What role does movement, particularly parkour, play in fostering personal growth, connection, and creativity?
Playing tag on national television was never something Mike Araujo imagined when he started training parkour. He discusses his path in parkour and the opportunities he’s gained from it. Mike shares his experiences with World Chase Tag, and his thoughts on competition. He explains his personal definition of parkour, sharing it with others, and his thoughts on how the community has changed.
Everyone needs to find the thing that moves them to move. Whether that be parkour or whatever other sport. I think as long as you’re moving and connecting with people and your environment then you’re on the right path.
~ Mike Araujo (7:07)
Mike Araujo is an athlete and head coach with the Movement Creative. He has trained parkour in NYC for over a decade, and coached nearly as long. Mike often travels for parkour, and recently competed in World Chase Tag’s first USA based event.
The conversation explores the transformative power of parkour as a practice that transcends physical movement. Parkour serves as a medium for personal growth, offering opportunities to connect with one’s body and environment intentionally. The practice is presented as adaptable, requiring no specific equipment or space, which makes it accessible to anyone seeking a meaningful connection with movement.
The discussion also examines parkour’s evolving culture, from intimate, small gatherings to large-scale global events. Topics include the impact of structured competitions like World Chase Tag, the community’s adaptation during the pandemic, and the balance between maintaining the sport’s original spirit while embracing its growth. Reflections on coaching and transitions in life highlight the importance of aligning passion with action, even when faced with uncertainty.
Takeaways
Movement as nourishment — Physical activity is essential for mental and physical well-being.
The intention behind practice — The focus should be on personal growth and meaningful connection, not just the movements themselves.
Accessibility of parkour — As a discipline, it requires minimal resources and emphasizes adaptability.
Coaching philosophies — Evolving as a coach means shifting from making others love the discipline to helping them find their own path.
Parkour and community — The growth of events and gatherings showcases how parkour fosters connections among practitioners worldwide.
Competitions and novelty — Events like World Chase Tag add new dimensions to training, blending creativity and structured athleticism.
Resources
The Movement Creative — Parkour coaching and event organization company.
World Chase Tag — Competitive tag event blending parkour with high-speed athleticism.
Jump London — A documentary showcasing the origins of parkour.
Max Henry @maxhenryparkour — Parkour athlete and author known for his innovative approach to movement.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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