Andrew Mattison
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Location:
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Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
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Height:
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6' 4"
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Weight:
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220
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Birthday:
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02/25/1987
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Todays Job:
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Lumberjack Show Manager/Athlete/Entertainer
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Interests:
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I enjoy all outdoor activities from hiking to skiing, fishing to wilderness camping. Photography is a big passion as well as a great evening with friends; hey, if you work hard, you should play hard, right?
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Athlete since:
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2005
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Training per week:
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By working at The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, I am able to chop saw and tree climb as much as I aspire to. I chop about anywhere from 3 to 15 blocks a day as well as climb 440 vertical feet each day.
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How did you get involved in lumberjack sports?
I was a part of SUNY-ESF's woodsmen team in college. Swung an axe my freshman year and I have been addicted ever since.
When did you begin participating/competing in lumberjack sports and the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series?
In 2005 I began competing on the collegiate level; that following summer I began local and regional competitions. I was lucky to have the opportunity to begin my professional career in the 2007 STS Speed Climb, always with aspirations of becoming a competitor in the STS for chopping, sawing, and speed climbing.
How long have you been competing in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series? Other lumberjack competitions?
Overall, I have been competing in TIMBERSPORTS for about six years consistently. I have been in the 2007, and 2010 STS Speed Climb.
Best/strongest STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series discipline:
The standing block chop is my best event in all of my competitions.
Any advice for the collegiate competitors?
Stick with it; some good advice I received when I started out in college from one of the best axemen in the world, "Every swing should be a conscious effort to improve yourself." This has been one of the most important things I could ever remember, and it has helped me grow as a TIMBERSPORTS competitor. It has not only improved my events, but applying it to life has helped me improve as a person. Practice correctly as much as you can. It's frustrating, but NEVER stop, and you will improve, I guarantee it.
What pro athlete/celebrity would you like to see try one of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series disciplines?
Something cool I would like to see, is a switch up really -- the PBR stars switch with some of the TIMBERSPORTS stars, I think it would be great publicity for both, and we'd really see who has the stars to do both.
Name three songs on your training/working out playlist?
Flyleaf's "I'm So Sick"
Godsmack's "Voodoo"
And for single buck, always Jason Aldean's "Amarillo Sky"
Favorite TV Show:
It's a toss-up between Family guy and the ESPN STIHL series -- I watch both on repeat every day.
Favorite Sports Team:
GIANTS all the way baby!!
Proudest moment in your life so far:
Competing against Rob Waibel and taking the 2009 Ironjack Endurance World Championship. It was an honor and a painful privilege.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Never let your frustration get the best of you. Always strive to be better; watch videos, eat, breath and dream TIMBERSPORTS. It will never let you down in the end. Good luck to all the competitors world-wide, I look forward to hopefully meeting you at the World Championships someday.