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Kreatures Of Habit Podcast
Against All Odds with Matt Johnson: Marathons, Mindset, and Defining Moments
01:06:44
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- [00:00]
Matt Johnson
You have seven days in a week, right? If you set a goal, like, I want to run a mile every single day this week. The problem with the quitter is that you run a mile on Monday, Tuesday, and then on Wednesday you fuck up and then you're done. You're like, well, I already messed up. Like, I'm already done. No, you start over and you start on Thursday and I'm going to run a mile from Thursday to Thursday. And then you run a mile on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you fuck up on Sunday, you start over. Like, like, it's just, it's building those small wins. And then, then that week you could have ran three, three out of seven the next week, four out of seven the next week, five out of seven. You'll get there. But the problem with quitters is that they fail once and they don't continue to do.
- [00:41]
Michael Chernow
I'm Michael Chernow and this is the Creatures of Habit podcast. Our habits will make us or break us. It's just that simple. I've lived on both sides of the tracks and have learned that the decisions we make on a consistent basis truly define who we are as human beings. On this show, I will be interviewing some of the most inspiring, motivating and high performing humans I've encountered to share their daily habits, routines and rituals that help them stay on top of their game and ultimately happy. So sit back, relax, and pay attention because what you hear over the next 30 to 45 minutes could potentially change your life.
- [01:23]
Matt Johnson
Let's go.
- [01:26]
Michael Chernow
Matt Johnson. The first question I want to ask you is why do you love pain so much? Why is it that pain is your North Star?
- [01:41]
Matt Johnson
You know, I've said before that, you know, growing up, you know, I thought, like, I thought I had a. I thought I had a normal childhood, right? Like, your way of life is what you think is the way of life for everybody. And as I've gotten older, you know, I found out that that's really not true. You know, growing up, I had a single mom. You know, I was like, I was born small town, Iowa, went back and lived in a double wide trailer. My mom paid $100 a month for rent. And, you know, I think that, like, she was working two to three jobs. She'd work at a financial place and, you know, during the day, and then she'd come back and I'd go to my grandparents and she'd work overnights at the gas station and, you know, sleep two hours, go back to work, come home, go back to work, go back to work, go back to work. And I think that, you know, that built a resiliency in me that I didn't know about yet. And then, you know, as I got older, she got into a really bad marriage. And, you know, as I was a young teen, I watched, you know, and experienced myself, you know, physical and mental abuse on myself, my little brother and my mom. And we grew up that way for about seven years, you know, found my mom fast forwarding there. Like, I think it was my sophomore year. The marriage was getting really bad. I came home and, you know, found my mom laying face down in the kitchen. She had OD'd on something. And, you know, trying to. I don't really want to say trying to take her life, but trying to scream for help. And, you know, like, that was just very traumatic for me, you know, so all of these instances of. Of trauma that I've been through in my life, you know, and then, you know, going into the military and, you know, getting in trouble. I've been to jail twice for fighting and, you know, just growing up through all that stuff, I. I grew up super late, you know, but like, once, like, like 25, like, I didn't. I didn't understand anything until, like, 25. And, you know, that was when I finally, like, stepped into a realm of, like, who the do I want to be? And, you know, I think that going through all of these things, as, you know, because I didn't start running until 2021, and I would have been, what, 27, 6, 5, 24. 24, 25. And, you know, realizing that, like, no matter what I go through in these races or in these events or, you know, staying on a treadmill for nine hours like I did this week, like, that'll never compare to, like, real life pain, you know, And I think it's a. It's a control thing for me. Like, I didn't have control over any of that trauma or any of that pain in my past. But, like, when I put myself through these events, like, I know, like, I have control. Does that make sense?
- [04:30]
Michael Chernow
You have control over the ability to just continue to fight?
- [04:33]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, like, like, like, like, like, like I control the situation. Like, I remember, you know, I know we're going to dive into the Run Across Texas here, but, like, I remember the key moment of the Run Across Texas. Like, I never. I never believed in, like, anxiety attacks or, like, things like that, you know, Like, I always just thought it was just people tripping out or having a breakdown, but, like, I got this overwhelming. Like, I was in so much pain. And we were going through Midland, Texas, and I think it was around, like, day seven, day eight, day nine.
- [05:03]
Michael Chernow
Physical pain or just physical, like, physical.
- [05:06]
Matt Johnson
Like, I was in physical pain. My. Like, everything hurt in my body. And I sat in the van. And this will be in the. In the documentary that comes out in a couple months. But, like, I. I broke down, like, boohoo. Crying, like, uncontrollably sobbing, shaking, crying. Because in that moment, I knew that I was about to be in pain until I finished. And I knew that there was no way, like, the only way that I wasn't going to be in pain was if I quit. And I knew that quitting was. Quitting was never an option. It was never on the table. So I knew in that moment. That was like, the first time in my endurance career where I knew, like, I can't escape this.
- [05:52]
Michael Chernow
Okay, I need to stop you there for a second. I think it's very. I really want you to think about this question and unpack it for us, because quitting is common. There are very few people from my experience in life that I have encountered that will not quit. And I think what I've learned about my career as an entrepreneur, as an athlete, as a father and a husband, the one thing that I. The one thing I can point to that has given me success is my ferocious hunger for never quitting. No. No matter what. Endurance is the key. And so what do you think it is for you? Why? Like, you. You say it with such confidence, like, quitting was just not. Not an option. Like, what? Why. Why is that? Why? How do you have such confidence in saying that?
- [06:54]
Matt Johnson
I think, you know, for me, like, I've been through, you know, as a young adult, like, I would lie a lot, you know, like. Like, I would just tell lies.
- [07:03]
Michael Chernow
Like, what, white lies?
- [07:04]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, yeah, just like, you just, like, shit, that's not true. You know, like. Like, I would go to school and I would just, you know, say stuff to make myself sound cooler or, like, say that I did things that I didn't really do. Like, I'm talking, like, high school, like, young adult, right? And as I became older, you know, like.
- [07:20]
Michael Chernow
Like.
