The Architect of the City
By day, Jake Mattison is the man behind the maps. As a Senior GIS Analyst for the City of Grand Forks, he builds the mapping workflows and applications that keep the city running efficiently. If you see a platting or annexation on a city map, Jake is likely the one who put it there. His day-to-day is analytical and precise—qualities he eventually realized he needed to apply to his fitness routine as well.
Breaking the Boredom
Before joining the 6 AM crew at Tundra, Jake found himself in the “traditional gym” trap. He was going through the motions, doing the same repetitive movements, and feeling the burnout that comes with a stagnant routine. He wasn’t necessarily “stuck,” but he was bored. He knew he needed something to shake up the system.
The 6 AM Energy Shift
Jake’s first impression of Tundra was the immediate shift in intensity. He saw a room full of people giving 100% and—more importantly—actually enjoying it.
“Working out with a group is much easier to keep motivated,” Jake says.
The turning point came at the rig. While Jake was looking for a “shake-up,” he found a breakthrough: his first muscle-up. That milestone was the definitive proof that the Tundra method wasn’t just about variety; it was about measurable, high-level growth.
Defying the Clock
For Jake, the biggest transformation hasn’t just been the new skills, but the ability to stop the “decline” we often associate with getting older.
“I still feel like I can do most things I could when I was in my early 20s,” he shares.
That capability has leaked into his life outside the gym walls. When you’re training at 6 AM, your performance becomes a mirror of your lifestyle. Jake noticed that his consistency with a healthy diet improved because he realized his performance in the gym suffered the moment he started to slack on his nutrition.
Jake’s Advice: Just Do It
Jake’s philosophy is simple and echoes a classic mantra: Just do it. “Even when you don’t want to, you’ll never regret working out afterward,” he says. For those mapping out their own fitness journey but feeling hesitant to start, Jake is proof that the right community can turn a boring routine into a lifelong advantage.