Matthew McConaughey: What Does Success Really Mean?

Do you know someone who is struggling with loneliness? Do you ever feel the definition of success you’ve been sold your whole life isn’t right?  

 These are some of the questions the Surgeon General and our guest, actor Matthew McConaughey, posed recently to an auditorium full of students at the University of Texas at Austin. In response, almost every hand in the young audience went up. 

 In this conversation, Matthew McConaughey also draws from his own life lessons. Especially in high school and college, he lived through periods of deep loneliness and learned how to find connection he needed. As his Hollywood career took off, it was time with his family and kids that put his career – and the primary importance of connection – into perspective. The Surgeon General spotlights the truth of McConaughey’s narrative – that it’s relationships with loved ones that sustain us and make our lives good, not the notions of material success our society so often seems to value. 

In this conversation, we explore the power of social connection and what success really means. 

We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at [email protected] with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   

Matthew McConaughey, Actor & Philanthropist 

Twitter: @McConaughey 

Instagram: @officiallymcconaughey 

Facebook: @MatthewMcConaughey 

About Matthew McConaughey 

Texas native Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men. A chance meeting in Austin with casting director and producer Don Phillips led him to director Richard Linklater, who launched the actor’s career in the cult classic “Dazed and Confused.” Since then, he has won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ron Woodruff in "Dallas Buyers Club", appeared in over 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion; and has become an author, producer, and philanthropist with his just keep livin Foundation – all the while sticking to his Texas roots and “jk livin” philosophy. He is co owner of The Austin FC Soccer Club, and a professor at the University of Texas in Austin. In 2020, McConaughey released his first book, Greenlights which became an instant New York Times #1 best seller and has sold over three million copies worldwide. His second book, a children’ book titled Just Because debuted in September 2023 and was an instant NYT #1 best seller. In October 2023, Matthew and his wife Camila launched their own tequila brand, Pantalones, the first joint venture for the couple. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Camila and their three kids.