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Jim Bathurst: Coaching, Self-Awareness, and Getting Started

January 4, 2022

Jim Bathurst: Coaching, self-awareness, and getting started

What strategies can be used to help individuals overcome personal and environmental barriers to achieve their physical and mental wellness goals?

When Jim Bathurst first began his fitness blog in college, he never imagined it would lead to a successful career as a personal trainer and coach. He shares his journey from athlete to coach, and how he approaches helping people. Jim discusses setting and achieving goals, recharging his energy, and music. He reflects on changes with Beast Skills and Nerd Fitness, and recent challenges he’s faced.

No one ever just comes up with a finished product… Just start wherever you’re at and then take that next step forward.

~ Jim Bathurst (46:25)

Jim Bathurst is an acrobat, weightlifter, personal trainer, head of Fitness at Nerd Fitness, and the creator of Beast Skills. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA and has been coaching people for 15 years now. During that time, he received the award of Best Personal Trainer in Washington DC, as well as the award for Best CrossFit Gym while he was Director of CrossFit Foggy Bottom. Jim brings his experience in gymnastics and calisthenics to his work outs and tutorials, breaking down difficult bodyweight exercises into manageable progressions.

The conversation centers on how to foster physical and mental well-being through incremental progress and prioritization. It emphasizes the importance of identifying personal priorities to make space for health-related activities. The discussion also explores how environmental factors, such as social support and physical surroundings, can influence one’s ability to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Coaches play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate these challenges by tailoring strategies to their unique circumstances.

Another major theme is the need to celebrate small victories and recognize progress beyond conventional milestones. This mindset helps sustain motivation and builds self-awareness over time. The dialogue also touches on broader personal growth themes, like overcoming self-consciousness, embracing new challenges, and the parallels between physical training and other aspects of life, such as creativity and content creation.

Takeaways

Celebrating incremental progress — Small achievements along the way are vital for sustaining long-term motivation.

Coaching as a guide — A coach’s role involves helping clients navigate their unique challenges and environments.

Adjusting priorities — Making time for health and wellness often requires reevaluating personal and professional priorities.

Social and environmental support — The success of health goals often depends on having a supportive social environment and optimizing one’s physical surroundings.

Awareness development — Building awareness in different stages (before, during, and after actions) is key to recognizing habits and fostering positive change.

Overcoming fear of judgment — Starting new projects or fitness routines often means letting go of the fear of others’ perceptions.

Adapting to challenges — Creativity and adaptability are essential to maintain consistency in wellness practices amidst life’s uncertainties.

Resources

Nerd Fitness — Where Jim is the head of fitness.

Beast Skills — Jim’s blog and resource site focusing on breaking down complex bodyweight exercises into manageable progressions.

Anecdotes — Pink Floyd’s the Wall and the Gunslinger series.

Music — Indie Rock, the Smiths, Snail Mail, Wolf Alice, Phoebe Bridgers and the Sneaker Pimps new album.

Nerd Fitness Camps — Returning in 2022.

University of Maryland Gymnastics Club — A place mentioned in the conversation as part of Jim’s early fitness journey.

Promptness and lateness — Mike Birbiglia skit

Planning in relation to training — Happy Body program by Jerzy Gregorek

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Are you self-aware

July 1, 2019

The following is from Bruce Lee’s hand-written essay entitled, The Passionate State of Mind, which I discovered in the Artist of Life by J Little.

To become different from what we are, we must have some awareness of what we are. Whether being different results in dissimulation or a real change of heart—it cannot be realized without self-awareness. Yet is is remarkable that the very people who are most self-dissatisfied and crave most for a new identity have the least self-awareness. They have turned away from an unwanted self and hence never had a good look at it. The result is that those most dissatisfied can neither dissimulate nor attain a real change of heart. They are transparent, and their unwanted qualities persist through all attempts at self-dramatization and self-transformation.

~ Bruce Lee

I wish I had read that 20 years ago. But I suspect I wouldn’t have understood it the way I do now. I only understand because of the path I’ve taken through my life.