- [07:21]
Matt Johnson
Like, as I was growing up as, like, a young private in the military, right? Like. Like, you like privates? Like a rank. You know, I was very young, just got in the military. Like, I never was accountable for, like, what I did. Like. Like, I was probably looked at as my senior leadership as, like, a shitty soldier when I first. When I first got to my unit, because I was just never accountable for my Actions. And as I became older and I got into, you know, consuming things, right? And by consuming things, I mean, like, you know, books and, you know, extreme leadership by Jocko Willink or, you know, David Goggins can't hurt me. You know, as I read and consumed things in the real world, you know, I became aware of that, that I wasn't accountable. And I feel like there was at some point, like I made myself a promise that I wanted to be a man of my word and I wanted to be who I said I was. And for me, I feel like at just some point I just turn this, you know, I turn this page, I flip this switch of, you know, like, I carry this mentality inside me of, like I said, I'm going to do it, so I'm going to fudgeing do it. And for me, when I go do something, I, like, I'll tell everybody, you know, like, I'll call my mom, I'll tell my mom, I'll tell my brother, I'll tell, you know, like, hey, I'm going to fudgeing summit Everest on a treadmill, right? Like. Like, I tell everybody and I want, I want to put it out there to the world because I feel like that holds me accountable. I said, I'm going to do it, so now watch me go do it. And you know, for me it's. It's that accountability as a man, you know, like. Like I want to be held to a high standard. Like, your word means everything. And, you know, with the platform that we have, we can put that out to a lot of people. And, you know, then having the platform to show people this guy is a man of his word, maybe I should be a man of my word as well. And that only just changes their life. So think about all the people, you know, all the, Like, I think about the people that are counting on me, you know, like. Like, think about all of the veterans that we raised money for during the run Across Texas that if I would have quit, you know, the butterfly effect may have not changed their life. Like, it's going to.
- [09:29]
Michael Chernow
What do you tell the person who is a quitter? What do you tell. Because. Because if you're a quitter and you're listening, you know, and you probably hate that about yourself.
- [09:39]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [09:39]
Michael Chernow
What do you tell to the person that's listening who's quit a bunch and. And doesn't want to quit anymore?
- [09:45]
Matt Johnson
You know, anyone can wake up at any single point and start a brand new day and decide that you're gonna change your fucking life. Right in that moment, like, I truly believe that by, by, by just making the choice to, like, today I am going to do. And, and, and I really believe that. And if you do that day, you wake up tomorrow and you do again, and you do it again, and you do it again. Because here's the thing. Like, you, you know, this isn't as much as, you know, social media wants to paint a perfect picture. Like, this isn't, you know, I've quit before. I've quit in the last, you know, four years. Like, I rolled my ankle at Rocky Raccoon and I couldn't go any farther, so I quit. You know, like, that was a hundred miler in February. I've DNF'd. I've not finished more 100 milers than I have finished. You know, but, but that doesn't define me as a quitter. You know, I think, I think that, you know, if you are doing more than you are not doing, then you're on the right path. But, you know, like, advice to somebody, like, if, you know, you know, that you are a weaker person when it comes to setting goals and not. Not doing them. I think it's, you know, it's the reminder, you know, just, just constantly reminding yourself that you gotta be, you gotta be lenient. I mean, because just like I said, like, you can, you know, if you, if you, if you fuck up, you have seven days in a week, right? If you set a goal, like, I want to run a mile every single day this week. The problem with the quitter is that you run a mile on Monday, Tuesday, and then on Wednesday you fuck up and then you're done. You're like, well, I already messed up. Like, I'm already done. No, you start over and you start on Thursday, and I'm gonna run a mile from Thursday to Thursday. And then you run a mile on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you fuck up on Sunday, you start over. Like, like, it's just, it's building those small wins and then, then that week you could have ran three, three out of seven the next week, four out of seven. The next week, five out of seven. You'll get there. But the problem with quitters is that they fail once and they don't continue to do. And, you know, so I think that it's, you know, my advice is being, being lenient on yourself and just under, you know, understanding that, you know, one single mess up doesn't, doesn't define you. Just, just, just keep going. It's a little bit at a time. It's what's on my shirt? Right. It's 1% better. Every single day. It's just getting a little bit better and you'll get there. You can't expect to be great in one day. Doesn't work like that.
- [12:19]
Michael Chernow
My life slogan is get back up period.
- [12:23]
Matt Johnson
Yes.
- [12:24]
Michael Chernow
That's it.
- [12:24]
Matt Johnson
Yeah. Because you get, you get knocked down.
- [12:26]
Michael Chernow
See? Only thing. And yes, it's the, it's the only thing that I require perfection in in my life. It's the only thing.
- [12:34]
Matt Johnson
Right.
- [12:35]
Michael Chernow
Nothing else.
- [12:36]
Matt Johnson
Yeah. How many times, how many times have you started a business and failed?
- [12:39]
Michael Chernow
Luckily I haven't failed in business yet. Like massive failure where I've had to shut it down.
- [12:45]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [12:45]
Michael Chernow
I failed in partnerships, in business.
- [12:47]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [12:48]
Michael Chernow
Terribly. And I failed so many times. Specifically, I could tell you, like where I really learned how to get back up was in the rings of Mozart kickbox. And that's when my, that's like, that was my decade long life lesson of all you got to do, all you got to do is just get back on your feet.
- [13:09]
Matt Johnson
Yeah. Because you lose, right? You lose a match and you don't just quit.
- [13:13]
Michael Chernow
No. You get back to training the next day.
- [13:15]
Matt Johnson
Exactly. But, but just because you lost that one match doesn't make you a quitter or a failure. A failure at Muay Thai.
- [13:22]
Michael Chernow
Right.
- [13:22]
Matt Johnson
You know, like, like you think about, you know, these boxers that have boxed for 20 years, that have 12 losses. 12 losses over 20 years. You know, like, you know, or you think about these NFL teams. I think about it in, in football terms, right? You can get to the super bowl, you have seven losses. You know, what if you, what, what if you lose once and you're like, we're done.
- [13:44]
Michael Chernow
When you think about it, really, you know, everybody that we know of at the top has lost way more than they've won.
- [13:53]
Matt Johnson
Yes.
- [13:54]
Michael Chernow
Way more.
- [13:55]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [13:56]
Michael Chernow
And we see the wins, everybody talks about the wins, but the losses are what makes the wins possible, in my opinion. Right. How important is routine in your life?
- [14:11]
Matt Johnson
This is where this is going to be very cliche. This is where the creature of habit comes in. Because I wouldn't really call it. I. That's exactly. It don't matter who was sitting over here. This is exactly what I would say. I wouldn't say I'm a, an important routine, but I am a creature of habit where I am a. Like, I, I can't really say I have the same routine and I need to keep that routine, but I need to keep the same habits. You know, like I would say a routine is like hey, every day I wake up at 6am At 7, I drink my coffee at 8, I'm running, right? Like, like that is a routine. And you know, but for me it's like, you know, I can wake up and anything can happen, but like, like I'm gonna get my run in in the morning. You know, I'm gonna get my run in early in the morning. I'm gonna come back, I'm gonna sauna, I'm gonna ice, I'm gonna, you know, get my workday going. I'm gonna do that, I'm gonna go to the gym, I'm gonna get my double run in if I need to. But like, routine, I don't think a, you know, a, a routine on time is something that's important to me. I think it's just doing, doing what I need to do that day because I don't like, like if my time gets off a little bit, like that's, that it's not a big deal to me, you know, but, but I have, you know, I have a standard to live by and that's like, like I'm going to get my run in. I have to get my run in. Like that is how that is my me time. You know, whether that happens at, you know, 7:00am or whether that happens at 11:00am like that, that run is going to happen and that's what, what sets my day moving forward every day. Yeah, depending on the training block. Like, you know, during the Run Across Texas, like I was running 150 miles or during my Run Across Texas training this summer, I was running 150 miles a week. And I, I needed a recovery day. So Sundays I didn't do nothing, you know, but now with the training block I'm in, my miles are lower. I'm running 80 miles a week, but I'm running seven days a week.
