ALLSMITH

EP. 77 - Matthew Bickel: How a 300-Pound Cheetah Transformed His Life Through Love, Fitness, and Adventure


Listen Later

In this episode of ALLSMITH, Host Bryce Smith welcomes Matthew Bickel—a man known for his infectious energy, deep love for community, and relentless pursuit of growth. From his days as a “300-pound cheetah” to his incredible weight loss journey, Matt has redefined what’s possible through fitness, adventure, and surrounding himself with the right people.


As the leader of a powerful fitness tribe, including Eric Hinman and Sam Dancer, Matt has built a life centered around connection, resilience, and pushing limits. His story is captured in the powerful documentary “What is Fitness?”, where he explores what it truly means to be fit—not just in the gym, but in life.


Bryce and Matt dive into their shared experiences at the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run in Kauai, the power of brotherhood and accountability, and how Matt has built a business and lifestyle rooted in impact, adventure, and service. This episode is filled with raw truths, powerful insights, and plenty of laughs, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their life.


Episode Highlights & Time Stamps:


[00:00] – Intro: The Hug Dealer is Back!

    •    How Matt’s energy and love for people define everything he does.

    •    The power of a genuine hug and why human connection is everything.


[05:15] – The 300-Pound Cheetah: A Transformation Story

    •    Matt’s weight loss journey—what sparked the change?

    •    The struggles, setbacks, and breakthroughs along the way.

    •    How fitness became more than just about losing weight—it became a lifestyle.


[15:45] – What is Fitness? Documentary & Redefining Success

    •    Behind the scenes of Matt’s documentary and what he learned from filming it.

    •    Why fitness is more than lifting weights or looking good—it’s about longevity, movement, and fulfillment.

    •    The mental shifts required to go from “big and strong” to lean, agile, and limitless.


[27:30] – Building a Tribe: The Power of Surrounding Yourself with Legends

    •    How Matt connected with Eric Hinman, Sam Dancer, and other high performers.

    •    What separates successful people from those who stay stagnant.

    •    The importance of brotherhood, accountability, and pushing each other to greatness.


[38:20] – Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run in Kauai & The Love for Adventure

    •    The experience in Kauai, battling the terrain, the heat, and the unknown.

    •    What this event represents beyond fitness—giving back and supporting others.

    •    How adventure fuels Matt’s soul and why he constantly seeks the outdoors.


[50:10] – Business, Life, and Creating Meaningful Impact

    •    How Matt built his business, personal brand, and community around authenticity.

    •    What makes a great leader, and why he prioritizes people over profits.

    •    The lessons he’s learned from both successes and failures.


[1:02:45] – The Future: What’s Next for Matthew Bickel?

    •    His next big goals—business, fitness, and personal growth.

    •    How he plans to keep evolving and pushing the limits.

    •    The legacy he want

Thank you for Listening! Learn more below.

ALLSMITH IG
ALLSMITH YouTube
Bryce Smith IG

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

ALLSMITHBy Bryce Smith

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

142 ratings


More shows like ALLSMITH

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,559 Listeners

Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron & Patrick Cummings

Chasing Excellence

2,036 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

6,830 Listeners

The Rich Froning Podcast by Rich Froning Jr.

The Rich Froning Podcast

1,217 Listeners

The Ready State Podcast by With Kelly and Juliet Starrett

The Ready State Podcast

488 Listeners

Mark Bell's Power Project by Power Project Studios

Mark Bell's Power Project

1,565 Listeners

Jason Khalipa Podcast by TRAIN HARD Media

Jason Khalipa Podcast

441 Listeners

WHOOP Podcast by WHOOP

WHOOP Podcast

655 Listeners

Talking Elite Fitness by Tommy Marquez & Sean Woodland

Talking Elite Fitness

1,029 Listeners

KETTLEBELLS & COCKTAILS by JOHN WOOLEY & NIKI BRAZIER

KETTLEBELLS & COCKTAILS

192 Listeners

Coffee, Pods and Wods by Coffee, Pods and Wods

Coffee, Pods and Wods

50 Listeners

Kreatures Of Habit Podcast by Michael Chernow

Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

247 Listeners

The Consistency Project by EC Synkowski

The Consistency Project

534 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,252 Listeners

Varied Not Random by btwb

Varied Not Random

165 Listeners