Matilda’s mental health movement
by Metropol | October 29, 2025 8:36 am
On 29 November at Rolleston’s Foster Park, Matilda Green will be one of thousands attempting to break the world record for the largest high intensity interval training (HIIT) class ever – raising awareness and funds for mental health. The media personality talks to Metropol editor Nina Tucker about HIIT for Hope, motherhood, and protecting her peace.
“There is a loneliness epidemic happening in our backyard,” Matilda says. Around one in three people suffer from poor levels of mental health in New Zealand, and we lose hundreds of Kiwis every year to the illness – “alarming” statistics to Matilda. With demand for services and support increasing rapidly, HIIT for Hope founder Jared Rogers is facing the crisis with urgency. In less than a month, he aims to harness the power of community and bring between 7000 and 10,000
New Zealanders together in Rolleston with a mission to support those critical organisations performing frontline services.
“Jared’s story is harrowing, and I really admire him for taking something like this on. Getting 7000 people together for a HIIT workout world record is no mean feat, and it speaks to his character that he’s willing to do this all in the name of raising awareness for mental health,” Matilda says.
“A charity like this, which has human connection at its core, is so needed,” she adds. Her passion for movement and its positive effects made HIIT for Hope ambassadorship for herself and husband Art Green an easy decision. The duo who first hit our screens in the first season of New Zealand’s The Bachelor in 2015 are joined by the likes of broadcaster Dom Harvey and former Silver Fern Courtney Tairi, each utilising their respective platforms to drive participation. Matilda may be used to having all the attention on her – but the limelight hasn’t swayed her selflessness. She supports Variety Children’s Charity, youth mentoring organisation Big Brothers Big Sisters, and is one of the influential parents of B416 lobbying the government to raise the age of social media access from 13 to 16. Each an enormous investment of time and energy, and each in need of someone like her. “The more we look after each other, and connect with each other, the more we will see what connects us, rather than what divides us. I’m lucky to have an online platform (of 160,000 followers) that can be used to amplify causes that I feel passionately about,” Matilda says.
If it’s not the country’s youth she’s serving, it’s her own. Matilda and Art (who is an “absolute superstar” and “incredible dad” according to her) share three gorgeous children and a whole lot of sacrifices to provide for their family and pursue personal goals simultaneously. The latest juggle was Art transitioning to a stay-at-home dad so Matilda could cover a maternity leave opportunity with Matty McLean on The Hits radio. The change was a challenge. “I felt really overwhelmed with the change of family dynamic, and everything I was trying to handle on my own. I dropped the ball on a couple of family things and broke down a bit,” Matilda reflects, who drew on her self-compasion processes at the time. “I like to handle everything myself, I’m not great at offloading tasks. After that, I had a good discussion with Art about how I was feeling and we made a plan.” Ah, New Zealand’s perfect couple. “Honestly, the man deserves a medal,” she says about his value during their recent high-coverage house move.
MOTHERHOOD
Matilda has spent a large chunk of her adult life in the spotlight, navigating a relationship and becoming a celebrity with thousands of eyes watching. It took her years to understand that it’s okay if some misunderstand or dislike her. “I have had to let go of the need to be liked,” she says. “I’m almost at the point of unfair criticism being water off a duck’s back… almost.”
Her evolution to motherhood has been equally transformative. “I have become less selfish, more self-compassionate, and have found joy in serving others. My children are the most precious things in the world, and any time I get overwhelmed,” (she laughs and says it’s a lot), “I look at their tiny hands and remember what a privilege it is to be able to be a part of their unique journey.
“They are the ultimate example of pure presence. They are forgiving, loving, and take everything at face value, and any time I’m experiencing something tricky, I take inspiration from them,” she says. “I just put it on the backburner and play Lego with my kids, and it reminds me what is most important to me.”
Matilda knows to prioritise her health and mental space – when she does, her family receive the best version of her. Most of the time that looks like a walk in nature surrounded by as many trees as possible, but sometimes protecting her energy is about doing all the things she’s awful at and embracing being a self-proclaimed “80-year-old living in a 34-year-old’s body”. Music, knitting, embroidery, drawing – “I’m shit at all of them but I love it,” she laughs. “What I lack in skill, I make up for in enthusiasm.” When she’s not slowly convincing her children to join the family band, she’s found shopping at antique stores.
Naturally, and perhaps guiltily, Matilda spends other pockets of time on social media. “Addicted”, she admits, “but I have ways of managing it”. It’s a valuable tool for inspiration and reach for her work across radio, podcast Untidy, and online platforms – but “an absolute cesspit for consumerism and comparison,” she says.
“It’s handy having children around as a reminder to get off it and be present. I’m very conscious of putting my phone away around them as I want to model the behaviour I want to see in them.”
In recent years Matilda’s found her purpose, guided by her children and charity connections. Confident in her skillset, “I have a really clear vision of where I want to go and what impact I want to have.” Never one to like the phrase ‘stepping into your power’ but Matilda says, “I kind of get it now.”
To find more about HIIT for Hope and play your part in breaking a world record, visit hiitforhope.com.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/matildas-mental-health-movement/