Welcome to another edition of our weekly Podfluencer report, where we highlight the diversity of the industry and those that are pushing out relevant content to those that desire it! And this week, to celebrate the ‘unofficial’ launch of summer, we decided to feature Podfluencer Matt O’Hara, who does a podcast dedicated to the love and bonds created via the sport and hobby of boating…called “Anchors Aweigh”.

Who is Matt O’Hara?

Matt O’Hara is the owner (along with his wife Rebecca) of Freedom Boat CLub Lake George and operator of Beckley’s Marina. After a 10 year career in media sales in Boston, Matt and Rebecca decided to relocate and open their Freedom Boat Club, where they could share their love of boating and Lake George by helping others get on the water! You can also find him authoring many articles at “MyBoatLife.com”

 

 

 

Listen To Anchors Aweigh Here (one click listening)

 

Favorite Show Episodes

Ep. 1: The early memories of boating with my best friend, Dan Glickberg

Ep. 2: Saltwater in Her Veins: Lisa ‘The Boatanista’ Almeida & the bonds of family & boating

Ep. 4: Innovation & Home & Overseas – Boating Around the Globe with Barry Slade

Other Podcasts Matt O’Hara Listens To

 

 

 

THE INTERVIEW

Who has had the biggest influence on your podcasting career and why?

I would have to say Tim Ferriss for a couple of reasons. The first is his format. Until I started listening to his podcast, I didn’t think the long form, single guest interview concept was something I would enjoy listening to, let alone hosting. He proved to me that spending that much time with each guest is actually a great benefit as you can really get to know them and dig deep. The second reason is that I love listening to podcasts to learn, and I learn a whole lot from his show. And that is what I hope listeners get out of my show albeit on a much more specific topic.

If there’s someone, past or present, that you’d love to have an opportunity to go to dinner with, who would that be and why?

My family. I lost my parents and sister at a young age and I would love to have dinner with them. I’m not sure they would have ever envisioned me being a ‘podcaster’, and certainly not a boat club owner. It would be a thrill to share with them all of these endeavors.

What is it, about your audience, that continues to surprise you?

How about we replace ‘surprise’ with ‘impress’? I am constantly impressed by their passion for boating! It is such an amazing activity in so many ways and once you get hooked (yes us boaters love to make bad fishing puns) on the boating lifestyle it becomes this incredible way to experience life and make memories.

In one word, how would your best friends describe you? Why do you think that is?

Well, my college nickname was the Mayor. Yes, it was to make fun of me but also pretty true in that I like to meet and get to know lots of people. They didn’t want to walk to class with me cause we would stop to talk to too many people, or at least that’s why I think they didn’t want to walk with me. So maybe this podcasting is a good outlet for that!

If you had one day, completely free, away from work, no watch on, and could do whatever the hell you wanted, what would it be and why?

Easy! On a big yacht filled with friends and family on some amazing body of clear turquoise water. Just relaxing, floating around, maybe enjoying a couple of beers (we do have a captain driving the boat after all), and taking in beauty of being out in the sunshine and the fresh air. It would be a day we would all remember forever!

Any advertisers you want to give a shout out to? Or anyone you’d like to thank ?

I want to thank Diane Seltzer for helping me get this out to larger audience and posting my blogs on her site myboatlife.com. I want to thank all my guests but especially Dan Glickberg, Lisa Almeida, and John Giglio for taking part in this and bearing with me when I was still just figuring out how to do all the technical stuff. And I want to thank my wife for being patient with me as I spend hours recording and editing these when we’re trying to run a business and raise our young daughter!

How To Follow The Show and Freedom Boat Club (click icons)

The Website