Mat Olson Interview

Mat and I have been working on this interview and edit since October! Back in October when I first heard of Mat through Ben (Fabio) and Ryan Letcher, I really didn’t know much about the dude. I just heard he was this insanely good rider from Lake Havasu and then lived in Flagstaff, Arizona, for a while. After sending him some emails and texting back and forth, I discovered Mat is not only extremely talented on a bike but he’s also a great person in general. He has an awesome attitude and loves to ride anything he can get two wheels on. Mat currently tours the country doing shows with several freestyle teams. Due to both of our busy schedules it took us a few months to finally get this together. 

I debated on whether I should have put the edit at the end of the interview, to hopefully get people to find out who Mat is first, or put it right at the top. I think you need to first see how good Mat is then find out more about him. Anyway, the filming and formats are a little mixed. Some of the footage was filmed by skatepark rats, Mat’s girlfriend and his friend Joey Mena, then I filtered through tons of clips and came up with this edit.

The song is by Mostly Bears from Tucson, Arizona, and the track is called “The Ed Mitchell Clinic.” 

Big shout out to Mat for hanging in there and working with me on this project. Read his interview after the hop —>

Name: Mathew Olson

Age: 23

Height: 5′ 10″

What are you wearing?

Mat: Some Levis, the Deco Florida baby t shirt, a Deco hat, and some Etnies. Pretty much my normal attire.

Where you from originally, and where are you living now?

Born and raised in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. I am all over the place these days, to be honest I really don’t know hahaha. I have been traveling a lot doing shows. I guess you could say back in LHC because that’s where my dog is currently.

How long did you live in Flagstaff? How is the scene there?

I lived there for a little over a year. The scene there was super good, the bike park (basin) opened up the year before I moved there, and I had been friends with a bunch if the locals from traveling up there to ride from years prior. I went through there on my way out to Texas and rode for a while. There are still a bunch of riders, you just have to catch some nice weather and you’ll see them. Great street if you like it! Ride around you will find it.

What possessed you to jump off a roof? How did that come about?

I have always looked at it and thought it would be nuts. One day I asked the people living there… needless to say they said no way! Haha so I scoped the place out until I figured out they were at work M-F in the middle of the day. So I grabbed a few friends, a camera, and a ladder. We pulled up, set up, and got it done. I was pumped.

How do you pay the bills?

Lately I am out doing state/county fair shows and school shows. I am so happy to be making somewhat of a living on my bicycle. I am riding for Stuntteams.com and I just finished the Texas State Fair with Big Time Action sports. Crazy! Never thought I would be doing this.

What’s your favorite move on the BMX?

Lately I love doing 360 combos. The more tricks while spinning the better. If I had to choose only one I guess it would be 3 whips.

Not a 3-whip, but impressive none the less.

I heard you’re one of many BMXer’s who owns fake teeth, is that right? How did you lose your teeth?

Well that’s a long long story, so I will list the Many ways I have lost them: slide at Carls jr.(8yrs old), water park running and slipped on tile, fight in middle school, at a local wood park that opened for a bit jumping the box backwards, in a wash foot jam whip gone wrong, at a skate park bowl to bowl gap in the wind, and at Carbondale skate park in Colorado carving into the full pipe…

What do you love about BMX?

The fact that everywhere I go, I can have fun. All I have to do is push some pedals!

What do you hate about BMX?

Injuries and the expenses that come with! Haha

Grind up the rail to land on that weird roof thing. Mat kills it.

Top 5 Riders of all time:

1. Mat Hoffman

2. Jay Miron

3. Dave Mirra

4. DMC

5. Colin Winkleman

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have an infinite amount of any three things, what would they be and why?

I would have to say a boat with an infinite amount of fuel to get the hell out of there. Beers for the ride home and sunblock in case it was a really far trip.

What is the best place you’ve been to because of bikes, and what’s the worst?

The best place I have ever been would be Denver Colorado, the worst place I’d definitely have to say is the ICU. I have seen that place more than a few times because of my bicycle.

Do you spell your name with one “T” or two “T’s?” Cause that shit is bothering me.

Hahaha yeah it’s spelled with a single “T”. Everyone has spelled it wrong for a really long time. Even friends and family.

What would a perfect day be for Mat?

A perfect day for me would start off waking up next to my lady, eating a healthy breakfast and take the dogs for a ride on my motorcycle. I would go to the trails and dig for a couple hours before lunch. I would go to In and Out for lunch, head to the lake and do some wake skating for a couple hours, and then have an epic session at the trails with all of my friends. To end the night, head to a HellYeah concert, drink black tooth grins all night and head home to go to bed with my lovely lady! That would be the perfect day for me…

Got any shout outs or thanks?

First off I would like to thank Chad Degroot @ Decobmx. He has given me more than I could ever expect out of bmx. He is a solid dude. Secondly Clay Brown @ Pusherbmx… He is one of my best friends and without him none of this would have been possible. He helped me in every way. Showing me around Colorado and introducing me to more than a handful of people I can now call life long friends. Colorado BMX and the amazing scene it has. Holla boys n girls on two wheels. And most definitely the DSK!