Sip Sop
Yo friends! I thought it might be cool to throw something up as its been a minute. I have been asked to do a ‘TV’/YouTube Series’ thing for the barber shop Captain Sip Sop. The episode is yet to be filmed but I thought yall might be interested to read the notes I have done for the lead up work. Grab a coffee and enjoy! Much love yall!
———————————————————————————————————————————————————--
Mat Grills
Age- 42
Immediate family members –
Mum, Dad, Sister (Mel), half sister (Corina).
Wife Tegan, Daughters Pria (15) and Corlè (12)
Where do you live -
Bargara QLD
Place of birth -
Bundaberg, QLD
Where did you grow up -
Bundaberg, QLD
Where did your parents grow up –
Dad in and around Bundy. Mum in Kyabram VIC and Yamba NSW
What did your parents do -
Mum and dad worked seasonal work when I was really young. Fruit picking together and Dad driving locos for the sugar mill. Then when I was young, Dad started his own business concreting and mum did the books/wages etc. and looked after us kids. Dad has done that and still does at 70yrs old!
Heritage –
Unknown. European??
Siblings –
Melinda (younger sister) and Corina (older) half sister.
Other jobs / careers –
Where do I begin?! Concreter, Factory Worker, Furniture Removals, Sales, Banker, QLD Police, Barista and a few other random ones also.
Current occupation –
Business owner of The Journey and Unknown Specialty Coffee. Part time ultra endurance athlete.
What are three things that shaped Mat Grills –
The desire to be different. This has been relevant in my life literally as long as I have memory. Never wanting to conform, always wanting to do my own thing and beat to my own drum. I mean, this is literally applicable to EVERY area of my life.
Hard work - Even though this caused some issues between my dad and I when I was a teen (as he worked a lot!), I have inherited this trait from him I believe. Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy and you need to work your ass off for it. Family, business, sport, it doesn’t matter. Hard work always wins.
Conviction and consistency - Staying true and not wavering on things I hold true and valuable in my life. Being willing to fight for them and consistently turning up for them. My family, training, businesses, veganism, straight edge….all things I have strong conviction around and consistently practice to keep them as a foundation in my life.
How long have you been straight edge? Is there anything it contributes to your life that might not be super obvious, no hangovers etc –
I was straight edge before I knew what straight edge was! Ha! Literally edge my whole life. When all my friends started drinking, doing drugs and sleeping around, it was just another way for me to be different and not conform. Apart from wine at communion (grew up in a traditional church until maybe 12???) I have never tried alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. When I found the hardcore scene and learnt what edge was, I no longer felt alone in my decisions and realised there are others out there like me who chose to be out of step with society and what they deem ‘normal’. My ‘family’.
I truly believe not consuming these things creates clarity and there are ZERO benefits to drinking alcohol (and drugs and smokes are just straight up bad). There is no peer reviewed journal or scientific study I have seen that proves that alcohol is positive. I am very proud of the fact that I have never done any of that stuff in my life. It is the ultimate form of punk. Rebellion. A life long commitment.
Whats being vegan mean to you? Particularly being an athlete. Is there a pride or feeling you get from that –
This has naturally evolved over time. I got into veganism through reading magazines and books about ultra endurance athletes and the way it can help recovery. Around the same time I had some health issues (pituitary tumour) and started reading about the health benefits of veganism. I decided to go vegetarian at 30 and vegan at 31.
In the beginning, like most, I was super vocal and forward about my lifestyle. As time has gone on (11yrs now) I stay vegan for ethical and environmental reasons. I am not as vocal about it these days but love constructive, positive conversations with people about the topic. If you want to come at me with your ‘bacon’ comments though, you better be ready for a fight! HA!
As an athlete I believe it has only helped. This might sound like a big call but I have probably run more kms in the last 18years than maybe anyone in Australia (prove me wrong). In the last five years alone I have averaged 114km per week for the entire time. My recovery is excellent, my health is good and I perform at a high level. Proof is in the vegan pudding!
How did you get into ultra –
My dad was running marathons and half marathons and I was a massive gym bro. I was tiring a bit from that kind of training and had always kept running a little. On a bit of a whim, I decided to run a marathon with dad. In 2007, he did my program up, I trained hard and I ran my first one in 4hrs and 1min at 103kg and nearly died! I then got SUPER into it and started reading everything. I found ultra running through the book Ultramarathon Man and very quickly Dad and I signed up for our first ultra. I have run hundreds since then and still love it! He is also still running them too!
What are you thinking about / experiencing when running such large distances? Do you ever have any crazy epiphany’s or revelations? –
Its interesting. Sometimes I think about everything and solve the worlds problems and then other times I literally think about nothing and just flow. Presence. Running with buddies is fun and we chat about all sorts of topics. I believe running is particularly good for men as you are side by side, not looking into someones eyes and kinda vulnerable as your are exercising. Usually the best conversations happen during a run and its a great way to work through things going on in your life at the time.
Do you listen to anything while you run, music, podcasts -
Sometimes podcasts but I try not to too much. Its nice every couple of days to listen to something tough.
When/how did you get hooked on coffee –
I first started drinking coffee in Finland when I lived there for a year as an exchange student. BUT, I was having filter coffee with like seven sugars! So, kinda not coffee! I got into real coffee and specialty coffee many years later. I moonlighted in a cafe when I was in the Police. It was my tattoo money! I really loved the experience, talking to people, doing something repetitive but cathartic at the same time. I truly love coffee and everything about it but additionally everything around it. The relationships if fosters, the laughs, tears, the environment…its all beautiful!
Whats the mantra for your cafe –
To help people feel better when they leave than when they arrived!
What got you on your tattoo journey –
I actually didn’t really like tattoos when I was young because my dad had a few and we didn’t get on that well (best mates now though!). I was more into piercings (Ive had maybe like 60-70?). It wasn’t till I was in Finland and hanging out at the tattoo and piercing shop nearly everyday that I decided to get one. Then it has been a progression from there. A few small ones, some bigger ones, half sleeves, chest, stomach, and before you know it my whole body suit is done!
Favorite tattoo –
Thats a very hard question. I have a couple and I think sometimes its the story around the tattoo that makes it special rather than the outcome. The Jesus on my forearm is sick, my little Run 4 Your Life, the wolf on my stomach. Lots of rad ones!
First memory or notable memory of getting your haircut –
My aunty used to cut my hair when I was young. I was CONSTANTLY wanting outrageous things and cuts I wasn’t allowed (private highschool) but she was a good sport. Undercuts, crew cuts, long hair, dreads, mohawks and every colour under the sun. There isn’t much I haven’t had!
If you could go for coffee with anyone who would it be and why –
Anton Krupicka. He's my inspiration for lifestyle, ultra running and all things cool. He is just the best.
Lauchlan Morton. The greatest ultra endurance cyclist and all round coolest guy/attitude EVER! The dude is an animal but so chill, funny and talented.
Toby Morse. Just a straight up rad guy. I love H2O and Toby is just one of the forefathers of hardcore. Vegan edge bro. So many sick stories and vibes!
You seem to have painful and gruelling hobbies is there something in that?
Suffering is education. We learn, grow and move forward through doing hard things. Society in general is weak and soft these days. The greatest teacher and lessons I have learnt have come through hardship, struggle, success and failure. These are our greatest teachers!