Matt Walker MA, is a dedicated men's psychologist and international mountain guide based in Washington, USA. With a mission to help men navigate mid-life challenges, Matt empowers his clients to define success, align their values with actions, and live unapologetically. Through 1:1 coaching, group programs, immersive retreats, and transformative climbing expeditions, Matt creates opportunities for growth, adventure, and community. His work is rooted in fostering clarity, boldness, and a life lived in alignment with personal values.
Matt lives in a mountain town in Washington State with his two children and balances parenting with a full workload which includes coaching individual and groups, leading climbing expeditions both professionally and personally
Matt Walker Vroom Vroom Veer Show Summary
Matt's Balancing Act and Life Shifts
Matt discusses his work as both a mountain guide and a psychologist, supporting men through major life transitions. He is excited about the balance in his calendar between traditional coaching and field work in the mountains. Matt mentions he has a new book coming out after a 10-year publishing hiatus. He also reflects on how his values and priorities have shifted with age, emphasizing the importance of embracing these changes rather than judging oneself based on past expectations.
Skepticism and the Shaping of Belief
Matt and Jeffery discuss their approaches to knowledge and belief. Jeffery describes himself as highly skeptical, avoiding absolute certainty and viewing most things on a spectrum of probability. Matt agrees with this perspective, sharing an example from a memoir that acknowledged multiple viewpoints of the same experience. They discuss the unreliability of memory and the impact of mentors and teachers in shaping their worldviews. Matt reflects on how early influences expanded his understanding of career possibilities beyond his suburban upbringing.
Mountain Climbing and Post-Military Life
Matt shares his experience of moving from Northern New Jersey to Washington State after high school, motivated by his desire to be in the mountains following an Outward Bound course. He became involved in the climbing community, joining a group of experienced climbers and participating in significant expeditions. Matt later pursued a degree in philosophy but ultimately worked as a full-time mountain guide, leading international expeditions including the Seven Summits. Jeffery, in contrast, completed a bachelor's degree in psychology using his GI Bill after retiring from the Air Force, but chose not to pursue a career in that field.
Matt's Approach to Existential Crises
Matt discusses his approach to helping clients who are experiencing existential crises. He explains that he combines his background in psychology with outdoor experiences, particularly mountain climbing, to create a more effective therapeutic environment. Matt emphasizes the importance of having a guide during these experiences, comparing it to psychedelic journeys with proper set and setting. He notes that the most powerful moments for clarity and transformation occur during the descent from a summit, before transitioning back to everyday life. Matt sees his role as a supportive guide rather than actively doing the work for his clients.
Challenging Experiences and Personal Growth
Matt and Jeffery discuss the transformative power of challenging experiences, particularly in the context of personal growth and self-awareness. They explore how these experiences can lead to clarity, alignment between values and actions, and a sense of awakening. Jeffery shares his recent experience with a meditation app called “Way App,” which he finds more effective than typical meditation apps due to its foundation in authentic Zen practices. They both agree that consistent, thoughtful practice can lead to gradual but meaningful increases in awareness and personal growth.
Matt's Mountaineering Experiences and Future Plans
Matt discusses his mountaineering experiences, including climbing two of the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks and plans to summit Everest in the future. He mentions postponing his Everest attempt due to family circumstances but has upcoming expeditions to Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia and Kilimanjaro in Africa. Matt emphasizes that while Kilimanjaro is not as technically challenging as other climbs, it provides a powerful experience for clients, combining mountaineering with personal development work for men.
Digital Detox and Analog Productivity
Matt discusses the benefits of digital detox during his expeditions, noting that it's initially challenging for participants but ultimately provides relief from constant connectivity. He has acquired a company focused on analog productivity called 3 by 5 Life, which produces printed index cards for tasks like scheduling and gratitude practices. Jeffery shares his own digital detox strategies, including uninstalling social apps and turning off most notifications on his phone.
Mountain Climbing: Real vs. Perceived Risks
Matt discusses the risks associated with mountain climbing, explaining that while it appears to be constantly high-risk, the actual danger is relatively low. He emphasizes that the most dangerous part is often driving to the climbing location. Matt points out that climbing doesn't make for good TV, leading to unrealistic portrayals in media. He also mentions the importance of managing risk and distinguishing between perceived and real risks in climbing. Jeffery shares his experiences with dangerous car accidents in Los Angeles to illustrate the everyday risks people often overlook.
Distinguishing Perceived vs. Actual Risk
Matt and Jeffery discuss the difference between perceived and actual risk, particularly in career changes. Matt emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between these two types of risk and understanding what one is responding to emotionally. Jeffery shares his personal experience of overcoming the perceived risk of leaving the Air Force, highlighting how a chance conversation with an Army captain changed his perspective on managing his career and finances. The discussion concludes with Matt sharing a similar lesson he learned about money management early in his career, emphasizing that financial stability is more about how one manages money rather than how much one earns.
Embracing Unexpected Interactions and Learning
Jeffery and Matt discuss the importance of being open to unexpected interactions and learning opportunities. They share stories about chance encounters that had significant impacts, including Jeffery's experience with a fellow serviceman who gave him investment advice. Matt relates this to the importance of recognizing the humanity in everyday interactions, such as with grocery store cashiers. They also mention Matt's analog productivity system, 3×5.life, offering listeners a 20% discount with the code VVV20.
Connections
Website – mattwalkeradventure.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Blubrry | TuneIn | RSS | More