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Epic Hearts
Heart Attack Survivor
Matt Shields 
MOUNTAIN BIKER COMPLETES TRIPLE CROWN AFTER SUFFERING WIDOW-MAKER HEART ATTACK
Matt Shields has joined the coveted list of Triple Crown Legends of the Epic Series after crossing the finish line of the Reef to Reef.
This achievement is especially remarkable as Matt suffered a 'widow maker' heart attack at age 40 in 2016, despite being fit and healthy his whole life. A lifelong cyclist who raced across Europe in his twenties, Matt later discovered mountain biking and competed in numerous events throughout Australia.
The heart attack occurred at the start of his routine 15km run to work, just days before the Rogaining World Championship. Plaque in his main left anterior descending artery broke off, causing a complete blockage. Recognizing the symptoms, Matt immediately called an ambulance. His quick action was crucial, as survival rates for such blockages outside a hospital are only about six percent.
After receiving a permanent stent, Matt began his recovery with a heart that had limited pumping ability. "What I found was that my heart was responding well to a bit more exercise. I had to stabilize my plaque with medication and make changes to my diet and lifestyle," said Matt.
His recovery started with walking, progressing to overnight hiking in New Zealand. Setting ambitious goals, Matt trained for a year to complete New Zealand's mountain bike stage race, The Pioneer, in 2018. "That showed that I was back doing something that I love," he said.
With renewed confidence, Matt completed the Cape to Port and Port to Port races. After a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus, the Reef to Reef returned in August 2022, allowing Matt to complete his Triple Crown dream. Racing alongside teammate Michael Hassall, he finished the four-day, 170km stage race in 7:54:18.
"I had a heart attack at 40 and shouldn't be here, so this is the realization of a dream," Matt said. "Working with my cardiologist to get back to health, finding confidence to get back on the bike and now completing the Triple Crown."
Matt's next challenge is the Absa Cape Epic in South Africa, having won one of four slots to the 2023 event during the Reef to Reef.
Triple Crown Legend
Cape to Cape WA
The Beacon Award is a perpetual trophy awarded to an individual who represents the culture and spirit of the Cape to Cape. This was awarded to Matt after completing the event.
Port to Port NSW
Port to Port MTB Race is a 4 day MTB multi-stage endurance race in New South Wales
Reef to Reef Qld
MTB stage race ride across 4 days in the heart of Tropical North Queensland
Matt's Story
Matt Shields was not your usual suspect when he had a heart attack aged 40.
As a former World Series Adventure Racing competitor and pro-am cyclist, Matt was the picture of health when he suffered a devastating heart attack during a routine run, just one week before he was due to compete in the Rogaining World Championships.
Shortly after beginning his run, Matt felt intense chest pain and immediately called an ambulance, aware he was having a heart attack.
"I lost a friend about six months ago who had a heart attack while out pad­dling in Syd­ney Har­bour. So through the pain, I tried to think clear­ly how I could help myself as I knew time was critical."
Matt was diagnosed with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), where one of his major arteries had become blocked. Doctors inserted a stent to reopen the blockage and eventually discharged him from the hospital.
"I'd been an ath­lete. The per­son who I was, wasn't going to be there any­more. I had looked after myself all my life with the best food, the best coach­es and the best every­thing, and now I was bug­gered. It felt pret­ty crushing."
Under the care of HRI's Professor David Celermajer, Matt's health stabilized six months after the event. The cause of his blockage was high cholesterol levels, prompting him to change his diet and lifestyle completely.
Matt moved to the South Coast to be closer to nature and manage stress better. He also switched careers to work in the medical field, which has given him renewed purpose.
"I have found a real pur­pose behind what I'm doing. It's a very good place to be in."
Now, Matt hopes HRI's research, particularly at its Fluxomics Facility, will help others avoid his traumatic experience and benefit his son Clancy if he ever faces similar risks.
His advice to others in similar situations: maintain a disciplined diet, take prescribed medications, attend all recommended check-ups, and find a cardiologist who aligns with your outlook and goals.
"There's a lot of liv­ing to do once you retire, so don't give up. Keep look­ing after yourself."
Wear Red Day
Raising awareness for heart attacks
XPD World Championships
Adventure racing
Founder Origin Story Matt Shields
Matt's journey from Space Science to Healthcare
ORIGIN STORY – Matt Shields
"Supply" at its core connects products with recipients efficiently. For Pentalym founder Matt Shields, this balancing act became a lifelong focus – first as a CSIRO project engineer managing telescope components for Australia's ASKAP radio telescope project in 2012.
Under Attack
While on a morning run in 2016, Matt suffered a 'widow maker' heart attack – a complete blockage of a major artery. As cardiac cells died by the millions each second, it became a race against time. After 112 crucial minutes, doctors removed the blockage using a stent, saving his life.
Hearts and Minds
This near-death experience transformed Matt's thinking. Engineers don't believe in "luck" – they build systems to mitigate problems. For 112 minutes, he had depended on a system needing the right equipment for the right patient at the right time.
With cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death worldwide, Matt realized he could make a difference. Given a second chance at life, he repurposed his supply chain expertise from astronomy to healthcare, adapting his tracking technology to serve medical equipment manufacturers and healthcare facilities globally.
The Next Stage
Finding new purpose for his technology mirrored Matt's personal recovery. He rebuilt his strength by trekking New Zealand's Southern Alps and competing in one of the world's toughest bike races, while simultaneously raising awareness about heart health.
"So people say what we've done is a paradigm shift. What happened by chance is we put two very different industries together and came up with a revolutionary way of doing something new!"
Matt Shields, Founder and CEO, Tracksoft
Conquering New Zealand: Matt’s Return to Racing and High-Performance Sport
For someone told he would never exercise again, cycling 433km across New Zealand’s rugged Southern Alps seemed impossible—but not for Matt Shields.
Determined to reclaim his active lifestyle, Matt set his sights on the Pioneer Mountain Bike Race, a grueling 6-day challenge covering 12,540m of climbing through some of the most breathtaking yet unforgiving terrain in New Zealand. With a meticulously crafted training regimen, medical guidance, and a deep understanding of his body, Matt pushed beyond limits, proving that a heart attack wouldn’t define his future.
His journey back to high-performance sports wasn’t just about physical endurance—it was about mental resilience, strategic tracking, and the sheer will to push past barriers. With the support of his cardiologist and the aid of cutting-edge heart research, Matt didn’t just return to cycling—he redefined what was possible.
Now, Matt continues his passion for extreme sports while using his experience to inspire and connect with others affected by heart disease. His story stands as a testament to the power of research, innovation, and unwavering determination.
The Road Ahead: Matt's Vision Beyond Recovery
From heart patient to pioneering athlete, Matt Shields now sets his sights on even greater challenges. His remarkable journey continues to inspire countless heart survivors worldwide.