TESTIMONIALS
“Matt always guides me to the truth. More often than not, he'll ask me an insightful question that helps me find my way to it on my own. But if I'm really lost, he will directly, kindly, and, more often than not, with humor, connect dots I couldn't even see or offer a perspective that never occurred to me. On many occasions he has been the one to tell me what I needed to hear in a way I could hear it - even when it was painful. Because he is so good at connection, and because it's always so clear he is in my corner, even when it's a solution I've been avoiding or a truth I don't want to face, I'm able to hear it. He has a level of emotional intelligence and empathy (with boundaries) that allows him to sit alongside you in your process without making it his own. That's rare in this world.”
I have had the benefit of Matt as a life coach for many years through major life transitions like divorce, relationships and building a new life. His insight built on personal experience has been invaluable and a constant support through those difficult times. He has been able to see what I could not see from the inside, and provide perspective on the situations and emotions I was struggling with. He is well able to help navigate the intersections of trauma, sexuality, self-worth and moving towards an authentic expression of yourself, and he has helped with all of this for me. I thoroughly recommend Matt to anyone struggling to know and accept themselves better, and to live a life that is a true reflection of who you are.
“I’ve known Matt for 17 years and he is one of the wisest people I know. He has journeyed through some of life’s most painful experiences and refused to let them turn him bitter or resentful. Instead, Matt’s done the hard work: pursuing health, wholeness, peace and joy; generously sharing his own healing journey with others.
I’m the grateful recipient of Matt’s generosity, care and insight. Through two agonizing years spent fighting to save my marriage, Matt was my closest companion. He listened patiently, spoke hard truths with love, encouraged and offered wise counsel. I don’t know anyone quite as extraordinary as Matt. My life is immeasurably better because he’s in it.”
“Being gay and in my mid 50’s was a painfully lonely place. It was hard to even find words to ask for help. I was astonished by how much shame was embedded in loneliness. I didn’t have the language to navigate it, until I met Matt.
Matt has a unique and powerful ability to connect. He accompanied me through days I am sure I wouldn’t have otherwise survived. Walked me through soul baring loneliness in a way only someone who has been there and took careful notes can.
Matt’s real magic though, was the way he guided me gently forward. From even the most stuck places. It was obvious that this light he was holding for me, came from having been bravely in the broken and lost places of himself. Believe me when I say, his is a bright and warm light— born of a compassion I’ve never found find the bottom of. Not in all the years I’ve known him.
The LGBTQ community has needed a heart like Matt Bays’ for a long, long time. My world, this world, is a kinder, more loving place because he is in it. “
“Coming out of the closet is not for the faint of heart. Not for a young person and certainly not for someone like me. I was 49 years old when enough events unfolded in my life and I knew it was time. A difficult marriage of 29 years was ending and my four children were grown and out of the house. Still, I was terrified! What would people think? Who am I? Where in the world do I go from here?
In an act of desperation, I reached out to a Facebook friend who I had heard had a similar experience. I don’t remember that first dialogue with Matt. I’m sure it was chaotic and frazzled, but he was able to sift through my ramblings and quickly became a safe place I could turn for support and wisdom. Matt had walked this path and lived to tell about it. He is incredibly positive, light-hearted, and a voice of reason I so needed to navigate those lonely and difficult days of coming out. One of the things I learned from Matt that sticks out the most; this journey is not one to venture out into alone. He not only taught me that but showed me how to do it. I can't imagine going through this past year without him!”
“Matt has a knack for cutting to the chase, identifying the part of my story that has gone a little sideways in the telling, and steering me gently back on track. Talking to Matt is so grounding for me.”
“Matt is caring, authentic, and safe. That combination is exactly what’s makes us all feel comfortable around him! “
