Blind Since Five, but Fearless for Life: My Journey as a Blind World Champion Surfer | Matt Formston
Matt Formston on Resilience, Trust, & Surfing Life’s Biggest Waves
Episode Introduction
What does it take to ride a four-story wave you can't see? How do you turn a diagnosis of blindness into a world championship mindset? In this profoundly powerful episode, Steve sits down with Matt Formston, a world champion adaptive surfer, Paralympian cyclist, and Guinness World Record holder.
Blind since the age of five, Matt shares his journey from facing extreme bullying and violence in his youth to finding his strength in adversity. He opens up about the pivotal role his parents played in shielding him from limiting beliefs, his struggle to prove he "wasn't disabled," and his ultimate breakthrough to accepting and maximizing his true self.
This is a raw conversation about the power of family, the non-negotiable nature of trust, and the relentless pursuit of becoming the best version of yourself.
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About Our Guest
Matt Formston is an Order of Australia member, multiple-time world champion in both surfing and cycling, and the Guinness World Record holder for surfing the largest wave ever ridden by a vision-impaired athlete at Nazaré, Portugal.
Beyond his athletic accolades, Matt is a businessman, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, and a father dedicated to instilling core values in his children. His story is captured in the acclaimed documentary, The Blind Side.
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Follow Our Guest
Website: https://www.mattformston.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/
Follow Us On
Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/
Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/
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Episode Highlights
00:00 - The "Blind Surfer" is introduced: "They're going to kill the blind guy."
01:44 - Steve welcomes world champion and Paralympian, Matt Formston.
02:43 - How Matt defines the "noise" of life.
03:40 - Matt's story: From blindness and bullying to world titles.
07:12 - The extreme bullying that led to a cycle of violence.
09:25 - The pivotal moment his parents hid a grim diagnosis from him.
13:59 - The shift from fighting to prove himself to fighting for his best self.
17:45 - The household rule: The word "can't" was banned.
21:13 - Preparing to surf a 51ft wave at Nazaré you can't see.
25:27 - Matt's 3-step framework for attempting anything you're scared of.
26:30 - Facing fear and self-doubt as a father.
30:46 - The powerful values mantra Matt teaches his kids every night.
32:47 - The unexpected advantage of blindness: Radical presence.
35:39 - Why his disability is not a "superpower."
39:24 - Simple fixes for inclusion that make people feel seen.
46:05 - Matt's #1 non-negotiable in life and business: Trust.
51:23 - The one piece of advice for anyone feeling limited.
55:07 - What's next: Boards, a book, a new film, and freediving.
57:50 - How to connect with Matt.
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