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Balancing athletics and studies takes more than talent; it requires discipline, resilience, and passion.
Meet Matthew Bodenstein, a Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology (Software Engineering) student, who is not only sprinting toward a fulfilling tech career but also making strides as a provincial and national-level athlete.
Originally from Rustenburg in the North West, Matthew’s journey began at Selly Park Secondary School before he pursued an undergraduate degree in Education at a local public institution, majoring in IT. However, it was his love for technology and hunger for growth that led him to Eduvos, where he enrolled in the mid-year intake for Block 3, drawn by our flexible intake system and blended learning model that allowed him to start when he was ready, without having to wait for a new academic year.
“Eduvos gave me the opportunity to jump into my honours without delay. The coursework really aligned with what I wanted to do, and the structure fit around my lifestyle,” he shares.
That structure has been important. With intense athletic training still part of his life, Eduvos’ online learning platform, myLMS, with recorded sessions and weekend flexibility, gave Matthew the ability to study while continuing to train.
“I train mornings and afternoons. So, having access to recordings and being able to study online has allowed me to stay consistent with both my sport and my studies,” he says.
Prior to starting his studies at Eduvos, Matthew had already made his mark in the sporting world. His background in triathlon and cross duathlon earned him podium finishes at both provincial and national levels:
In 2023, Matthew experienced a major setback when he narrowly missed out on selection for the South African team heading to the Cross-Duathlon World Champs in Spain.
“It was tough. I was hoping to represent my country. But I made the decision that it wouldn’t define me. I took time to reflect and came back more focused than ever,” shares Matthew.
That renewed focus paid off. In 2025, while studying at Eduvos, Matthew returned to the track and won gold in the 400m hurdles at the ANWN Provincial Championships, a completely new event he had never competed in before.
“I told myself to try something new and see how it goes. Winning was unexpected, but it reminded me that pushing beyond your comfort zone can lead to great things,” says Matthew.
Even with a full academic load, his athletic performance hasn’t slowed down. Instead, he credits the combination of discipline from his sport and structure from his studies as the key to his success.
Matthew’s commitment doesn’t stop at the track. Since starting at Eduvos, he’s also distinguished himself academically, earning the Top Achiever recognition for his Honours class in Block 3.
He’s particularly passionate about web development and machine learning, and recently completed a personal project hosted on GitHub, which is a predictive model using historical SpaceX launch data to forecast Falcon 9 booster landings.
“The project was about more than just applying what I’d learnt, it was about stretching myself and building something meaningful,” says Matthew.
And it’s not just tech or trophies that motivate him. After a race earlier this year, a fellow athlete approached him and said, “You’re the reason I’m going to start running.”
“That moment reminded me of why I do this. I’ve looked up to others my whole life, now I get to be that person for someone else. It’s humbling,” he says.
For those who feel pulled between their passions, Matthew offers advice rooted in lived experience: “Don’t give up before you start. Try and manage your time strictly, stay consistent, and remind yourself of your why.”
Matthew’s story is a reminder that setbacks are setups for comebacks, and that with the right environment, your passions can coexist and even amplify each other.
Ready to begin your Eduvos journey? We have three more intakes for 2025, you can enrol today and start your studies as soon as 21 July. Still in matric? Pre-enrol for 2026 and get a jump start on your future.
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