My name is Matt Foley, and I am a motivational speaker

I’m not sure why I think everyone wants to hear my ramblings about life, but maybe it makes me feel better if I have it written down somewhere for my own piece of mind.

I listened to a speaker last week that said (in her very think Russian accent) “I’m going to live my life like I’m paying for each breath. Like I owe something to humanity solely because I’m here.” I thought it was so profound. We’re all here for a purpose and I believe it’s ultimately to serve others. If you take that approach in all aspects of life, especially your career, life will be so much more meaningful.

I also came to realize this whole summer I was competing and flowing for the wrong reasons. I was focusing more on beating my opponents than enjoying the sport I love. And I don’t want anyone to think I don’t like the girls I compete against because they’re some of my best friends. I’m just naturally one of the most competitive people you’ll ever meet. I don’t care if it’s a game of monopoly, I will want to beat you ha! Which I think is one of my greatest character flaws but also a great strength at the same time. It’s hindered my mentality going into competition but it’s also driven me to accomplish great things in my life and set lofty goals for myself. After my experience this summer, I was truly humbled. I realized that if you go into something just so you can achieve fame, wealth, or to put yourself above others, you’ll always be slightly incomplete. I would go into every competition scared instead of confident how I used to be. I always performed better when I had the attitude that I was going to go out there and do my best, not for others, but for myself. And most importantly remembering to have fun. After all, I think that’s why we all love the sport and compete because it’s fun and it’s something we enjoy. If it’s not fun then why do you do it? Life is too short. And I think if I had continued on with that attitude, it would have ruined the sport for me. I know I would have eventually gotten burned out like I did with snowboarding at one time.

These past few weeks after nationals have been some of the most fulfilling. Don’t get me wrong, winning the national title in 2009 is one of my coolest and most gratifying accomplishments to date, but I’ve had so much more growth riding for fun, learning new tricks, and most importantly getting to ride with friends. Those people (my flomily) are what make this sport so great for me. The camaraderie between competitors I think is what makes the sport and rider base so unique. We are genuinely all friends, which is a special and rare thing. I hope it always stays that way.

A little while ago, Sean and I were talking about recent competitions and I was telling him how I was getting discouraged from losing after being on top for so long. In the nicest way possible, he told me to stop making excuses and he’s absolutely right. I only have myself to blame for mentally blocking my perspective and allowing my over-competitive self to create a negative attitude. Life is not about being better than others or always winning. If you believe that it is, well get ready to be humbled because at some point in your life you will. You’ll lose, have your heart broken, get fired, or have a friend or loved one pass away. You take life one day at a time. If you lose, practice harder (for yourself and not for the sole purpose of winning.) If an important relationship comes to an end realize that love isn’t about having to beg someone to love you. You have unique characteristics and qualities that out of the 6 billion people on the planet at least one other person (and I’m sure many more) will fall in love with. To all girls in high school: just remember to not take things so seriously. Most likely every guy that you date for at least the next 4 or 5 years will break your heart. If you break someone else’s heart go easy and realize someday someone will break yours (if it hasn’t happened already) and understand what it’s like to be in that position. If you get fired or lose your job another one with higher pay, better benefits, and a cuter secretary is probably waiting around the corner if you’re brave enough to pursue it. Continually re-invent yourself and remember that the biggest risks usually yield the highest return. If you lose a friend or loved one, live each day like it counts since they no longer can. Be a testament to their life that the time we spend here, though fleeting, can be meaningful. I know I’m starting to repeat myself but each life has a purpose. We may not know or understand that purpose yet, but maybe we can make the world a more enjoyable place. If we start with small acts of kindness like helping a neighbor move, adopting an elderly person with no remaining family, or even something as small as holding a door for a stranger. Who knows what we can accomplish. And if I’ve learned anything in 22 years, you can go along way with a smile ☺