Content warning: This article discusses mental health and alcohol use.
Tasmanian Matt Dingjan undertook an incredible feat this year – running for 24 hours straight in memory of his mother Debbie. It’s an achievement Matt would have never contemplated while he was struggling with alcohol use.
Growing up in regional Launceston, alcohol was a constant presence in Matt’s life. He had his first drink at 14 and started drinking regularly later in his teenage years.
In 2020, the father-of-four was running two businesses while coping with his mother’s cancer diagnosis and worsening health. As the stressful circumstances ramped up, so did Matt’s drinking.
“I was part of the football club, so we’d have functions and parties. We like to socialise, and all of that generally revolves around alcohol. But I’d also sit downstairs at the bar in my house… it wouldn’t be unusual for me to polish off a bottle of whiskey and go to work on just a few hours of sleep,” he said.
Drinking took a heavy toll on Matt’s life. His businesses began to falter, and his mental and physical health were deteriorating.
On the weekend in 2021 that Debbie passed away, Matt was out drinking with football friends. He was devastated when he realised he’d missed the chance to reply to her final text message. The grief led to an escalation in his drinking.
Things hit a breaking point on 30 June 2023, when Matt’s wife, Cass, told him she needed a break from their relationship.
“I pushed her away, I put her through hell. She basically said to me that she couldn’t do it anymore. I left the family home for four months and I stayed with a friend,” Matt said.
Confronted with the possibility of losing his childhood sweetheart, Matt resolved to go sober. It wasn’t easy, but running became his anchor – helping him to stay mentally resilient and focused on his goal. A few months later, Matt was back home with his family.
“Those first 12 months were the most challenging, because I still put myself in those situations – football functions, parties, outings where I was surrounded by alcohol. Those were triggers for me to drink,” he said.
“I would sometimes say to my wife ‘I need to go for a run,’ and she wouldn’t ask any questions. I would come back and I would have a clear mind and I didn’t have that urge to drink.”
These days Matt has found purpose and strength in running. In April, he completed a 24-hour running challenge and raised more than $70,000 for charity in memory of Debbie.
The run tested the limits of his endurance. It became a symbol for his arduous journey – from grief and addiction to a place of hope, healing and renewal.
Sobriety has transformed Matt’s life in many ways. He sleeps better, feels mentally stronger and has noticed a greater depth and connection in his relationships.
“My circle of friends got smaller, but it was crazy to discover that you can actually have fun without alcohol. I was still doing the same things, but we would add in board game nights. You would sit down and have a chat, and actually remember the conversation afterwards,” he said.
“Cass has noticed a massive change in our relationship, she’s proud of me for being a more present father and husband.
“I’m so much more involved with whatever the kids do. And you know, they’re running with me – they’ll do a handful of kilometres with me. I think that’s the big thing that I really enjoy now – it’s that time back with the kids.”
Matt shared his story on Facebook last year, which led to an outpouring of messages from people who had gone through recovery or were struggling to cut out alcohol.
“I have plans now to set up a group around running and mental health. It’s kind of left field – it’s not something I ever saw myself doing, because I couldn’t talk about this stuff. I’ve got a bit of work to do on that, but I’m excited to create a space where people can chat.”
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