- [16:02]
Michael Chernow
What are the, what are some of the habits outside of running that you have found to be a catalyst to look at the end of the day, a guy like you who's an endurance athlete. And not just an endurance athlete, like an extreme endurance athlete, right? Like we talk about like these ultra athletes that are doing these hundred mile races. And you know that that community and that sport is just grown exponentially in the last five years, right? Then there's an extreme ultra athlete, which is someone like you who is just pushing the bar beyond most human beings, right, that are just like, all right, I'm not going to run 100 miles, I'm going to run a thousand miles. And there's got to be a mindset that you have that gives you the confidence to do what you say you're going to do. You know, I have a tattoo on my hand that I see all day, every day, and it says Walker. And people are like, oh, what do you have? You have a dog named Walker? Like, who's Walker? And I'm like, no, it's not. It's not a dog named Walker. It's that I'm just not a talker.
- [17:09]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [17:10]
Michael Chernow
If I say it, I'm fucking doing it.
- [17:13]
Matt Johnson
It's gonna be done. Yeah.
- [17:15]
Michael Chernow
And I just. I'm curious, like, are there things that you do either on a daily basis or, you know, a regular basis that help propel this sort of mindset that you have?
- [17:25]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, I mean, you know, so I have, you know, going into 20, 24, a big thing for me was, you know, was re establishing my relationship with God. And I've had a tattoo. I don't even know where the fuck my tattoos are anymore. I have a tattoo right here that's Let God Let Go in black. And so let go. Let God. And I. Crazy enough, I got this tattoo with two friends when we were like, 20. And it didn't mean a thing to me really at the time. And, you know, I grew up very Christian. And, you know, but once I met Amanda, who is just the most perfect woman in the entire world, you know, she reintroduced me to church and, you know, helped me re. Establish my relationship with God. I got baptized after the run across Texas. Re baptized again. You know, seeing that every day on my arm when I'm at the gym, when I'm running down the road, you know, just being able to look down and see that, you know, I. I'm a firm believer in. It is already written. And I. And I. And I believe that like. Like, I am here to put in the work, but. But what is meant to be is. Is already meant to be. And I feel like that. That really, you know, keeps me. Keeps me calm. You know, I don't truly. I truly don't show up to start lines nervous because I believe that, like, if I put in the training, what is meant to be is meant to be, and what's going to happen is going to happen. Like, God already wrote that out. And, you know, so that's a big, you know, that's a big thing that I carry with me every single day, you know, but, like, things that I do, you know, I'm not. I don't. I don't do a lot of extra stuff, you know, during the day. Like, for me, you know, as I've, as I've grown in this sport, you know, I became a little bit more of like a recluse. You know, I don't, I don't, I don't do a lot anymore. Like when I first moved to Austin, like, I was out and about all the time. I was going to events, I was establishing my relationship with the community. Like I was, you know, I was, I was everywhere. And now, you know, I have a, I have a very good circle around me. I have a great community built here in Austin and I'm able to kind of just stay with my own a little bit more. You know, it's very important to me to, you know, to stay with those habits that I do seven days a week.
- [19:46]
Michael Chernow
And what are they, in what aspect? You know, like, my habits are, you know, I train every day. My non negotiables is prayer. I mean, I pray every single morning without fail. Right after I pray, I do, you know, as many pushups as I can. Right after I do those push ups. I stretch right after I do that. Some days I'll hit the red light and the sauna and the cold, but not every day. But they're habits of mine that really help me, you know, kind of walk back into my family at 7 o'clock in the morning feeling bulletproof and ready to be a dad, ready to be a husband.
- [20:20]
Matt Johnson
Yeah. See, I'm in this cool point of life right now where, you know, I go to bed at, I'm asleep by 10. I don't, I wake up at maybe 7. Like, I mean, my, my aura ring loves me. Like, my aura ring is like, you're the man, you know, so I'm getting, I'm getting good sleep every night. Wake up in the morning.
- [20:36]
Michael Chernow
Like, was there a period of time where you weren't getting great sleep and now you're getting great sleep and you see a massive shift?
- [20:43]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 20, 20, 23 was, was a hard year for me. You know, I think, I think you and I talked about this a little bit in October of, oh, 23. But, you know, I got out of the military, got, I was married for a long time, you know, went through a divorce. I got married super young. You know, we were just completely going separate ways. I wanted to leave the military and, you know, become this full time athlete. And you know, so that made my shift to Austin. And you know, I would say, I would say, you know, 20, 23 was hard. You know, I, I ran myself into the Ground running from everything, you know, doing race after race, run after run, just not taking care of myself, not sleeping. I was drinking and, you know, which, which I don't have a problem with, but I was just. I was doing everything wrong and ended up fracturing my, my leg. I had three fractures in my left leg, I think, actually in September. You came down in October, and I was, I had those. I wasn't even running at that point because I had, I had leg fractures. And, you know, so it was, you know, come, you know, November, December, like, December, I started going back to church. And I can't, you know, I spoke, I spoke on every podcast I've been on about that. Like, man, I just, I just put my faith back in God and everything changed. Everything changed.
- [22:03]
Michael Chernow
What does that feel like?
- [22:04]
Matt Johnson
It's incredible. Like, like it is because what it allowed me to do was, you know, getting back into church, you know, allowed me to, you know, just, Just like you, right? Like, I wake up in the morning and actually I was just having a conversation with a friend about this. I, I'm gonna be honest. I won't say every day because there's a couple days where I'll miss. But, like, my, like, my goal every morning is to wake up, open the Bible and, like, read a passage. And I don't choose where I open. Like, to me, it's almost like, and this is my own opinion, this is my own, My own thoughts, is like, I open the Bible and like, that, like, to me, like, that's a way of, like, God saying, like, this is what I want you to see today. And, you know, like, I just. The Bible's closed. I just flip through it. I open it up and I read where my eyes land. And, you know, I think that, you know, getting back into my faith and going back to church allowed me to then shift my prayers from, you know, this is what I want to. What do you want me to do? And that right there, living my life in that way, to me has, has, has changed everything and given me this, you know, just like I said, right, like, giving me this sense of calm in this sense of, of I'm not in a hurry because I already know, like, what is meant to be is meant to be. What is, what is going to be done is going to be done. Like, I don't need to rush the process, you know, I, I, I'm, I'm trying to live in the process. And, you know, I feel like, just like we said before we even went live here, like, we were talking about October And I'm like. I feel like that was yesterday. You know, it's trying to be more present in those moments and realize that that was 15 months ago. You know, letting that feel like it was 15 months ago, you know, because you have lived in all of those moments since then. And, you know, not some, like, weird voodoo shit, but, like, really just trying better to. To live in those moments and to really just slow down and be calmer and be more content in the moment.
