How You Show Up Is Everything

Hey Team!

It’s been one of those whirlwind weeks. I’ve felt like I’ve been bouncing from here to there—and somehow, I haven’t left Tofino. Maybe it’s the daily run mileage creeping up again. Or maybe it’s the energy behind what’s next.

What’s very alive for me right now is this: the NYC run club tour announcement. I teased it once on social, and the response has been electric. In every conversation, I’ve made it clear this tour isn’t about me. It’s about the crews. The culture. The heartbeat of running in New York. I’m there to tell their stories, not mine.

In a world where the camera usually points inward (and I’m guilty of it too), this shift has felt refreshing—for me, and apparently for others. It reminded me of a line from The Go-Giver:
“Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.”

So I’m curious: what’s alive for you right now?

Tested This Week

Running will always be my main modality. But this week, I tested something new: rucking. I’ve been adding it into my routine during morning walks with Coconut.

If you haven’t heard of it, think of rucking as hiking without the mountain. You toss on a weighted backpack or vest and head out for a walk. No elevation required—the load does the work.

What I like most: it turns low-intensity movement into a meaningful Zone 2 cardio session—boosting cardiovascular health, burning calories, and building durability without the pounding of a run. Studies say it burns up to 2–3x the calories of normal walking.

I’m currently using a GORUCK, but any weighted pack will do. If you're looking to add load without impact, this is a simple way in.

A Mental Edge

Two days ago would’ve been my 8th wedding anniversary. Key word: would’ve. It’s the first time that date has passed since my separation.

To my surprise, it didn’t hit me the way I thought it might. I wasn’t flooded with emotion. Still, I gave it space. I sat with it.

Yesterday, I wrote a post. It became one of my most engaged ever. And I think I know why—because it was honest. What I didn’t dive into then, but want to share now, is this:

We can’t control most things. But we can control how we show up.

The last five years have been a ride. Some public, some private. Business. Marriage. Identity. One after the other. And when you’re in that place—broken, grieving, unsure—it’s easy to let emotion take the wheel. I had moments where I wanted to lash out, get even, speak my side.

But I didn’t. I paused. I listened. I didn’t react. And I chose to show up differently.

I remember telling my mentor several years ago, “I’m not speaking poorly about them. I want to preserve their reputation.”

You know what he said?

“Are you doing that for them, or for you?”

That hit hard. Because he was right. I wasn’t doing it to protect them. I was doing it to protect me. So I could look myself in the mirror. So I could be someone I respected.

And now? I stand here today knowing: so much has failed. But I didn’t. I stayed aligned. I chose integrity, respect, and the quiet act of honoring someone, even when no one was watching.

That’s the lesson I want to leave you with. In your next moment of emotional charge, ask yourself: What would my future self be proud of?

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

Know a NYC run crew, club, or brand that might want to be featured in our 30-day initiative and future docu-series? DM me.

I haven’t listened yet, but excited to dig into this new Rich Roll Podcast episode with Peter Carlisle, the agent behind Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and dozens of Olympic legends.

Going through something hard? Or chasing something bold? I just opened space for one more mentee in my Ultra Performance Mentorship.

Grateful to have you here. Let this be your weekly reminder to keep choosing character over chaos.

Until next time, I’ll catch you on the Start Line,
— Matty