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Spencer Matthews Reveals Family Disappointment and Wife’s Shocking Reaction to His Marathons!

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Spencer Matthews exhibits an intense enthusiasm or fascination, which some might call obsession, addiction, or even madness – take your pick. Once known for his sometimes annoying persona on Made In Chelsea, he has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Today, it’s fair to say that he could be described as a modern-day daredevil if such a profession exists.

Last year, Spencer, aged 36, earned a spot in the Guinness World Records by successfully completing 30 marathons in 30 straight days, all on sand.

Remarkably impressive in numerous aspects, especially considering his lack of athletic history. Surprisingly, this endeavor left even those closest to him – such as his wife, Vogue Williams – questioning his sanity for undertaking it.

He acknowledges that his wife had expressed concern, saying something like, “That seems dangerous,” to which he responds. His mother, however, didn’t approve of what he was doing, and overall, no one seemed pleased.

Upon his return from pushing the boundaries of human resilience, he shared that Vogue, who was caring for their three little ones at home, had asked him something along the lines of: “Will you embark on another endeavor like this anytime soon?

Originally, you expressed: “I mentioned, ‘I’d be thrilled to repeat this annually for the following ten years.’ This was the most awe-inspiring experience of my life. Vogue reacted with shock and exclaimed, ‘What?!!’ She politely suggested that the next event won’t last 30 days, so I plan on making it roughly 20 days instead.”

“I shared my wish to do this again every year for the next ten years. It was an incredible experience that stands out in my life. Vogue seemed surprised and asked, ‘What?!!’ She suggested that the next event shouldn’t last 30 days, so I intend on making it around 20 days from now.

Spencer’s upcoming endeavor, undoubtedly followed by another challenge, appears even more daring. He aims to complete seven Ironman-distance triathlons on each of the seven continents.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve always admired those who push their limits in pursuit of extraordinary achievements. Over the span of four years, many have taken on this challenge, but here’s something unique: I’m planning to complete it within a mere four weeks. The most daunting aspect of this endeavor will undoubtedly be the 2.4-mile swim I’ll undertake in Antarctica, where the water temperature hovers precariously close to freezing. But the real challenge at hand isn’t just the icy waters; it’s figuring out how to keep those massive leopard seals at bay. These beasts tip the scales at an intimidating 350 kilos and are known for their aggressive nature. In fact, we’ve had several meetings discussing this very issue. Staying safe amidst these Antarctic giants is a top priority in my preparations for this exciting journey.

Spencer is really enthusiastic when the topic comes up. To be honest, it’s no wonder he was diagnosed with ADHD back in 2023, considering his energetic nature. However, this particular idea seems to have him more animated than usual, and it leaves one questioning how he plans to execute it, given that swimming isn’t really his forte (he jokingly admits that asking him to swim the suggested distance now, even in a calm pool, might result in him drowning).

Is it more accurate to say that the man seems to have achieved a transcendent state akin to nirvana in the Jordanian desert, rather than suggesting he has a death wish, as he desires to experience it once more?

Instead of spending a significant amount of time describing how his experience in the desert was incredibly transformative and provided a euphoria greater than any drug, he often elaborates on this topic to me.

Jogging across fiery-hued dunes, navigating through ancient canyons while classic Red Hot Chilli Pepper tunes echoed inside your mind, beneath an intensely star-studded night sky filled with streaking meteors. Just recalling it gives me goosebumps. It was the most breathtaking sight I’ve encountered in my existence, surpassed only by the beauty of my children.

Safe to say that extreme physical challenges in far-flung places are now his new addiction?

He muses over the term ‘addict’, finding it somewhat unpleasant. Typically, addiction is linked with homelessness, struggles with hard substances like drugs and alcohol. However, one can also be addicted to positive aspects. In his view, having a strong inclination towards something or someone, characterized by obsession or intense passion, isn’t far removed from an addiction.

Spencer’s past struggles with alcohol are widely known. Nowadays, he manages Clean Co, a company that produces non-alcoholic spirits, and he’s elated about recently landing a deal to supply 700 Greene King pubs throughout the UK with his beverages. His issues started while he was working as a city trader, regularly consuming five to ten pints daily before going out with clients.

