This is our friend David Matoba. You may recognize him from the opening scene of our Brand Anthem, pondering manhood while camping with friends. And while he “does some modeling on the side,” as he puts it, this guy lives an inspired life that somehow just seems so pure.
“I’m just a classic PNW kid, experiencing life with the people I love,” David says. So when he’s not in front of the camera, or managing a coffee shop in Portland, he’s off chasing surf, fish and fresh snow. And when he’s not on the soccer pitch, he might be off hunting mushrooms in those mystical Pacific Northwest forests. The pleasures of this life are viewed as an endless opportunity.
Yet, before he sets off on each new day’s adventure, David knows that “It Begins With What’s BN3TH.” Enjoy this glimpse into his personal camera roll with captions by the man himself…
Swinging for summer steelhead on the Bulkley River in B.C, Canada. A few friends and I drove up to chase one of the famous runs of wild steelhead. We floated rivers, caught fish and spent time in an incredible place.
One of my favorite harbingers of spring is morel season. Truly a hunt for gold, these brain like mushrooms are one of the most delicious foods on earth. But more than the mushrooms, it’s really about spending time in the woods with friends.
Winter steelheading is hard, especially when you are trying to swing for them with a fly rod. It takes hours on water, often with no success. But once in a while there is a glimmer of success and the happiness is always palpable. This was one of those moments.
This is my 2001 Toyota Tacoma. This trusty steed is my most favorite possesion and it's taken me everywhere I have ever asked. They don’t make them like they used to.
I had the privilege of spending time on Maui and really got to appreciate the magic that island holds. One winter I went there for Christmas and had the best Christmas Eve present -- Head-high, clean Honolua Bay with only a handful of people out. That's me taking off in the bowl, getting one of many unforgettable rides that night.