Model and actor Chase Mattson has rapidly established himself as one of vertical media’s most sought-after leading men. When the star was approached to mix it up with the larger-than-life superstars of WWE for ReelShort’s explosive new project, Agent of Shadows, he went all-in. In the process, he gained a profound respect for professional wrestling and its elite performers. Speaking to Muscle & Fitness, Mattson revealed that maintaining his physique and preparing for demanding physical challenges requires rigorous training and an unwavering dedication to nutrition.
In today’s digital entertainment landscape, vertical media has carved out a massive and influential niche. As younger audiences increasingly migrate away from traditional television in favor of endless scrolling on social media platforms, the premise of producing scripted shows in a vertical format ensures seamless, full-screen viewing directly on mobile devices. Yet, this format comes with its own unique pressures. Vertical micro-dramas rely on free introductory episodes to hook viewers before a paywall conceals the dramatic conclusion. For actors, this means every single second on screen must deliver maximum impact and high-stakes performance.
This relentless drive is not lost on Chase Mattson, who was recently honored by People magazine as the Sexiest ReelShort Star and has proven himself to be exceptionally adaptable within the vertical drama genre. His latest venture, Agent of Shadows, is a high-octane collaboration between ReelShort and WWE, bringing together top-tier wrestling talent such as Drew McIntyre, Booker T, Jacob Fatu, and Nikkita Lyons. Mattson, who was a highly active athlete during his youth, stands an impressive 6 feet 3 inches tall. Even so, he found himself genuinely starstruck and humbled when he encountered the towering presence of undisputed WWE champion Drew McIntyre, who stands at 6 feet 5 inches.
Reflecting on their initial meeting on set, Mattson admitted that his expectations were quickly recalibrated. "I was told that Drew was a big guy and I was like, ‘Okay cool, I’m a big guy,’ and then he came on set and this dude is a giant, man!" Fortunately, any intimidation quickly dissolved, and Mattson noted that he and McIntyre became fast friends as filming progressed under demanding conditions.
Chase Mattson Follows a Superhero’s Workout to Stay Shredded
To maintain the elite physical condition required for action-heavy roles, Mattson relies on a variety of intense routines, chief among them being the "Cindy" workout. This grueling CrossFit circuit has famously been employed by actors like Tom Holland to maintain his peak, superhero-ready physique for playing Spider-Man. The structure of the workout is deceptively simple in description: practitioners perform five pull-ups, ten push-ups, and fifteen air squats, repeating the cycle continuously for as many rounds as possible within a given timeframe.
The simplicity of the routine, however, belies its intense physical toll. "I was like, that seems too easy, but the first time, I got to round eight, and I was gassed," Mattson shared regarding his introduction to the circuit. Through consistency and progressive overload, the actor has vastly improved his endurance, reaching a personal peak of 16 completed rounds. Always looking for ways to push his physical boundaries further, Mattson has even elevated the difficulty by incorporating 40-pound dumbbells into his air squats.
Chase Mattson Embraces His Hectic Family Life to Stay Fit
Balancing a demanding acting and modeling career with the whirlwind of a bustling household is no small feat. As a father of four children alongside two dogs, Mattson manages the chaos of family life by leaning directly into it rather than fighting it. However, household balance has its boundaries—especially when it comes to his personal food supply. "You better not touch his bison!" is an unwritten rule in the Mattson household.
The actor’s current approach to nutrition is a far cry from his earlier days in the fashion industry. Mattson explains that during his traditional modeling career, he simply was not consuming enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to sustain a powerful, muscular frame. After seeking professional guidance regarding his diet, he began rigorously tracking his macros, a shift that successfully brought complex carbohydrates back into his daily regimen. To keep himself strictly on track and avoid the sweet temptations that inevitably lurk in a family kitchen, Mattson carved out his own dedicated storage space.
"We have cabinets in our house, but I have one that is dedicated just for me," Mattson explains, detailing how he maintains dietary discipline amidst four kids and household snacks. Rather than giving in to junk food, he relies on smart nutritional swaps, such as snacking on almonds instead of candy, and consumes large quantities of blueberries for their documented benefits in supporting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation.
This meticulous commitment to nutrition and training has yielded remarkable physical results. Mattson now weighs in at a lean, powerful, and muscular 215 pounds, marking a significant and deliberate transformation from the 185-pound frame he carried during his strictly modeling days.
Despite his strict regimen, fitness in the Mattson household is frequently a family affair. The actor makes a point of sharing the fun, engaging side of physical activity with his children, incorporating outdoor jogs and bodyweight calisthenics that double as healthy, active play for growing bodies.
Staying in peak physical condition is not merely an aesthetic choice for Mattson; it is a professional necessity. In the fast-paced world of micro-dramas and film production, actors can receive as little as 24 hours’ notice for a demanding shirtless scene or an intense physical sequence. During the production of Agent of Shadows, those physical demands were ratcheted up significantly. Filming took place under the punishing heat of the desert, and the script called for Mattson to engage in direct, physical altercations with wrestling royalty, including WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
"Physically, I was doing all the WWE stunts on the ground," Mattson explained, noting that the sheer intensity of the choreography left his entire body sore for days after filming wrapped.
Demonstrating a level of dedication that went well beyond the standard expectations of a lead actor, Mattson actively immersed himself in the culture of professional wrestling to promote the project. He enrolled at WWE’s legendary Performance Center and courageously stepped inside a real wrestling ring to experience the sport firsthand.
Reflecting on the surreal and bruising reality of the experience, Mattson offered a newfound appreciation for what professional grapplers endure night after night. "They hit me with a chair, a real chair," the actor said, emphasizing the brutal authenticity of the environment. "It’s harder than it looks."
As major streaming platforms continue to develop and expand their libraries of vertical media, Chase Mattson finds himself positioned at the forefront of the genre as one of its most experienced and bankable performers. Yet, the momentum of his career shows no signs of slowing down. As our conversation concluded, the in-demand star was preparing to board a flight for his next major assignment—a traditional, horizontal film project. True to his character and secret-agent persona, however, contractual obligations keep him tight-lipped about the details of the upcoming role.
"I always stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready," Mattson concluded, offering a final glimpse into the mindset that has propelled his success across modeling, vertical dramas, and the squared circle.
Agent of Shadows is currently streaming on ReelShort. To follow Chase Mattson’s fitness journey and career updates, visit his official Instagram profile.
