Matthew Nielsen, Creative Contributor

Looking forward, we are taking a moment to spotlight and shoutout Sports Cannabis team member, creative contributor; Matthew Nielsen. 

Matthew is a Detroit MI Based designer specializing in areas of print, experiential and environmental design.  He holds two BFA degrees and is also a Marine Corps veteran.  Outside of design, Matthew is an avid photographer and endurance sports enthusiast, having participated in activities such as triathlons and mountaineering. Matthew has teamed up with Sports Cannabis as a creative contributor to help with creative vision and movement to break the stigma.

Matthew Nielsen joined Jay Morzaria to chat about Sports Cannabis;

Jay Morzaria : 

How has cannabis helped you with Sports?

Matthew Nielsen :

“I find it has been really beneficial for trail running.  I’ve found that small quantities provide a greater sense of introspection for the activity I’m engaged in.  It helps put my inclination to max out, into second palace and bring attention to my sense of performance, how I’m feeling (physically) and ability to read terrain and adjust myself according to the forefront.  Now when I’m active, I’m  not focused on trying to run my fastest time, but rather mentally take a step back and assess myself to perform my best in that moment.”

Jay Morzaria :

How have you defied the “lazy stoner” type cliche?

Matthew Nielsen :

“This is interesting to me because growing up I was always inundated with the idea that cannabis makes people lazy and stupid.  This cliche (amongst others) is one I’m very happy to see being proved wrong by athletes and business professionals.  My personal experience is that I’m innately an active person and cannabis is just a “tool” for me.  I know how and when I want to apply it to life – when to use it for activity and when to use it for rest/recovery.  Once you realize that it’s not going to dumb you down, unless you allow it to, you’ve taken a major step.  It’s then that you can in fact take ownership of it and utilize it how you best see fit.”

Jay Morzaria : 

Where does the focus need to be for 2022?

Matthew Nielsen :

“Our culture has normalized things like alcohol and smoking (tobacco), prescription pills, etc, but villainized cannabis.  You have people ranging from athletes to business professionals that are invovled in cannabis culture another, and they’re obviously not the lazy or dumb stereotypes.  I see more and more movements working towards breaking the negative stigma and I think it’s a good endeavor.  Whether it’s for performance, athletic recovery, ailments (physical and emotional), there’s opportunity to realize the benefits cannabis can offer in sports and in life.  In 2022, I hope to see more acceptance of cannabis use and acknowledgment of its benefits.  I think it carries considerably more benefits than the aforementioned vices and I hope people can begin to see those first instead of the cliches and stereotypes.”