- [23:58]
Michael Chernow
And you think so? I mean, I. You know, I have a deep relationship with God as well. And I think for me, faith has been the one thing that. And when I say faith has been the one thing I'm talking about. Prayer has been the one thing that I have done every single day, without fail, for the last 20 years. I do not miss it. I do not skip it. It's like wiping my ass after, you know, taking a poo.
- [24:31]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [24:31]
Michael Chernow
You know, it's just like. It's like what I do. Right. And it's. And. But it's hard to explain to the person that doesn't necessarily understand or have or have a desire or want or get or sort of recoils when they hear that. But for a lot of people, that is what fills their cup. That is the final piece that, like, fills their cup. Right. Like, you can have all the money in the world. You can have all the accolades, you can run all the races. You can have the. The relationships. You can have this. And a lot of people still don't feel that fulfillment.
- [25:08]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [25:08]
Michael Chernow
And then you. You know, I've talked to a lot of people. I've interviewed a lot of people, and not everyone that I've interviewed, but a fair amount of them that have contentment in life tend to. To have a relationship with God of some sort. Doesn't have to be Christian. God doesn't have to be Jewish. God doesn't have to be Allah or Buddha or whatever, but there is a relationship with a power greater themselves that they have a sense of safety and support that they can't describe necessarily.
- [25:41]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [25:41]
Michael Chernow
So, like, you know, when it comes to faith, do you believe that Jesus Christ is looking after you?
- [25:53]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, absolutely. But I think. I think that there is, you know, the contentment inside me. Right. Like. Like how. Like, have you seen the illustration where there's a. A tall cylinder and they fill it with rocks and then they take this big marble and they put it on top, and the big marble is God. And it doesn't fit.
- [26:12]
Michael Chernow
I haven't seen it.
- [26:13]
Matt Johnson
Cool. You should. It's it's, it's. It's. It's incredible. So there's this large cylinder right? About this tall, and they fill it with all these rocks, right? And all these rocks are like all of our moments that we experience in life. And then it's like, okay, awesome. Like, we have all these experiences, you know, going out, going to this place, going to that place, all these races, you know, all of my relationships, all these rocks, you know, to the very top. There's about 2 inches left. And then. All right, cool. Let's. Let's put God on there. So we take this big marble, right? God, the big marble, put it on top, and they try to put a lid on it. It doesn't fit, right? But if you take that marble, you put that marble in first, you put God first, and then you take all those same amount of rocks and you pour those rocks in and they fit, right? Like this, this. This God first mentality. And, you know, before all the moments, right? Like, like how you say, right? You wake up and you pray. First thing in the morning, you're putting God first, and then you're filling your cup with the rest of everything else, right? You put. You put first in your cup what matters. And for me, this contentment comes with, you know, like, to me, like, the relationships are very important in life, right? Like, me running across, across the state of Texas doesn't. Doesn't make me feel fulfilled. Me winning a hundred mile race doesn't make me feel fulfilled. Like, for me, it's about, like, do I have a good circle of people around me? Do I have positive relationships with my friends? Do you know, do I feel loved at home? Do I have a good relationship with Amanda? Am I, am I being a piece of to her? Right? Because you can have all these accolades and if you're being. If you're going home to your wife or your significant other and you're just a piece of, like you're gonna be a piece of, right? Or if you just treat people like and you don't have no friends, your life is gonna suck. It doesn't matter what you do. You can be a multimillionaire. That's why you see millionaires just kill themselves. Why you see people kill themselves. They have everything in the world, right? This person looks, oh, my gosh, they're so happy. You have to establish, like, what is your baseline of this? Makes me feel fulfilled. To me, it's the community of people around me. It's people talking about me when I'm not in the room. Saying he's a good guy. I like that guy. I want him around, I want him in my corner. That's what fulfills me. Not, not, you know, what, what, everything that comes after that, it's just, it's just an extra.
- [28:32]
Michael Chernow
When you're, when you're running these, these races and these intense, super difficult like feats, what are you running towards or from?
- [28:45]
Matt Johnson
I can tell you like I don't run from anything anymore because I've already spent my time doing that. And you know, just like I said in 2023, like I, I had a very good year in 2023. I won my first marathon. I did an Ironman six days later and PR'd the Ironman. In the same week I finished the Leadville 100 for the first time. You know, I led 100 mile race almost, you know, all the way to mile 75 before I, my leg. I had a great year, but I spent that entire year just running from everything. And you know, for me now I've shifted, you know, like I am, I the, the running what I, you know, when I'm doing these things, I may be a little off for saying this, but like I do that because like I feel free. And that's me running. That's me running with my, my own personal freedom. Like, I can't even describe to you the euphoric drug like feeling that I got every single morning. Being able to watch the sunrise over every part of Texas. It was, I'm, I'm not even. This, this is going to sound. It was one of the most beautiful things. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been able to experience in my entire life. Like watching the sunrise every single morning in the desert, in the farmlands, in the city and right by the ocean. Like, those are my moments that I want for me. And you know, I think what I'm running to now is, you know, as I'm starting to, you know, settle back down into, into life and you know, settle down with Amanda and you know, right now like I'm, I'm running for my future family. Like, like I am doing what I'm doing now. Like I'm not going to do this forever. You know, I'm in this period now to where I am so content, but I am doing this now for, for my future family to set them up for success, you know, and to, and to establish, like I can't even imagine, you know, when we do have a child and you know, they come up to me when they find out that I Ran across the entire state, you know, or, or, or, you know, 20 years from now, say I have a kid in five years, right? 20 years from now, and I have a 15 year old that's going through some shit. And they can just hop on YouTube and see that dad ran. You know, watch the, watch the documentary of their dad running, conquering the run across Texas and, and looking at that and saying, if my dad can do that, I think I can get through this. You know, like, like, like I'm sure. Same thing with you, right? Like, like, like with your children, like being able to, you know, tell them the things that you have conquered or, you know, when they're having a bad day, telling them, you know, something that you have done. And you know, that's, that just that, that, that feeling of, you know, I never had anyone. Like my dad wasn't around. I had a single mom.
- [31:44]
Michael Chernow
Like I said, like, there's gotta be something more. There's gotta be something more. Because I know that you're not running from anything, but what are you running to? I know that there's more. There is.
- [31:54]
Matt Johnson
I, I, I don't know. Because to me it's just like, like I hop on this treadmill for nine hours, right to summit Everest. Because I had the idea two nights before. Like, I had the idea on a Monday. On Tuesday, we set up the cameras to livestream it on YouTube. And then on Wednesday, I just did it.
