The Confidence to Believe, The Courage to Finish

Hey Team!

After a few weeks away, we're back... and we're back with a new look. Who dis?!

Truth be told, I didn't intend to take a break. It simply came down to timing and bandwidth. I've been in transit the past couple of Tuesdays, and here we are again, heading back to NYC today.

This time, I'm fortunate to be attending the Kindness Awards at the Nasdaq on Thursday evening. It's an incredible initiative recognizing people and organizations who embody kindness in the way they show up in the world. Two very special people in my life, Fiona Stevenson and Tracey Ivanyshyn, are the founders. I couldn't be more excited to spend an evening surrounded by inspiring humans doing meaningful things.

A Mental Edge

The past few weeks have been nothing short of wild. Beyond the NYC Marathon (more on that below), we brought our digital home for run clubs into the third dimension with two back-to-back activations in New York. Oh, and did I mention we rebranded? We're now Run Clubhouse!

I'll spare you all the details, but this coverage captures the experience and all the little details that went into making it happen.

Pulling this off required discipline, hard work and an incredible team. But more than anything, it required belief.

I vividly remember sharing the concept for our anaglyph 3D theme with someone close to me. I could tell almost immediately they didn't see the vision. The old me would have taken that reaction as a reason to second-guess myself. Doubt would have crept in, confidence would have eroded, and the idea would have either been abandoned or watered down until it was no longer worth pursuing.

But here's what I've come to understand: Most people won't see what you see. And that's okay. We've all lived through entirely different experiences that shape how we interpret the world. Why should we expect everyone to see the same possibilities?

I trusted my gut, surrounded myself with talented people who believed in the vision, and we executed. The result was something I'm incredibly proud of.

Action creates momentum. Momentum builds confidence. And the more you trust yourself enough to take that first step, the stronger that flywheel becomes.

From The Field

The NYC Marathon didn't go according to plan. My goal was 2:53, and everything leading into race day suggested it was possible. The weather was perfect, my body felt incredible, and the energy through the streets of New York was unlike anything I've experienced. The first half was an 11/10. I crossed halfway slightly ahead of goal pace.

Then mile 16 happened.

What started as cramping in my biceps quickly spread to my chest, calves and quads. My entire body began seizing, and suddenly running became nearly impossible. I stopped along the sidelines, talked with strangers cheering us on, and slowly chipped away at the remaining miles. It was clunky, painful and one of the hardest things I've done.

I crossed the finish line in 3:41, nearly 50 minutes slower than planned. But here's the thing: I couldn't have cared less about the clock at that point. I had committed to finishing, and that's exactly what I did.

I've noticed a growing tendency to hide our setbacks, whether that's abandoning a race because the goal time is gone or avoiding sharing a result that doesn't match expectations. I think we're missing something important when we do that.

Our confidence shouldn't be dependent on how our results look to other people. There's tremendous value in honouring a commitment when the outcome changes. That's where resilience is built, and where we discover what we're capable of.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

One of the reasons I was determined to finish NYC was the cause I was running for: Release Recovery Foundation, an organization doing meaningful work supporting people on their recovery journeys. I'm still short of my fundraising goal, and if you feel called to contribute, it would mean a great deal. Every dollar truly does make a difference.

Donate To Release Recovery Here

I've always believed that it's not what you say you're going to do, it's what you actually do. And what you've done matters far less than what you do next.

Whether the outcome was a win or a lesson, your next step is what matters. Take action. Build momentum. Keep showing up.

Catch you on the Start Line,
—Matty