Rock Bottom Is Still Forward

Hey Team!

This past weekend, I hit rock bottom–in my recovery, that is. As many of you know, I’ve been wearing a WHOOP device for years to track my health and performance. Well, I finally achieved the impossible: a 1% recovery score. Yes, that comes with a skull icon. Let’s dive into how I got there… and why I’m not mad about it.

This Week’s Shift

I got the call to fly to Toronto and spend the weekend dancing with some of my closest friends. I didn’t hesitate. Living out in Tofino has been a chapter of solitude, focus, and deep self-care… but I’ve been around performance long enough to know that connection is non-negotiable. It was time for me to take a last-minute trip out east.

A few flights later, I found myself on the dance floor until late, fully present and soaking it all in. The next morning? My WHOOP hit me with a 1% Club notification–HRV down to 33 ms, resting heart rate up at 63 bpm.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t spiral. I didn’t question it. I made that choice. It was well worth it.

Instead of beating myself up, I took inventory. I looked at the numbers, checked in with how I felt, and rebuilt the day around one goal: recovery.

No high intensity. Lots of water. And two sessions at Othership–one in the evening and one the following morning. Each one was 75 minutes: two rounds of 20-minute sauna and 3-minute cold plunge. At night, I ended with an extra dose of heat to help with sleep. The next morning, I ended on cold to activate the system and heighten energy for the day.

I also went for an easy 5 km Zone 2 jog–not to enhance recovery, but to give my mind a win. Movement clears the static.

And then… the bounce-back.

Three days later, my recovery was at 94%. HRV jumped from 33 to 152 ms. Resting heart rate dropped from 63 to 47 bpm. These are metrics I track closely, because they don’t lie.

If you’re ever in Toronto or NYC and haven’t experienced Othership yet, reply to this. I’ll make sure you’re in good hands. It’s my favorite way to experience social connection and recovery at the same time.

A Mental Edge

Yesterday, I had a check-in with one of the most incredible entrepreneurs I know. She’s world-class in her field, and what started as a routine call turned into a real-time lesson in how to lead through tough conversations.

We’ve all been there–whether it’s with a business partner, client, or spouse–where everything feels charged. Emotions running hot. Opposing perspectives. Triggers popping off like landmines.

In moments like this, I always come back to something my mentor taught me–a guy who’s a global authority in crisis leadership. He said:

Just because something comes at you fast doesn’t mean you need to respond fast.

That stuck.

The best leaders don’t absorb pressure at the same velocity it’s delivered. They pause. They zoom out. They see the whole room.

So if you find yourself in one of those conversations this week, try slowing the moment down. Remove the emotion. Let silence work in your favour.

Sometimes the strongest move is no move… at least not right away.

From The Field

I’ve been working closely with some elite humans lately–high performers, adventurers, visionaries. And no, “elite” has nothing to do with your genetics. It’s a mindset. It’s developed. It’s earned.

One of these guys is training to swim 28.5 miles around Manhattan this summer. Huge goal. Big heart. Full commitment. But last week, after a 10K swim, he hit me up: “Matty, I’m not where I want to be…”

He got through it, but cramped up hard. Calves like baseballs. And felt depleted.

Turns out, he hadn’t properly fueled or hydrated beforehand. And when you’re pushing your limits, that stuff matters more than most people realize.

He had the discipline and toughness to finish the session. But he didn’t enjoy it–and that’s what I call a psychological negative. It’s when a rough training session hits harder mentally than it ever does physically. That kind of damage adds up.

The lesson? Don’t leave on an empty tank. Fuel before the effort. Hydrate like it’s your job. If you’re serious about performance, eliminate the variables you can control, so the ones you can’t don’t take you out.

If you're training for something big and want someone in your corner, this is what I live for. Check out my performance mentorship–and if it resonates, I’d love to hear from you.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

Here’s a snapshot of the coldest ice baths at Othership if you want to check it out.

Really enjoyed this one: a recent podcast episode on The Great Unlearn that talks about “the drama triangle.”

If you’ve had a win, a breakthrough, or even a setback you’re working through, feel free to reply to this email. You don’t need to celebrate the wins, or navigate the hard, alone.

Thanks for showing up here… and for committing to something big. Let’s achieve the impossible. Together.

Catch you on the Start Line,
— Matty