Meet Matt Drew, one of Strive’s Exercise Physiologists and a valued member of our Brisbane team. Since joining Strive, Matt has embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and support clients on their rehabilitation journey, bringing a calm, thoughtful approach to everything he does.
Matt’s philosophy on health and wellbeing is simple but powerful: “Little by little, a little makes a lot.” It’s a mindset that reflects both his professional practice and personal values, focusing on consistency over perfection and recognising that small, sustainable actions can lead to meaningful long-term outcomes. Whether he’s helping people rebuild confidence after injury, return to meaningful work, or improve their overall wellbeing, Matt is passionate about making a genuine difference in the lives of others.
Originally making the leap to Australia in 2017 with little more than determination and a willingness to embrace the unknown, Matt understands the value of resilience, growth, and stepping outside your comfort zone. When he’s not supporting clients, you’ll likely find him enjoying Brisbane’s great coffee scene, getting outdoors, or unwinding with a true crime podcast, although don’t expect him to sit through a horror movie anytime soon!
Get to know Matt as he shares the advice that shapes his approach to life, the habits he believes have the biggest impact on wellbeing, and what he hopes people will remember him for in decades to come.
If your approach to health and wellbeing had a tagline, what would it be and why?
“Little by little, a little makes a lot.”
I think that it encapsulates well what is what I believe to be the most important thing in health and well-being: consistency. It’s also a little reminder that your contributions to your own welfare don’t have to be perfect in order to be beneficial in the long term.
What’s a piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you both professionally and personally?
“Listen twice. Speak once.”
While I think I heard this phrase for the first time when I was an overexcited child interrupting my mum haha, I feel that it’s proven to be pretty sage advice in multiple aspects of my life thus far. 1) because it’s easier to be understanding and supportive of people and their actions after allowing them the opportunity to fully explain their perspective, and 2) once something has been said, it can’t really be fully taken back – even if said not truly meant.
Tell me about your role with Strive, what excites you the most about being a Rehabilitation Consultant?
I have been with the team at Strive for a few months now, and I’m still finding my feet, so my role feels like it changes with each passing day as I’m exposed to new challenges and opportunities for growth. But what excites me the most is having the opportunity to reach a large and varied volume of people in a manner that affords me the capacity to potentially help them in a true and impactful way.
What’s something people are often surprised to learn about you when they first meet you?
I can’t watch horror movies because I find them absolutely terrifying. However, I can happily listen to true crime podcasts to unwind.
What’s the most underrated habit people can build to improve their physical or mental wellbeing?
Sleeping 7+ hours a night. The efficacy of good consistent sleep would get it on the banned list if it was a performance enhancer, and as a Psychiatrists first port of call treatment-wise when it comes to improving all-purpose mental health scores.
If you could create a “Matt’s Rules for Life” list, what would be your top three rules?
My own personal rules that I try and do every day are:
- Move – hopefully something strenuous else I tend to infuriate all those in my immediate vicinity with my restlessness
- Get outside – preferably in the sun or somewhere green or blue
- Laugh – with either my loved ones, friends, or passers-by
What challenge, achievement, or experience has shaped who you are the most?
Probably moving to Australia in 2017 despite having very little in the way of community or direction. It’s almost 9 years to the day now and it’s moments like this were you stop to foster a degree of introspection that make you realise just how much has happened, both in terms of personal development and actual physical distance covered.
Imagine you’re being interviewed 20 years from now. What would you hope people say you’ve contributed to the lives of others?
Personally, I’d be very content if my capacity to be a source of kindness, calm and levity is what I am remembered for.
You are part of Strive’s Brisbane team, what is your favourite local coffee spot, walking track, or place to unwind in Brisbane?
I’m a big fan of the coffee at Kimino in Ashgrove, the birria tacos at The Clayfield Cantina, and the Mexican Lager from Aether Brewing in Nundah.
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