Meet Matty Turner | Street Trials Cyclist / Athlete

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matty Turner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matty, how do you think about risk?
Risks are always daunting, no matter what concept. I think there can always be a positive outcome to risk taking regarding life/career, with a bit of calculation behind it. I wouldn’t advise just jumping straight into something, without thinking through at least some of the repercussions. Taking risks isn’t always going to be plain sailing, it’s going to come with many hurdles. As I said before I think it can always be positive. You meet a hurdle on your journey, great, don’t panic. You have to see these as opportunities, learn from it not see it as a failure. Change your perspective and find the positivity as you will come across many of these scenarios. As long as you can see your next step, take that, obviously have Long term goals but don’t dwell too much on the near future. It will all align. I was scared taking my first risk in life. However, I didn’t realise that until I took my first big one and experienced it, how much I would learn about life and myself. My first big risk was dropping everything else and starting my professional career as an athlete, it was the best yet scariest decision I ever made. Now I am doing something I love and I’m passionate about, which is what life is about.
This is your push to take that risk. What if it does turn out to be better than you ever imagined?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a professional Street Trials rider from the UK. Street trials is a very unique sport and niche, the foundation of it is all about balance. It’s a very static style of riding, whether that’s on two wheels or one. I ride a 24″ bike, which is similar to a mountain bike but without suspension. My riding also consists of flips, spins, tricks, hopping up and down walls/heights, jumping off buildings or riding along rails thinner than my tyre. Its called ‘street’ trials as I tend to ride in big cities etc performing these moves, anywhere can be my playground really if there is stuff to hop on and off. In my career I’ve managed to build a following of over 200 thousand followers across my platforms and viral videos with over 45 million views, social media has been the reason I’ve been able to promote myself and get to where I am with consistency. Done a stunt double job for comedian Jimmy Carr on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, achieved a Guinness World Record live on TV and perform stunt shows around the UK.
I’ve been riding for over 10 years now, so I’ve grafted hard to get to the point I am today and I will go on for as long as I physically can. It comes with so many ups and downs, but that’s part of anything, appreciate the ups and use the downs as lessons and keep pushing forward. Easier said than done, yes, it took me a long time to figure it out. The sooner you realise that dwelling over a ‘fail’ that you can’t change won’t help and will only waste time, change your perspective and find that next step like I’ve mentioned before. Building anything yourself will be the hardest thing, but the journey and creating something you’re passionate about is the best thing ever.
I’m constantly improving myself/brand to make each year better than the one before.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Obviously with what I do I’m very active and like the outdoors. Outside of work my other passion is camper vans. I’ve converted my van with a company called Cymru Camper Furniture.
I think I would have to take them on a van trip around the UK! Throw some beers in the fridge, get on the road, good music and hit up some scenic spots. North Wales and the Lake District have some amazing spots, go explore, ride bikes and cook some good food.
Simple, yes. Not everyones cup of tea, but I don’t think huge amounts of money needs to be spent. Just exploring, watching a sunrise/sunset is where it is at!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Family and my girlfriend. I started properly riding bikes from the age of 3, ever since i’ve always been mad about it. Coming up from a youngster my mum, dad and brother used to come everywhere with me when wanting to ride. To bike festivals, shows or for fun. Whether it was the motivation or push from mum or dad, or the help from my brother helping film me to get recognised allowing me to be here today. I’m super lucky to have the family I have and the support they show me everyday, helping guide me in the directions to follow this. Also, my girlfriend. Without her support and how much she believes in me, I think my story would be a whole lot different. I will forever appreciate her for believing in me. Overall, I’m surrounded by the best people which I definitely have to give credit to.
A little bit off track but, podcasts is another little support system for me. I listen a lot to Chris Williamson who host Modern Wisdom and Dr Andrew Huberman who hosts Hubermans Lab. They are a lot about life, business and human biology and just very good advice in general that I place into my life/career.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattyturnertrials/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattyturnertrials/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattyTurnerTrials

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattyTurner

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattyturnertrials

Image Credits
Photographer: Jim Cossey @Jim_Cossey_Photo