Matthew Ridge

But when I get back here, we just tend to get stuck into it.

So, like, and I'm 56 now, so you'll be training away for three, four months, you're feeling good, and it only takes three weeks to, like, you know, like all of a sudden you're growing something out of your hip or, you know, like, I'm like, where does that, where's that lard just come from, you know?

So...

So getting back into it again now, yeah.

Yeah, it's like I was saying to my son the other day, like I haven't sort of been in the public eye for a long time now.

Like I think I've done a – I did an architectural show, you know, maybe a year ago, did a couple of seasons on that.

But I hadn't been in TV or, you know, I just kept a low, really low profile.

But every time I come back, it's amazing.

Even if I've got a beard and I'm grey now, it's amazing how many people come up and say g'day, especially around the country.

In Auckland, people just give you a look, but around the country, it's a different vibe.

And it's really humbling, I have to be honest.

When I was a young fella, maybe in my 20s, I was respectful to a point, but I used to get on my nerves a bit.

you know, as you do, you know, but now looking back, you know, if I could talk to the young man, I'd just say, hey, just take a chill pill, man.

You know, it's not going to last forever and, you know, respect, kindness, you know, treat people the way you want to be treated, you know.

So now I just, you know, I take, if people come up and say g'day, I just, I take as much time as they need, you know, because what else have you got to do?

And, you know, the thing is, is you get a,

I always call it that dopamine shot.

You know, when you look in somebody's eyes and you can see that they're having a good time, it gives you a good time.

Yeah.

You know, and it's real easy.