Saturday Apr 25, 2026

EP62 | Matt Ord | Pain, Purpose and Perspective | Local Heroes Podcast

This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, we’re joined by Teesside’s very own Matt Ord, a straight-talking grafter turned business leader helping shape the future of the region.

From growing up in Middlesbrough to carving out a career without a clear path, this is a conversation about instinct, resilience, and making things happen when there’s no blueprint. Matt shares his journey through early graft, sales, and the Chamber, building relationships, spotting opportunity, and backing himself every step of the way. At the heart of this episode is something

deeper.

After 20 years living with colitis, Matt opens up about the decision to undergo life-changing surgery and living with a stoma, and how that moment shifted everything. This isn’t about setbacks, it’s about perspective, confidence, and helping others by being open about the reality. We get into leadership, integrity, and what it actually takes to create opportunities for the next generation, not just talk about it.

And as always, it goes off on one.

Childhood chaos, grafting for your first job with nothing but bus fare, dodging trouble on the estate, and the moments that quietly shape who you become.

There’s our usual food rabbit holes, this week includes, parmos, saveloys, and his Greggs order.

It's a proper dose of North East culture throughout.

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