how I healed myself from a crippling and sometimes fatal illness that people rarely heal from.
It took vision, letting go of past limitations and persistence.
Thanks for your inspiring story.
Lorraine

Posted by quiche01 on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:52

two words... simply amazing!

24HourFitnessEmployee[560]

Posted by wifeycomes1st on Sat, 08/01/2009 - 16:47

wow, your pretty amazing. for someone to go through what you went through and still manage to be successful. some people would have gave up, not you though! stay strong and keep your goals high.

24HourFitnessEmployee[560]

Posted by wifeycomes1st on Sun, 08/02/2009 - 06:58