How Matt Shapiro Turned Pain Into Power Through Ultrarunning to Get Sober and Be the Best Version of Himself
Everyday Ultra
COVID slump and destructive habits
Matt shares how pandemic cancellations triggered heavy drinking and a two-year self-destructive period before recovery.
In today’s episode, I sit down with Matt “Shapiro the Hero” — one of the most creative minds in endurance sports and one of the toughest, most resilient humans you’ll ever meet.
You’ve seen his work everywhere: Black Canyon, Mammoth, Cocodona, Sally McRae, Max Jolliffe… but today, you get to hear the story behind the lens — the journey that turned Matt from a talented photographer into a 200-mile finisher and a pillar of the endurance community.
We dive into:
✨ How documenting epic runners became a “cheat code” for his own ultra-running
✨ The moment he realized he could run 200 miles
✨ His wild 2024 triple — Ute 100 → Mogollon Monster → Mammoth 200
✨ His powerful journey through alcoholism, relapse, therapy, and ultimately sobriety
✨ Why runners with “all-or-nothing” personalities must learn balance
✨ The unexpected pacer who changed the final miles of his 200
✨ His philosophy for getting better one tiny step at a time
This is one of the most raw, honest, and inspiring conversations we’ve had on the show. Matt’s story is a reminder that endurance isn’t just about races — it’s about rebuilding your life, choosing a healthier path, and believing you can do hard things even when your past tells you otherwise.
If you need a spark of motivation or a reminder that you can turn things around, this is the episode.
Huge thank you to Matt for being on the show!
SHOW LINKS:
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Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shapirothehero/?hl=en
Matt's website: https://matthew-shapiro.com/
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