This week Matt Hill gave us a fascinating talk about his life’s endeavours, so far.

He commenced by describing his 3 ‘Life Shaker Moments’.

1.The first was the result of his mother leaving the front door ajar giving 2 year old Matt the opportunity to scoot out and run around the block several times without harm.  This proved to be the start of his running career which came to an abrupt end when at age 10 he was mortified by losing badly in the school race. But was it? His coach asked him to run one last time and what followed became his running career.

 

2.Aged 13 he decided to become an Actor. One day he feigned sickness and was allowed to stay home from school. Once alone in the house he travelled to Gastown , found a theatrical agent who was swathed in billowing cigar smoke, and announced he wanted a job.  Flummoxed when asked to demonstrate his experience he admitted to a lack thereof. However his enthusiasm had carried the day. The agent advised him to enrol in a course before trying again. Matt, contrite but determined, returned home asking his parents to pay for the course. His father’s response was to forget the idea adding he couldn’t afford it any way, but to Matt’s surprise the agent covered the cost and that was the start of his successful Acting and Voice Acting career. Among many other movies he was the voice of Raphael in the Ninja Turtle movies.

3. One day on a flight he appeared so involved in his intense computer tapping that the elderly lady next to him wondered what was so engrossing. He found himself ready to share the topic and by journey’s end she wished him all the best. He mentioned it to no one for three weeks, then asked a friend if she would join him in this venture, which became The Run for One Planet.   

It is an ongoing  endeavour focused on ‘Inspiring Environmental Action, One Step at a Time’. Starting in May 2008,  Matt and fellow co-founder Steph Tait ran across Canada & around the perimeter of America, 11,000 miles in all, running over 420 marathons as a running duo. While running a marathon each, almost every day, supported by a team of over 30 people spread across the continent, they spoke to over 30,000 kids, gave more than 220 presentations, destroyed 30 pairs of running shoes, gave media interviews almost daily, burned over 3 million calories, and raised over $130,000 for their Legacy Fund for Kids. They completed the expedition  in Vancouver on May 8th 2009 - now officially proclaimed ‘Run for One Planet Day’

They are shortly to be awarded The Meritorious Service Medal.