Iron Matt
On October 8, 2016 my good friend Matt Simons is going to compete in the Kona Ironman Triathlon. Let me tell you a little about Matt...
Matt is truly one of the good guys. His heart pure, his intentions genuine and his natural inclination is to try and help everyone before himself. Just a genuinely beautiful guy. In fact it's not hyperbole to call him the nicest guy I know.
When I first moved to San Diego in 2000 I got a job working for Batchelder Partners (later renamed Relational Advisors). I walked into the office the first day and was nervous, scared and excited to be starting a new chapter in my life. The first person that opened his arms and welcomed me to the firm was Matt. Matt showed me around, Matt went out of his way to introduce me to everyone, Matt showed me the ropes, I can't think of a single time I asked Matt a question that he didn't answer or quickly lead me to somebody he could. Matt is just one of those guys that people turn to for answers because he usually has them or knows where to find them.
My first few years in San Diego he was my office wife (and I his). We would get coffee together, lunch together, chat together. People made fun of us for being tied at the hip. We spent a lot of time together at the office, traveling for crazy deals (the Enron years), gossiping with each other, helping each other, confessing in each other, being there for each other.
So while Matt was my office best buddy, he was so much more than that. You see more importantly Matt didn't only show me around at the firm, he welcomed me into his network and San Diego world. As a local and graduate of USD, Matt was dialed in. My first time driving across the TJ border was with Matt and his college crew heading down for their annual golf and surf tournament. This was a truly special invite - a tight knit crew that has known each other since college going to down for an annual event. Having the desire to bring me into that world was beautiful and something I will never forget.
I love San Diego and one of the main reasons is the first impression the city and the people had on me - you only get one chance. My first impression of San Diego was in no small part shaped by Matt. I fell in love with San Diego those first few years I lived here and a major reason for that was Matt being my ambassador to Sandy Eggo.
He also introduced me and my sister to one of the most amazing women you will ever meet, his wife Dawn. Matt is a truly special guy so it's not a surprise he would have a truly special wife. I'm not sure which one is luckier but they both hit the lotto. They also have lovely, special kids. Matt's best self may be Matt the father. No matter how busy working or training Matt is, he always has time for his family.
Matt is super friendly, nice to people and one of those guys that everyone likes. During the Batchelder days his friendliness led to one of, if not the, most important events in one of my best buddies in the world life.
Matt, Kirt and I took a trip to Chicago to see the Cubs play. After the game we ended up at a bar and noticed two beautiful women sitting at the bar. I wanted to approach them but was shy. Matt sees me wanting to approach them but not having the balls to do so. So Matt decides to engage them in conversation with his genuine nice guy charm and proceeds to tell them what a wonderful guy I am and they should talk to me. Without Matt's introduction and encouragement (and the serendipitous sounds of Widespread Panic emanating from the speakers), I never would have met Anna and Bethany. Bethany and I had a nice vibe so I decided to visit her a couple of weeks later. On our first date she brought Anna and I brought Chris, one of my best friends in the world then and now from Emory. Bethany and I had a short run, however Chris and Anna ended up falling in love, getting married in New Orleans and now have a beautiful life and family with two awesome kids. None of that happens without Matt and his butterfly effect.
Getting back on point, Matt is running the Kona Ironman in less than 2 weeks. He has trained his ass off for this. He has wanted to get in and run this race for years. Getting a number for Kona isn't very easy. Despite getting shut down a few different times, Matt finally figured out a method. If he could raise at least $25,000 for charity, he would be given a bid. Matt already knew exactly what charity would be his cause - Challenged Athletes Foundation. The Challenged Athletes Foundation is a non-profit that supports physically challenged individuals with financial grants for adaptive sport equipment like a running prosthetic or sport wheelchairs, as well as training and competition expenses, and mentoring.
So Matt guaranteed that he would raise $25,000 for CAF, thereby guaranteeing his number for Kona. Well Matt being Matt blew through the $25,000 goal and as of last check was over $53,000. I donated the charity portion of AF March Madness this year ($2,000) to Matt after being brought to tears by his presentation. Did I mention what a wonderful speaker he is yet?
If you want to contribute, you can do so here.
I love you Matt. I couldn't be more proud of you: The training, the race, the family, the love, the passion. But more that all of that you are a wonderful human being and I feel lucky to call you my friend.
I'd wish you luck but you don't need it. Your training has been on point. You are ready to go out and dominate. The hard part is over, now have some fun.
Love you brother. Forever.
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