At age 5 he chose not to eat animals—now at 11, he proves he’s an elite athlete, competing and winning at national and international levels.
Thank you for generously supporting Matias in this year’s competition. Your support helps empower the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Why Not You Foundation in their respective missions to save lives and empower today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders.
Matías loves pushing his limits, competing with respect, and proving that empathy and discipline go hand in hand. He’s passionate about strengthening his body and mind through sport, and inspiring other kids to stay true to their values—just like he has since age 5 when he chose not to eat animals. For him, sports are a way to express who he truly is
Matías is inspired by people who fight for a more just and compassionate world. He admires athletes who use their voices to stand up for meaningful causes and those who succeed without compromising their values. He’s also inspired by his mom, who taught him to be strong while staying sensitive, to respect all living beings, and to believe he can achieve anything by staying true to who he is
One of our proudest moments was seeing Matías place in the top three in kata and kumite at the US national karate championships. He trained over 8 hours daily without changing his diet despite being told he needed to eat meat. He proved to be a high-performance athlete, gaining strength and protein without meat, and staying true to his values every step of the way.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.