- [32:11]
Michael Chernow
Why, where did that idea come from? Like, what was, what would conspire that kind of idea? Like, why do you feel the need to push yourself to the absolute brink?
- [32:20]
Matt Johnson
I don't know. I just, I have this thing inside me. Like, I saw, I saw Mike McKnight posted a challenge for his athletes and they completed the challenge. I watched him do it over a week. They climbed the length, the length of Everest. He completed it. They completed it on a Monday. They did. Monday, Monday. And I saw like when they completed, it was like, you know, seven days X amount. And on that, on that Monday, I called my friend, my content guy and I'm like, hey, I'm like, can we live stream a, like a YouTube video? And he's like, yeah, like, what are we looking at? And I'm like, I want to, I want to summit Everest. Like in a day on a treadmill. But that's how, I mean, that's literally that, it just, it just came to my head. Like, I was like, oh, this is cool. They did it in a week. Can I do it in a day? And I thought it was gonna take 17 hours. Like, like I'm telling, like, we were like, I, I told Amanda, I was like, this is gonna take all day. And we did it in under nine. And then I get off and I'm like, what do you want to do today? I'm not, I'm not even joking. Like, I believe it. She laughed like, she was laughing. I was like, I was like, what do you want to do? And she's like, I don't know. You want to go to dinner? And I'm like, yeah, sure. It was, it was 3:00 and I got off and, and I went and I took a shower, I went down to the couch, I took a nap. She came down, she woke me up and she was all dressed up. I'm like, perfect. Like, I went upstairs and I got dressed and we went to, went to this like Brazilian steakhouse and had steak and had a couple drinks and came back home and went to bed.
- [33:49]
C
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- [35:14]
Michael Chernow
Back to the pod. You know, so I look at someone like you who's just like a goat Right, you are. If you're not the greatest, you will be. I believe that. I'm staring at a guy who I just know is, is gonna, is just gonna continue to push hard. You know, you, you said you're, you said, you know, my 15 year old kid is going through hell and they're gonna turn on YouTube and watch my dad who ran across Texas. And in my mind I'm like my dad who ran across the country. Like, that's where I see it going. Yeah. And, and so, because I just, I, I know the kind of person you are. I understand the, that sort of just like ferocious hunger to challenge yourself, to see what you've got. And I think for me, I know that I do that a lot too in, you know, a number of different categories in my life. And I think a lot of it has to do with, for me, when I was growing up, there wasn't a lot of the. Good job, dude, fucking good work, nice night, you know, nice job. There wasn't. I had to create those moments in my life. And every time I come up with some crazy idea, either to start a business or to compete in a bodybuilding competition, or say it, I'm gonna be a pro bodybuilder or you know, fight in the ring or whatever it is, there's a piece of me that's like, I'm gonna create those moments in my life. And I think for the people listening, you know, I know what it is. What is it?
- [36:58]
Matt Johnson
For me, it's, it's. I had, and sorry to cut you off. No, no, dude, good, you kind of. Yeah, yeah, you sparked it. I, in my life growing up, like, I never had anyone to show me the way. I never had anyone to, to look at. I didn't have a dad to teach me how to throw a football. I didn't have, you know what I mean? Like, I didn't have anyone there to show me that this can be done. And I feel like for me it's showing people that. I am a small town kid from the middle of nowhere, Iowa. I grew up in a cornfield. We had no stoplights, we only had stop signs. We had, you know, a town square. Like we had, I had 30 people that graduated with me. I came from nowhere, right? Like, like, like I shouldn't be here. And I feel like for me, it's, it's, I'm doing this because I, like, I have this platform to be able to show people that it is possible no matter who you are, and to be able to show them that if I can do it. You can do it too. I came from nothing. You shouldn't have a excuse. But also at the same time showing them like, you know, that you, like, I'm not picture perfect on social media. Like, like I don't, you know, I'm not like most influencers. Like, I, I, I will show that I, that I have a zen. I will show that I drink a beer. I will show that I, I, we, I smoked a cigarette during the run across Texas, you know, like, like I just, I, like I am, I am who I am and I'm not going to change that. And I think that people, I, I hope that people see that and they, they have no excuse and they're able to see me do it and I'm able to help them, I'm able to help show them that there is a.
- [38:44]
Michael Chernow
Way, I think it's, it's, it's necessary to have people like you to be able to defy the word impossible, right? Because a lot of really smart people, and by the way, I am not one of them. A lot of really smart people love to use that word impossible.
- [39:05]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [39:06]
Michael Chernow
They love to analyze and they love to that to datafy everything and they love to say, hey, one plus one is two. It's just the way it is.
- [39:15]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [39:15]
Michael Chernow
And I'm like five minus three is two. Two.
- [39:18]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [39:18]
Michael Chernow
You know what I mean?
- [39:19]
Matt Johnson
I think the cool thing for me, just talking about like impossible, right? The cool thing for me as well was getting this genetics test done by 3x4 and seeing that you're a mutant. No, I'm not. I'm not. And that's the cool thing is that like, you know, overall consensus, right? Like I go over the entire genetic test with the doctor and she's like, so pretty much like this is saying like, you are defying your genetics. Like I have, she told me like, and, and, and I can share that, like show it publicly too. I, I, I have the overw. And she literally said, if you didn't do what you did, she's like, you would, you would probably be overweight. I don't have a high endurance gene. Like, like my endurance was like right below medium. But look at what I'm doing, you know, and then, and then like my, another really cool thing was they said that my body can't metabolize fat as fuel. The whole entire run across Texas was, was done off of donuts and peanut butter, which is what a high fat food. Like I was fueled by fat. And you know, so the consensus there was like hey, you are defying, like, what you have, what you are doing is totally against your genetics. Bang.
- [40:40]
Michael Chernow
Right? And. And if you, and if you actually followed that plan, you would not be Matt Johnson.
- [40:46]
Matt Johnson
It would, it would, it would. It would put limits on me.
- [40:48]
Michael Chernow
And, and you know what's so funny, right? Is. Is. And I've run into business where the really smart guys or gals, they'll create a model that says, okay, like, this is what we're capable of doing. And if we make this decision based on that number and this metric and this formula, impossible, can't work. And I've always said, like, if, like, if I didn't spend my life trying to scale the unscalable, there's no way I'm who I am. If I had to, if I followed all of the data that said kid grew up in a violent household, a violent father, manic depressive, bipolar, paranoid schizophrenic. That kid, chances are, is going to be a violent, abusive husband and father. Because that's just like, historically what we see happen.
- [41:54]
Matt Johnson
That's how it's always happened, right? Yeah.
- [41:56]
Michael Chernow
You know, drug addict, overdose on heroin is gonna live a life of pain and misery. Like, what you're doing is showing people that no matter what anybody says, no matter what anybody thinks, the sky's the limit with what you want to do.
