VFit with Dr. MattDr. Matt Gaston Villanueva, Ph.D.
- Scientific Authority and Expert: Applied Exercise Science and Human Performance
- Fitness and Wellness Influencer: Functional Performance and Nutrition Specialist
- National-Level Men’s Physique Competitor: NPC
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist: NSCA CSCS
- Published Fitness Model/Writer
Dr. Matt Villanueva is all about “walking his talk,” by living a very fit lifestyle, leading by example, and striving to guide you on how to do so too.
Dr. Matt is a graduate from the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA), where he earned his Ph.D. in Biokinesiology with an exercise science emphasis.
He brings over 11 years of high-level education and over 14 years of applied, hands-on work experience with a diverse range of hundreds and hundreds of clients to V·Fit and the holistic fitness/health and wellness industry, primarily in the fields/areas of: exercise science and applied exercise physiology, exercise prescription and strength and conditioning for individuals across the lifespan, athletic performance/sport-specific training, bodybuilding and physique development training, nutrition for performance and health and wellness, and healthy aging.
In addition to being an expert in his field,
Dr. Matt is a:
- Elite-Level Performance and Nutrition Specialist
- Fitness and Wellness Influencer
- Internationally Published Fitness Model and Writer
- National-Level Men’s Physique Competitor seeking his IFBB Pro Card.
Dr. Matt brings true passion, heart, and positive energy to his career, his physically active lifestyle, and each and every person he comes into contact with.
Above all, he is 100% dedicated to helping you to get and stay fit for a lifetime and to positively transform on many different levels, including physically and mentally.
My love for a fit lifestyle and my passionate pursuit of my career are about so much more than just guiding, educating, motivating, and inspiring you to stay active, fit, and healthy … they are about doing everything in my power to help you BELIEVE that being active, fit, and healthy is the only option we truly have. As my Mom used to ask me as I was growing up: ‘what are we, without our health?’ TOGETHER, we can — and we will — always strive, work, and challenge ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves … TOGETHER, we are unstoppable!
More Information About Dr. Matt
Graduate – University of Southern California (USC – Los Angeles, California)
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) – Biokinesiology (Exercise Science Emphasis)
- August 2008 to May 2013
- Graduated Cum Laude (>3.7 GPA)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation Doctoral Research Grant Recipient (2011; Award: $9,900.00)
Graduate – California State University, Fresno (Fresno State – Fresno, California)
- Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) – Kinesiology (Exercise Science Emphasis)
- Graduate Studies: August 2006 to May 2008
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude (>3.8 GPA)
- Outstanding Graduate Student Award Recipient – CSU, Fresno Kinesiology Department (2008)
- Norma and Craig Scholarship Recipient for Outstanding Research – CSU, Fresno (2008)
- Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) – Kinesiology (Exercise Science Emphasis)
- Undergraduate: August 2002 to May 2006
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude with University Honors (>3.9 GPA)
- President’s Scholar (2002 to 2006)
USC Doctoral Studies, Research, and Teaching Experience
- Studies and Research:
- Healthy aging
- Adaptations to optimized resistance exercise/training programming in young and older men
- Maximizing muscular and functional performance improvements to resistance training in older men
- Hormone responses to resistance exercise and short-/long-term resistance training
- USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
- Doctoral Dissertation Title: Influence of Rest Interval Length in Between Sets on Hormonal Responses and Changes in Body Composition, Muscular Performance, and Functional Performance During 12 Weeks of Periodized Resistance Training in Older Men
- Teaching:
- Clinical exercise physiology (taught to 2nd year USC Doctor of Physical Therapy Students)
- Therapeutic exercise prescription (taught to 1st year USC Doctor of Physical Therapy Students)
Fresno State Undergraduate/Graduate Studies, Research, and Teaching Experience
- Studies and Research:
- Exercise Science (all concepts relevant and related to this field)
- Strength and conditioning, resistance exercise/training program design, aerobic exercise/training program design
- Nutrition for health and wellness, nutrition for (sport/athletic) performance
- Research methodology, instrumentation, data collection, manuscript preparation
- Fresno State Department of Kinesiology
- Master’s Thesis Title: Effect of Creatine Loading With and Without Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Lower-Body Muscular Strength and Neuromuscular Function
- Teaching:
- Introduction to Kinesiology, exercise prescription, and fitness development (taught to Fresno State Undergraduate students)
14 Years of Integrated Education and Applied Work Experience
- Primarily in the fields/areas of:
- Exercise science and applied exercise physiology
- Sport/athletic performance training, exercise prescription, and strength and conditioning for individuals across the lifespan, which include:
- Olympic-, elite-, collegiate-, and high school-level athletes
- Youth athletes/trainees
- Older adults
- Diseased/pathological (i.e., epilepsy, cardiovascular/respiratory complications, overweight/obese)
- Bodybuilders/physique athletes,
- General fitness enthusiasts/populations
- Nutrition for performance and health and wellness
- Healthy aging and weight management
- Hormones and exercise/performance/aging
- Job positions/titles have included:
- Graduate-Level Teaching Associate
- Research Assistant
- Exercise Physiologist
- Performance Specialist/Coach
- Nutritionist
- Division 1A Collegiate-level Strength and Conditioning Intern
- Personal Trainer, Weight Room Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor
- Villanueva, Matthew Gaston. Influence of rest interval length in between sets on hormonal responses and changes in body composition, muscular strength, and functional performance during twelve weeks of periodized resistance training in older men. University of Southern California, 2013.
