By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
A Salina native is looking to be featured on the country's most prominent magazine for fitness.
Thirty-one year old, Matthew (Matt) Cookson a licensed and certified personal trainer, performance enhancement specialist and powerlifter is currently in the Mr. Health & Fitness competition for a chance to get a spot on the nationwide magazine for bodybuilding, strength training, nutrition and fitness advice, Muscle & Fitness.
This competition is nationwide and Cookson is currently in the top 10 in his designated grouping. Each time the group narrows down from the top 20, 15, 10, 5 and then the top 2 with a double elimination round.
The voting to see who advances to the top 5 ends Thursday, February 26 at 9:00 pm CT.
Click here to cast in your vote.
"Muscle & Fitness is the who's who of the health and fitness industry," said Cookson.
Notable names such as Chris Bumstead, Triple H, John Cena, Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Muhammad Ali have all been featured on the magazine.
Moreover, the winner of the competition receives a cash prize of $20,000.
Cookson currently owns Champion Performance, which serves people as an online training incorporation. He provides services that range from sports training, powerlifting, physical therapy and much more with ages ranging from youth to adults. He has also been certified three times through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) to train professional athletes, as he has been licensed for 9 years as a generalized trainer.
Additionally, Cookson has been powerlifting since he was a child with his first competition being at 11.
"It is interesting because it is like second nature to me and the cool thing is since I have been around it my whole life, it's like a playground to me," said Cookson.
In the past, Cookson has won five national championships and one junior championship for powerlifting.
His inspiration comes from his father, Chuck who has also competed in various powerlifting competitions.
Cookson stated he would use the cash prize to invest in his business and expand it towards having a brick & mortar building.
He competed in the magazine competition last year and finished in the top 2 of his group.
You can also make donation for your votes, as the proceeds will go towards the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
The organization provides:
- Financial assistance to families of children with cancer.
- Fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and advancements in treatment protocols.
- Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds.
- Psychosocial support to kids and families of children with cancer.
"Raising money for childhood cancer is the most important thing in this competition," said Cookson.
You can follow Matt Cookson on Facebook here.
For his personal instagram: Matthew.a.Cookson
Champion Performance instagram: Chmpn.performance