Matthew McConaughey says he once stepped away from Hollywood and lived in Peru for 22 days after the pressures of early fame became difficult to manage. Speaking on the “No Magic Pill” podcast, as reported by People and covered by multiple outlets, he describes the period as an effort to disassociate from his celebrity identity. During his stay, he says he lived under the name “Mateo” and had limited or no access to electricity. McConaughey says he did this to recalibrate his sense of self, explaining that the experience helped “reaffirm” his identity. He also portrays the trip as a life away from celebrity culture, including time spent with local people who, according to the reports, were not aware of his stardom. The accounts present the episode as a personal anecdote from the actor rather than a reported event with external verification, but both sources align on the key details: a self-imposed retreat from Hollywood, a 22-day period in Peru, use of the name “Mateo,” and a life without electricity.