The Superhero Finder Podcast - Real people, real stories and real power!

Hello and lovely to see you again! Today we are celebrating visual differences with the most amazing guest Amit Ghose. So.. if you can get us on spotify, lets get visual! Amit has recently grown quite a following on social media recently, campaigning and advocating for normalising visual differences. Amit lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 also known as NF1 which is a genetic condition that cause...

Hello there Superhero fan! I first saw todays guest on the UK show 'Steph's Packed Lunch' and I knew I had to reach out. Matthew Smith is the co-founder of an incredible non-profit organisation called 'If You Care Share' Taken from https://www.ifucareshare.co.uk/about Our journey began in 2005. Daniel O’Hare was 19 years of age when, without any warning, he took his own life. H...

Welcome back Superhero! Today I am visited by Amanda Haigh the Author of 'Fix Your Future' and fellow podcast host of 'Heal with the Reel'. Amanda's mission is to 'Rewrite the future of our community one step at a time after coercive relationships. After leaving a coercive relationship herself, Amanda as a domestic abuse advocate uses her experience to help others in a vari...

Welcome back superstar! Now todays episode features Madeleine Black who at a young age was raped, so please if this subject is sensitive to you at all, be kind to yourself and miss it out or make sure you are in the right frame of mind. "When I was 13, in a flat belonging to my friend’s Mother who was away for the weekend, I was attacked by two teenage American students. They held a knife to...

I hope you are ready for todays EXTRA HUGE episode. *TW - Mention of suicide and self harm* I had the pleasure of speaking with Holly Ford, who is a competitive strongwoman, a mother of 2 and living with Autism and ADHD. We talk about communication, the journey Holly has been on to understand how what works for her can be taken by others in the wrong way. We look at the times that are overwhelming...

Welcome back for a whopper of an episode today! I first saw today's guest Lucy on Dragons Den, where she successfully pitched her idea of designing a brand of stylish pill cases. Hearing her tell her story of early age cancer diagnosis, major surgery and now wanting to create a product to remove the taboo and shame from taking daily medications was nothing less than awe inspiring. I knew that I ha...

Hello there! ( Any one a star wars fan??) You know when something happens that hurts so badly, but the feelings you feeling, you want to avoid anger and resentment? Well how can you do that? How can you turn a super challenge into positivity? Well today I welcome Leon into the MattCave. As a young actor he faced all manners of typecasting, with opportunities being closed on him because of how he l...

Hello and welcome back! Today Amanda Graham joins me in the MattCave, for a discussion all things hypnotherapy. Amanda hails from North Yorkshire and has made a career helping others to transform their lives. We talk about her work, as well as what it really takes to help yourself, a little bit of selfishness. If you want to find out any more about Amanda you can find her at www.aghypnotherapy.co....

On 22 January 2023 Nashali Alma was working out in her complex gym in Tampa, Florida. Xavier Thomas knocked on the door, and asked to be let in, Nashali, recognising him as living there let him in. What she didn't know is that simple act was going to create a life changing event. He attempt to grab Nashali just a few moments later, and when unsuccessful continued to follow her around the gym befor...

Hey there! Today I speak with Danny Callaghan who is on a mission to share his comeback story. After being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, and having a stoma fitted, for some that would be enough to take more rest and do less, for fear of embarrassment at something that is a big physical change. But after all those surgeries and periods of illness, Danny decided to fight back and regain the fit...

Hello and welcome back! Today I spend some time with Sam, who coaches women for a living, in particular looking at body transformations with an emphasis on habits around food. In this episode Sam describes her journey to where she is today, dealing with various eating disorders, competitive bodybuilding and what that has all taught her. We discuss the idea of balance, and what actually is healthy?...

Hello Superhero Fan! Did you know thaty almost 50% of people that listen to this podcast don't follow it on Spotify. If you don't that's task one today! Click follow to be kept up to date with new releases and more. It also helps the algorithm to spread the word! Today I speak with Ollie Clarke, a high level competitive strongman and a strength and conditioning coach. It hasn't bee...

