Episode 001: Matt Barr - Be kind to yourself Active Minds podcast

Full episode and Show Notes - www.activeminds.life/podcast

My first guest on the podcast is a dear friend of mine who I’ve known for over 20 years.

I first met Matt Barr when he rocked up to do a ski season in Meribel in 1996 with an epic crew of characters that made up a lot of the early pioneers of British snowboarding, including Chris Moran, Scott Nixon, Ewan Wallace, Lesley McKenna, and in subsequent seasons Ed Leigh, Spencer Claridge and Stu Brass.

Matt has many strings to his bow and functions on a different level to most mere mortals, although interestingly, as you’ll hear from the interview, he struggles with acknowledging and celebrating his achievements…something he’s working on. His lifelong strategy of applying a dogged work ethic and his sharp, logical intellect to whatever goals he sets himself has meant he has carved out an impressive career and an enviable lifestyle.

Matt is a former Whitelines editor and freelance journalist, an accomplished musician with a publishing deal under his belt, a co-director of ACM communications agency and the man behind the very successful Looking sideways action sports podcast.

Matt talks gives an open and honest account of his upbringing in Manchester, the influence that strong female characters played in his life as well as the struggles he faced that went on to shape him. I have a huge amount of love and respect for Matt and there couldn’t be a more fitting first guest.

Thanks to Martin Fisher for the theme tune, and to my editor Cameron Nesbitt. If you enjoyed the podcast, please share and leave a review.