Billo Creator Spotlight: How My Truly Fit Life Went From Digital Nomad to UGC Pro

For Matthew Smith, better known online as My Truly Fit Life, the road to UGC quite literally began on the road. Originally from Pennsylvania and living in New Jersey at the time, Matt and his wife decided to quit their jobs and travel the country 18 months ago. What started as an adventure soon became a new way of life – one that fused creativity, freedom, and storytelling.

In this first Billo Creator Spotlight, Matt shares how he and his wife built a business on the go, how AI powers his creative process, and why communication between creators and brands makes all the difference.

Turning Travel Into Content

Matt and his wife hit the road with a shared goal – to see the U.S. while finding something that could support their nomadic lifestyle.

“My wife actually got me into this,” he recalls. “She was the one who suggested UGC in the first place.”

They began filming workouts, healthy recipes, and lifestyle content from national parks and RV campsites. After landing their first paid gig in Utah, they discovered Billo. “Once we got our first UGC job, we thought this was kind of cool. Let’s see what else we can do. That’s when we found Billo,” Matt says.

According to him, Billo “took off right away.” Within two months, they realized this could be more than a side gig. Turning UGC into their full-time job. Today, they work across multiple UGC platforms to expand their reach, but Billo remains a cornerstone of their creator journey.

His wife handles most of the editing and filming while Matt focuses on presenting. “We make a great team,” he says. “We’ve found a workflow that gives us both freedom and balance.”

Defining UGC and the Ideal Brief

For Matt, UGC is “as authentic a content as you can get.”

“You have everyday people trying out products and giving their take on them,” he explains. “People trust me because I’m not a celebrity, I’m just a guy who loves fitness.”

As a personal trainer, Matt still does some training on the side, and that fitness background often comes through in his content. He enjoys creative freedom but emphasizes that clear briefs make a big difference, especially for products outside his usual niche.

“When it’s something I would personally use, I don’t need a lot of direction,” he says. “But if it’s an unfamiliar industry, more context and clear expectations help a lot.” He praises Billo’s brief structure for prompting brands to include must-have shots, hooks, and other details that guide creators effectively.

A Workflow Powered by AI and Teamwork

As his UGC business evolved, so did his process. Matt now uses AI tools to break through creative blocks and structure scripts.

“It breaks the blank-page syndrome,” he says. “Then I go in and add my own voice and experiences.”

Over time, he’s taken on more editing work to help his wife and improve turnaround times.

“The UGC process keeps changing, and that’s the beauty of it,” he reflects. “Our lives are constantly changing too, and we can adapt this work to fit our lifestyle. It gives us the freedom to live the way we want.”

Navigating Challenges and Setting Boundaries

Like many creators, Matt faces challenges with tight deadlines and unrealistic expectations. “I’ve had brands ask for multiple locations and five-day turnarounds without adjusting the fee,” he says.

He’s learned to negotiate for fair compensation or suggest splitting large projects into multiple videos. He also advises brands to consider travel time when setting briefs and deadlines: “I think brands don’t realize how long it takes to do all the shots they ask for. I’ve had a 30-second video turn into two minutes because of all the requirements.”

💡 His tip for creators? Record extra takes at each location to have backup footage for edit requests.

What Collaboration Looks Like

Despite these hurdles, collaboration is Matt’s favorite part of UGC work.

“I sometimes get to work with new brands on Billo and to kind of guide them through the process,” he says. “Helping them fall in love with UGC is particularly enjoyable.”

He aims to adapt the style of video based on the product – using voiceovers for landscaping gear and on-camera testimonials for roofing or fitness products, for example. “It’s rewarding when a brand comes back with a five-star review and says we nailed it,” he adds.

Matt also appreciates Billo’s expanded creator services, like organic posting and partnership ads.

“I think it’s great,” he says. “It gives creators more opportunities and control over their earnings and exposure.”

Advice for Brands and Aspiring Creators

👜 Matt’s biggest advice for brands is short but powerful: communicate.

“It’s simple, but it’s definitely undervalued,” he says. “The more communication we have, the better the end result.”

He encourages brands to clearly share do’s, don’ts, and core values that should be adhered to. This helps creators deliver exactly what’s needed.

🎬 For aspiring creators, his message is one of persistence and passion.

“In the beginning, it might be overwhelming to be on camera or find your voice,” he says. “But the more you do it, the better you get. Keep going forward. At the end of the day, I love what I do.”

UGC, he believes, offers unmatched authenticity for brands and freedom for creators. “It lets us collaborate with brands we love and live the life we want.”