Motivational Speaker Long Came Back from Tragedy to Inspire Others

Everyone in life will have challenges placed before them, but in the case of former New York City firefighter Matt Long, he has had to overcome obstacles most cannot even imagine. Nowadays, Matt shares his experiences with audiences across the country and through his book The Long Run.

On Thursday evening, the President’s Club of featured Long as the keynote speaker at a special meeting, during what was just one of many events held throughout the year to recognize and thank members of the club for their patronage to the college.

“Their ongoing generosity and support for various student programs and services is deeply appreciated by the college,” stated Marilyn Wilkie, acting vice president for advancement and external affairs.

Though there were many Iona alumni in the audience, some going as far back as the class of ’65, many current students also packed the Murphy Auditorium to hear what fellow alumni from the class of ’89 Long had to say about his life experience, which included being a firefighter at the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11. 2001.

“I think Matt’s story is one that anyone from any walk of life can find motivation in and it’s great that the students can learn from his experiences and his words,” said Arthur Burke, whose son is a junior at Iona.

“My story is set up really for the students and student athletes and it’s about setting goals and no matter how much you plan, you never know,” remarked Long, who was dressed in a dress shirt, jacket and dress pants. Just by looking at him, one would never had guessed that a little over five years ago, he was struck by a charter bus making an illegal turn while riding his bicycle to work.

Matt would spend the next five months in the hospital, with doctors initially giving him a 1 percent chance at survival, to which his mother answered, “He has a marathon in Boston to run in April, he has to run!”

After his time in the hospital, in which Matt endured 42 operations, an exhausting regimen of physical therapy and hard-core training, he rebuilt his body to the point where he ran the New York City Marathon in 2008, just three years after the accident.

“You have to set a goal for yourself, dedicate yourself to that goal and make sacrifices,” implored Long while speaking to the crowd that sat in awe and seemed to hang on every word he said Thursday evening. 

“Months after the accident, I realized I wasn’t setting goals or dreaming anymore, I was only thinking about what I couldn't do,” he continued.

“I had to set my goals as high as I could set them, I ran one mile, then I decided to set a goal to run the marathon and at one point it clicked, and I changed my thoughts from I want, to I will,” remarked Long.

He spoke for about 30 minutes and also took questions from the crowd afterward, and despite his physical challenges on the road to his astonishing recovery, Long says that the mental battles with depression were far more tough and always telling himself “I Will” changed everything.

"You will have success if you say ‘I will’ every morning and then complete the sentence with what you want to do,” shared Long.

The term “I Will” has taken on a new meaning, since it is the name of his nonprofit organization that helps people who have had life-altering injuries or illnesses and gets them back to living an athletic lifestyle.

Long’s book The Long Run is available in bookstores, and you can find out more information about his story by clicking here.