Former TVNZ Sunday reporter and host of Survivor New Zealand, and Celebrity Treasure Island, Matt Chisholm is well-known to many Kiwis as an authentic, down-to-earth reporter.
As someone who has spent 13 years telling other people's stories, Matt is now sharing his own through his book, Imposter.
Growing up in Otago, Matt was the sensitive youngest child in a family of four boys, with a difficult home life in which high standards were paramount. After trying his first drink at fourteen, Matt found himself in a decades-long spiral of aimlessness and heavy drinking - despite the physical and mental toll the booze took on him.
Behind the success of his career, Matt was barely coping, driving himself into the ground. One day something snapped. After admitting in a social media post that he was struggling with depression, Matt was shocked at the outpouring of public support. It would be the catalyst for him to face up to his unhappiness and change his life.
Matt started writing Imposter during the 2020 level 4 lockdown, soon after he had relocated down south to the small town of Omakau, located in North Otago. His book paints a picture of a smart and gregarious man marred by a difficult childhood, crippling perfectionism, problem drinking and, as the title suggests, imposter syndrome - the boy from small-town Central Otago, whose favourite hobby was tailing lambs, never felt he belonged in the world of TV.
As a speaker, Matt shares his honest and inspiring story in the aim to help others who are battling their demons.
Matt was the perfect speaker for our event. He was funny, honest, emotional & told us about his journey "warts and all". The audience were predominantly men which seeing as that was our targ ... keep reading Cromwell School
