Meet Matt Wright | Knife Maker, Survival Instructor & Professional Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, how do you think about risk?
In life the greatest things often come from uncertainty. Brave men and women who were willing to risk it all are what pioneered the trailheads before us. Starting my small custom knife and survival business in 2005 with less than a month’s worth of money in the bank was a huge risk and quite frankly, terrifying. Not knowing if I can afford to keep business going felt like a mountain collapsed blindingly in front of me, and I had to dig deep into what I did know. I knew one thing, and that is I could work hard enough to find that light. Digging into the unknown was the risk and the fear of what pushed me harder. My parents taught me that the only way to succeed is to never stop or surrender, but instead always keep moving. Moments like the recession of 2008 felt as if it was going backwards, but I only know how to move forward, so that’s when persistence is key to seek opportunity.

Risk itself can be the fuel to our inner fire and that fuel has quite literally ground myself into success. I have been offered the easy road of selling my business or working for some else, but the easy road is not where I want to leave my footprints. I prefer to step into the unknown and blaze the trail. So, I guess I would say that taking risks is now part of me. Although I may not always succeed in every aspect, I believe by forging your own trail you can never fail. The mountain can fall and the cold can always find you, but I try to never let the fire dire so that I can always keep moving forward no matter the obstacles.

Embracing these risks for opportunities in our business in addition to making custom knives, my wife Brooke and I teach people around the world survival skills on how to let the fear of the unknown fuel the fire and forge their own success. There is nothing on earth quite like watching someone embrace their inner warrior through self-empowerment. Watching as every person we teach gets stronger will always reinforce to us that the risk is always worth the work. Into the unknown wild with danger abundant may not be the safest way, but no warrior can become a legend by playing it safe.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from the crowd is I spend just as much time out in the field honing skills and using the tools of the trade that I make at Extreme Instinct. It’s one thing to build a knife, it’s another to live a profession where you have to trust your life with that knife. Before I ever made one blade, I understood the importance of quality and details. Before I ever taught someone survival, I fought through the wilderness to understand what’s needed to keep you alive. I took these real-life adventures and built the skills and tools around them.

While I stand at the grinder crafting the next knife, I am reminded of what it means to have one item to trust with your life. As many have witnessed on the Discovery Channel’s hit show “Naked and Afraid,” I have taken my own advice more than literally. I’ve gone out for hundreds of days primitively surviving all over the world’s wildest and harshest places, stripped of everything – butt naked – with only a knife. I do this not for the cameras, but instead to help others that you can take one item, a mindful of skills and thrive in the wild and every day life. Even if it seems you have nothing, remember you always have the ability to overcome and exceed at any obstacle. In today’s world it’s easy to lose sight of what that knife someone carries on their belt means or the skills they have in their mind truly embody.

This is the fuel that ignites the fire in my forge, that was born out of necessity for the ultimate knives and survival.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
No trip to Denver would be complete without one of my favorite fun spots, Casa Bonita! As a Colorado native, it’s hard to not share a trip to this historic landmark for the fun experience, shows and exploration.

A handful of my must-eat hot spots include: the Asian Cajun Crabshack in Denver. From the frog legs to the boils, it’s a mouthwatering fusion. Two favorites that meet the old west are The Fort in Morrison and The Buckhorn Exchange, where wild and exotic game meat and historical establishments are a special treat. Having spent a lot of time in Africa, the family-owned African Bar and Grill fills a unique authentic experience you can’t miss.

Some of the best views of the front range and beyond can be experienced with a trip from Denver to Mt. Evans or even Pike’s Peak via the CogRailway or drive up Pike’s Peak Highway. It’s as fun and educational as it is breathtaking.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest supporters growing up are my parents, Bud and Pat, for always inspiring me to never settle for the mundane easy way of life and instead to follow my dreams and passions. It’s easy to just settle, but it’s harder to push beyond your limits. When my parents asked what I aspired to be when I grow up, they never tried to persuade my outlook when I told them I wanted to be able to do anything. Without them helping grow my options to be limitless, I never would have done so many things and various trades to discover what my true potential is today. When building fences and rock walls when I was barely knee high to a bucket, they would tell me, “this builds character.” I stand here today as a testament to how true that statement is.

Having grown up the same way, my wife Brooke and I never have to question that all the hard work we pour our selves into is 100% worth it. Her love, support and ambitious outlook and motto to always “see the invincible, do the impossible” is largely credited to our growth and successes.

This success, wouldn’t be possible without the grateful support and business from our incredible family, friends, fans and customers around the world.

Website: ExtremeInstinct.com

Instagram: @Extreme_Instinct

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtremeInstinct