Mateo Chaney-Martinez
What I'm Doing Now
Updated May 22nd, 2024, from Mandeville, LA.
Wrapped My Final Semester in Tuscaloosa, AL.
After an international, fast-changing 2023, I began 2024 with a final semester in Tuscaloosa. The return to routines was a welcome change, improving my health, happiness, and productivity. Consistent structure also freed me to experiment with new behaviors, like CrossFit and coworking. This season renewed my appreciation for consistency, which I will cultivate moving forward.While I loved the structure this semester provided, the best part of my Tuscaloosa-return was the time with friends. I spent countless hours with my “roommates”—the group of guys I lived with during freshman year—who remain some of my closest friends. We have become particularly fond of a card game called Star Realms, which is like Dominion in space. It is dangerously addictive: I kept wanting to play, even during a 17-game losing streak.The highlight of the semester came in April, when my best friend got married. He and his now-wife started dating shortly before I went abroad, then they got engaged shortly before I returned. Their wedding was a major factor in my choice to return to Tuscaloosa, and I loved being a groomsman alongside the rest of my “roommates.”I’m so grateful for these rich relationships. 😊
Distributing My First Book: Beyond Networking
Capitalizing on consistent routines, I wrote two mini-books over the last 4+ months. I’ll talk about the first one in this section before explaining the second one in the next section.My first book, Beyond Networking, is an unconventional guide to building meaningful business relationships. It’s the result of extreme synthesis, condensing a 17+ hour relationship-building podcast into a skimmable 40-page book.Topics include everything from how to find and learn from mentors, create killer introductions, get the most value from conferences, and even contact celebrities. While it targets entrepreneurs and ambitious young professionals, the book includes plenty of insight for anyone wanting to strengthen their personal and business relationships.Here's a free copy! I would love to hear what you think.
Seeking Feedback for My Second Book: Swing Big
The second book I wrote this spring, Swing Big, is a short guide to launching a career in your twenties. It explores why our twenties matter, how to approach them strategically, and which career tools will help us thrive in this decade. In short, it’s a crash course in career development.Unlike my first book, Swing Big is still in the editing process. In fact, I could use your help. I’m seeking beta-readers—ideally college students and recent graduates—willing to read the book and share their thoughts. This will help me understand which ideas land and which ones still need further editing and refinement.You can read the book and share your thoughts here.
Moving to a Founder's House in Boston, MA
I visited Boston in early February to explore the city as a potential home… And I really liked it. In fact, I’ve chosen to live there for the rest of 2024.This move is not entirely random. I’ll be living alongside entrepreneurs at a founder’s house run by one of my good friends. The house is located in Cambridge, right outside Boston and halfway between Harvard and MIT, meaning I’ll have an endless supply of fascinating people to meet.I can’t wait to launch this new season and see what magic it has in store.