Matt Corker » UBC

Enjoying the moment

Matt Corker — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:42:46 +0000

As a new class heads off to school today, I am reminded of all the good memories I have of UBC. The beginnings, the endings, and everything in between. It is these memories that remind me of how great my experience was there.

Today, take some time to stop and appreciate a moment. Be it a beginning, an ending, or a something in between. Each moment is unique and will help remind you of how great your life is here….

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

Pick of the Post: Mike Posner – Cooler Than Me (official music video)

Fierce New Tunes

Matt Corker — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:47:55 +0000

This post has been long overdue! It has been waiting in drafts for me for far too long.

I need to share with you these artists: Neu and Two Lions & A Lady.

Neu has been a great addition to my spin class playlists as his beats are deep and melodic. They get me smiling on the bike while my quads are screaming. Plus, who else releases a movie trailer to show-off their new album tunes?!? Rad? Rad! Take a look for yourself:

Neu, Wes, and Lydia also joined forces to create Two Lions & A Lady. They performed live at the Coppertank a couple weeks ago and added so much to the vibe of the night. More on them to come, so keep your eyes peeled for greatness. In the meantime, enjoy their rendition of MGMT’s Kids (with an accordion!):

Dealing With Change – and lots of it…

Matt Corker — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:37:19 +0000

I love change.

Just saying that excites me. “Change it!” It just screams fresh starts, intentional innovation, and big dreams. When things aren’t changing they become stagnant – and I become bored.

That being said, over the past few weeks, my love for change has been put to the test.

Not only did I move from a two-bedroom apartment in Kits with a stellar roommate to a one-bedroom pad in South Granville by myself, but I also, concurrently, left my job at UBC and took on a new opportunity as a Leadership Trainer at luluemon athletica. Handing in my resignation before having a new job secured was probably the most liberating and scary decision I’ve made in a long time. But when you burn the boat, you get to focus on moving forward with everything you’ve got, right?

Dealing with these changes was an interesting process. I had to make myself physically uncomfortable to face the fact that the changes were real. I took things off my office walls, emptied kitchen cupboards onto counters, and made my well-organized life a little bit more chaotic. Surrounding myself in boxes and blank walls made me want to rediscover that happy home and functional workplace I had just demolished. It was as if each box I tripped over was saying “it’s happening – deal with it.”

We rarely change when things are comfortable. Sometimes, we just need to push them to the point of irritation – where we can’t stand to do anything else but change them for the better.

And – man – are things better!

Pick of the post: Vampire Weekend – Giving Up The Gun (official music video) [thanks for the reco Harmer and Lydia]

Will Blunderfield shakes some asana on Robson St

Matt Corker — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:00:50 +0000

Last night, Will Blunderfield, one of my Artists to Watch in Vancouver and favourite yoga instructors, officially released his music to the world. While he shares his voice in all his classes, Will took to the stage in front of the lululemon on Robson street with some yogi dancers and Danielle Mika Nagel to celebrate the launch of his first official album. And boy did it launch!

His yoga-inspired-pop music had the crowd of people finding their hearts’ centers, breathing deep (in between cheers), and singing hallelujah at the top of their lungs. It was a completely unique experience – and 100% Will. The crowd of totally awesome people definitely helped as well.

Earlier this year, I got to be a part of Will’s “Shake Your Asana Choir” and go into the studio with him to record some vocals for his CD.

Catching us all of guard, he called us up last night to sing “The River” – one of my favourite songs on his album. It was one of those moments in life when you just have to go with what is thrown at ya. (It’s also hard to say no when someone calls you to the stage in front of a hundred people…)

And then he sang:

There is a river that I’ve discovered
If flows downstream to everything I desire
I paddled so hard against the current, I did not know
That all I needed was to let the oars go and just flow

… Never knew what I had until I looked around
Once I began to feel grateful it was you I found
Lessons learned, bridges crossed to get to where you are
Let’s lose ourselves in this moment, we’ve come so far

… I know it’s hard to realize this truth
The change you’ve wanted
Starts with you!

Thank you Will for an always inspiring experience. And congrats. You kick some serious asana.

Pick of the Post: Will Blunderfield – The River (you’ll have to go to lululemon on Robson to pick this track up!)

The Power of White Walls

Matt Corker — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:54:07 +0000

While a blank new document is terrifying, a blank white wall is exhilarating. There is something about a freshly painted white wall that amazes me. It is not loud or overbearing, but is still able to command attention. It creates and opens spaces so the minds inside that space can do the same. It encompasses all and still oozes of pure potential.

This long weekend was filled with white walls.

First, at Sugar Studios, where I helped facilitate a planning retreat for the incoming student executive of UBC’s JDC West team. This space was a brilliant find on their part and it was a pleasure being in this space with them! High ceilings, huge windows, and endless white walls led to shoes coming off, Jason Mraz turning on, and coloured markers and post-its hitting the walls. As our day together progressed, they began to fill the white walls with some energy (and colour) to create a really strong vision and division of labour for the year. I left that retreat with a rejuvenated passion to coach the incoming team. I was literally buzzing. If anyone is looking for an unconventional way to up your game at your next off-site meeting – look into Sugar Studios!

Secondly, and literally later that day, I get a call from a building manager letting me know that my application for a new apartment was accepted! Which means I will soon have new white walls to surround myself with! Colour, pictures, new furniture arrangements. The pain and hassle of moving is only combated with the opportunity to design a new living space – a new space to create.

After all, we can only improve our current situation so many times before we need to start fresh. To clean the slate. To (re)paint it white.

Pick of the post: Bushwalla – Ghetto Blaster (live)

She did it! Introducing brigs!