- [42:20]
Matt Johnson
Yes, 100%.
- [42:22]
Michael Chernow
Why don't you just tell everybody real quick? Because we, you know, we kind of jumped in and we're deep in. But like, just tell everybody real quick some of the things that you've done over the last few years.
- [42:30]
Matt Johnson
It all started 2021. I got stationed in Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, middle of nowhere, started running trails. And, you know, I would say late, late 2020, and then into 2021, I just started running trails, found Nick Bear, because I got, I got really sick. Like, when I was running, I wasn't. Like, I didn't know what I was doing. And I got really, like, I. I was under fueled. Like, I got super sick. I was down to like 125 pounds. I'm 147 right now. And I got on YouTube and I typed in how to eat like an endurance athlete. And I found Nick Bear. And that just, like, he sparked my love. Like, I'm like, you know, just. Same thing as, like, when I found Goggins, right? Like, I'm like, okay, like, this guy's doing triathlons, doing, you know, doing these big races, doing these marathons. Like, he was in the military, I'm in the military. I found a lot of similarities, right? And so I started following him. And then my very first ever Marathon was 2022. I got into the BPN Marathon and didn't train, didn't do nothing. Like, I just was like, I'm in. Like, let's go. We're gonna go rip this thing. And I went down there and met Nick for the first time. Stood in line for, like, two hours. And we get there, and he's like, what are you gonna run tomorrow? I'm like, I'm gonna go sub three. And I'm like, my pants telling this man that. Because, like, there I. I have no business running a sub three marathon. And he's like, all right, by how much? And I'm like, 259. 59. I went 259. 52.
- [44:08]
Michael Chernow
Wow.
- [44:09]
Matt Johnson
And no training, no nothing. And after the marathon, how did you.
- [44:15]
Michael Chernow
Feel after that, by the way?
- [44:16]
Matt Johnson
Horrible. Horrible, dog. I'm running. I'm. I was. I couldn't even. I couldn't even take a step down, like, stairs. Like, I was wrecked. And, like, as I'm running toward, like, I can see the finish line. I'm lucky. I went. I went sub 3. My knees are smacking each other because, like. Like, I'm, like, walking. Like, I can't. Like, I'm. I'm breaking down. And thank God I went sub 3. And was approached afterwards by Natasha Vandermeer, Nick's triathlon coach, and then Jeff Cunningham, the Knicks marathon coach. They were both there and talked to Jeff, and Jeff comes up to me. He's like, dude. He's like, you crushed it, man. He's like, I went fourth overall. He's like, dude, you crushed it. He's like, you know, did you, like, you do some, like, VO2 max testing, like, lactic threshold runs? And I must have just, like, looked at him like I saw a ghost, because he's like, you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? And I'm like, no. I was like, I have. I was like, dog, you are not speaking English to me. I don't know. I don't know what you're saying. And then I talked to Natasha a little bit, and, you know, went home with kind of a, you know, in my opinion, like, they didn't give me a choice, but, like, I had a choice to make, right? Like, I talked into Natasha, and I'm like, iron Man. Talked to Jeff, and I'm like, marathon. I made the choice to go Iron Man. So then I hired my coach for the first time, started working with Natasha and went home. This is 2022. I did Ironman in that training block. Now being coach for the first time, I decided to go to a trail race. It was a 50k trail race, and I won it. That's my second ever race. And I win. I win the 50K. And I'm like, ooh. Like, I, like. I like this distance. Like, this is long and hard. Did the ironman and went 10th overall in my age group, still 20, 22. And I'm like, yeah, it was cool. Did a charity run, 40 miles with the American flag. Did a veteran charity run. That was my first one ever. Then at that point, like, Instagram's kind of building, like, 5,000, 6,000 followers. And I get a call and it's Leadville and it's the charity foundation. And they're like, hey, we saw your run with the American flag. They're like, would you have some interest in raising money for the Leadville Charity foundation? And, you know, running? I'm like, yeah. Like, you know, when is it? And they're like, oh, it's 29 days out. And I'm like, fuck, yeah. I'm like, I'm in DNF.
- [46:40]
Michael Chernow
How far in?
- [46:41]
Matt Johnson
87.
- [46:42]
Michael Chernow
That's a clip.
- [46:43]
Matt Johnson
I walked. I walked 30. I walked 50K. I came down off of Hope's Pass and I couldn't. I. When I stood up at Leadville, like, I'd never ran over 40 and I had no training block. I just went and did it. My brother was there. He had to lift me up and he had to push on my knees to lock my knees so I would, like, stay standing at, like, 56. Yeah. And I walked from 56 to 87, and I got cut off by time. That right there lit a fire in me where I was like. I was like, I'm made for this. And that was August of 22, you know, went to moving into 20, 23, you know, decided, like, lit a fire in me. I was like. I was like, I'm. I. Like, I. I was like, I can do this full time. I'm like, I'm like, I want this to be my job. And, like, at that point, like, 10k on Instagram, 11k, 12k, 13 to 20, and just started, like, slowly kind of trying to plan my exit. Went and got all my coaching certifications, my nutritionist certification, my performance enhancement certification, and started studying and learning how to do it all. Like, I was ready to make my exit. And I was like, I'm going to be a Full time coach. And then I'm just going to chase this athlete thing. And, you know, then I had this, I had this, you know, opportunity, you know, I was going to get out of the military. And at the same exact time, I got into a divorce, which is like a very defining moment in my life because I was, I still remember, like, I was sitting there and it was very unexpected for me. Like, I know, like, we were having problems because we were both just going two different ways and we're having just so many problems. And, you know, I was just approaching. It was like, hey, like, I want a divorce. And I'm like, oh, okay. So I remember as a Thursday, and I was sitting upstairs and I had a, I had a shotgun on my lap. And like, this was like a, this was like the defining moment where I was like, I'm either gonna take my life or, or I'm not. Like, I didn't have a plan for Austin at that moment. I just knew, like, I was sitting there and I was like, because to me, as a man, like, and being raised in the Midwest, like, it's kind of like, like status quo. So, you know, you, you, you get out of high school, you get a job, you get married, you have a kid, White picket fence, right? Like, that's a Midwest way. And for me, like, I would have never exited that. I should have, I, I should have, I would have never exited that on my own because, like, I feel like, you know, like I'm the man. Like, I have to stay in the military. And I felt like me getting out of the military, like I was giving up, you know, and like, I wasn't providing for my family. And, you know, so I contemplated taking my life. And that was the first time and only time that I've ever, I, I truly have done that. Like, I'm embarrassed to even talk about it, to be honest. It's embarrassing to me. But in that moment, I, I, I, I had a weird idea because I had just been in Austin. I was like, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna call a friend and who, who was down here, who also lives in the Midwest, he's a online coach, crazy enough, right? And I call him and I'm like, hey. I'm like, are you still in Austin? And he's like, yeah. He's like, I'm gonna be here for a couple more days. And I'm like, I'm just gonna go, like, I'm just gonna go down there, you know, and just, I'm like, do you care if I come stay with you. He's in Airbnb. He's like, yeah, his name is Harrison Zacher. Literally, Literally, like a. A huge reason why I am still here today. And I don't even think that he knows that now.
