There aren’t many guys out there who can rock bright pink hair with tattoos and a rashie. But if there’s one person who’s already proven he can, it’s Ironman Matt Poole. When the Gold Coast local isn’t making a serious fashion statement (for a good cause), he’s collecting surf lifesaving titles around Australia. Having grown up in Sydney’s Northern Beaches (and with a name like Poole), the athlete was practically born to be in the water. He’s been called the ‘rock star’ of surf lifesaving, but Matt is a self-confessed ‘mummy’s boy’ who balances his hard training with the occasional ice cream. Read on to learn more about Matt and find out why he dyed his hair pink!
Getting to know you
Born: Manly, Sydney.
Lives: Broadbeach Waters, Gold Coast.
Known for: Being a Red Bull Ironman athlete.
Personal motto: Be your best, every day.
Success is: Accomplishing personal goals and achievements. This isn’t based on a number or position in a race but an improvement in any form: physically, mentally, in work or lifestyle.
Advice I would give my 20 yr. old self: You are NOT invincible.
People are surprised that I: Raced the professional Nutri-Grain Ironman series with PINK hair for National Breast Cancer Foundation!
I’m inspired by: People who make the most of life with the cards they’ve been dealt, good or bad.
The biggest risk I have taken (that has paid off) is: Moving from Sydney to Queensland at age 18 to become a professional Ironman.
From my mistakes, I have learnt: As an athlete you can’t win every session or every race, but you can always learn a lesson. From mistakes, lessons are learnt and improvement is made. That applies to life and work.
My most used emoji is: Cheeky face! Ha ha.
Out and about
Wake up time: 5:00am, in the pool by 5:30am.
Morning ritual: Wake up, stretch, train, breakfast.
Desk lunch: Eggs, spinach, brown rice, with cheese and avocado. Delicious!
Last thing I do at night: Dinner, emails and dessert.
Guilty pleasure: Cold Rock ice cream.
3 things vital to my day: Training, Red Bull, surf.
Cafe: Alfred’s Apartment in Mermaid Beach.
Juice: Green.
Coffee: Double flat white.
Studio/gym: Kurrawa Surf Club.
Wardrobe
Sports top: Reebok.
Sports pants: Reebok.
Shoes: Reebok.
Sunglasses: Oakley.
Watch: TW steel.
Store: Academy Brand.
New season must have: Reebok classics FURYLITE kicks!
Culture and tech
App: Spotify
Website: Boss Hunting
Instagram stalk: @sjanaelise
Album love: “The Life of Pablo” by Kanye West.
Logging on
Instagram: @matt_poole1
Facebook: Matt Poole- IRONMAN
Snap: mwp1988
