Matt helped me a lot, but one of my favorite stories to tell is how Matt helps to make big changes approachable with 30 day challenges. If you want to do something, like become a vegan, you can try it out, no pressure, for 30 days. It might turn into a habit, but if you don’t like it, it’s over at the end of the month!

One month, I chose “no soda” as my 30-day challenge. I loved soda. I loved the taste. I loved the bubbles. I had a mini fridge of soda at my desk. I have a picture of myself in college where I’m wearing a soda carton as a hat. On day 31, at lunch, I knew that I could grab a soda from the kitchen without guilt. I walked over to the refrigerator, looked in, and the just the thought of taking a soda made me want to brush my teeth. I didn’t crave the soda at all. That was in 2013. I still don’t want it, and it’s not the only goal that I found to be sustainable for more than 30 days!

Thanks to Matt, I eat healthy food, I ran my first mile since high school as I approached age 30, I discovered that I love walking to places (or to nowhere), I got my finances in order, I moved across the country, I befriended a timid dog (that one only took a day—treats are powerful!), and I know how to break down something that appears intimidating into small things to try out for just a month. Thanks, Matt!