Podcast Summary: "Lessons from a Motorcycle Crash Survivor"

Podcast: The Living Your Legacy Podcast
Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Matt Towner
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Living Your Legacy Podcast, host Rudy Mawer welcomes Matt Towner, an inspiring survivor, author, and global real estate investor. Matt shares his harrowing experience of surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident in the jungles of Thailand and how he transformed his life’s challenges into a mission to help others build passive income and secure their legacies through strategic global real estate investments.

Matt Towner’s Harrowing Survival Story

Matt begins by recounting the devastating motorcycle accident that occurred 15 years ago:

Matt Towner (00:00): "I'm very lucky to be alive. I had a motorcycle accident in the jungles of Thailand and that was about 15 years ago. I fractured my skull, my spine, my ankle, my knee, my shoulder, my elbow, broke three ribs, perforated my lungs, and had a brain hemorrhage."

The severity of his injuries was such that Matt was in a coma for three days and underwent three years of intensive recovery, relearning basic functions like walking and talking. His survival was nothing short of miraculous, especially considering a cousin of his, Jeremy Towner, succumbed to similar injuries.

Matt Towner (07:11): "I literally split my head wide open. Broke everything from head to toe. And I'm still here and he’s not. And I remind myself of that every day and it gives me more drive, more compassion, more empathy, more reason to live."

Transforming Adversity into Purpose

Matt attributes his survival and subsequent resilience to his mindset and positive thinking. Despite enduring significant physical and psychological trauma, including mild brain damage and post-traumatic stress, he channeled his experiences into helping others.

Matt Towner (02:48): "My legacy now is to try and encourage people and help people even more to have some sort of backup, a passive income in their life both from insurance wise and for me it's been cash flow positive properties."

Matt emphasizes the importance of having passive income streams, especially through real estate, to safeguard against unforeseen life challenges. His approach is not just about financial growth but also about providing security and peace of mind for individuals and their families.

Real Estate Investment Insights

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Matt’s expertise in real estate investment. With over 35 years of global experience, Matt has helped 30,000+ investors build substantial portfolios. He discusses the importance of diversification and choosing resilient markets to mitigate risks.

Matt Towner (05:14): "My service is really a very bespoke service because I have traveled now for 35 years, pretty much constantly all over the world and always been looking at resilient factors."

Matt shares strategies such as investing in areas with multiple revenue streams, like military housing, construction towns, and university accommodations. He highlights the success of his investments, stating that only one out of his many properties has not appreciated in value.

Matt Towner (16:35): "There’s only one property that I've ever had that has gone backwards so all of the others now are worth three, four, five times."

Mindset and Resilience

The discussion shifts to the critical role of mindset in both personal recovery and business success. Matt underscores that facing challenges head-on and maintaining a positive outlook are pivotal.

Matt Towner (10:18): "When you do come across a problem, it's not what’s happening to you, it's how you deal with it."

Matt shares a profound moment from his coma where he heard a divine voice encouraging him to see his accident as a catalyst for his life's mission. This spiritual experience fortified his determination to overcome adversity.

Matt Towner (11:14): "But I know that that changed everything. Regardless of all the beautiful medical care."

He also candidly addresses his ongoing struggle with post-traumatic stress, drawing parallels between the resilience needed in entrepreneurship and personal recovery.

Advice for Aspiring Investors

Matt offers actionable advice for listeners interested in real estate investment:

1. Start Small with Fractional Investments:

   Matt Towner (18:20): "What we're offering now is fractional investments. So even if you don't have enough money to buy your first property, you can buy a fraction of a holiday rental apartment."

2. Focus on Resilient Markets: Invest in areas with multiple income sources to ensure stability during economic downturns or market fluctuations.

3. Enhance Property Value: Simple improvements like painting, adding modern amenities, and ensuring high-quality finishes can significantly increase rental income and property value.

4. Utilize Insurance Brokers: Navigating insurance can be complex. Utilizing brokers ensures comprehensive coverage and protects investments against unforeseen events.

5. Have Multiple Exit Strategies: Always have backup plans (Plan B, C, D) to manage risks effectively.

Legacy and Impact

Matt’s mission extends beyond financial success. He aims to create a lasting legacy by empowering others to achieve financial independence and security.

Matt Towner (26:52): "I've had friends or clients or family that are so close to you that you can't ten years later say, I told you so, but just do it. Really just do it."

Through his investments, Matt not only generates returns but also provides valuable housing solutions for students, military personnel, and families affected by medical situations. His approach ensures that his investments have a positive social impact, aligning financial growth with community support.

Conclusion

This episode of The Living Your Legacy Podcast offers profound insights into overcoming adversity, the importance of mindset, and strategic real estate investment. Matt Towner’s extraordinary journey from a life-threatening accident to a successful global investor serves as a testament to resilience and purposeful living. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps towards building their own legacies, whether through passive income streams, positive thinking, or helping others.

For more information on Matt Towner and his real estate opportunities, visit PositiveInvestments.com or search for Matt Towner online to access his books, podcasts, and webinars.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Towner (00:00): "I'm very lucky to be alive."
• Matt Towner (07:11): "I remind myself of that every day and it gives me more drive, more compassion, more empathy, more reason to live."
• Matt Towner (10:18): "When you do come across a problem, it's not what’s happening to you, it's how you deal with it."
• Matt Towner (26:52): "Really just do it. And that's sort of why we started doing the fractional stuff, for people to have that stepping stone."

This episode not only narrates a story of survival but also provides a roadmap for financial independence and legacy-building through strategic investments and unwavering resilience.