His lively social life caught the attention of the Made In Chelsea casting crew, and he indeed embodied the playboy image. However, in 2018, when Vogue (his partner) was pregnant with their first child, Theodore, now six, he understood that it was time for a change.

Instead of labeling himself an alcoholic on a regular basis, he’s using that term today. Additionally, he attributes his decision to change his life to the sadness he saw in his wife’s eyes.

Instead of explicitly stating an ultimatum, her expression suggested growing disinterest in my personality as I changed. When you harbor resentment towards your partner without open communication about it, you’re treading on risky ground. I feel that if the situation persisted, I would have lost her completely. Her patience might have worn thin due to my alcoholism. However, what began as an effort for Vogue, I eventually became addicted to the sensation of sobriety – if that clarifies things.

Is he also addicted to the feeling of suddenly being hailed as one of life’s winners, too?

Today’s interview aligns with the debut of his fresh podcast, titled “Untapped,” which focuses on the untapped abilities within each of us. In this series, he will converse with successful peers such as Olympic champion Mo Farah (who is among the initial interviewees), to uncover strategies for “unleashing human potential’s power.

Spencer has achieved success in podcasting, having hosted multiple shows, including one that’s extremely popular next to the enduring Vogue. Their humorous exchanges attracted millions of listeners. However, it appears he returned from a desert sojourn and informed her that he no longer wished to continue. In fact, he ceased all his other lively podcasts in favor of focusing on this one, which he finds more meaningful.

In my previous work, there were elements that were enjoyable for me to create, but a transformative experience in the desert made me question my identity and purpose. Realizing my own capacity to change from a troubled individual with limited prospects into someone who could potentially assist others, I felt compelled to shift my focus towards providing more meaningful content.

‘The concept of overcoming self-hatred and finding pride, even for someone like me who was once enslaved by alcohol, was truly transformative. This newfound pride was evident in everyone around me – in fashion magazines, my family, and my sibling. It was an incredibly powerful experience.’

He talks about a surprise party that Vogue organized for him upon his arrival, where he could clearly discern the pride in his family’s gaze. I imagine he might become emotional recounting it, as this man, who is accustomed to detecting disappointment in the eyes of those dearest to him, rarely finds such unbridled joy.

Spencer often finds navigating familial ties challenging due to their unique upbringing. Many are aware that he hails from a wealthy background, with his parents owning the renowned Eden Rock hotel on the exotic island of St Barths in the Caribbean. He was raised alongside two older brothers, James and Michael, who began life with fewer financial resources (the bulk of their father’s fortune was accumulated during Spencer’s early years). These brothers served as role models for him – and they were both captivated by the thrill of extreme sports.

In 1999, when Spencer was only ten years old, Michael tragically lost his life at the age of 22, becoming the youngest British climber to summit Everest. Unfortunately, he never returned home, and his body remains on the mountain. Spencer has shared with me before that his long-distance running, especially those at high altitudes, hold a connection to Michael that he can’t fully explain. “I call it ‘thin air’,” Spencer said recently. “When the oxygen levels drop, I feel as if I’m closer to Michael.

In today’s conversation, it has become apparent that the bond between James and Spencer, the two remaining brothers, grew more tense over time.

James, who excels both professionally and socially (he owns a business and married Pippa Middleton, sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, in 2017), is a well-regarded figure. On the other hand, Spencer had a reputation for being unpredictable. His decision to join the Made In Chelsea cast at the age of 19 and later becoming a tabloid regular due to his actions, was met with disapproval within his social circles.

He remarks, ‘My family has always cared for me deeply, but I was the rebellious outcast, so to speak.’ He admits he spent every night out, engaging in who-knows-what. If his son had turned out like him, he’d confine him somewhere isolated. To him, it would be a terrible fate.

