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Listen "#92 - Matthew Germain: The Hunt for Personal Growth, Outdoor Wisdom & Self-Reflection"
Episode Synopsis
Matthew Germain is a financial broker and co-host of the outdoor television show Backwoods Backstage on the Sportsman Channel. Matthew is a man of many passions, most notably his deep love for the outdoors, which encompasses hunting, fishing, and conservation. A true advocate for responsible outdoor practices, Matthew combines his professional expertise in finance with his personal love for nature, all while maintaining an active lifestyle as a traveler and diehard hockey fan. His unique background allows him to seamlessly blend the worlds of finance, outdoor adventure, and personal growth.
During today’s conversation, we’ll dive into three core areas that define Matthew’s life and career. First, we’ll explore the critical importance of networking and building strong professional relationships. Matthew’s career has thrived because of his ability to build a diverse contact list, ranging from colleagues in finance to connections in the outdoor industry. We’ll discuss how these relationships have fueled his professional growth, the key strategies he employs to maintain and nurture them, and why he believes there’s no such thing as having too many contacts. This topic is essential for anyone looking to advance their career through meaningful connections.
We’ll then shift gears to Matthew’s outdoor lifestyle and his passion for travel. Growing up in Bonnyville, Alberta, where his family owned a cattle ranch, Matthew developed an early love for the outdoors. Spending weekends on the farm fishing and hunting gave him a strong appreciation for nature and the knowledge of how to harvest food responsibly. This foundation not only shaped his approach to life but also paved the way for his role on Backwoods Backstage. We’ll hear about his adventures around the world, from the local backwoods to remote places like Africa, and how these experiences have deepened his appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. Matthew’s commitment to conservation and sustainable outdoor practices is a recurring theme in his life and his show.
The third major topic we’ll explore is how both positive and negative life events have contributed to Matthew’s personal growth. We’ll delve into his mindset when facing adversity, and how challenges have been catalysts for his development both in his career and personal life. Matthew believes that every day presents opportunities for growth, whether it’s in small victories like waking up with determination or overcoming larger hurdles in the workplace. One story that stands out is how, as a young financial broker, he had to overcome skepticism about his age and prove himself in an industry where credibility is often linked to experience. This challenge became one of his greatest assets as he mastered his craft and leveraged his youthful drive into success.
Matthew will also share some of his most memorable experiences in the outdoors and how these moments have impacted his worldview. One particularly poignant story involves a hunting trip to Africa, where a chance encounter at a gas station left a lasting impression on him. That experience shifted his perspective, highlighting the stark differences between life in North America and other parts of the world. Through this, Matthew was reminded of how fortunate we are in certain aspects of life and how important it is to maintain a global perspective.
To close, we’ll discuss Matthew’s approach to self-reflection and how he uses both success and failure as tools for personal development. A firm believer in learning from every experience, Matthew regularly journals to reflect on his days—whether they are good or bad. This practice has allowed him to continually evolve and grow, staying grounded while striving for excellence. His philosophy of seeing every setback as an opportunity to improve will resonate with listeners who are on their own journeys of personal growth.
KEEP IT LONG TERM!
During today’s conversation, we’ll dive into three core areas that define Matthew’s life and career. First, we’ll explore the critical importance of networking and building strong professional relationships. Matthew’s career has thrived because of his ability to build a diverse contact list, ranging from colleagues in finance to connections in the outdoor industry. We’ll discuss how these relationships have fueled his professional growth, the key strategies he employs to maintain and nurture them, and why he believes there’s no such thing as having too many contacts. This topic is essential for anyone looking to advance their career through meaningful connections.
We’ll then shift gears to Matthew’s outdoor lifestyle and his passion for travel. Growing up in Bonnyville, Alberta, where his family owned a cattle ranch, Matthew developed an early love for the outdoors. Spending weekends on the farm fishing and hunting gave him a strong appreciation for nature and the knowledge of how to harvest food responsibly. This foundation not only shaped his approach to life but also paved the way for his role on Backwoods Backstage. We’ll hear about his adventures around the world, from the local backwoods to remote places like Africa, and how these experiences have deepened his appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. Matthew’s commitment to conservation and sustainable outdoor practices is a recurring theme in his life and his show.
The third major topic we’ll explore is how both positive and negative life events have contributed to Matthew’s personal growth. We’ll delve into his mindset when facing adversity, and how challenges have been catalysts for his development both in his career and personal life. Matthew believes that every day presents opportunities for growth, whether it’s in small victories like waking up with determination or overcoming larger hurdles in the workplace. One story that stands out is how, as a young financial broker, he had to overcome skepticism about his age and prove himself in an industry where credibility is often linked to experience. This challenge became one of his greatest assets as he mastered his craft and leveraged his youthful drive into success.
Matthew will also share some of his most memorable experiences in the outdoors and how these moments have impacted his worldview. One particularly poignant story involves a hunting trip to Africa, where a chance encounter at a gas station left a lasting impression on him. That experience shifted his perspective, highlighting the stark differences between life in North America and other parts of the world. Through this, Matthew was reminded of how fortunate we are in certain aspects of life and how important it is to maintain a global perspective.
To close, we’ll discuss Matthew’s approach to self-reflection and how he uses both success and failure as tools for personal development. A firm believer in learning from every experience, Matthew regularly journals to reflect on his days—whether they are good or bad. This practice has allowed him to continually evolve and grow, staying grounded while striving for excellence. His philosophy of seeing every setback as an opportunity to improve will resonate with listeners who are on their own journeys of personal growth.
KEEP IT LONG TERM!
In God we trust