The English star has left his wilder days behind him and is now a Guinness Record holder and looking ahead to his next massive challenge – the Tokyo marathon at the end of this month.
Eton-educated Matthews says: “I like to think I have swapped an unhealthy addiction for something better.
I am addicted to Vogue, but I’m not obsessed
“I am addicted to Vogue, but I’m not obsessed. Life can be dull if you are obsessed with something and you think about nothing else.
Vogue Williams married Spencer in 2018.
I’m blessed with Vogue’s family because we all get along. Her aunties love teaching me Irish
“But more so, I would like to think I swapped alcohol for sport because I do have an addictive nature.
“I was dependent on alcohol, but I didn’t need it to function, I still had choice, and I would just choose to drink at 11am.”
Matthews has become known for his feats of endurance.
Spencer completed a record-breaking 140.6-mile triathlon in Antarctica
In 2024, his Great Desert Challenge saw him complete 30 marathons in 30 days, breaking a world record.
At the end of 2025, he completed seven Ironmans on seven continents for Project Se7en, raising funds for UK male suicide charity James’ Place.
He says: “I do have a drink sometimes and a pizza sometimes, because pizza is bloody delicious.
“I drink differently now. I ringfence times of the year where I can have drink.
“I adore January and February because most people have started a new regime and then you are all in it together. It’s much nicer to have company.
“At the moment I am really into training for the Tokyo marathon, eating clean food, and I don’t eat anything after 7pm and I’m really enjoying the training. I love having a goal. And of course, there’s no alcohol.”
Married to podcaster Vogue (40), the couple have three children, seven-year-old Theodore, five-year-old Gigi and three-year old Otto. The pair married in 2018.
Matthews says: “Theo wants to be a professional footballer and he has talent. He mostly plays with younger kids though but I can see he is good. I’ll have to get him into a club so that he can be more challenged and learn more skill, that would be great.”
The family is living temporarily in a rented house while their plush new London period house is being redecorated, and Spencer expects it will take more than a year before it’s ready.
And the 37-year-old dad proudly admits he’s hoping for his own Texan vibe in one room, while Vogue is leaning more towards stripes.
Their period home is not far from their former London flat, which they moved into just six months into their relationship.
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews at The British Podcast Awards.
Excited about the move, Matthews reveals his plans for a man cave.
“I’d love some dark oak vibes and maybe some cowboy horns and a few bits and bobs from the wild west.
“I love natural fabrics and some good lighting. Maybe some old whiskey signs.
“We’ll have a gym at home, yes, and there’s a really good one nearby too. We are all looking forward to not being cramped.”
If you make small changes, small positives, then I really believe that is the foundation for success
Vogue’s sister Amber has become better known in Ireland after her stint on the current series of Dancing With The Stars, and the podcast Vogue & Amber.
Matthews says: “I’m only getting to know Amber, Vogue’s sister, and she’s a beautiful girl – she’s funny and kind. We had dinner last night and I really enjoyed chatting to her.
“I am blessed with Vogue’s family, and her aunties love teaching me Irish. My favourite word is the Irish for hedgehog because it’s such a descriptive word, gráinneog. I am not bad at Irish.
“I speak to Vogue’s stepdad Neil about three times a day. He’s in business, so he gives me plenty of advice and we get on great.
“If you make small changes, small positives, then I really believe that is the foundation for success.”
I am by no means an expert on the perfect marriage, but I would say dinner without phones. Put the phones away
Matthews was speaking in his role as part of the Benecol Habit Stacking promotion, which encourages small changes.
Despite triathlons in Antarctica and setting multiple world records, Matthews says the hardest part of any achievement isn’t the extreme moment, it’s showing up on the ordinary days when motivation is low.
His approach centres on “habit stacking” – building new behaviours into existing routines so progress happens even when willpower fails.
Spencer is behind the Benecol habit-stacking theory for healthy choices
He points to heart health in particular, an area where issues like high cholesterol often develop silently and are shaped by what we do consistently, not occasionally.
But back to his main obsession, which is his famous wife. Between training and moving house and three children, where does the romance fit in?
He says: “I am by no means an expert on the perfect marriage but I would say dinner without phones. Put the phones away.
“Treating each other kindly. Using kind words. That always helps.
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