Phuket List: CBCG athlete Matt Evans conquers Africa and Asia, and still identiFies as #triathlete
by CBCG athlete Amy VT
I was noticing an unusual uptick in amazing pics posted by Matthew Evans, globe-trotter and CBCG athlete. Matt has steadily been the darling of CBCG social media, not only because he pursues escapades all over the planet, but also because when you put out an APB for “pancake pics,” for instance, he delivers this:
When I glimpsed his latest Instagram post - Matt atop Kilimanjaro, bedecked in 2020 CBCG custom gear that he had expedited from the Wattie Ink. factory to Africa via his mother - I asked him about his upcoming travel sched. Here’s how he responded, “My travel schedule for the year requires a spread sheet, push pins, and yarn. But I added a couple adjustments but to our Chinese New Year vacation for you. Happy new year! [rat emoji]
1/17 Depart China
1/18 Arrive Tanzania
1/19 Rest Day Arusha
1/20 Start Climb
1/21 Climb
1/22 Climb
1/23 Climb
1/24 Summit
1/25 Descent
1/26 Rest Day Arusha
1/27 Rest Day Karatu
1/28 Safari Ngorongoro Crater
1/29 Safari Tarangire National Park
1/30 Depart Tanzania
1/31 Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
2/1 Bangkok
2/2 Bangkok
2/3 Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand
2/4 Chiang Mai CBCG photo shoot for VT
2/5 Chiang Mai
2/6 Chiang Mai to Phuket, Thailand
2/7 Phuket
2/8 Phuket
2/9 Phuket
2/10 Phuket to Siem Reap, Cambodia
2/11 Siem Reap
2/12 Siem Reap
2/13 Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpor, Malaysia
2/14 Kuala Lumpor to Shanghai and Home
2/15 Report to [CBCG coach] Donna for crushing 2020”
Portland, Oregon didn’t prove wild enough for Matt and his wife Emily. Heeding a calling to live abroad, they flipped a coin among Hanoi, Dubai, and Shanghai. They settled on the latter, as Asia was “exploding with offers,” and Emily easily found a position as counselor at a private school. School is out for a month (!) in Shanghai for the Chinese New Year, Year of the Rat, so they designed to tick-off some bucket list dreams, introducing a new level to the term “adventure travel.”
Many triathletes claim that such skylarking is not available to them. Perhaps their travel budget or vacation time is usurped by races. Perhaps training would take too big a hit by pursuing something else. I, for one, aim to see the world through racing, but I rarely get to hike, mountain climb, surf, ski, or even camp, even though those are my fave endeavors. Matt, however, is an inspiration. He takes life by the elephant tusks, refusing to sacrifice family time, adventure travel, or triathlon training, which he tackles concurrently.
It’s a principal maxim of the Chris Bagg Coaching Group to balance triathlon with family, life events, and alternative sports. CBCG coaches love to adjust plans and goals to accommodate other stuff. During his travels, Matt relies heavily on his coach Donna Phelan. “My coach has been phenomenal. She kept me level-headed and positive. I keep her in the loop with what gear I’m taking on trips, i.e. swim bungees, spin shoes, bike, running or trail shoes. Sometimes I find myself swimming in a natural hot spring-lap pool in Borgarnes, Iceland, or the Z-shaped 44-meter pool outside Reno. Sometimes I show up to a gym in Brussels, and the pool is more like a bath house soaking tub. Donna always reminds me to control the controllable. Things happen when you travel and given that it’s a vacation; they should.”
Emily jumping in her Wattie Ink. custom swimmy @ Nui Beach, Phuket
Here’s something interesting. Matt’s been pen-paling me generously and regularly, and at one point he divulged, “These are common conversation between expats, but Emily has actually gotten messages telling her to dial it down from people who feel she’s ‘rubbing it there face.’ But for every person that’s said that, ten others have said that they’re vicariously living through us. We know we are blessed and that our adventures bring joy to our Ohana.”
Ed. note: I’ve fielded similar critique, countless times. “Must be nice to not have a real job.” “Well, you don’t have children, so it’s easy for you to compete.” “Yeah, well, you’re lucky you can afford to...” A few of my besties are top-notch pro triathletes, and they get this $*&! all the time. The answers are: it’s not easy, everyone make choices, and if you have a dream, you can realize it.
I asked Matt if traveling so significantly has altered his identity as a triathlete. “Yes and no. Last year I was booking hotels with pools, and investigating beach access so I can swim in the Andaman Sea at sunrise. I traveled with my bike just to get a recovery ride in the Alps. This year things are a little more mellow now that I’ve earned my Legacy spot [to Ironman World Championships], and have gained perspective. I’m always going to be a triathlete. I’ll always see some exotic water and want to swim in it. I’ll always see a road with a monster climb and want to attack it. Even when I was on Kilimanjaro I asked my guide if I could run up it.”
Matt and Emily on public transit to Angkor Wat (Wat means temple), Siem Reap, Cambodia
My fave anecdote from Matt’s travels is when they hung out at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Many of the elephants are rescues from logging companies, or circus act-type places, and they enforce a strict no-riding policy, which can be harmful especially to the calves. “We were rushed in specially that morning because the sanctuary had just delivered a baby! Yes, we got to see a one day old elephant. The elephant that I’m closest to in the picture, just moments before had wrapped its trunk around my waist, searching my pockets for treats.”
CBCG athletes are MD students, and new mothers, and firefighters, and equestrians, and mountain bikers, and mountain climbers. Athletes perform well only when they are happy and healthy, so CBCG coaches embrace complimentary activities, and all of life’s trappings. Matt and Emily are moving to Seoul for a better opportunity, so he says. Now that I know him so well, I believe it’s mostly because of their intrepid wanderlust. I presume they’ll pack their Wattie Ink. CBCG custom gear, as well as their custom pancake machine.