When Matt Zukowski entered the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle, he expected physical challenges, uncomfortable living and plenty of unpredictability. What he didn’t expect was just how much the experience would make him reflect on who he is and what really matters most.
When we speak the day after he was eliminated, Matt says the biggest takeaway wasn’t one dramatic moment, but a shift in perspective.
“What I learned was to be grateful for everyday stuff and to not take it for granted and appreciate it,” he starts. “I think that I found out who I was. I think we’re always on a journey of figuring out who we are. I found out a little bit more of who I am and that I’m resilient.”
While viewers saw the physical toll of camp life, for Matt, the emotional challenge of being cut off from the outside world proved just as tough, even if it came with unexpected positives.
“I think being cut off from the outside world was the toughest part,” he shares although he appreciated the social blackout. “I got to put my phone down, not see all this stuff or see the messages and take a break from it.”
However, there was one person who he really missed.
“It that was very hard not being able to call my mum, talk to my mum. I talk to my mum every day,” he shared. “And especially if I’m having an issue with something, I call her, she talks me through it and gives me the advice I need. So you’re struggling in there and not being able to talk to her was definitely one of the hard things about it.”
Throughout his time in the jungle, Matt spoke often about his mum, and being homesick. It’s clear their relationship is central to his life.
“My mum is a saint. She’s devoted her life to her kids and she’s always there for us no matter what. She separated from my dad and he like works all the time. So, she just threw herself and devoted herself to us and she’s just the best mum in the world.”
Being unable to speak to her daily was one of the biggest emotional challenges of the experience.
“Definitely, definitely.I missed so I just missed calling her and just chatting through stuff like and she would have given me the the pep talk and the, you know, the wise words to keep going. Yeah.”
Inside camp, while no one could replace that relationship, he did find support in unexpected places.
“Not a mother figure, but Gary [Sweet] definitely felt like… I’m not gonna say a father figure…maybe the cool uncle?” he laughs. But I reckon Gary wouldn’t mind the title. “Gary became the cool uncle that was giving me the advice and there for me as an older wiser man.”
Despite discovering resilience and facing his fears, it’s unlikely that Matt will return to the jungle or even camping anytime soon.
“I love being comfortable. You know people love hot weather? I don’t like hot weather. I’m not even built for cold weather.”
Camping, it turns out, was never really his thing.
“Never been camping. I went on Outward Bound when I was in year nine and you had to rough it. And then I went once, I think when I was 17, with a mate and his dad, and I said I want to go home after the first night.”
One of Matt’s most memorable moments was confronting his fear of heights, something he says is deeply ingrained.
“No. When I tell you I’m scared of heights, I, yeah, I’m petrified of that. Look, it’s a rational fear. I actually go to explain this with my therapist. It’s a rational fear.”
He recalls the reality of the challenge in vivid detail.
“Like, I’m not going to be scared like I did the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I walked that but they’re huge steps and rails; there’s no way you could fall. But when you’re standing ona platform frame that’s swaying 50 metres in the air and you’re on a beam that was just bigger than my boots… Nope. So, I’m walking along, I’m shaking, the beam’s shaking. Yeah, that’s not rational to me. Do you know what I mean?”
“And then to jump. Yeah, no, I couldn’t do it. I physically couldn’t do it. My mind was telling me to go, but my body just was not letting me.”
Matt says one of the biggest surprises was how quickly campmates became like family.
“Honestly, I loved everyone. I’m friends with everyone, still message and talk to everyone daily now.”
“You make a family in there. It becomes like a family.”
That sense of connection also linked closely to the charity he chose to support.
“I picked, RU OK? Because I found that when I was going through some of my toughest times last year, someone actually asked me, are you okay? And I opened up to them and it was definitely just so powerful. It was such a powerful thing to do.”
“And I feel like if you can ask someone, are they okay? Do it. And it can go so far and you could possibly save someone’s life or at least, you know, you could feel like they’re not alone in the situation they’re going from. And especially also on social media, you put this version of yourself forward that.”
While he’s open to future opportunities, Matt says timing is everything. Even when it comes to relationships.
“If it was the right time, I’m open to whatever.”
At one point on the show, Deni Hines took Matt aside to give him some life and love advice following his admission that he met his now ex-wife on Instagram
“I appreciate Deni taking that time to give me some advice,” he stars. “Have I listened to her advice completely…Sure,” he says unconvincinly. “Like, I mean, I feel like Instagram is a great way to find people. I feel like it’s no different from an online dating app. Will I be jumping into something like she said? No, I won’t be doing that anytime soon. I’m just going to wait for the right person to come along.”
Matt also ticked off a bucket list item in the jungle: His first stand-up gig. I ask if he’s peaked or if he intends to pursue it.
“You know the expression leave while you’re on top?” he laughs. “I reckon I want to give it one more go. I want to try and find an open mic place. The other day I was trying to write down my set because I had a full set. I was trying to remember the gags and I got a bit of them.”
But he’s going to call in reinforcements to finesse his act. “I’m going to have a sit down with Nath again and get him to help me write some more gags. Very funny man, Nathan. I’m excited. I actually booked tickets the other day to his live show.”
And while jungle life pushed him far outside his comfort zone, it ultimately reinforced what matters most: Gratitude, resilience, and the people who keep you grounded.
