Matthew E. Porter

MS Awareness Week 2020 – Day 1 #ThisIsMS

Today is the start of MS Awareness Week.
It was a hard decision to become public about having MS for numerous reasons. The biggest was that I wasn’t being authentic. I wasn’t honoring our family mission statement, and I needed to own that.
I stepped out to help those who also have MS and those who have given up against the struggles in their lives. I was exhausted from seeing all the bad stories of those with MS. It didn’t tell the full story. It didn’t tell how hard they fought. I didn’t see enough stories about those who are fighting everyday.
Sometimes we fall down (figuratively and literally), but sometimes we succeed… and succeed just because we are strong enough to fight.

Today’s post is from the end of Leadville 2018. A guy with MS who could have walking stripped from him fought for nearly 30 hours to run 100 miles.

Oh, I am headed back again this year. Because… #thisisms

Why I Referenced Anne Frank to My Kids As They Start School

Two of our three kids have already started school. Those two are Gabe and Owen who will be in separate schools for the first time in 8 years. That breakup with them also means all three will be in different schools for the first time. Ever. The kids being gone inevitably means that we willContinue reading “Why I Referenced Anne Frank to My Kids As They Start School”

From Squishy to Ultramarathons & The One Critical Lesson I Learned

“Not every end is the goal. The end of a melody is not its goal; and yet: as long as the melody has not reached its end, it also hasn’t reached its goal. A parable.” – Friedrich Nietzsche March 26th marks an unsung anniversary in my life. On that date in 2010, I stepped outContinue reading “From Squishy to Ultramarathons & The One Critical Lesson I Learned”

Wim Hof Expedition: Post-Freeze Recap

“Why are you here? What made you come all the way to Poland to walk into freezing water and hike a snowy mountain in only shorts and boots?” Before answering this, I have an admission. I am struck with dichotomies. I live a life of dichotomies. I love running races in the summer, and IContinue reading “Wim Hof Expedition: Post-Freeze Recap”

Do You Know Your 100 Miles? (Not Running Related)

In light of the recent CEO announcement for Contegix, I decided it was to resurrect this draft blog post. The post is surprisingly not about Leadville, ultramarathons, or even running despite the question. It is about knowing oneself and what one wants for a life well prioritized and planned. Of all the questions around theContinue reading “Do You Know Your 100 Miles? (Not Running Related)”

Stay On The Bike – The One Rule

“There is only one rule. You can’t give up.” This is the advice I give someone when diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It’s probably the only rule that matters for everyone even Lance Armstrong. I recently heard Jesse Itzler retell a story Lance Armstrong shared with him. Regardless of how one feels about Armstrong, the storyContinue reading “Stay On The Bike – The One Rule”

Leadville Trail 100 Run 2018 – Post Race Report

I started drafting this blog post on the Monday following the Leadville Trail 100 Race. I felt I owed it to myself and everyone who supported me. Thankfully, I did not finish the draft or publish it. It has taken until now (more than 2 weeks later) to come to the point of digesting allContinue reading “Leadville Trail 100 Run 2018 – Post Race Report”

(Instant) Email Replies Are Destroying Relationships

A few weeks ago, I blogged about why I think people should spend less time on email. I discussed some reasons why one could be spending too much time on email. I confessed my challenges with this at one point in my history. For me, it was about accomplishing something to demonstrate value and self-worthContinue reading “(Instant) Email Replies Are Destroying Relationships”

Get Off Your Fucking Email

I recently wrote about how I was a panelist for EO Accelerator. In that post, I discussed how there are times to share experience, and there are times to give advice. I finished the blog post with the advice I gave the audience that day – Get off your fucking email. I want to takeContinue reading “Get Off Your Fucking Email”

The Tale of Two Journals, One Marriage, and Four Lessons

A few years back, I attempted to write one thing per day that I appreciated and loved about my wife, Courtney. This would remain a surprise until Christmas morning. Then, on that glorious day, I would see her opening it. I would explain what the journal was. She would smile and maybe even shed aContinue reading “The Tale of Two Journals, One Marriage, and Four Lessons”