For some, adventure is about chasing finish lines. For others, it’s about seeking out the wild and seeing how far they can push themselves. Matt Weighman is no stranger to either. A marine engineer by trade and an endurance athlete by passion, Matt recently attempted the Yukon Arctic Ultra, an ultramarathon that takes competitors deep into one of the planet’s last great wildernesses.

We caught up with Matt to hear about his journey, the lessons he’s learned from the outdoors, and why coffee is as much a part of adventure as the right kit.

What first drew you to the Yukon Arctic Ultra?
I first visited the Yukon back in 2014 when Whitehorse was a stopover on the way to a rock-climbing trip in the Mackenzie Mountains. I was blown away by how wild it felt—the territory is twice the size of the UK but has a population of only around 40,000, most of whom live in Whitehorse. Once you leave the city, it feels like you’re in one of the last truly untouched places on Earth.

I wanted to experience more of that remoteness, and that’s what led me to the Yukon Arctic Ultra. It’s not your average ultramarathon. It’s more like an extreme expedition race—a long-distance foot race combined with wilderness survival. You have to be physically fit, of course, but you also need to be completely confident in your ability to take care of yourself in incredibly tough conditions.

How did you prepare for such a brutal event?
Physically, the training isn’t all that different from any other long-distance ultramarathon. It’s about steadily increasing training volume, focusing on long, low-intensity sessions, and getting used to spending long hours on your feet while managing fuel and hydration.

The mental side is the real challenge. This was my fourth time taking on the race, and I’ve learned a lot over the years about how to manage the mental side of things. There’s no easy answer—everyone has their own way of dealing with the exhaustion, the cold, the loneliness. When you’re 16 hours into darkness, with only the beam of your headlamp and your own thoughts for company, you have to find a way through.

For me, music helps, as does visualisation—imagining how it will feel to reach the next checkpoint, or the finish line. I also set small rewards for myself: “If you make it another 15km, you can eat two Oreo cookies.” Little things like that keep you going.

What was the most memorable moment from the race?
There are two moments in each day of the race that always stand out.

The first is sunrise. In February, the Yukon has around 16 hours of darkness each day, and the sun doesn’t rise until after 10am. But when the first rays creep over the horizon and take the worst of the cold out of your body, it gives you this overwhelming feeling that everything is going to be okay.

The second is when the northern lights appear. I’ll never forget the first time I saw them during the race—I just stopped, sat down on my pulk, and stared at the sky. There was no rush. No finish line in that moment. Just absolute awe.

What role does coffee play in your adventures?
Coffee is a huge part of my life, whether I’m at home or out on an adventure. At home, it’s how I start the day—waking up early but taking my time over a fresh cup, usually in my garden in the Highlands with my two dogs on my lap.

When I’m out in the wild, coffee is more than just a caffeine hit. A sip of hot coffee when you’re completely exhausted is like those first rays of morning sun—it reassures you that you can keep going. It’s also a moment of reflection. Taking the time to stop, make a coffee, and reset can completely change your mindset in a tough situation.

What’s your go-to method for brewing coffee outdoors?
I like to keep things simple. Most of the time, I use a mini French press or an Aeropress. I’ve been eyeing up a Minipresso for a while, so maybe it’s time I finally made the jump.

You’ve been a supporter of Kickback Coffee for a long time—what’s your connection to the brand?
I’ve known Alex for years. When he first retired from rugby, I was living in West London, and he’d crash on my couch while on work trips. He’d tell me all about how he was roasting coffee in his kitchen with a popcorn machine and how this was what he really wanted to do.

At first, I thought he was mad. But over the years, I’ve watched Kickback grow—not just as a coffee brand, but as a community of like-minded, adventurous people who also happen to love great coffee. There are a lot of fantastic roasters out there, but Kickback is about something bigger than just coffee. That’s why I support everything they do.

What does adventure mean to you?
I was recently reading The Happiness of Dogs by Mark Rowlands, and it really resonated with me. The book argues that dogs live happier lives than humans because they don’t suffer from self-reflection. We, on the other hand, get caught up in worrying about what we need to do to be happy in the future, rather than just being happy in the moment.

Adventure, for me, is a way to escape that. When you put yourself through something physically, mentally, or emotionally difficult, it strips everything back. It forces you to live in the moment and gives you real clarity on what actually matters.

In short, adventure lets me live more like a dog.

How do you balance adventure with the rest of your life?
I’m lucky that my job as a marine engineer gives me long periods of time off—I work an 8-week on/off rotation on a ship. My partner, Ange, is also incredibly understanding. She knows how important these challenges are to me and does everything she can to help make them happen.

It’s not always easy—especially when I come home from an 8-week shift and then disappear again for a race. But the people who matter understand why I do it. They see the benefits it has for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. So the ends just about justify the means.

What’s next?
In the short term, I’m looking forward to some downtime—just being at home, spending time with Ange and the dogs.

Long term, I’ve got two big goals. This year, I want to focus on speed and try to set a new marathon PB. Then, in January next year, I’m taking on the Montane Spine Race—a 268-mile ultramarathon along the Pennine Way, from Edale in the Peak District to the Scottish border.

After that, who knows? I always have a hundred ideas bouncing around in my head. Let’s see which one sticks.

If you could share a coffee with anyone, anywhere, where would it be?
When I’m in the middle of a tough race, the one coffee I dream about isn’t anywhere exotic or far-flung. It’s the first morning I get home. Sitting in the garden, around the firepit, as the sun comes up. Just me, Ange, and the dogs. That first sip, appreciating everything I have. That’s the one.

Final Thoughts
Matt’s approach to adventure is simple—push yourself, embrace the unknown, and take a moment to enjoy the coffee along the way. Whether it’s battling the cold of the Yukon or chasing new goals closer to home, one thing is certain—he’s never too far from his next big challenge.