Episode 56: Matt Hurley - From Prison to Podiums
This episode features a special conversation with a man who is central to the success at Purple Patch.
Matt Hurley is the Director of Coaching Operations at Purple Patch and he’s also an accomplished athlete, becoming overall champion at last year’s Ironman 70.3 Maine. He’s a multiple qualifier to the 70.3 World Championships and is also making quite a name in the SwimRun race scene. In fact, last year, he and his partner (fellow Purple Patch Coach, John Stevens), won the overall victory at the SwimRun San Juan Islands- beating a certain Lance Armstrong and his partner, Olympic triathlon champion, Simon Whitfield, to take the overall win.
And yet, in this episode, the conversation isn’t centered on athletic or coaching accomplishments. It’s a raw look at process, performance, and personal perseverance.
Matt Hurley speaks openly and honestly about his past drug addiction, years of dealing, and subsequent prison sentence. With vulnerability, he shares his journey of hitting rock bottom, coming out the other side of darkness, and finally finding his very own purple patch.
We hope that if you’re struggling with addiction, or if you have struggled, perhaps this episode can help you navigate. Even if you’re not, we hope that you find inspiration in this honest and raw portrayal of a true athlete, mentor, coach, and leader.
To learn more about Matt Hurley:
To learn more about Purple Patch coaching, email us at info@purplepatchfitness.com or visit our Coaching Page