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ABOUT
MATT
Entrepreneur - Author
Musician - Podcast Host
FROM A SMALL CITY TO OVER 40 COUNTRIES
2 BUSINESSES, AND WRITING BOOKS
EARLY LIFE
Matt Jones was born in Los Angeles, CA. He is the youngest of 2 other siblings, Jennifer & Josh. His father at the time was studying electronics and avionics, and his mom was full time with the kids. When his dad Kevin graduated from school and managed to find a full-time job, the whole family moved to Palm Springs, CA.
It was a nice place to raise a family. It wasn't like a big city, quite rural with lots of sand dunes, Palm Trees, and hiking on the large San Gorgonio Mountain (10,243 ft. peak) that separates Palm Springs from other cities and counties. It is one of the hottest places to live, yet Matt and his siblings managed to still be active and play outside a lot.
Matt enjoyed playing baseball in the local city league, hiking with his dad, and skateboarding for many years with his friends. He had a pretty typical childhood with friends.
Tragedy struck at 15 years old when Matt's best friend James took his own life. This was the very first time he truly realized the value of life, and it forever changed him.
A DREAM IN THE MAKING
Matt found a passion for music and obsessively threw himself into study and performance. Though he liked where he lived, he started thinking about life outside of the Coachella Valley and started developing dreams for making it back to Los Angeles and making it in music and traveling the world. At that time there was virtually no music scene whatsoever, many years before Coachellafest came to the valley.
He quickly became the top drummer and percussionist at his highschool and managed to earn a $50,000 music scholarship to college. He felt like his dreams were coming true. Within a month of graduating, at 17 years old, Matt moved back to Los Angeles and attended college at California State University Long Beach as a Music Major.
College was a life-altering time for Matt as he grew more independent, studied, worked jobs, and developed a love for reading. He expanded his mind more and more with for world philosophy, politics, ethics, culture, spirituality, personal development, and entrepreneurship. One of his all time favorite books is Siddhartha, a story of a man who leaves everything behind to find true meaning and happiness in the universe, something Matt could relate to at this part of his life. He had a spiritual breakdown, and realized he no longer believed many of the things he was raised to believe. It influenced him deeply through his young adulthood.
A DREAM REALIZED
Matt made a lot of friends in college and absolutely loved the opportunity to be a young adult near one of the most exciting cities for the music industry. He worked and studied with amazing musicians, teachers, and mentors, deeply influencing him to pursue teaching as well. Not long after, Matt was hand picked to work with THE GRAMMY'S, for their summer outreach program GRAMMY CAMP. Through working with the organization Matt happened to work with some of the most amazing people in the industry including Earth Wind And Fire, Rickey Minor (American Idol), David Foster (producer for Celine Dion, Michael Buble, Whitney Houston, Josh Grobin), 21st Century Fox Film Orchestra, Steve Vai (world famous guitarist), Stephen Perkins (Stone Temple Pilots drummer), and so many more amazing industry leaders.
Matt played in many groups and has played on many notable recordings for DISNEY, BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, and GAMEHOUSE MEDIA. His biggest dream was finally met when he got the opportunity to travel the world and play music. His agent signed him up to work for the cruise ship industry, playing for many world famous artists and productions. Matt literally had a pick of contracts when and where he wanted to go anywhere in the world. For his very first trip he was flown to Venice, Italy, with all accommodations and expenses paid for. A mind-blowing experience for Matt, all while being paid to do what he loved most. He explored Europe, North Africa, and South America. For his second contract he was flown to Australia and was able to explore New Zealand, and Southern Pacific islands including Bora Bora, Fiji, Somoa, and the Hawaiin Islands. Since then he's been to over 40 different countries on all 7 continents including Canada, Asia, Latin America, India, Israel, Turkey, Italy, Greece, France, Spain, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Greenland, Bahamas, Iceland, Antarctica, Papau New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Madgascar, Yemen, England, Morrocco, Egypt, and so many more amazing places. Matt spent 5 years traveling the entire world.
"Those with the courage to dream will find treasures beyond their wildest imagination." -Matt Jones
FIRST BOOK
While on tour, Matt found it important to inspire others through his journey. He knew that many of us are given a basic education, but life education is more important, and there are so many factors of career and business that are simply not taught. You only really know when you are living in the trenches of your own industry. So, while traveling Matt spent a year of his life working on a book called "How To Be A professional Drummer." He divulged lots of his own knowledge as well as other leading industry experts. Feautured interviews included many notable famous people that matt has had the privilege of working with. Those include Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Santana, Gloria Estefan, Chicago, Christina Aguilera), Tris Imboden (Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Chicago, Smokey Robinson) C.G. Rhyche (popular world percussionist and director), John Wolfenden (U.K. born music director for Princess Cruises), and Gary Stanionis (Latin Percussion artist).
There was no book like it, and the book at one time went to the top of Amazon's #1 best seller list. Matt is extremely proud of the work it took to publish that book, and has inspired thousands of other drummers to pursue their dreams just like him. It was full of lots of inspirational quotes and stories, and discussed personal development just as much as creative and professional advice, something Matt has always been into. It gave him an idea to publish another book simply on the tenants of motivation, passion, personal development, and achieving your dreams. This will soon become another manifestation for Matt in his life...
MUSIC AND TOURING
Matt toured for a good five years. He made it to over 40 countries. It was the biggest adventure of his life. He was ready to get home and set up some roots.
THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER
With Matt's touring days behind him and soon to be an expectant father, he was excited at the prospect to return to teaching again, something he's done in his young adult life. He also worked as a professional musician locally playing for local clubs, casinos, and university productions on the weekends.
He took up camp at a local non-profit organization teaching music education to the community. There were all ages. Matt was made Director of Bands as well as lead drum instructor. He worked teaching privately as well in groups, planning community concerts, and working with the leaders of the organization to expand their initiatives. Thanks to Matt's efforts the band program grew nearly 30% within the first year.
Matt loved working with kids and adults helping them to find their passion and realize their own dreams. Passing on his passion and experience helped Matt to realize the value and importance of giving back and inspiring others. It was no longer about him and his journey, but everyone.
Matt got to connect closely with his students as well as their parents. He became a mentor to many students who wanted to pursue music full time, and was regularly giving lots of advice for young adults who wanted to move into the music industry. He also held clinics for the other teachers who wanted to learn more about the art of being a quality drum instructor. On top of that he also arranged music for the bands, taught them how to be good stage performers, and how to talk to an audience. It was one of the most memorable and heartwarming experiences for Matt to be a part of.
As long as you keep to your passions, beliefs, and purpose, life can turn out better than you imagined
-Matt Jones
A DADS PROMISE TO GET HEALTHY
Working 6 - 7 days a week Matt was increasingly busy working hard to make ends meet while awaiting the arrival of his new son into the world. His eating habits became worse and he was getting little to no exercise. Driving everywhere for gigs on the weekends as well as working full time didn't allow him much time for anything else. However, he knew that was all just a convenient excuse. He knew that life would only get more challenging when he son entered the world, and he wanted to be a good father and good husband. He knew it couldn't do that without getting his health together. So he made a promise to himself and his future son.
Matt quickly researched the best diet and fitness coaches in the health industry. He didn't have alot of time to exercise and to cook, but he wanted to do what he could to make sure he could work and be as productive as possible during the day.
He finally discovered the secret recipes of success, an all natural way to cut fat, lose weight, double his energy, and all with little to no exercise. It was a total body transformation.
The first month he lost 10 pounds. The next month he lost 20 pounds. By the third month he had lost 40 pounds! He went from 195 pounds to 155 pounds.
His energy increased. His work picked up more and he began to earn more money as well. He knew that it was all thanks to his new lifestyle. It has helped him in so many ways. He has also got his friends and family on his new diet lifestyle, helping them to better their health and increase their energy.
ANOTHER DREAM IMAGINED. THE ENTREPRENEUR IS BORN
When Matt was a young adult he read many books on business and entrepreurship, and it made an impact on him. One of the things that he's always wanted to do was own his own business as well as effect the community in a positive way. However, he was more focused on his dream and playing music at that time, that this passion fell by the way side. Now he was ready.
Being passionate about music, and realizing the decline of music education in the United States, he decided to marry the two together. So, with a fellow colleague, he helped to co-found the non-profit organization Maestro Music. After lots of meetings, building, and designing, the company was ready.
Within nine months they were able to grow the company to 8 employees and line up 6 schools in 4 different districts in San Diego. As of fall 2019 Maestro Music started bringing music education to over 4,000 students and 133 classes weekly. It is a true success story. Soon the local paper picked it up as one of San Diego's most inspiring stories.
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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. MOVING TO THE U.K.
Matt has spent alot of time in Europe and fell in love with it. When the opportunity came to finally move there, he went for it.
At this point Matt had left teaching and focused on his business. Luckily with modern technology and resources, he knew that he could still expand the initiatives of the company no matter where he was. So, he took the opportunity and is now enjoying life in a new country.
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES. MATT'S 2ND BOOK
Ever since his first book, he's always wanted to follow up with something on philosophy, passion, and purpose. Excited to help more people realize their dreams as he's attained his own, he wanted to encourage others in their own pursuits. He has started a new book on going after your dreams and self empowerment. It is the impetus for the brand Life 2.0.
From traveling the world and having amazing experiences such as kitesurfing in Brazil to scubadiving in Barbados, to swimming with sharks in Bora Bora, to ziplining in Costa Rica, Matt has had some amazing adventures. In general that is his life view. Life is an exciting adventure, and we just need to go for it. If more people would just allow themselves to ask the universe for what they want, they can learn to be happier. But, there are so many factors included in going for what you want.
LIFE 2.0
It was 3am. Matt's son had woke up screaming. He'd been doing that alot lately. Matt got his son back to bed and laid on the floor staring at the ceiling. He was feeling thankful. Though he was tired, he realized being a parent is worth every second. At one time in his life he wasn't even sure if he was going to find love and have children. Things seemed bleak. He was filled with gratitude.
He felt he was finally living a better version of his life. He had upgraded. Much like computer software, he felt he was the 2.0 version. Realizing this, he made the decision right then and there to help more people "upgrade their lives." Thus, the community was born.
Hi everyone,
I want to thank you for being here and finding out more about my life story. I hope it's helped to give you some perspective of your own. I would love to hear from everyone and know more about your own journey. The triumphs, the struggles, the dreams.
Check out the free blog, free podcast, and free resources. I've also developed a lot of personal development products based on my own life experiences and I encourage you to check them out to help you on your own path. I want to be a beacon of love and positivity for you. I want to inspire you to pursue your truest and greatest life.
Wishing you love and happiness.