Finding Strength in the Arena of Life
Life doesn’t hand out easy paths. For Matt Von Bergen, challenges came early. Born in New Jersey and later moving to California, he grew up as the middle child in a large family—a position that, as he describes, often means fighting for your place and proving yourself.
But the defining moments of Matt’s life weren’t just about birth order. At a young age, he lost his little brother to a brain tumor. In high school, he lost his mother to pancreatic cancer.
Most people would crumble under the weight of that kind of loss. Some do. But as Matt puts it, “It’s either a crutch or a catalyst.”
He chose the latter.
Hard Work and Hustle
School wasn’t Matt’s arena. A self-described C-student at best, he didn’t thrive in the traditional education system. But what he lacked in grades, he made up for in determination, curiosity, and an ability to connect with people.
At 19, he took a job selling cell phones. No formal sales training. No guidance. Just raw talent, grit, and the drive to succeed. Within a short time, he was making six figures in his early 20s.
Then he noticed something—people he used to work with were transitioning into the mortgage industry and making even more. He saw an opportunity.
In 2005, Matt stepped into a new arena—mortgages.
Surviving the Mortgage Crash and Stepping Up
The 2008 financial crisis hit the mortgage industry hard. Matt wasn’t immune.
Instead of closing deals, he found himself fielding heartbreaking calls from people losing their homes—people he knew, their families, their parents. And he had to tell them he couldn’t help.
It was a defining moment. He had two choices: leave the industry like so many others or stay and fight through the downturn.
He chose to fight.
While others left, Matt doubled down, learned the industry inside and out, and prepared for the recovery. He knew that when the market rebounded, he would be in a position to help more people than ever before.
Entrepreneurship and Independence
In 2010, Matt made another leap. He left the transactional, volume-driven mortgage call centers behind and stepped into relationship-based lending.
No safety net. No guaranteed paycheck. Just the belief that by putting people first, he could build something lasting.
It wasn’t easy. The first six to eight months were about survival—paying bills, taking every deal he could. But he adapted, pivoted, and most importantly, built a network of trusted professionals.
Through networking groups like BNI and the Network Society, he became known as the guy who could connect you to the right people, whether for a mortgage or any other business need.
Winning in the Arena: A Trusted Advisor, Not Just a Loan Officer
Most mortgage professionals focus on transactions. Matt focuses on advice and strategy.
He’s not just selling a loan—he’s walking his clients through every possibility, every potential obstacle, every financial bridge they might not even realize is ahead.
Decades of experience mean he doesn’t just give options—he gives recommendations.
✅ Educate – Helping clients understand the full picture, not just rates and terms.
✅ Advise – Mapping out multiple strategies based on real-life goals.
✅ Strategize – Creating custom, long-term financial roadmaps that go beyond just the mortgage.
Matt’s philosophy is simple: Expertise should be shared, trust should be earned, and every challenge can be solved with the right mindset.
Leadership and Impact
For Matt, success isn’t just about business. It’s about impact.
He’s not just leading in his industry—he’s leading at home, coaching his kids’ sports teams, mentoring others, and living by the values his parents instilled in him.
Integrity. Hard work. Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Matt’s story is proof that life’s toughest challenges don’t define you—how you respond to them does.
If you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or just someone trying to find your way, his journey is a powerful reminder that every setback is an opportunity.
It’s about showing up, doing the work, and refusing to quit—no matter how hard the fight.
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Over the years I worked with many different lenders, and I can say from experience, Matt is truly a professional. His knowledge, experience and expertise put him in a class by himself. I would not consider using any other.