Chef Matthew John Philip Jones

15/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that strength isn’t always loud.
Sometimes strength is getting out of bed. Sometimes it’s asking for help. Sometimes it’s simply making it through the day when your mind feels heavy.

We spend so much time hiding the parts of ourselves that struggle, but vulnerability is not weakness — it’s honesty. And honesty connects us.

Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself.
Take the break. Make the call. Start the conversation.

No one should have to fight silently.

16/03/2026

So next week is the big one. My strength week. After four months of this current macrocycle and changing it up a bit, it’s time to see if it paid off. 100kg for flat bench and close grip for amrap. I want six reps for both.

06/03/2026

01/03/2026

A new series of the chef tales is coming soon. This series I’ve just finished.

26/02/2026

Come this Sunday, we’ll be in March. That’s crazy! The last week of March is when I go for my strength week and I hopefully hit pbs. It’ll be Sumo deadlifts at 154kg for amrap. I’m want to say at least six reps that I’ll get at that weight. Go to failure and who knows, there might be a couple more left in the tank.

20/02/2026

Have to post the downs as well as the ups.

Upper body day schedule
Incline bench 72.5kg 5x5
Flat bench 83.5kg 5x5
Chest supported rows 4 8-10
Preacher curls 4x 8-10

I could tell after the finishing the first set of incline that it was going to be tough. Come to the fifth set and I was right, I grinded out the fifth rep for the other sets but I was done. This is why I don’t put the clips on the bar when benching. So I can get shot of it quick. Flat bench I had to go back to 80kg after the second set. No need to beat myself up about it. S**t happens. I’ve learnt to embrace failure. The over thinking it, is not an option anymore.

Maybe my sleep wasn’t great, I don’t know. G

19/02/2026

Leg day today for me. Felt a ni**le in my right knee.
Stiletto squats 75kg 4x4
Leg curls 52.5kg 4x8
Leg extensions 67.5kg 4x8
Standing calf raises 115kg 4x 8-10

16/02/2026

Brrrrrrr. It was bloody cold making my way to the gym this morning. Still, the session is done and it went really well.