Ep. 61 - Unlocking your Full Potential with Matt Schollard
Matt Schollard is a Peak Performance expert and certified High-Flow Coach through the Flow Research Collective, the world’s leading authority on neuroscience research and training on flow states. A retired USAF Special Operations Pararescueman, Matt leverages powerful lessons on grit, resilience, and tenacity, with scientifically supported flow triggers to accomplish any goal in your stack. A lifelong action sports athlete, Matt synthesizes ‘extreme’ experiences in big wave surfing, kiteboarding, skydiving, and freediving into easily assimilated and implemented mindset protocols. If you want to learn more about how to unlock your full potential, book a session with Matt at Full Send Coaching.
This episode delves into the story of how Matt overcame adversity to create sustainable, healthy practices that he now helps teach others through his non-profit organization. Listeners will learn about alternative healing practices such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork, hear how they faced pushback from peers when pioneering these methods, discover the success of their clinical study that was approved, and their vision for taking veterans to Costa Rica for surfing and yoga. Additionally, Matt will explore the concept of "flow", which is a state of peak performance and creativity that can be attained by individuals and groups. Ashton and Matt will discuss how this type of experience can be applied to business, teams, and executive protection teams. Finally, they will provide insights on how to achieve flow in different activities such as surfing or work-related activities like those done by a PJ or Coast Guard as well as offer up some books on the subject along with practices such as cold immersion, breathwork heat exposure, sauna, and hot-cold contrast.
[00:00 - 10:17] Healing Through Meditation and Coaching
● Matt Schollard is introduced to the show.
● Matt is a former special operations veteran who has transitioned into coaching others.
● He uses unique methods such as meditation, surfing, and other activities to help people recover from their experiences overseas.
[10:17 - 22:12] Exploring the Benefits of Alternative Healing
● Matt experienced tough times during his deployment with a high level of violence and suffering.
● This took a toll on him and he began drinking and taking medication to numb the sensations.
● He explored yoga, meditation, and breathwork to shed some of the internal sufferings.
● He was searching for a more spiritual and enlightened state of mind.
● Matt took part in a 32-mile race from Moka to Oahu but ended up having to paddle 40+ miles.
● Matt had a profound experience while paddling in the Kabi channel.
● He felt relief after consciously choosing to let go of the sadness and burden he was carrying.
[22:12 - 48:45] Unlocking your Potential: Creating a Meaningful Life
- Matt discovered the concept of flow state and peak performance through conversations with big-wave surfers
- He recognized that his journey had been about chasing flow, peak performance and effortless effort
- Matt deep-dived into the study of peak psychology, neuroscience, and flow state
- Matt became a student of flow and optimal psychology
- People can become addicted to being in a flow state
- There needs to be a level of awareness and responsibility when approaching flow states
- Chasing the flow can lead to pushing the limits, which can be dangerous
- The dark side of flow states refers to the negative consequences of chasing the sensation and ignoring caution
- Recovery practices such as cold immersion, breath work, heat exposure, sauna, and massage are beneficial for regulating and resetting the body
- Matt is passionate about recovery and the down-regulation of flow states
- Hot-cold contrast, cold plunging, and saunas can be used to deliberately down-regulate after experiencing a flow state
- Getting into a flow state can be difficult for those who are anxious or uncomfortable with a task
- Overcoming anxiety can be achieved by applying greater meaning and motivation to a task
[53:33 – 01:02:23] Closing Segment
● What are the key elements you look for when investing and what is your strategy for building wealth?
o Matt's key elements for investing are his mental health and wellness and his strategy for building wealth is to invest in these areas.
● What do you do for your health right now? What is your focus on health?
o Matt abstains from consuming alcohol for at least eight years. Currently, he is undergoing a 30-day experiment of following an animal-based diet, which he is already 41 days into. He reports feeling like he is 20 years old, making it a topic worth exploring for his future health focus.
● How do you know whether you're winning or not?
o Matt determines whether he's winning by monitoring a combination of physiological, health-related, and psychological metrics, such as the quality of his sleep, motivation, drive, and overall purpose. He also evaluates his thoughts, behaviors, and actions to ensure they align with his goals. Matt tracks his progress through journaling and reflection, using a 1-10 scale.
● What are your key performance indicators to know that you're on track to have the best life?
o The key performance indicators for having the best life, according to this person, are winning and experiencing unique experiences with their family and children. They believe that if they don't do this every year, they're not doing something right.
● What brings you the most joy in life right now?
o Matt finds joy in his life from participating in wind and wave-based outdoor activities, particularly chasing outer reef swells in Hawaii during the winter with strong winds.
Connect with Matt!
Website: Beneath the Surface Foundation
Website: Full Send Coaching
LinkedIn: Matt Schollard
Instagram: Matt Schollard
Want to learn more about creating multiple streams of income, wealth protection, financial freedom, or real estate investing? Join our investor club, check out our blog, get our free ebook on investing, or join us for our monthly Real Estate Investing Made Simple virtual meetup. Take the first to your wins in life and head on to http://www.valkeregroup.com.
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Key Quotes
“Don't settle for mediocrity man. If you're not growing you're dying. Put yourself out there and explore this world. This is a fascinating time to be alive and there are some really influential people doing a lot of meaningful work and we can learn from them.”. – Matt Schollard
