Français
One sporting achievement a year. This seems to be the challenge Spencer Matthews has set himself since 2024. Last year, the entrepreneur and media personality whose family has owned Eden Rock since 1995 ran thirty marathons in as many days in the Jordanian desert. In 2025, he has chosen to raise the level of difficulty a little further, if possible. In 21 days, Spencer Matthews has completed seven Ironmans, one for each geographical continent. The 37-year-old's insane feat was achieved not least to raise funds for the James Place charity, which works to prevent male suicide.
"Project Se7en" is the name Spencer Matthews gave to his project. It began in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 15. It then moved on to Sacramento (California, USA), London (England), Dubai, Perth (Australia), Cape Town (South Africa) and Antarctica. On each occasion, Spencer Matthews swam 3.8 kilometers, cycled 180 km and ran 42.2 km.
In an interview with The Times published on December 22, Spencer Matthews recounts: "I had two extremely difficult moments during my Ironman. The first was in the water in Cape Town, about a kilometer from the finish. My body went numb and I lost control of my arms and legs. I felt like I was having a heart attack, with symptoms similar to those of a panic attack. I felt very vulnerable and in danger, but there was a boat next to me, so I knew that if I lost consciousness, I'd be rescued. The second difficult moment was the night before the last swim in Antarctica. I questioned everything: is it worth it? Why am I doing this? In the end, keeping a positive, confident frame of mind on D-Day makes all the difference between success and failure. There have also been many high points, such as in Arizona, USA, when I climbed a hill to map out our route for the next few days. The climb was harder than expected, but it turned out to be a place where people gather to watch the sunset. Several locals told me it was the most spectacular sunset they'd ever seen. I'd never seen anything like it: the sky was all pink and deep orange. "
Five years of childhood in Saint-Barth
Between the ages of 5 and 10, Spencer Matthews grew up in Saint-Barthélemy. Educated at the Gustavia school, he shared the daily life of the island's children. More than a vacation spot, the island is for him a real home, a lasting emotional anchor. "His family, historically invested in Saint Barth, has always participated in local economic and social life, contributing to the island's influence while respecting its identity and spirit," confides Eden Rock in a release. Spencer Matthews regularly speaks of his deep attachment and love for the island, its unique energy and the simplicity of local life, which continues to inspire him today. "Saint-Barthélemy is a popular destination today, but it was a raw gem, dotted with fast-food joints and surf shacks when we moved there in 1995," he told The Times. My parents had originally bought the Eden Rock Hotel as their primary residence. It was pretty run-down, infested with stray cats and cockroaches. The week we arrived, Hurricane Luis ripped off part of the roof. I remember ducking under the sink with a bowl over my head, convinced it was a great adventure, while iguanas and pelicans took refuge in our living room. When the property was rebuilt, my father decided to enlarge it, while retaining the hotel business (...).(...) Today, I take my family there, but we tend to stay with my godfather, not far away. "
Before he achieved this extraordinary feat, only one man had managed to complete seven Ironmans on all seven continents: Connor Emeny, but it had taken him almost four years to do so due to restrictions linked to the Covid-19 global health crisis.
In 2023, Spencer Matthews made "Finding Michael", a documentary about the search for his brother Michael's body on Everest, 24 years after his death. Michael had become the youngest Briton to reach the summit, at the age of 22.
