I DID NOT CHOOSE THIS JOB. IT IS AS IF IT CHOSE ME.

My name is Matteo Puglisi. I am a personal trainer and kinesiologist, with a degree in Exercise Science and, later, an MSc in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity. But before the qualifications, there is one thing that defines me more than anything else: I believe deeply in movement as the key to feeling well, in body and mind.

I grew up surrounded by sport, between football pitches, youth clubs and gyms, and what started as a childhood passion became, step by step, my life.

My story

I have always had two sides: one that loves being among people, motivating them, making them smile, and one that is more reserved, able to work hard in silence, with commitment and responsibility. I brought them together through sport. I studied, bachelor's degree then master's, but I never settled for books alone: I wanted the pitch, the people, real stories. So alongside studying, I collected certifications and above all experiences: the weights room, youth football, teams, tournaments, children learning to run and adults learning to care about themselves again.

I also gained a teaching qualification, because I believe my contribution should not stop at the gym or the pitch: I want to take it into schools, among young people. The world of exercise science is too often neglected, pushed to the margins, and yet that is where, at the desks, you build your relationship with your own body. Together with the many colleagues who do the same work, I want to do my part to carry forward the culture of movement, because a child who learns to move today will be a healthier, happier adult tomorrow.

What I take away from every meeting is simple: every person is different, and deserves to be listened to before they are trained.

What I do today

Today I work as a personal trainer at a dedicated gym, and as a strength and conditioning specialist with UEFA C FIGC qualification at an Elite football academy affiliated with Fiorentina. My work follows three paths, which really tell one story: helping people get the best out of themselves.

• One-to-one training: I work with people who want to get back in shape, lose weight, improve their posture or simply feel well again, online or in person.
• Football: as a conditioning specialist I support young players and teams, combining technique, athletic work and personal growth.
• Military fitness: I prepare people who dream of a career in the Armed Forces and the Police to pass the physical tests in competitive entry exams.

Where I want to go

I have two dreams that walk side by side. The first is to build a place of my own: a physical and digital space where these worlds can live under one roof, where the aspirant Carabinieri officer preparing for an exam, the footballer who wants to step up, the athlete chasing performance and the person who simply wants to feel well find the same attention and the same passion.

The second is school: one day I would like to teach, bring physical education to young people and contribute where it is often forgotten. Because I am convinced that the culture of movement deserves to reach everyone, starting with the youngest.

Because in the end, whether it is a pitch, a gym, a track or a classroom, my work is always the same: to help people move towards the best version of themselves.