EP 41 | Matt Stevens: Rally in the Valley Founder & US Air Force SERE Specialist | Dad of 4 kids

The Competitive Edge Podcast: Fatherhood | Fitness | Focus

Summary *SERE: Survival | Evasion | Resistance | Escape In this conversation, Matt Stevens, an athlete, event planner, and SERE specialist in the US Air Force, discusses his journey in sports and event planning. He shares the background of Rally in the Valley, an event he created to bring together athletes in his local community. Matt also talks about the format and workouts of the event, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive and inclusive experience for all participants. He reflects on the challenges of balancing his military career and fatherhood, and how he has grown as a father over the years. In this part of the conversation, Matt Stevens discusses the importance of prioritizing family and retirement, the power of good energy, his love for hockey, playing multiple sports, the competitive edge, his motto for game day, training for Hyrox, balancing training and family, advice for getting back in shape, and his spirit animal: the lion. In this conversation, Daniel Hickman and Matt Stevens discuss various topics related to their athletic training and involvement in events. They talk about their favorite hockey players and how they incorporate different skills into their own training. They also discuss their focus on Hyrox and DEKA events, as well as the challenges and intensity they enjoy in their training. The conversation touches on swimming challenges, their involvement in events like Rally in the Valley, and the possibility of partnership and separate events. They also discuss support and promotion, their training journey, and an invitation to Rally in the Valley. The conversation concludes with a discussion on sponsorship and future plans, as well as an appreciation for each other's efforts and a desire for future collaboration. Takeaways

• Creating a sense of camaraderie and community is essential in sports events.
• Designing workouts that challenge athletes both physically and mentally can enhance the overall experience.
• Balancing career and family requires prioritization and being present in the moment.
• Reflecting on past experiences and learning from them can lead to personal growth and stronger relationships. Prioritize family and retirement over work
• Good energy always wins
• Playing multiple sports helps in finding your passion
• Having a competitive edge drives personal growth
• Motivation and drive are essential for success
• Training for specific events requires a balanced approach
• Balancing training and family is crucial
• Never quit and push through challenges
• Find inspiration in your spirit animal

Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 03:33Creating Rally in the Valley 08:11Event Format and Workouts 12:58Balancing Family and Event Planning 27:46Military Career and Fatherhood 35:26Prioritizing Family and Retirement 37:08The Power of Good Energy 38:44Love for Hockey 41:16Playing Multiple Sports 45:26The Competitive Edge 46:38Motivation and Drive 51:02Motto for Game Day 54:16Training for Hyrox 56:28Balancing Training and Family 59:02Advice for Getting Back in Shape 01:03:26Never Quit Attitude 01:05:58Spirit Animal: Lion 01:07:39Favorite Hockey Players and Training Focus 01:08:08Hyrox and DEKA 01:09:11Intensity and Tenacity in Training 01:10:03Swimming Challenges 01:11:05Involvement in Events 01:12:16Partnership and Separate Events 01:12:34Support and Promotion 01:13:20Connection and Training with Mike Staley 01:14:32Competition and Training Journey 01:15:46Rally in the Valley Invitation 01:16:14Sponsorship and Future Plans 01:18:40Appreciation and Future Collaboration