Episode 048: Matt Helliker - Keep It South West

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.com Climber Matt Helliker is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top alpinists. But I have a feeling he’d prefer to be known as an all-round mountain athlete, as comfortable taking on a peak like Citadel in the Alaskan wilderness as he is exploring the sea cliffs of his native south west, or the Scottish winter climbing he considers to be the best in the world. Intriguingly, as I discovered during the conversation we had at the Outdoor Show in June 2018, he is also at an interesting point, mulling over what the future holds as he approaches 40, and wondering if he’s fulfilled his potential during a career spanning two decades. The result is a conversation covering themes we can all relate to, whatever our athletic level. Can you ever really find happiness from the things that drive you, or are you doomed to keep repeating the same cycles of feast and famine? Is self-esteem linked to work ethic and performance? During a hugely entertaining chat we cover all this and more, as Matt takes me through his physical and mental processes with total honesty, and explains how a skinny kid from Somerset became one of the UK’s most talented climbers. Matt is a hugely appealing character, self-deprecating and with the same passion for climbing and the lifestyle he’s worked so hard to achieve since the start. I really enjoyed this one, so massive thanks to Matt for coming on the show and getting right into it. Thanks as usual to Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune.