Matthew grew up in Parkfield, California and was the third and youngest child to a single mother who worked and struggled throughout his childhood as a grammar school teacher in the 1960’s and 70’s. Matthew started working at the age of 12 for the owner of Vans Shoe Company on his privately owned thoroughbred horse ranch. Matthew graduated from high school, has served in two branches of the U.S Military and is a Veteran. He attended and graduated from California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, California. He completed his Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate Program with the University of California Riverside Extension.