Spencer Matthews has completed a gruelling endurance challenge, climbing and descending Mount Snowdon six times within 24 hours, but the former Made In Chelsea star has admitted there is one challenge he would never undertake: climbing Mount Everest.
Family First
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, the father of three, who is expecting a fourth child with wife Vogue Williams, described an Everest ascent as 'selfish' given his family commitments. 'I think with three kids and the fourth on the way, whenever I undertake a challenge, I would like to control everything that we possibly can in terms of risk and danger, and you immediately lose your ability to do that when you look at something like an Everest,' he said.
Matthews, who holds three Guinness World Records, acknowledged his adventurous spirit but stressed the importance of safety. 'That is not to say that I would love to stand at the top of the highest peak in the world, my nature would suggest that I would enjoy something like that, but I think it might be a difficult time for my family, were I to choose to do something as selfish as that.'
Family Tragedy
The 37-year-old's brother, Michael, became the youngest person to climb Everest in 1999 at age 22 but tragically died during the descent. This personal loss heavily influences Matthews' perspective. 'I would see climbing Everest in my position as being somewhat selfish, just because of the anxiety and stress that it would cause, you know, my parents, in particular, and my brother, and you know, just because of what our family has gone through already with regard to that mountain.'
Despite ruling out Everest, Matthews emphasised that he does not view challenges generally as selfish. 'I think that challenges generally are wonderful, exciting, and excellent things to put yourself through. I don't see challenges themselves as selfish.'
Safety First
Matthews noted that he has never felt a 'real chance of death' in any of his endurance feats, though he has come close to the edge. 'Obviously I think about my kids when things get really difficult. I have been very close to the edge many times, but I wouldn't do something like that on my own given that I now have the responsibility of children, my wife, my best friend.'
His latest challenge saw him cover a 92km route across Mount Snowdon in Wales through repeated ascents and descents, supported by O2 satellite technology. 'Attempting something like this without a connection, despite it maybe seeming fine because you know the team was rotating, you are always with someone, but you never know at the end of the day. 24-hour challenges, of course, go through the night, and it just gave us the extra confidence to be able to safely appreciate the challenge.'
Positive Impact
The star believes his challenges make him a better husband and father. 'It makes me a better husband, a better father, keeps me on track, and eliminates kind of darker, more toxic sides of my life that I spent many years in.' He encourages others to push themselves, stating that the charitable support from such endeavours creates a 'net positive'.
Matthews is also aiming to run a marathon in 2 hours and 45 minutes, which he says has put him in the best shape of his life. 'I am obsessed with it. I just love it. This pursuit of just getting better is what I am loving more than the potential result.'
