A Newcastle-based fitness entrepreneur is helping people rebuild confidence, strength and self-belief through boxing — after transforming his own life in the process.
Matt McKenna, founder of Box&Build, launched the business following a personal journey that began seven years ago when, aged 20, he found himself lacking confidence, direction, and self-belief.
“I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be in, and I wasn’t the confident person I knew I could be,” Matt explains. “Boxing became the tool I used to build myself into the man I always aspired to be.”
Through dedication and discipline, he achieved a dramatic physical and mental transformation, losing significant weight and developing a new level of confidence. Even during lockdown, he remained committed by training in his garage, sparring outdoors, and pushing himself to improve.
When restrictions lifted, he stepped into the ring for three consecutive fights across three weekends winning each bout and cementing his passion for the sport.
“I’ve never been more confident or comfortable in myself,” he says. “Now I want to pass that on to others.”
A key driving force behind Matt’s journey has been his father, who introduced him to the gym environment from a young age.
“My dad took me into the gym when I was about 10 or 11,” Matt says. “We weren’t training seriously, but he called it building good habits, just getting used to being in that environment.”
His father, a keen rugby player in his younger years, has always prioritised fitness and self-discipline, values that left a lasting impression.
“Even now, he’s in great shape and takes real pride in looking after himself,” Matt adds. “He taught me that exercise isn’t optional it’s a non-negotiable part of life. No matter how busy you are, you must make time for yourself. That’s stuck with me ever since.”
That early exposure helped Matt feel comfortable in training spaces and laid the groundwork for his later transition into boxing and ultimately, the creation of Box&Build.
Located in Gosforth, Newcastle, Box&Build was created to challenge the intimidating reputation often associated with traditional boxing gyms.
Matt recalls his own first experience:
“I walked into a boxing gym for the first time and left with a black eye and concussion. I can laugh now, but it was a traumatic experience, and it puts a lot of people off for life.
I felt intimidated, experienced poor results in the gyms I visited and found that there was no real coaching in boxfit classes.
As a result, his business model for Box&Build offers a middle ground combining authentic boxing training with a safe, supportive environment.
“We sit between the extremes,” Matt explains. “You’ll learn how to box properly and defend yourself, but you’ll feel safe, supported and empowered while doing it.”
The facility, based on Salters Road in central Gosforth, has been carefully designed to feel welcoming and inspiring. With a heritage boxing aesthetic, classic fight posters, a full-size ring, and a dedicated strength training space, it’s a gym people feel proud to be part of. Training is delivered through small group sessions and one-to-one coaching, ensuring every member receives focused, high-quality guidance.
“We keep sessions small because that’s how people truly progress,” says Matt. “This isn’t about packing people into big classes, it’s about delivering real, lasting results.”
While Box&Build does train competitive fighters, most members join for personal development.
“This is for anyone who wants to feel more confident walking into a room,” Matt adds. “That’s something everyone deserves and it’s something I didn’t have at 20.”
The gym has built a strong, inclusive community, with an even split of male and female members without the need for separate sessions.
“Women feel safe and empowered training alongside the guys here,” says Matt “It’s about creating an environment where everyone can grow and we’re looking forward to welcoming new members.”
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Photo: Matt and his father at the gym (The Bigger Picture)
PR and Media keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951
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