Matty McLean, a familiar face in New Zealand broadcasting, has marked his 40th birthday with a sense of contentment rather than anxiety about life’s milestones. Over the past 20 years, McLean has evolved from a junior reporter to roles including field presenter, weather presenter, television host on Breakfast, and most recently co-host of The Hits radio drive show.

Approaching this milestone, McLean reflects on his personal journey and the expectations that often accompany such moments. Contrary to the apprehension he anticipated, McLean reports feeling grounded and at ease, stating that he expected more stress or regret about areas like parenthood or career progress. “I thought this was going to be one of those moments where I go, ‘I haven’t done this. I’m childless. I don’t know what I’m doing with life,’ but I actually feel great about where I am right now,” he said.

Despite acknowledging occasional self-doubt and the common human habit of comparing oneself to others, McLean has been working on releasing those pressures. He recognizes that his accomplishments and life experiences are significant in their own right. Reflecting on his family, McLean recalls his own father turning 40 when he was 13, noting the challenge of comparing their paths but also the importance of accepting that there is no universal timeline for life achievements.

McLean has been married nearly four years to Ryan Teece, a former real estate agent. The couple often faces questions about their plans regarding children. While McLean says the idea of having children is exciting to him, he remains content with their current lifestyle and is hesitant to define his happiness by traditional expectations of success or family milestones. “I’m just trying to find contentment rather than success or ticking off something because it feels like what you’re meant to do at this age and stage in life,” he explained.

As McLean celebrates this significant birthday, he acknowledges that while some societal pressures remain, he is embracing a more reflective and personal view of success and fulfillment, marking what he describes as a positive turning point in his life.