Matthew McConaughey's wife challenges him

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Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves

Matthew McConaughey says wife Camila Alves "challenges" him.

The 'Magic Mike' actor has three children, Levi, four, Vida, three, and two-month-old Livingston, with his model spouse and despite their busy family, Matthew says Camilla is always encouraging him to do his best when it comes to work.

He told Details magazine: "I've got a wife who challenges me. There were two movies I wanted to do last year, but they were back-to-back with no separation. She was like, 'You want to do it - buck up, grab your nuts, and make it happen. We'll be there with you.' "

"Papa goes to work, the circus goes with him..."

Matthew recently took some time off work as he wanted to spend some quality time with his family but he will never give up his career.

He said: "I never said, 'Oh, I want to go do darker or edgier stuff' ... I just said, 'I'm going to take some time off. I have to take care of my family right now. We've got the means in the bank account, we've got a roof over our head, we're gonna eat well, we're fine. So let's take some introspective time.' It wasn't a mini-retirement. It was just that I wanted to listen to myself and be a bit more discerning."