As the older brother by thirteen years, James, aged 49, established a lofty standard: “I admired him immensely. He embodied morality, honesty, diligence, and more.” He was not only a paragon of virtue but also an athletic powerhouse, having completed a challenging six-marathon race in France. Initially, Spencer felt resentment rather than inspiration towards such accomplishments: “Overwhelmed by self-disdain, I thought: ‘Strange one.’

Now, the roles have reversed, and he has become the marathon runner of our family. He agrees, “It seems we’re more alike now than we ever were before. If I could have emulated James and Mike growing up, I believe I would have been happier. My behaviors, like indulging in alcohol and the party scene in London, are not things they experienced.

He’s carried the feeling that he disappointed his family with him over time, it appears. For a spell, this sentiment caused tension between him and his oldest brother, but they claim to have grown closer since then.

For most of my adulthood, I’ve felt that my parents didn’t fully approve of me and my brother hadn’t completely trusted me. He often kept some details hidden from me, believing I might pose a threat.

He’s reluctant to provide further details. To clarify, I don’t mean to imply he’s in any physical danger, but rather that he wouldn’t want to disclose certain information for fear of it being reported by the media. His hesitance stems from a lack of trust due to his drinking problem, which makes it difficult for him to confide in someone. You don’t necessarily need to know the specifics of what he might say or do, or who his regular bar companion is.

‘These days, I find myself able to reach my brother even during his busy work hours. It seems our bond has grown stronger.’

Wasn’t it uncharacteristic of him to do what he did? He seems to indicate otherwise. He wouldn’t usually pick up my call if he was just lounging about on the couch – something he never really did. There was always a sense of distance between us. We had our family and then there was me, somewhat isolated, for quite some time. Our interactions were often uncomfortable, with them trying to help me but ultimately causing more frustration. It’s challenging to confront someone who has a serious drinking problem about their drinking habits. Those who are told they drink excessively tend to react very negatively.

Didn’t they subtly imply instead that you might not be particularly useful or valuable, without explicitly saying it directly?

Initially, there was a hint of it. My family is known for straightforward conversations, so there was a touch of such discussions, but my response was, “After all, I’m on a popular TV show.” I confused that with genuine achievement and pride. In reality, I was just a piece being moved by a big machine, primarily for amusement. It’s not success when you’re paid without much effort.

To put it straight from the heart, my stint on that show doesn’t exactly fill me with warm memories, if I’m being honest. I’ve got nothing but admiration for the talented souls who brought it to life. It was a phenomenal achievement and winning a BAFTA together was truly a remarkable moment. The show continues to thrive, and I tip my hat to them. However…

Safe to say that James wasn’t a Made In Chelsea fan.

He’s consistently shown a caring, supportive demeanor towards me, yet there were times when I brought up certain topics, he seemed puzzled or dismissive, almost as if I was speaking nonsensically. To be candid, our bond lacked mutual respect, and truthfully, I wasn’t entitled to it during that period. I’m not someone who blindly believes everyone deserves respect; I think it should be earned, and at the time, I hadn’t earned any.

You don’t necessarily need to run 30 marathons to gain their respect, but it definitely made a positive impact.

Running 30 marathons wasn’t the sole factor that earned them my respect, yet it undoubtedly played a significant role in doing so.

Kudos to Spencer, as he has undeniably shown that demons can serve as a potent motivator. Yet, it seems he still yearns for validation. We briefly discuss whether his impulse to embark on adventures, leaving Vogue to handle things once more, might be self-serving. He assures us that Vogue fully supports him, and the heroic example he is setting for their children is unparalleled. Furthermore, he points out that Vogue isn’t idle at home; she works tirelessly through long days. However, they are a team, and they’re fortunate to have grandparents nearby who lend a helping hand. At this stage in their lives, moving forward and creating new experiences is crucial. It would be simple to take it easy and focus on the kids while enjoying a peaceful life, but…

‘I don’t think it is possible to achieve something extraordinary by behaving in an ordinary way.’

  • Untapped, Spencer Matthews’ new weekly podcast, launches today on all platforms. Produced by the team at High Performance and co-hosted by Jake Quickenden.

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2025-01-26 19:39

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