- [50:00]
Michael Chernow
He does.
- [50:01]
Matt Johnson
Now he will. And I come, I literally, I pack a bag and I grab my dog and we left. I left everything. Everything. And I get down here and we're just two Midwest boys just tearing it up in Austin, man. Like, I get down, I tell him what's going on, you know, and he was there for me. And he's really into fitness, but, like, we both love Busch Light and we were hitting like 6th street and, you know, so we did like this like, two week party phase where, like, because he. He decided to stay, he's like, I'm gonna stay one more week because it's cold back home. That was his excuse. So we did two weeks and. And he left. And I was like, okay, like, here we go. I stayed in Airbnb for 61 days. I was in five. I was in five different Airbnbs in 61 days. Ran out of money, sold my Ironman bike and put a deposit on a duplex and moved in and slept on the floor for two weeks. And it's so funny, I was just talking with Matt Choi about this the other day, you know, Matt, and we got to talking about that. I'm like, it's so funny because, like, we're out running, running out and about, you know, running around town, like, with Matt and. And with my friends at this moment, and they had no idea, like, I was sleeping on the floor because I had no money. And that was. I met you in October. That was probably like, dog, that was May, June, you know, so 20, 23, you know, that's when, like, I did. I did the BPN marathon and I won the marathon down here in Austin in April. And then I did Ironman Texas right afterwards. And then that was when. Then right after Ironman Texas, I sold my Ironman bike, put the. Put the down payment in, moved in, started training really hard for Leadville. Like, the goal was to go, you know, full, like, go all in on being a coach. And I was making like two grand a month. My rent was like 1100. My truck payment was 500. So I was like, I'm like, hey, I got 400 bucks a month, baby.
- [51:58]
Michael Chernow
You're like, I can't eat, but I'm eating.
- [52:01]
Matt Johnson
I was like, I was like, so. So just randomly, like, I. I found like a couch for A hundred bucks. I found a bed for a hundred bucks. You know, like, like every month I would just, I would get something else.
- [52:10]
Michael Chernow
And just like, like a year and a half ago.
- [52:13]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, yeah, May. May of 2023. I was, I was sleeping on the floor.
- [52:19]
Michael Chernow
God, I love this story.
- [52:21]
Matt Johnson
And, yeah, and was making, you know, like I said, making two grand a month. I had 400. So like, I would buy groceries and I would have like 150 left. And that would mean that, like, I could get some drinks, I could hang out with friends, you know, I could get some gas. And I did that until September. And because in August, I went out to Leadville and I met Eric Hinman. And Eric Hinman single handedly changed my life. Like, I, I met Eric and we just, we hit it off like immediately. And from that point on, I have no idea why, but Eric kind of like took me under his wing and he had. And I don't even think Eric knows this story. He don't listen to my fucking pocket. Eric don't know none of this, but, you know, he kind of took me under his wing. And whenever there was a brand opportunity, like, for some reason he would be like, you need Matt Johnson. You need Matt Johnson, Matt Johnson, Matt Johnson, Matt Johnson to everybody. Like, like, it was like come September, it was like I was getting one text a week being linked with a brand from Eric Kinman. And it was like, you know, like I. And then in September, I signed my first brand deal. 500amonth, Ketone IQ HVMN. And I was like, I'm on top of the world, baby. I'm like, I got $2,500 a month now. And, you know, and then I just started, like, after I did that, I'm like, okay, I gotta step up my content game. I need to, you know, start telling good stories, you know. And then I signed my second brand deal with Spirited Hive. And that was like 2k a month. And I go, because I, and I, I love sharing the numbers because it's just, it's. It's amazing, right? I mean, because then you see it just slowly start growing.
- [54:06]
Michael Chernow
How many deals do you have now?
- [54:08]
Matt Johnson
Well, 20. 20. 2024, I had, I had a bunch. But. But this year, this year I'm. I'm bringing my brand deals down because, you know, I really want to, like, you know, maybe, maybe 10. Because I, I like. And, and these are brands, like, I, I believe in these because in 2024, early, early, early 2024, like, I would just, I would partner with anybody. Like, I was like, I don't have to take the fucking product. Like, I'll just do it. And then, then I started compromising my own integrity. And you know, like, I, I'm sure, like, you, you know exactly like how I'm, how I was feeling, what I'm talking about. And you know, because I, at that point, like, I just started getting a taste of money and I'm like, these people are just paying me money to just post shit. You know, I'm like, this is incredible. Like, this is, this is amazing. And I just started doing anything and everything. And then, you know, in that time, like being mentored by Eric and, and you know, my Instagram is now going from 30 to 40 to 50 to 100 to 150. And, you know, I hired a manager. And then at that point it was like, slow down. Was do this right? You know, and that was probably March, March, April. And then, you know, Lisa took over as my manager and I had, I had the greatest year of my life. And I went from, you know, sleeping on a floor to, I mean, we moved into a house at the end of a cul de sac. We have a, a four bedroom, three bathroom in Austin, Texas. Three thousand square foot house. I have a sauna and an ice bath in my garage with a gym. I have two brand new cars that I bought last year. Like, God just blessed me, man, because in that time frame, right, December, like, like when I started getting those brand deals, December, like, that was when I just, I gave it all to God. And everything just started, like, everything just started coming back tenfold. And you know, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not here to gloat about what I have now, but like, I was sleeping on the floor, dog. Like, I have a picture, I have a picture on my phone and it's literally a, a, a pillow and a blanket. Oh, man, it's on here. It's on here somewhere. But like, I mean, I mean, even this right here, right, like, like I took this picture May 17th. Like, I didn't even have a, I didn't have a table. That was the day I bought my couch. And I'm using this is my dog food container.
- [56:42]
Michael Chernow
Oh my God.
- [56:43]
Matt Johnson
As like a little table. And like, then like the next thing I added right there was like a little like, you know, shelving unit, like under the tv. It's just. Yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's incredible to think about it when I, when.
- [56:57]
Michael Chernow
I get to meet someone like, you who's really put some numbers up on the board and is also a rebel about it and is not afraid in any way, shape or form to be who he is. And I think it, I think it really helps people to see that, you know, you are. You are in control of your destiny, and it's powerful for the podcast community, man.
- [57:24]
Matt Johnson
Yeah.
- [57:25]
Michael Chernow
If you, if you had to just leave with one, one final piece to share with a community of people that are just. That are like sponges and that really appreciate, really appreciate hearing from people that have come through things and have put. Put numbers up on the board. You know what, what piece of advice could you give from any experience that you've had in your life, good or bad, that you think you can point to that's helped you get through all those finish lines?
