Workshop Facilitator
Matt’s journey from international athlete and drum‑and‑bass DJ to mental health advocate hasn’t been linear – but it’s that messy path that makes him someone young people trust in a Kai Fella workshop.
Growing up in New Zealand, Matt poured his identity into canoe polo. He represented his country for five years, travelling internationally and placing fifth at the World Championships. When a wrist injury ended his sporting career, it forced him to confront how much of his self-worth had been tied to performance. Behind the music gigs, travel, and even a Psychology degree, Matt had been silently battling anxiety, body image issues, and the pressure to keep up a “happy-go-lucky” act.
At 22, he finally reached out for help – a moment that cracked everything open. As a teenager, Matt was the supportive friend, always there for others, but he rarely created space for himself. That changed when he realised many other young men were doing the same: struggling quietly, unsure how to speak.
While working in high-school learning support, Matt witnessed what he’d long felt – boys masking emotions, unsure of what was safe to share. It deepened his conviction: that silence wasn’t strength, and the next generation deserved better. After moving to Perth to chase his DJ dream, Matt ended up on a deeper path – one that began with learning how to accept support and eventually led to creating spaces for young men to do the same.
His time in Mental Health Outreach gave him a broader perspective – and taught him the power of healing from scars, not wounds. Breathwork became a core part of Matt’s own journey. He trained as a facilitator and began supporting others to reconnect with their emotions. He’s also been part of men’s retreats, helping create space for truth, vulnerability, and connection.
Matt facilitated on the Cold Nips national sunrise swim tour, running 100 swims in 100 days across 26,000km—raising $100,000 for mental health and connecting with 6,000 people across the country.
Matt’s always been curious, never quite fitting traditional masculine moulds – though he tried. That lived experience now fuels his workshops. He doesn’t lecture – he holds space. His goal is for young men to feel seen, understood, and more able to speak their truth.
Outside of work, you’ll find him floating in cold water, spinning tunes, or deep in conversation & often pondering life’s big questions. He believes life’s weight and beauty were never meant to be carried alone, and that’s why he creates spaces for real connection.