What Resilience Really Looks Like

Hey Team!

Hard to believe that in just one week I’ll be back in NYC. It’s honestly starting to feel like a second home.

When my friend Robbie Bent, founder of Othership, asked if I wanted to join him at Athletech Summit, it was an easy yes. And then, after I committed, he told me he’d make it worth my time. (Even though that was already enough for me.)

Next thing I know… I’m leading the only run experience at the Summit. We’re starting from Othership. Myo is co-hosting. And we’re finishing with a class inside Othership, surrounded by some of the most tapped-in people in wellness.

All of that… just because I said yes.

That’s the lesson here: when we commit, more often than not, other opportunities start stacking. Excited to share more next week. In the meantime, watch for updates on Instagram.

PS: This might be one of my favourite editions so far. Especially what I wrote at the end.
If you’re in it right now, I hope it lands both mentally and emotionally.

A Mental Edge

This past week, I felt like I was finally catching a breather.

After pushing a heavy boulder up a hill for what feels like months—maybe years—I started to feel some wind at my back. Like something I’d been working hard toward had finally clicked.

And then, just like that, it was gone. One conversation while I was on a run. The opportunity vanished.

Later that same night, I got a text from one of the women I mentor, “Matty, I’m spiralling.”

I immediately jumped out of bed and called her. When I get messages like that, no matter the time, I do my best to make space.

She’d had a tough week—setbacks in training, and something personal in her dating life. It shook her. Her self-belief dropped. Her motivation disappeared. She asked me, how do you get through days like this?

Here’s what I told her:

You have to slow things down. Take the emotion out of it. See the challenge through a clear lens. That’s something I’ve learned through 100s of hours with my mentor.

The goal isn’t to push harder tomorrow. It’s not about muscling into 6th gear. It’s about letting things breathe. Taking a moment. Then, when you wake up, get back on the horse. Doing what you’re capable of without guilt or pressure.

Even one or two small actions that move you forward… that’s a win. You’re not trying to win the day. You’re trying to stay in the game.

Momentum starts small.
And self-compassion is part of performance.

This Week’s Shift

I started playing around with my macros this past week… for pretty much the first time ever.

Quick take: I don’t think most people need to count their macros unless they’re stepping on stage. But I do believe in tracking protein and calories, especially if your looking to shifting your weight (one way or another).

For context, I’m extremely consistent with my meals at home. Same go-to foods. Same timing. Same structure. And that consistency gives me the freedom to make small tweaks and know exactly what’s working.

This week, I noticed I was up a few pounds and ~1% body fat. No big deal. This was just an observation. I confirmed it with an at-home body comp test and decided to make a minor adjustment before I hit the road again.

Here’s what a typical day looks like:

5 AM – 48g protein + ½ cup oats
10 AM – 4 eggs + ½ cup rice
1 PM – 400g venison + ½ cup rice
6 PM – 12oz steak + yam + broccoli

So, what am I changing? I’m dropping the ½ cup rice and oats to ¼ cup. That’s it.

This is the power of routine. When your baseline is steady, you don’t need to overhaul anything. You can dial it up or down—just like a volume knob.

One last note:
Look at my meals above. Every one of them is protein-dominant. Most people need at least 30–40g of high-quality protein in a single sitting to activate muscle protein synthesis. Which means: don’t just sprinkle protein across the day, load it into your meals.

From The Field

This is Santana. And her 4-year-old daughter, Jayana.

We met a couple years ago through a mutual friend. I was told Santana had been through a lot, was really into health and fitness, and asked if I’d be willing to help her out with a few supplements. Of course, I said yes.

But once I heard her full story—I didn’t just want to help. I asked if she’d be open to becoming an Opscotch Ambassador.

In July 2020, Santana lost her partner. Weeks later, she found out she was pregnant with his child. She was alone, navigating grief and pregnancy at the same time. And it was all happening during the global pandemic.

She turned to what she had: movement. This included boxing, weightlifting, and even self-defense. Not because she had to, but because she needed to prove she could still rise. Movement became her medicine.

Santana told me something that I’ll never forget:

Resilience isn’t about never breaking. It’s about how quickly you return to baseline after immense highs and lows. And the way you do that is by building a foundation. Nourish your body. Train your mind. Anchor your spirit. So when life shakes you, you remember who you are.

And then she share this:

Life will always deliver unexpected challenges… this is what start line ready looks like for me. If I could do one thing differently, I would have strengthened my faith sooner, so that when movement wasn’t possible, peace still was.

We’re proud to have her repping the Opscotch name. More importantly, I’m grateful to have her as a friend. Santana has taught me a lot about what strength really looks like.

Quick Reminders Before You Start:

You’ve heard me talk about Othership a lot. If you’re ever in Toronto or New York and want to try it, use code MATTY for a discount at checkout. Can be used once per person.

My monthly sessions at Myo aren’t just something I swear by. I live by them. If you're curious about how it could fit into your own routine, reply to this email. I’ll get you taken care of.

I’ll also be heading to the Return to Self Men’s Retreat in under 10 days. If you’re looking for a container like this—or just curious—shoot me a message. I’d be honored to share more.

Start lines come in all forms.
And being ready for race day, or life’s hardest moments, expands your capacity to perform when the pressure’s on and stakes are high.

Catch you on the start line,
— Matty