Real change in Jaco – How one man turned a failed tech venture into a thriving organization that lifts boys out of poverty and aims to turn the education system on its head
It’s early morning – about 5am. The waves massage the sandy shore and the moon is so low now that it no longer reflects on the water. A breeze kicks off the water and in through the window. This is where Matt Marks starts his day. Matt Marks is a recovering workaholic, a passionate entrepreneur, and… runs a soccer camp for at-risk boys in Costa Rica where he now lives. Matt’s entrepreneurial spirit combined with a steadfast sense of purpose to give back and add value to others each and every day means he’s never lacking for energy. And those around him are never lacking for inspiration. But it took hard work to become the man, in life and in business, that he is today. Get to know Matt Marks – the man who turned a failed tech venture into a thriving camp that lifts boys out of poverty, all while creating the life of his dreams.
By all accounts, you live a life that most people only dream of. How did you end up living on a beach in Costa Rica and running a soccer club?
My life wasn’t always this way. I’ve lived many different lives – I’ve been a workaholic, I’ve been a millionaire, lost everything, gone bankrupt and slept in my car and started over twice. I’ve been mentally and emotionally broken. What I have done though, is make decisions along the way that each built upon one another. Every “failure” or “adversity” taught me a lesson that I was then able to turn around and make part of my overall success – it all made me the person I am today. So I did not simply end up in the life that I have now – my life is a result of my vision, combined with consistently making decisions that lead to where I am today.
So many people, especially entrepreneurs, experience a similar story – a story of ups and downs; of trials and triumphs. How exactly have you been able to turn some of your lowest points into a lesson?
One of my lowest points was here in Costa Rica – I was broke and living in a condo I couldn’t afford. I was sick to my stomach, not just because I was physically hungry, but because I had not lived up to my own expectations of myself. I thought I was “supposed to be” this happy, positive, optimistic and successful person – my persona to the world. It was humbling and embarrassing for people to see me so down, broke and experiencing moments of self-doubt.
I’ll never forget the moment I snapped out of it.
I was sitting on the floor, reading The Alchemist and watching Tony Robbins videos. Tony said to take out a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. On one side list your liabilities, and on the other, your assets. So I did. My list of liabilities was very short, but as I wrote down my assets, I found they multiplied. My real assets included my skills, friends, family and the value I could bring to an organization and to others. I recognized that I wasn’t broke at all. I had assets – resources – far more valuable than money. In an instant my mindset changed forever.
I started making calls and within 24 hours, I had my first contract job.
The only thing that changed was that I shifted my focus to my strengths and to serving others. I focused on what I wanted, instead of dwelling on my problems and mistakes. As soon as I shifted my focus the transformation was instantaneous – the rest of my life changed.
What advice do you have for someone starting a new project or company who may currently be experiencing adversity or tough times?
One thing that works for me is to let my problems go for a moment and focus on helping someone else: a friend, a child in your neighborhood, another business that’s drowning. Serving someone else will instantly shift your state. And in a more positive state, solutions to your own challenges become more clear.
Another great solution is to seek a coach or a mentor – someone who can give you a new perspective, or share their own experiences, someone who has been through these challenges before. All the elite performers I know and have interviewed had (and still have) great coaches and mentors who helped them get to where they are.
Your organization, Real Jaco, teaches young men the leadership and life skills they need to rise above often dire circumstances. What was the genesis of this organization?
Starting an organization to help kids learn and grow and achieve their dreams had been a vision of mine for most of my adult life but necessity inspired me to finally take action. I have an amazing son, JC, who loves soccer – like so many boys in Costa Rica. “Futbol” is such a big part of the culture but in our small town of Jaco there was no organized soccer club for youth. In November 2015, the week before school let out for summer vacation. I thought to myself, “Do I really want to make the commitment to start a soccer club? Do I want to take on the responsibility? NO”. But I knew the only way the boys were going to get an organized soccer club in Jaco that year was if I started it.
Now, typically when starting a new venture I’d take the time to write out our purpose and vision, make a plan, set goals, raise money, etc. This time I consciously made the decision to just start – knowing I’d figure at the rest later.
And in 24 hours, I’d written out a set of values for the program inspired by Bill Walsh, former Hall of Fame NFL coach. I’d recruited my son’s PE teacher Sherman Vasquez – a former professional soccer player who’s incredible with the kids. And the following Monday we started Real Jaco with the first 30 kids.
Today, we have a year-round futbol club and educational curriculum, we’ve traveled with a group to this U.S., and this year we will host our 5th annual soccer camp.
What’s your personal mission in life?
To add value to people’s lives – to provide hope and encouragement to those I meet, whether online or in person. If I can inspire people to do more, become more, learn more, love more and dream more, then I feel that I am adding that value.
At this stage in life, my joy comes from helping others succeed, reach their highest potential, and become more of who they truly are.
How does your sense of purpose – this mission – show up in your life today?
It shows up in my relationships with my son, the boys in Real Jaco and my colleagues. It’s of paramount importance to me that I demonstrate my values through my actions and the way I live my own life. I want my son, who’s 13, to see that I walk the walk, stand up for what I believe in, live my truth and pursue my dreams and passions. It’s invaluable for him to see how I deal with adversity and mistakes (I make plenty). I hope he sees that building something of value takes time, teamwork and a constant focus on improvement. I want him to learn by watching me that when something doesn’t work, we try over and over again until we get it right.
My hope is that he learns how to demonstrate love, patience and compassion by watching how I treat him and others – and I want him to see the inherent value of serving others by my actions.
If you couldn’t leave your son money but only a set of principles to live by, what would those be?
Be yourself. Stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity, and help others.
Life is about collecting friends and doing things you love – not about collecting cars, clothes, money and fame. There’s nothing wrong with these things, but it’s essential to prioritize what’s most important to you.
Love all you can love, give all you can give, do all you can do, and pursue all that interests you.
Laugh often and be thankful – this is a daily practice.
Life is a journey – enjoy it. And enjoy it now. There’s no reason to put off your happiness, passions, joy and interests for “someday” – someday rarely actually comes. Find a way to live an extraordinary life here and now.
Surround yourself with the best people, read the best books, watch the best videos and put the best information into your mind.
Just do your best each day. And if today wasn’t your best that’s okay – you get another shot tomorrow.
Read this again when you're 35.
Our mission: To help our children become our future leaders and ultimately live richer, happier, more fulfilling lives -- reaching their full potential as caring, responsible, productive members of society.
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