Matt Corker — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:21:17 +0000

Yesterday, after a kickin spin class, I came home to find a square envelope sitting on our stairs. Confused, I picked it up and immediately smiled.

She did it! And in my hands was the proof!

Let me back track a bit ….
Five years ago, Andrea Burgoyne and I sat in her apartment writing a song for Steph & Doug’s wedding. She shared stories of her love of music as she found the chords that would compliment my lyrics. Needless to say, the experience, and the product, remain unforgettable. Since then, she left Vancouver to follow her passions to the Yukon where her love of making musical art was re-ignited. As she sat on my couch during her last visit to Vancouver, she told me she was in the studio, recording her debut album as brigs with an amazing gent named Jordy Walker, and planning on going on tour in the summer.

In that square envelope was her CD – proof that intense focus and a grateful heart make dreams come true.

Yes, her songs have been playing on repeat since they arrived (cause they are seriously addictive).
Yes, she is touring this summer.
And, yes, when she comes to Vancouver I’ll be in the front row – beaming and singing every word!

To join in on the fun, you can find brigs on MySpace and Facebook. One down, three to go!

Pick of the post: brigs – It’s Hard To Pump Blood

Corker’s Spin Class Schedule @ UBC Birdcoop

Matt Corker — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:23:20 +0000

I have some glorious news for your heart and hamstrings. I’ve joined the team at the UBC Birdcoop (map) to teach indoor cycling (spinning) classes! If you’ve ever wanted to try out a spin class but were too intimidated, incorporate cycling into your cross-training schedule, or just have some fun on the bike with me – now’s your chance!

Of all the available classes, I will be teaching:

Hot Wheels Sprint classes – Tues & Thurs 5:00-5:45 pm

These 45-minute work-outs are high energy and pack a punch that will leave you and your quads smiling. If you have a staff or public membership to the Birdcoop, there is no extra cost to attend a class. If you don’t have this membership, you can pay the drop in rate – only $5 for UBC students, and $8 for everyone else! You can also upgrade your student gym membership to include these classes or pay as you go. Check out the Birdcoop membership options for more info. The trek out to UBC is worth this great, cost-effective workout.

New to indoor cycling? Some helpful tips:

Bring a small towel and a water bottle with you into class
Wear comfortable work-out clothes and stiff-soled athletic shoes (bike shorts and shoes are not necessary for these classes)
Arrive 15-30 minutes before class to sign-in, get on a bike, and lightly pedal to warm before the fun begins
Be ready to sweat and smile – I guarantee both

Hope to see you in the saddle soon!

Pick of the post: Tiesto ft. Three Six Mafia, Sean Kingston & Flo Rida – Feel It (official music video)

Dear Class of 2010

Matt Corker — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:22:24 +0000

When I was writing my valedictorian speech and later my short remarks to UBC’s graduating student leaders, some wise folks gave me some words of encouragement.

“Remember to speak to everyone in your audience – your peers, their families, and the faculty/staff/alumni in attendance.”
“Don’t give a verbal essay with three main points. Leave them with one lasting thought.”
“Stop listening to other people’s advice and just giv’r. Make it your own!”

To my rad friends and fantastic cousin who are currently writing their speeches – just giv’r! Josh Shipp sure did:

Pick of the post: Katy Perry ft Snoop Dogg – California Girls (summer hit for sure!)

UBC’s Best Volunteer Experience

Matt Corker — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:06:02 +0000

Three years ago, the night before applications were due, I caught a friend of mine heading into the pool as I was leaving. Knowing that he was a great photographer, I asked him if he had submitted his application yet to be a part of the UBC REC Media Team. He sheepishly said “No… should I?”

Working his way up the ranks, from Assistant Director to Facilitator, he’s now spent three years in UBC REC and made on impact on his teammates, his fellow staff members, and the thousands of students that storm walls, paddle longboats, and win championships.

While the winner for best paid job I had while I was a student easily goes to being a Residence Advisor, I have never had a volunteer opportunity that tops being part of UBC REC. So, on the night before applications are due, … do I really need to tell you UBC students what you should be doing?

“Give back. Give big” Apply now.

Pick of the post: All American Rejects – The Poison

Making it a privilege

Matt Corker — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:14:49 +0000

Every Friday, the Old Dean would send “his kids” an e-mail. They were simple musings to some young professionals on staff that always made me think twice about how and why I was doing what I was doing. I’ll never forget his sign off of “time to tap the next keg” as it was a perfect reminder that it was time to stop working and start enjoying the weekend. But when he left UBC, so did the e-mails. The “kids” at his University down south are now the new beneficiaries of his profound rhetoric.

This week, however, the Old Dean stopped in to say hello! And man was that an incredible surprise!

Over lunch, in a crowded boardroom, his kids told him of the changes that took place since he left a year ago. He shared some reflections on his new American stomping grounds and about where he sees student affairs as a profession going in the future. His witty remarks made us both laugh and think. One of his points stuck with me for the rest of the week though. He said:

“We are privileged when young people invite us into their lives.”

We talk a lot about “doing something meaningful” or “making a difference.” We measure it through bums in seats and grade point averages (among other things). But until someone younger than us taps us on the shoulder and says “hey – can I ask you something?” – we’re just working. (You know us stubborn millennials wouldn’t ask just anyone, right?) The perks of the long hours, mundane meetings, and multiple “you feel.. because..” statements don’t kick in until you make that connection.

It’s at that point you realize your position has become more than a role. Its become a privilege.

To end the week, remind your staff why its a privilege to work where you do. And if it’s not – time to make it one.

Pick of the post: Maroon 5 – The Way You Look Tonight