The Mat Sense story

My name is Coach Jason Lara, I am the founder of Mat Sense Wrestling.

How it started

I grew up in Southern California and started my wrestling career at the storied and highly successful Calvary Chapel High School. After high school I received a full ride scholarship to wrestle at the University of Michigan and after some time I would transfer to Oregon State University. Through the end of my high school career and throughout my college career I coached young wrestlers and would spend my vacations giving back by training with and coaching them. I’ve been coaching wrestlers for almost 20 years.

When I finished college I began to transition to wrestling internationally. Injuries from college lingered and some new injuries caused me to change my path and focus on full time coaching. I became the head coach of a local youth program that would eventually lead to me opening the Mat Sense Wrestling Academy. During this time I also coached at the Division 1 level as an assistant coach.

The academy was extremely successful and changed the path of my life and many others. In 2024 I closed the doors to the academy and decided to move to San Diego where I would focus on private coaching, and helping Professor Galvao at the legendary Atos HQ.

My methods

I have been have been mentored by some of the greatest coaches in the world. I travel internationally learning to this day, I am still and will always be a student.

The most important variable is that I have a curriculum. My curriculum has been successfully tested to develop wrestlers to a high level rapidly. My curriculum is unique and fun, but also tough. I pride myself in fostering a love for the sport and accelerated development in my athletes. The Mat Sense Curriculum entails everything from technical proficiency, strength and conditioning, to mindset and competition tools.

How do we start working together?

You can schedule a private lesson, hire me to work with your team or small group, schedule a seminar at your gym or school, subscribe to my monthly curriculum, or attend one of my training camps.

Thank you

Coach Jason Lara