The journey from New Jersey to Asheville reveals how a Parkour athlete reshaped his movement training in the wilderness.
Ryan Mallon is a parkour athlete, coach, rock climber, and general outdoorsman. His personal journey includes being an American Parkour sponsored athlete, and an APK ambassador. He’s coached state champion and regional-placing gymnasts, and has competed in World Chase Tag USA. More recently, Ryan spends much of his time in the beautiful mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina, hiking, climbing, and photographing nature.
[Impact is a complicated subject.] I think the best way I can whittle that down—and I think a lot of people tend to agree with this—is bringing things to the public attention always is a double edged sword. […] The more places people know about, and can spread out to, will lessen impact in a singular spot.
~ Ryan Mallon (30:00)
The conversation explores how movement disciplines like Parkour can integrate with natural landscapes. Starting from structured training in a gym, the discussion transitions to adapting techniques for outdoor environments, particularly in North Carolina’s mountainous regions. Topics include the creative process of identifying and utilizing natural challenges for training and the unique perspective gained from exploring untouched environments.
It also touches on ecological concerns and the impact of human activity on natural spaces. Ryan emphasizes a balance between sharing access to beautiful, lesser-known locations and ensuring minimal ecological disruption. Discussions about coaching and community-building underline the value of teaching methodologies that empower others while cultivating personal growth through exploration.
Takeaways
The adaptability of Parkour — Techniques evolve from structured environments to embrace natural challenges.
Coaching as a skill — The ability to break down movements to foundational levels is key to being an effective coach.
Integrating outdoor exploration — Wilderness exploration can serve as a dynamic training ground, blending movement disciplines with nature.
Ecological awareness — Balancing public access with conservation is critical in managing natural spaces responsibly.
Personal evolution through movement — Training in nature fosters growth, creativity, and resilience.
Building community — Combining technical skills and shared experiences strengthens connections among practitioners.
Resources
American Parkour — A community and resource hub for Parkour enthusiasts.
Gaia GPS — A mapping and GPS navigation app used for planning explorations.
World Chase Tag — A competitive tag event that highlights agility and strategy.
Leave No Trace — An organization promoting responsible outdoor practices.
Blue Ridge Mountains — The geographical area central to the speaker’s exploration and training.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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