- [57:56]
Matt Johnson
It's exactly, exactly what we, what we started off this podcast with. And it's, it's. It's talking about that, you know, when you fail and bad happens, you can't just sit there and be like, well, I'm fucked. Guess I'm done. Guess I quit, right? Like, because in that moment where like, like I just told you, like, you know, and I, and I opened up about the whole shotgun thing, like, and that was just that I feel embarrassed to even speak about that, right?
- [58:22]
Michael Chernow
I'm really, I'm really grateful that you, you got vulnerable there.
- [58:25]
Matt Johnson
But it is like, like in that, like, like that is the, you know, that is the picture perfect moment to paint right there. Because in that moment, I could have just said, well, I failed. It sucks, and I could have just gave up and we would never be here talking today. And, you know, just like you said, right, like in the boxing ring, like, you know, doing Muay Thai, like, like, you get knocked down, you get back up. And it's not letting those moments that knock you down define where you're going. And knowing that, you know, everyone that you see on social media is not perfect and they have been knocked down more times than they can count, but only certain people are gonna. Are gonna tell you about that. And I feel like a lot of people can get discouraged through social media because no one will share about those times that, that they get knocked down. Like, that's why I'm so open on. On every podcast that I do, because I want, you know, just like I said earlier, like, I want people to know that it is possible. So, you know, long story short here, the advice, the advice that I would give people is to, you know, just the cliche saying of, like, when, if you get knocked down. Like, you. You have to get back up. And, you know, just like in the ultramarathon, you can't get to the finish line without one foot in front of the other. And it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, but each step forward is a step closer. And that is like. That is truly as. And it's not. It's not easy. It is not easy at all. It is the hardest fucking thing you will ever do. But a single step forward is still a movement forward. And if you take a step back, you take two steps forward, you get knocked down, you get the fuck up and you take another step forward, because the consistency of taking those steps forward will get you to where you want to go. You just have to keep taking that step.
- [60:16]
Michael Chernow
I think we finish on that, man. Dude, you're a legend. I'm lucky to know you. I'm so stoked that I met you back in. Whatever it was, October. I've been watching what you're doing, man. I mean, it's. It's. It's spectacular. And I just have this feeling that, you know, this is kind of just the beginning of where you're headed.
- [60:38]
Matt Johnson
It is.
- [60:39]
Michael Chernow
Yeah, it is. I believe that.
- [60:41]
Matt Johnson
Yeah. And I am. Yeah, I am confident in that as well. I feel like, you know, the run across Texas was like. Like, that was where. Like, that was the moment where I feel like people were like, oh, okay. Like, you know, this isn't just a guy talking on the Internet, you know, like. Like, this is a guy that's. That's. That's doing this, and, you know, that's what I'm going to continue doing moving forward and, you know, with these events, helping others in the process, you know, charities, people inspiring, all of that.
- [61:12]
Michael Chernow
And are you currently coaching athletes as well?
- [61:16]
Matt Johnson
Yeah, yeah, I am. I'm coaching athletes. You know, not as many as. As I was. I mean, last year. Like, I had. I hit one point last summer where I had 50 athletes, and it was, like, it was a lot. So, you know, I'm still coaching, but I'm a very few. I mean, I'm under 20 right now. The athletes that I have are athletes that have been with me for a while. So I am still taking on athletes if it. If it fits, but at the same time, you know, just trying to. I coach because I love it. Like, I, I. And it's the same thing as what I spoke about earlier. Right. I never had anyone to show me the way. I don't coach for an income like you know, obviously your time is valuable. You're paid for your time. But I don't coach because I need the income. I coach because I just. It fires me up to see people win.
- [62:02]
Michael Chernow
If people want to follow on your journey, where should they go?
- [62:05]
Matt Johnson
Instagram at Matt Johnson with two underscores at the end. And then, you know, you want to learn a little bit more about me in this type of aspect. You know, we just, we just launched YouTube last year and we're trying to build up the YouTube. So there's a lot of long form content. Content as well. It's hard to see people's personalities on Instagram. You got 30 seconds to see a personality. So, you know, yeah, follow on, on YouTube if you really want the deep dive. If you just want to laugh a little bit and have a good time, follow along on Instagram.
- [62:36]
Michael Chernow
Matt, you're a savage man. Thank you so much for giving us your time, dude. I really enjoyed speaking with you. I got to know you a lot better on this podcast, so I did a lot of listening and I think the audience will be able to walk away from this with A, for sure, a smile because you're definitely a unique character in your world of athlete. But B, if anybody walked into this podcast thinking that something that they were looking down the barrel of was just totally impossible for them, I know for sure that that thought process has been altered because I know and you know that impossible is a story we tell ourselves. Impossible is actually not a thing. It's a story we fucking tell ourselves. And there is a way for everyone and anyone who is telling themselves that story. Story or has been telling themselves that story their whole lives or other people have been telling that story to them and they believe it, that it's just not accurate. Yeah, I love that Matt is truly one of a kind individual and I feel so lucky to be down in Austin. He was the first guy that I hit up when I knew that I was going to get. Getting the podcast studio down here because I really wanted to get him on and you know, and pick his brain about taking on these massive feats. And not like impossible is not part of this dude's DNA. It's just not part of his vocabulary. You know, he really does do what he says he's going to do. He's a walker of walkers and, well, maybe I should say a runner of runners. But yeah, follow his journey for sure, 100% and just know, you know, you can, we can actually do anything we want to do. It takes a day at a time. And like Matt said, one step, one step, one step. Right foot in front of the left, the right foot in front of the left. That's truly what it takes. That's the philosophy that I've used in everything that I've done in my career so far in my life so far. Coming out of addiction, into sobriety, into business, into sport, all of it. It's just having the committing to just taking the step, period. Nike said it best. You know what I mean? So if you guys want to do anything for me today, the price you pay for this podcast is sharing it with a friend or a family member, someone who you think can use it, someone that you think would put a smile on their face. Please share the podcast, give us a rating, a five star rating and a review that would be amazing.
- [65:19]
D
And there you have it folks. I hope we delivered some valuable content for you to implement into your life on a daily basis. Please remember that our habits have the power to make us or break us. Replacing bad habits with great ones is the answer to living a life of happiness, optimism and high performance. We are capable of achieving anything. We all have what it takes to to give it all we've got. Commit to one great habit each day and truly commit and watch how everything in your life starts evolving from good to great. If you enjoyed this podcast, please follow us Wherever you listen to your podcast, give us a five star rating and a nice review that will help us grow this podcast, bring on more amazing guests, and continue to deliver invaluable content on a weekly basis. Lastly, please share this podcast with any friends or family that you think might appreciate it. And always remember, want do equals have until the next one Fam Peace.
- [66:36]
Michael Chernow
It.