Member Spotlight: Matt Mainhart
As a member-supported organization, Clean Air Council relies on a base of 8,500 individuals who donate time, resources, and money. Our members constantly inspire us with their ideas and dedication. Council Member Matt Mainhart recently merged his passion for protecting the environment with the importance of health and physical activity, founding AdventuremodeCo.
Matt is a type 1 diabetic who struggled with his illness since his early 20’s. At 23, Matt was over 300 pounds and was proscribed a concoction of medications to keep his diabetes in check. In 2009 Matt decided to make a positive change for his body. He got up, bought a kayak, a pair of hiking shoes, and set out to change his life. Matt dedicated himself to getting healthy and improving his quality of life through outdoor recreation and a balanced diet. As a result, Matt lost over 100 pounds and no longer needs medication other than occasional insulin supplements to control his diabetes. Enjoying nature, Matt took back his health and gained a new respect and appreciation for clean air and our environment. Now, Matt wants to do the same for other diabetics through AdventuremodeCo. His new mission is to “raise environmental and diabetes awareness through outdoor recreation, and support other organizations working toward the same”. The Council is proud to join the American Diabetes Association and Westmoreland Cleanways as the first benefactors of AdventuremodeCo.
Matt’s first mission with AdventuremodeCo is an ambitious one. He will travel to 30 national parks across the USA in 140 days while raising money for Clean Air Council. With a solar powered trailer, Matt will hike as long and high as he can in each park advocating for clean air and land preservation. Matt hopes to inspire diabetics with his story. The entire trip will be filmed and turned into a documentary showcasing the beauty of each place AdventuremodeCo visits.
The Council looks forward to hearing more from Matt as he works towards AdventuremodeCo’s goal of helping “diabetics achieve optimal health through leading by example, while we help to conserve and make the overall health of our planet better for all”.