Peer Reviewed Scientific Publications:
- Villanueva, M.G., Villanueva, M.G., Lane, C.J., and Schroeder, E.T. (2012). Influence of rest interval length on acute testosterone and cortisol responses to volume-load-equated total body hypertrophic and strength protocols. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26, (10), 2755-2764.
- Schroeder, E. T., Villanueva, M., West, D. D., and Phillips, S. M. (2013). Are acute post-resistance exercise increases in testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1 necessary to stimulate skeletal muscle anabolism and hypertrophy?. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45, (11), 2044-2051.
- Villanueva, M.G., He, J., and Schroeder, E.T. (2014). Periodized resistance training with and without supplementation improve body composition and performance in older men. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 114, (5), 891-905.
- Villanueva, M. G., Lane, C. J., and Schroeder, E. T. (2015). Short rest interval lengths between sets optimally enhance body composition and performance with 8 weeks of strength resistance training in older men. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115, (2), 295-308
What Clients Are Saying
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If you want to be your best, then you have to train with the best! Dr. Matt makes a huge difference in my life, both physically and mentally. Let him do the same for YOU!
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As a couple, my husband and I have been training with Dr. Matt for a year; we started in January of 2017. His encouraging and passionate attitude has made this the most positive and rewarding lifestyle change we've ever done together, and we've been married 18 years! I wholeheartedly believe in what Dr. Matt believes in, especially when he refers to me and my husband as a “Power Couple!”
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At 47 years of age, before I began receiving Dr. Matt’s coaching and guidance, my lower back was so bad that it hurt to simply sweep using a broom or walk modest distances. And, I was sedentary. Since working with Dr. Matt, I've lost 40 pounds, strengthened my back and relieved the pain, AND I have energy! Thank you, Dr. Matt!
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I honestly look forward to my training sessions with Dr. Matt. He brings positive energy and enthusiasm to every single session. He encourages me to do my best and pushes me to keep going, even when I feel I’ve reach my limit. I’m stronger and healthier, because of Dr. Matt’s encouragement and guidance. He is – hands down – the best trainer in the Central Valley!
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Dr. Matt is amazing! Prior to training with Dr. Matt, I had lost a considerable amount of mobility, strength, and endurance. I have not only regained these performance qualities back, but I have exceeded my goals beyond my comprehension! His positive training techniques are both effective and addicting; I am now pursuing competing in Strongman Competitions! Thank you, Dr. Matt!
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I have been avidly pursuing a future playing college football, for as long as I can remember. I first met Dr. Matt and started training with him at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school. Flashing forward to today, my strength, power, endurance, flexibility, and agility are all at an all-time high. I was four-year starter for the 2017 Valley Champion Tulare Union High School Varsity Football Team, and, since I began training with Dr. Matt, I have been named a two-time All-Valley Top 75 High School Football Player, ESPN 940 All-Valley First Team High School Football Player, 2016 and 2017 East Yosemite League Lineman of the Year, 2017 True Wrestler MVP, 2017 California State Wrestling Qualifier, and, as a senior in high school, ranked 10th in the state in wrestling. My greatest achievement to date is when I signed a letter of intent to play football for the Air Force Academy Falcons, in December of 2017! I attribute all of this to my training, combined with my endless pursuit for excellence, all as directed by Dr. Matt!