How Matt Shapiro Turned Pain Into Power Through Ultrarunning to Get Sober and Be the Best Version of Himself
Everyday Ultra
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Joe reads sponsor messages and promotes Bare Butt Wipes and Janji apparel with discount codes and product benefits.
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:
Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at desertpeakultra.com
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Follow Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/
Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupg
Try CurraNZ to boost recovery and performance and get 15% off your first order with code EVERYDAYULTRAPOD at www.curranzusa.com
Get your FREE TrainingPeaks account to track, plan, and analyze your training easier at trainingpeaks.com/everydayultra
Try PlayOn Pain Relief Spray at playonrelief.com
Try Bear Butt Wipes and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at bearbuttwipes.com
Try Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at Janji.com
Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shapirothehero/?hl=en
Matt's website: https://matthew-shapiro.com/
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