Matt Chinn: Owner,
Downtown Fitness

M

att Chinn lives by example. While struggling with alcoholism, Matt faced a possible five-year prison sentence. Luckily, he was able to enter rehab for alcoholism treatment instead; while there, he says he faced the music and changed his life. In June 2024, Matt celebrated five years of sobriety. 

During his treatment, Matt found that long, hard exercises calmed his mind. Running gave him the sense of peace he was seeking. After exiting the program, Matt turned his newfound peace into a business helping others. At Downtown Fitness, he cares about his clients and coaches them to achieve their goals, both physically and emotionally.

“Matt has overcome tremendous obstacles throughout his life, and he has taken that strength and turned it into literal strength for him and others around him,” says Carrie Tergin, former mayor of Jefferson City and Matt’s friend. 

Matt prioritizes good habits and is dedicated to empowering others to do the same through his inspiring actions and advocacy efforts. He plays a big part in the Cole County treatment core program as an active alumnus working with individuals throughout the program. Matt believes that being open with his struggles gives people the opportunity to share their own.

“I don’t ask to put anyone through anything I haven’t done myself, and that includes talking about addiction and other human things,” Matt says. “People don’t want to talk about mental health because it makes them look human. I am human. I am proud of who I am and that I’ve fallen down and picked myself back up time and time again.” 

Matt created the Capital City Race in honor of his close friend and pledge brother Jared Palmer, who lost his life to mental illness in November of 2021. The race raises mental health awareness in addition to funds for the surviving children of Jared as well as mental health treatments and recovery services. Recently, Matt received a Missouri mental health award from the state of Missouri for all of his efforts in the field.  

“Matt goes above and beyond by not being afraid to share his story,” Carrie adds. “He’s shown that you can overcome anything when you believe in yourself and have others around you that do too.”

 Matt lives by example and jumps in when he sees an opportunity to make things better. For him, his work is more than a workout or a job. Being physically active and learning to share his story saved his life, and he hopes that he can use what he’s learned to help others. 

“The more people we can get to talk about mental health, the better we can make the community,” Matt says.