Bruce Lee was not an Exceptional Philosopher; Please stop quoting, “be water my friend,” as if it’s the ultimate grain of wisdom for the ages. Rather, I suggest that Bruce Lee was an Exceptional Person because he asked questions and he followed those lines of enquiry wherever they led, often inward into his thinking, beliefs and goals.

Are you self-aware enough to ask, “am I satisfied with myself?” and what are you going to do with the answer?

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Awareness with Anna Bezuglova

February 26, 2024

Awareness with Anna Bezuglova

What role does sacred practice play in daily life and how can it transform mundane activities into meaningful experiences?

Anna Bezuglova transforms the mundane into sacred practice, challenging our perceptions of daily life and movement with insights from her unique journey and teaching philosophy.

“The dialogue of sacredness of deep meaning is something that is often connected to daily things. It’s not only the physical practice that I treat in such a way but also just daily moments and living life. Being present to it all the time— and it doesn’t matter whether I’m doing an official session of practice, or I’m driving a car, or I’m talking to my husband, or I’m teaching a class, or I’m just walking down the road. I think this mindset shifts something in the way you do things day to day.”

~ Anna Bezuglova, 3:00

In a deeply reflective conversation, Anna describes how she treats daily practices as sacred, a wisdom imparted by her Zen teacher. She shares her journey of recognizing the sacredness in her routines, initially performing practices that outwardly seemed sacred to others but later realizing their intrinsic value to herself. Anna emphasizes the importance of being present in every moment, whether it’s in a structured practice session or the simple acts of daily living, highlighting how this mindset transforms the mundane into something deeply meaningful.

Anna’s reflections extend into the lessons learned from her father, a martial arts teacher and a Buddhist, who, despite never directly teaching her martial arts, deeply influenced her perspective on life and practice. She recounts growing up in the challenging times of the 1990s in Russia, drawing resilience and a unique outlook from her parents’ examples. This background informs her teaching philosophy, where she advocates for a holistic approach to movement that intertwines physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects.

Anna argues for the significance of continuous change, consistency, and awareness in practice, underlining how these elements contribute to a fulfilling and transformative journey. Through her narrative, she challenges listeners to see movement not just as physical exercise, but as a comprehensive method to engage with life, fostering change, and personal growth.

Takeaways

The sacredness of daily practice — a reflection on how integrating conscious intention into routine activities transforms them into meaningful practices.

The influence of upbringing — discussing how parental examples, especially in the face of adversity, shape resilience and perspectives on life and practice.

The concept of change in practice — emphasizing that constant evolution and adaptation in one’s practice mirrors the dynamic nature of life itself.

The importance of awareness — highlighting how paying attention to the body’s movement and presence in space can significantly improve one’s practice and overall well-being.

The role of a teacher — the necessity of embodying the principles one teaches, as coherence between words and actions fosters trust and facilitates learning.

The power of coordination — explaining how developing coordination through movement practices can enhance the ability to adapt and succeed in various aspects of life.

The commitment to long-term learning — advocating for the importance of dedication and persistence in practice to experience genuine transformation.

Resources

Having a Practice — Anna’s blog post mentioned by Craig.

The Bamboo Body — Anna Bezuglova’s movement school in Barcelona based on Ido Portal teachings.

@anna.bamboo — on Instagram

The Bamboo Body — on YouTube

Feldenkrais Method — A movement pedagogy designed to improve body awareness and enhance movement efficiency through gentle exercises and mindful practice. The method was developed by Moshé Feldenkrais and is used worldwide to assist in rehabilitation and promote physical and mental well-being.

Ido Portal Method — A holistic approach to movement culture pioneered by Ido Portal, focusing on developing strength, mobility, and the physical and mental aspects of movement practice. It encourages exploration of various disciplines, from martial arts to dance.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Self-understanding

June 30, 2023

I’m often paused, even paralyzed, by uncertainty. My hope is that this is a sign that I’ve developed some (originally absent, apparently) humility. I swing wildly between feeling confident in simply doing “the work” simply for the sake of experiencing the process, and panicking in the face of self-criticism for wasting my talents and resources. Literally, the only thing which saves me is the knowledge that it takes a significant amount of self-awareness to even think to write a paragraph such as this.

