Getting to know... Matt Austin

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Matt Austin, co-founder of London-based gym and fitness class booking app developer SPORTL, talks about his passion for exercise, the value of hard work and his time on the small screen in EastEnders. 

We know you as the co-founder of SPORTL, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little more about what makes you tick…

I like to think of myself as a really positive, upbeat person; the glass is always half full, whatever the situation.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak; I set up my first company at 18 to raise money for cystic fibrosis treatment.

Outside of work, I’m very lucky to be engaged – and getting married this year – and I have a sausage dog called Lockie, who keeps life entertaining.

I’m also surrounded by an incredibly supportive family, which makes a huge difference in everything I do.

Did you always want to work in the fitness industry?

Fitness and sport have always been major passions.

I was fortunate to start my career at the Bank of England and learned a huge amount working across different industries. But I always knew I didn’t want to spend my life behind a desk.

Being able to build and run a company in a space I genuinely love feels like a dream come true.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

I’ve never been busier or worked harder – but I’ve also never enjoyed work more.

Every day is different: one moment I’m in an investor meeting talking about the finer details of our numbers, the next I’m shooting our promo video ready for launch.

The variety means I’m excited to get up and go every single day.

The worst part? Honestly, I’m not sure there is one.

Even the late nights and tougher moments are enjoyable because I’m building something I believe in.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

That’s a tough one.

I’ve been lucky enough to experience some incredible things growing up, but two moments stand out: beating the Malaysian national champion at badminton in Kuala Lumpur, and being selected to represent Northern Victoria while playing cricket in Australia at 18.

How do you relax outside of work?

Mainly through sport and exercise.

In the summer, you’ll find me playing cricket, and most evenings I’m walking the dog with my fiancée.

I’m also in marathon training.

I feel very fortunate that starting SPORTL means fitness is naturally woven into my day-to-day life.

What makes London such a great place to live and work?

The freedom and flexibility.

No matter the time or day, there’s always something happening and always someone around to experience it with.

Hopefully, SPORTL will only add to that flexibility as fitness becomes an even bigger part of people’s everyday lives.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know...

I was a child actor.

I played Peter Beale’s body double in EastEnders and a younger version of the Chuckle Brothers on television.

Thanks to that phase of my life, I can still recite all the colours in Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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