The job no one wants to do… he does it full time.

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What’s it really like being a full-time professional paintball referee? In this episode of the Shellda Podcast, we sit down with Matt Somma, a dedicated ref who's helped build the very events he officiates. From setting up NXL fields to diving headfirst into pro matches (literally), Matt opens up about the grind, the travel, and the mental toughness it takes to thrive in one of paintball’s most demanding roles.

We also get personal. Matt shares how bullying shaped his life, the loss of a close friend, and how moving from a small town changed everything. His story is one of purpose, pain, passion, and how paintball gave him a second chance.

If you've ever yelled at a ref, wanted to be one, or just wondered how someone could make paintball their career… this episode is for you.

🎯 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro — The Life of a Ref
1:04 Meet Matt Somma
2:02 Why Matt Chose Refereeing
4:50 Full-Time Paintball: Dream or Nightmare?
7:03 Building Events from the Ground Up
10:58 Rain, Wind & Setup Chaos
14:05 Reffing at the Pro Level
18:08 Blocking Out the Hate
21:27 The Viral Dive Clip
23:35 Handling Pressure & Staying Neutral
27:00 Why Matt Doesn’t Watch Player Podcasts
30:00 Referee in the Background of History
33:00 Being the Front Lines of the Sport
36:20 Customer Service in Divisional Reffing
40:45 Players Remember Refs (For Better or Worse)
43:17 “I’m a Real Person Too”
44:45 Getting Bullied Growing Up
46:50 Turning Pain into Purpose
50:55 Moving Away to Reinvent Himself
56:56 Becoming a New Person Through Passion
1:00:12 Advice for Aspiring Referees
1:02:27 Inside a Ref Clinic
1:04:19 Do Refs Break Down Film?

#paintball #referee #paintballing #paintballpodcast #podcast