From a ‘dark time’ to happiness: Local footballer Matt LaFontaine on a mission to help

Mornington Peninsula footballer Matt LaFontaine’s arms are strong as iron bars as he prepares to do 3300 pull-ups to promote mental health.

The numbers on the wall tell a story of pain and determination.

Written in chalk are 15, 32, 52, 55, 58 — the minute marks Matt LaFontaine was struggling as he pumped out pull-up after pull-up.

Alone at Virtus Performance gym in Mornington, he’s training for a monumental physical challenge to promote mental health.

Quit?

No way.

It’s yet another training session and LaFontaine — well-known as a champion local footballer — grits his teeth and keeps going.

His muscles strain but it’s what’s in his head that drives him.

Matt LaFontaine training for the pull-up challenge.

On Saturday, October 12, LaFontaine will attempt to complete as many pull-ups as there were suicides in Australia last year, tragically nearing 3300.

He’s doing it to encourage people within the community to look after their own mental health.

It’s an issue close to his heart.

“I went through a really dark time of depression and anxiety and I attempted to take my life,” he said.

“And so to have gone from that rock bottom to being such a happy guy who sees so much gratitude in everything I just want to help others who are at that point where they feel like there’s no hope and try and provide that hope for them and find their happiness, guide them towards where they want to be.”

Matt LaFontaine training for the pull-up challenge.

Matt LaFontaine shows off his colouful fingernails.

Doing thousands of pull-ups is a bit like life — it’s bloody hard.

“For me it’s been harder mentally to be honest,’’ he said.

“Coming in here (the gym) early mornings on my own...the other week I did four hours and I was here for two and a bit hours on my own. It’s just you and that wall. It’s hard, it’s really hard.

“I’ve been training for 11 months so I’m at the point now where I’m like, just do it.

“I really need to just enjoy it but I’m definitely at the point where I’m ready to go.”

LaFontaine estimates he’s done 30,000 to 40,000 pull-ups in the past year.

Pull Up for Mental Health will happen on Saturday, October 12.

Why pull-ups?

“Originally I started doing the pull ups because at the end of last footy season I had osteitis pubis so I was told I couldn’t run for four months,’’ he said.

“And I don’t do very well at sitting still so I had to do something.

“At the time I remember seeing Ned Brockmann doing pull ups at the time, so I thought I may as well do that. I started training and it went from there. I thought how can I turn this into a challenge?

“It’s started from something quite small and now it’s turned into something quite big.’’

Matt LaFontaine training for the pull-up challenge.

Saturday, October 12 will be a fun day as LaFontaine sets out after those 3300 pull-ups at Virtus Performance gym in Mornington.

“We’ll have live music, we’ll have ice baths, we’ll have wellness sections where people can ask each other hard questions and make friendship bracelets,’’ he said.

“Support mental health while promoting local business on the Peninsula. We are encouraging people to come down.

“To get the whole of the Peninsula to come together in a day like this and connect is amazing and just have a great time.

“And I can see the potential in it growing next year.’’

LaFontaine played in three senior premierships with Frankston YCW — 2016, ‘17 and ‘22 — and won the Stonecats’ best and fairest in 2019.

He also played at state-league clubs Collingwood, Frankston and Subiaco before most recently playing at Mornington.