Never play to the gallery… Always remember that the reason that you initially started working is that there was something inside yourself that you felt that if you could manifest in some way, you would understand more about yourself and how you coexist with the rest of society. I think it’s terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people’s expectations — they generally produce their worst work when they do that.

~ David Bowie from, David Bowie on Creativity and His Advice to Artists – The Marginalian

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I’m not sure it’s terribly dangerous. But it’s certain that I get twitchy and restless if I go searching for others’ approval. It feels far better to sit down, shut up, and start. Actually, it’s really a double-negative: It feels far less worse to sit down, shut up, and start than it does to seek others’ approval for whatever it is I have the urge to work on.

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Niko Pal | Developing Yourself As A Coach

June 6, 2023

On Castbox.fm — Niko Pal | Developing Yourself As A Coach

What are the challenges and approaches to developing oneself as an effective and compassionate Parkour coach?

Insights into balancing personal growth and teaching are shared by an experienced Parkour coach.

I like to say that not all athletes are good coaches, and not all good coaches are good athletes. And one of the things you run into, and this is also a huge part of what my talk was about is the ego. And these high skilled athletes oftentimes can run into this perspective of working with people who maybe aren’t as like, super interested in learning Parkour… If you’re trying to help people, and if you’re trying to help people grow, which is kind of the role that a coach plays, then you really got to step aside from that ego.

~ Niko Pal (2:16)

The conversation centers on the experiences and philosophies of an experienced Parkour coach. It explores the significance of self-awareness, ego, and intention in coaching, emphasizing that coaches must align their methods with their students’ goals rather than imposing their own perspectives. Niko discusses the theoretical aspects of coaching, particularly the importance of understanding why one coaches and what outcomes are desired for students. The pitfalls of ego in coaching are highlighted, particularly among high-skilled athletes transitioning to coaching.

Challenges like burnout, injury, and the loss of passion due to overcommitment are discussed as common obstacles for coaches. Niko advocates for developing support systems, setting boundaries, and maintaining a balance between coaching and personal training. The value of mentorship is also emphasized, with the speaker reflecting on their own lack of a mentor and their desire to support others in avoiding similar struggles. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the need for coaches to connect authentically with their students and community.

Takeaways

Not all skilled athletes make good coaches — coaching requires distinct skills like compassion and adaptability.

Ego management in coaching — stepping aside from personal pride to meet students where they are.

Burnout prevention — the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a balance between coaching and personal goals.

Mentorship value — having a mentor can help navigate the challenges of coaching and accelerate growth.

Impact of injury — physical limitations can affect both personal training and coaching effectiveness.

Authentic connection with students — aligning coaching goals with students’ aspirations fosters genuine growth.

Support systems — having peers or mentors helps coaches recover from setbacks like burnout or injury.

Resources

Parkour Visions — Organization focused on Parkour training and coaching.

niko@parkourvisions.org and @niko_pal on Instagram.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Elizabeth Cunningham | Self-Advocacy

April 6, 2023

On Castbox.fm — Elizabeth Cunningham | Self-Advocacy

What role does self-advocacy play in creating authentic and fulfilling relationships?

Self-advocacy is redefined as a cornerstone for personal and relational growth.

In advocating for your needs, you’re actually leading the way for the people that you serve to advocate for their needs.

~ Elizabeth Cunningham (4:15)

The conversation explores the concept of self-advocacy as a foundation for personal development and authentic relationships. It begins with reflections on the openness of participants at the Art of Retreat and transitions into how self-advocacy is an overlooked cornerstone in personal and professional life. Elizabeth emphasizes that advocating for one’s own needs fosters not only personal growth but also serves as an example for others, countering the misconception that self-advocacy is selfish.

Another focal point is the journey toward self-awareness and identifying areas where needs are unmet. This includes helping individuals recognize patterns of self-sacrifice and enabling them to understand the importance of prioritizing their own well-being. Elizabeth highlights the challenge of meeting people where they are without pushing solutions onto them, stressing the importance of cultivating genuine curiosity and allowing others to arrive at their realizations.

