Episode 262 - The Unconventional Journey of Matt Wheatley: From Soccer to Marathons/Triathlons

In this episode of FitMIND FitBODY, we're joined by Matt Wheatley, who brings a fresh perspective, contrasting with the stories shared by his father, Pete, in a previous episode. Matt reminisces about his childhood in Western Australia, his family's move to Tasmania, and how soccer played a significant role in his early years. He reflects on the cultural shift in sports when moving to Tasmania, yet soccer remained a constant passion in his life.

Matt then shares insights into his life beyond the soccer field, focusing on his academic pursuits, personal life, and the challenges of balancing sports, studies, and starting a family. He opens up about his career journey, diving into the world of HR and industrial relations, and the various ups and downs he faced along the way.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around Matt's unexpected return to running, starting with the Burnie 10 and leading up to his decision to run a marathon before turning 30. Inspired by his parents, he talks about the tough yet rewarding experience of his first marathon and the life lessons he learned from it. Matt also discusses how he rekindled his passion for running, leading to participating in triathlons and overcoming new challenges.

Throughout the episode, Matt's story highlights the power of determination and the unexpected paths life can take. It's a reminder of the never-ending potential to rediscover or reinvent our passions, no matter where life takes us.

Running tips from Matt -

1 - Keep it Simple: Matt emphasises the importance of not overcomplicating running. He advises staying off social media and not worrying about times, suggesting that running should be about the experience rather than performance metrics.

2 - Running is Easy: He describes running in its simplest form as "left foot, right foot, breathe a bit." This tip highlights the approach of not overthinking running and just enjoying the process.

3 - Personal Strategies: Matt talks about developing personal strategies and understanding what works and what doesn't for each individual. This tip is about personalising your running experience and learning from it.

4 - Mental Fortitude: He discusses the importance of mental strength in running, especially in marathons, and the need to keep moving and make choices that have consequences.

5 - Avoiding Materialism in Running: Matt warns against falling into the trap of believing that you need expensive gear or have to meet certain standards to be a "proper runner." He encourages running for the sake of running.

**A couple of BIG favours:
1) please like and review this podcast so more people will discover it :)
2) come on the podcast and talk about your running journey and/or refer someone you’d love me to interview (whether you know them or not :) )  Lets not keep the power of running a secret any more!  Hit me up on Facebook/Instagram (FitMIND FitBODY) or send me an email - Michelle @ FitMINDFitBODY .co 

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