What are the personal transformations that occur through competitive rowing and movement practices like Parkour?
Roberto Regueiro Santiago discusses his years rowing crew, both as an athlete and a coach, and his thoughts on the competitive nature of the sport. Roberto shares how an injury changed his perspective and opened up his possibilities, leading him to Fighting Monkey and parkour. He explains his ideas of mastery, as well as his approach to games and training.
I don’t think it’s totally necessary to master everything that you do in your own practice. But master something which gives you a deep understanding — what the thing is, [and] feels [like] in the first moment that you feel like that song, like the flow state — is when you really master something.
~ Roberto Rugueiro Santiago (1:29)
Roberto Santiago reflects on his journey from competitive rowing to movement disciplines like Parkour and Fighting Monkey. He describes rowing as the first activity where he truly experienced mastery, emphasizing the deep bond and unity formed within rowing teams. Roberto shares how the rigorous nature of rowing, with its intense focus on competition, shaped his understanding of perseverance and teamwork. However, an injury ultimately shifted his priorities, leading him to explore movement practices that prioritize longevity and holistic development over winning.
In discussing his transition to Parkour and coaching, Roberto highlights the importance of sharing his passion with others, describing coaching as a way to create training partners and foster community. He values the playful, game-centered approach in Parkour, which contrasts sharply with the rigid, competition-driven world of rowing. Games, he notes, allow for self-exploration, creativity, and growth without the pressure to outperform others, fostering a sustainable and enjoyable practice.
Takeaways
Mastery through competition — Rowing provided the first experience of mastery, teaching the importance of understanding a discipline deeply.
Community in hardship — Growing up in a poor rowing club instilled a sense of responsibility and collective ownership.
Injury as transformation — An accident forced a reevaluation of priorities, shifting focus from competition to personal development.
Longevity mindset — Parkour introduced the idea of sustainable practice, allowing for rest and self-compassion without fear of falling behind.
Games as learning tools — Using games in Parkour creates a playful, low-pressure environment conducive to growth and self-awareness.
Rowing’s hidden costs — Rowing built strength but also structural imbalances, highlighting the importance of cross-training and mobility work.
Coaching for connection — Coaching is not just about teaching but creating peers to share in the practice and maintain engagement.
Acceptance of limitations — Aging brings acceptance that not every day will bring improvement, but consistent practice remains vital.
Unity in competition — High-level competition fosters respect and camaraderie, even among competitors.
Resources
The Movement Creative — A Parkour and movement organization where Roberto Santiago coaches and trains.
Fighting Monkey — A movement practice that integrates games and physical exploration, significantly influencing Roberto’s training philosophy.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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