Takeaways

Self-advocacy — A foundational principle for personal and relational growth.

Self-awareness — Begins by identifying where personal needs are unmet or ignored.

Community dynamics — Movement and service-based communities often prioritize others at their own expense.

Leadership in needs — Advocating for personal needs models the behavior for others.

Coaching strategies — Effective coaching meets people where they are and avoids imposing solutions.

Cultural openness — Environments like retreats foster unique receptivity to self-growth ideas.

Intersection of service and self-care — Balancing helping others with self-prioritization creates a sustainable cycle of compassion.

Resources

Elizabeth Cunningham’s Linktree — Provides access to her all of her coaching services and work.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT)

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I try to ask myself, “why?”

November 20, 2022

Contribute your suggestion without having built a body of work, without evidence of significant expertise and without being willing to take responsibility for what happens next.

It’s a form of yelling from the bleachers.

~ Seth Godin from, The grandstanders

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I was totally this person. Once I saw what was going on and I could work on owning and eliminating this aspect of my behavior. Awareness (after discovery), ownership (after reflection), and efficacy. The red-flag is when I’m queueing the words, “You know what you should…” for speaking. Stop. Stop stop stop. It’s like the humorous but often–true aphorism that nothing you say before the word, “but” matters. I never (okay, fine, I’m still working on it) say whatever was about to come after, “You know what you should do…” Because why ever say that?

I like to give a hat-tip to Angie Flynn-McIver any time I start talking about intention, as I’m about to. I realized that my intention behind that thing I no longer say was to demonstrate how much I knew. It doesn’t matter to the other person how much I know. What might matter to them is whether or not I can help them. It’s potentially better if I engage with the intention of being helpful. How would saying, “you should change your menu…” ever be helpful to the wait-staff, to the manager, to the chef or owner? The menu is beyond their control, or they have already thought about it way more than I have and have vastly deeper domain knowledge. If my intention is (as it now is) to be helpful, I should be paying attention for signs subtle or direct that someone would like help. Only then might I have something useful to add, but probably not.

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Self-Care with Brian A. Prince

March 15, 2022

Self-care with Brian A. Prince

What strategies can help individuals manage personal challenges, including emotional and creative struggles, while maintaining growth and resilience?

A conversation navigating the complexities of identity, mental health, and artistic expression.

What I’ve realized is that, for me, I’m trying to just honestly recognize how I feel, when I feel it, and acknowledge it. [The] history of old-school Parkour, art school, and then doing stunts for film, kind of made me very good at ignoring how I feel and powering through it anyway.

~ Brian A. Prince (4:40)

The conversation examines personal challenges and strategies for resilience, emphasizing self-awareness and self-care. The discussion explores how external events, such as the pandemic and sociopolitical movements, prompted introspection and adjustments in mental health approaches. Techniques for recognizing and managing emotional states are shared, with a focus on therapy and understanding triggers.

Creativity and career balance are recurring themes, highlighting how transitioning creative pursuits into professional roles can lead to burnout. Brian reflects on finding sustainable ways to maintain artistic passion and adapting their career to preserve personal expression. Self-awareness, communication, and the need for support systems are underscored as critical to navigating these experiences.

Takeaways

Recognizing emotions — Accepting and addressing feelings is a vital step toward self-care.

Impact of external events — Significant global events can trigger deep personal reflection and change.

Balancing creativity and career — Turning creative pursuits into work can be rewarding but requires boundaries to avoid burnout.

Role of support systems — Having supportive relationships aids in managing challenges and maintaining growth.

Therapy as a tool — Understanding specific therapy needs improves its effectiveness.

Shifting priorities — Adjusting life goals and expectations is often necessary during transitions.

Creativity and well-being — Art and expression remain central to personal satisfaction and resilience.

Resources

@talltrainings and @thebaprince — Brian’s Instagram accounts.

Netflix’s “Arcane” — an animated TV show mentioned as a source of creative inspiration.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn: Story, history, and self-perception

September 23, 2020

Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn: Story, history, and self-perception

What are the ways in which personal narratives, self-perception, and mentorship influence an individual’s path to growth and transformation?