Hello and welcome back! Have you ever injured yourself and found things tough avoiding using certain bodyparts? Well, for some people, this is everyday life. However.. within the disabled community there are some folk that are determined to show some incredible feats of physical strength.. Today I speak with Mac Mclaren a 2x World Disabled Strongest Man. Its a sport that is growing in popularity,...

Are you ready for a ray of sunshine? Of course you are, because today I am with Sophie Mei Lan. Now you might recognise her from TV, and we will go into where and why on the show. But how does going on TV change your life? Sophie tells.. As an experienced journalist, even to this day Sophie is pigeon holed by that one appearance 15 years ago. So how can we change that perception? How can we change...

Hello and welcome back! This week I want to start with a little disclamer.. We had some issues, technical hitches and there were points I thought Kane was going to turn into a robot. However! I'm all about the real conversation, so I haven't butchered it it is what it is. That being said, the power of the messages we hear doesn't change. Kane went from a young life of partying and drinking to a sp...

<<TW - Open talk on mental health / psychosis - Be kind to yourself>> Welcome back! Today I speak with James who has just released a book called 'Befriending My Brain' , a look into his experience of as lesser known Mental Health condition called Schizoaffectvie Disorder. James describes very openly his experience of his own Mental health challenges, being sectioned and in hospital too...

< > Today we have a clash with two giant men! However odd that sounds I mean it literally, I am talking to 'Big Rig Nath' who is on a campaign to get guys talking about their own mental health. What is the motivation behind this? Well Nathan found himself in a dark place. As a firefighter, he saw some life changing things, but as a job that's very 'blokey' and 'macho' , how did he find it in himse...

Well well well do I have a treat in store today! Not only is this a complete extra episode, but it is so jam packed with strength and awesomeness that I can hardly contain myself. Now now Matt, breathe.. Right, ok, so today i'm with the 'POWERBUFF' girls, a great reference to the 90's cartoon, if you are old enough! Today though this ensemble is made from 3 of the strongest women on this planet.&n...

Welcome back! Today I catch up with the the founder of a West Yorkshire based company Evergreen Active CIC Paula. Evergreen was set up to offer an entry into fitness, health and wellbeing classes for those that perhaps wouldn't usually have access. This may mean taking a class and moving it to different locations for those that cant travel far, incredible! I have a soft spot for real grass roots c...

Hey welcome back! Today I speak with Michelle, who spent many years in one career after setting out to do another.  A pretty cool story about how a seemingly small decision can open up huge opportunities. We also discuss in some depth the challenges Michelle's children faced at school which led to her entering the home schooling world. Thinking about doing the same? School not working for your chi...

Hey! Welcome back and do I have an incredibly heart warming and relatable episode for you, yes I do! I spent some time with Heather, we crossed paths when I did some work at an event Heather had organised in Leeds last year. We got talking and found a few things that we could share experience on: -Taking the jump from employed to self employed to follow a passion, and all the scary bits.. -Covid-1...

Hey there! Nice to see you again, This week I spent some time with Jess Jackson. Before I get into it, I just want to let you know that we do talk about abuse, and other topics which could be triggering for some. So if that could be you? Be kind to yourself and choose the best time to listen for you. Now I knew Jess primarily as she shares a strongwoman class with my partner, however it turns out...

Hi there! Today I am joined by Leila Ives, who only last year travelled to the USA for the Crossfit Games 2022. Leila was in the adaptive catagory as 5 years ago she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. We talk openly about her MS diagnosis, and what it has meant for her training as well as the knock on effect on friendships and her lifestyle. She talks openly about those times that friends will...

Hello and welcome back! Today I head to Australia (virtually of course) to speak with arguably the strongest teacher in Australia. Elly has and does compete on the world stage, but on a day to day basis she is a primary school teacher. How is balance achieved between a big goal and a physically and emotionally challenging job like teaching? What was before strength sports? We discuss how when you...

Hello and welcome back! Today I spent some time with Katie Smith - The 2nd Strongest Woman in Britain and 2nd Place winner at the Arnolds Pro competition. Katie wanted to make a change after leaving a troubled relationship, as a single mum with 3 kids with one in a pushchair this was always going to be a challenge. She wasn't a gym goer until then, but something had to give. In this episode you wi...