Matt Strawn was called to Moab. He has made his home here and is now helping people learn to heal through natural alternatives. He is a mixed-martial artist and teaches other the art, as well.
1. How did you come to live in Moab?
When I was 15, my dad took me on a bike expedition that took us through Moab. I was called out here the second time, my 33rd birthday. I was a frequent visitor from Denver and after awhile, I don’t think I had a choice. So I answered the calling.
2. What do you love most about living in Moab?
It is on another level. A level you can’t describe, only feel. A level only certain can get. The vibe here is one.
3. What do you dislike about living in Moab?
I dislike the ones who complain about living here. I have lived all over the place and as soon as I started complaining. Love it or leave it, I say.
4. What is your occupation?
My occupation is being Matt. I see myself as a free-spirit, taking this moment, here, now to find my true self and help others find theirs.
5. If you could have any job in the world, what would you most like to do?
The career I most want to be in is with Mixed-Martial-Arts. I am a MMA competitor and opened Primitive Fitness here in Moab. I want to help people heal through natural alternatives, show self-defense techniques to women and children and help fighters cut weight in a healthy way.
6. Describe a typical day.
Typically I am training or teaching classes or researching subjects. I enjoy meditating and am attempting to implement a “no worries” lifestyle between 2-4 p.m. or so.
7. Some people have bumper stickers on their car that reads: I’d Rather be Sailing. What would your bumper sticker read? I’d Rather Be…
Right here.
8. Tell us one thing people don’t usually know about you.
People usually don’t know I am a novelist and screenplay freelance writer.
9. In high school, you would have been considered the person most likely to…
Most likely to start a rebellion.
10. What is your favorite Moab activity?
Right now my favorite Moab activity would have to be going up on the Moab Rim back to the primitive caves and see what happens from there. Or just chilling out at Dead Horse on a stormy night.
11. Tell us your favorite non-Moab place to visit.
Anywhere in Colorado! From the Glenwood Springs vapor caves to snowboarding Mary Jane mountain or ice climbing in Ouray. Can we change the name to Moab, Co?
12. What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?
Finding the Lord. I used to think people who claimed to find Jesus were a bit fanatical. But, over the past couple years, my life was in shambles and when I truly asked for help, he answered and I can feel his strength and now lead my life the way I should have been all along.
13. If you were President, what’s the first thing you’d do to make life better in America?
I would implement drastic changes to the overall health of our nation. Over the past one hundred years we went from the healthiest nation to dead last. A healthy nation is a happy nation.
14. What superhero power would you most like to have?
Gotta go with the dude from “Green Mile.”
15. If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I would be a snake. The serpent leads people out of darkness and are natural healers. I was born in the year of the snake, I take on a lot of its personality. This is the year of the snake, when snakes shed their skin and are born again.
16. What is your all time favorite movie?
“Sling Blade”.
17. And, your all time favorite book?
“Basketball Diaries”.
18. If you were stranded on a desert island, which three CDs would you want to have with you?
Blind Melon’s “Soup”; Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”; and Rush’s “Chronicles”.
19. If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
I would have dinner with Rhonda Rousey. She is a world-class fighter and a mysterious soul. I want to hear her version of the arts and what other art forms interest her. I want to hear about her childhood and how she got to where she is. Maybe she will read this and come to the school and give a seminar!
20. What is your life philosophy?
My philosophy in life is to chase your dreams to the stars, if you fall short, you’ll be standing in the sky. Be your best on your worst days. Keep it all positive and forward. Treat the world as you beg it to treat you. If you lay a foul tongue today, ten are coming for you another day.
