I want to take a moment to share two key reasons why Thomas is my coach, and very likely always will be. First and foremost, he genuinely cares. That care is evident in every approach he takes – whether it’s about your health, your success, or understanding you as both an athlete and a person.

For example, this is my fourth prep working with Thomas. We’re currently in a 12-week cycle, and since week 2, we’ve been doing daily check-ins. Some might think, “Wow, that sounds overwhelming to maintain for months,” but to me, it highlights several essential qualities that are vital for success. It shows that Thomas cares about my progress as much as I do. It demonstrates his attention to even the tiniest details. Most importantly, it underscores that he’s holding me accountable. These are the core qualities you need in a coach.

My journey back into bodybuilding began five years ago, triggered by a personal tragedy. A close friend of mine passed away, and in a strange twist of fate, they left me with a gift… 

“Let’s train like we did in high school and compete at the GR this year. You do classic, I’ll do physique.” I see that message every year, etched in my mind. Just six days later, my friend Asa took his own life. A week after receiving that message, I started prep for my first bodybuilding show in nearly a decade.

At that time, I was carrying a powerlifting physique – strong but not aesthetic. I competed that spring and placed near the bottom of my class, we were off to a good start! Lol, but still, it was a start. Over the next year, I worked with Thomas, competing again and placing respectably in a competitive field. Then, we took a year to rebuild, adding over 20 pounds of muscle and moving up in weight class – getting closer to qualifying for a national show.

Fast forward four years, and I’m less than 30 days away from competing for my pro card. My physique now has a real shot. In this time, Thomas has helped transform a broken-down physique into something to truly be proud of, all using the fundamental principles of success that he consistently applies.

Now, to elaborate on my earlier points: Thomas genuinely cares – about your success, your health, and your overall well-being. His philosophy isn’t about just “blasting gear and getting huge.” It’s about paying attention to the small details, maintaining consistency, and focusing on the little things that set you apart from everyone else.

In the first two weeks of this prep, we made significant adjustments, pulling back hard, which dropped my body weight to a three-year low. Initially, I was actually concerned. But I put that aside and trusted in Thomas. Since then, my food intake has increased weekly, my strength has risen, and my physique has been transforming daily – hardening, refining, and coming together like a work of art. Every week, Thomas makes 1-5 minor but crucial adjustments, highlighting his deep knowledge and critical eye.

Year after year, Thomas continues to grow and expand his expertise. He invests time and dedication into truly understanding his clients and knowing how to work with and for them based on their unique goals. That’s why he’ll always be my coach. We’re always improving, always pushing forward – until we reach our ultimate goal. He’s grown into an incredible coach and friend over the years.

-Matt Landenberg-