If you want to know someone, have a conversation with them. But if you want to know who they really are, have a conversation with their partner. Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn share their story and how they’ve changed over the years. They explore the idea of our internal narratives and self-perceptions, finding your own way, and the human experience of time. Brenda and Thomas discuss ways to change the world and the importance of investigating your history.

I’ve been writing a memoir. And I had a really fascinating experience with it, because I got all the way through it, and realize that everything that I told myself about myself was totally not true. […] the stories we tell ourselves, literally, inform our lives in a way that have real consequences in the real world. And when you take a step back and look at yourself and decide, wait a second, you know, they actually did a lot of really cool things, you know— this was kind of amazing. So then I had to start the whole thing over again from this whole different slant.

~ Brenda Kan (38:24)

This conversation explores how personal stories and perceptions shape our lives and how reevaluating them can unlock growth. Brenda reflects on writing a memoir and discovering that her past achievements were much more significant than she initially believed, illustrating the transformative power of storytelling. Thomas complements this idea by discussing mentorship and the value of learning from both older and younger generations to stay connected with evolving perspectives.

And he said, for me, one of the things that I think people always miss in mentorship is that you need mentors who are younger than you, to share with you what’s changing in the world, and keep you connected to what’s happening. And mentorship is really a two way street, of the younger generation, connecting you with the world and what’s happening and showing you what’s changing from their point of view. To teach you so that you don’t get stuck in your static view of the world.

~ Thomas Droge (33:17)

The discussion also touches on movement practices, mindfulness, and self-discovery, connecting these to larger themes like time perception and narrative transformation. By examining personal experiences, they highlight the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in personal and professional contexts, as well as the role of mentors and shared knowledge in shaping these journeys.

Takeaways

Mentorship’s reciprocal nature — Younger mentors help connect older generations to evolving perspectives, making mentorship a two-way exchange.

Personal narrative’s power — Revisiting and reframing personal stories can completely transform self-perception.

Movement as insight — Physical practices like Tai Chi or Parkour help reveal inner narratives and foster growth.

The interplay of time and perception — Understanding time through different lenses offers tools for navigating personal transformation.

Storytelling and compassion — Approaching one’s story with compassion opens up new possibilities for growth and healing.

Resources

Thomas Droge

Brenda Kahn

Dolores Huerta Foundation — Civil rights organization founded by Dolores Huerta.

Taoism and Dragon Gate Teachings — An overview of the Dragon Gate Taoist philosophy.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books

May 13, 2020

Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books

What can be learned from training parkour and engaging with challenges of height about composure, awareness, and personal growth?

Bryan Riggins discusses his motivation, goals, and process of training descents, and his experiences and relationship with fear. He shares how it relates to his love of coaching children, and the challenges he personally works on. Bryan unpacks his reasons for training parkour before delving into the many books that have influenced him and what is on his reading list.

I think that fear has a place always. I think that if people think that it doesn’t exist or that they don’t have it, they’re lying to themselves.

~ Bryan Riggins (14:18)

The conversation discusses the lessons drawn from parkour, particularly training descents, and how these experiences shape personal awareness and composure. Central themes include managing fear, the importance of intentionality, and the application of these principles in teaching children and coaching others. Bryan reflects on how parkour serves as a means for self-discovery and resilience building.

The discussion also drops into the philosophical aspects of parkour, such as the value of breaking challenges into manageable parts and the role of journaling in tracking progress. Broader reflections on teaching emphasize equipping students with tools to manage emotional responses, fostering a growth-oriented mindset, and creating meaningful connections between physical practice and personal development.

Takeaways

Awareness in training — The importance of being present and intentional in physical practice.

Fear as a tool — Fear is acknowledged as a constant presence, offering opportunities for growth rather than avoidance.

Coaching children — Effective teaching strategies involve mindfulness and providing tools for emotional management.

Challenge breakdown — Success in parkour often depends on dividing large challenges into smaller, manageable steps.

Journaling for reflection — Documenting training helps reinforce learning and track progress.

Social media’s role — Social platforms are seen as both an opportunity for connection and a potential distraction from meaningful practice.

Mindset in challenges — A fixed mindset can limit growth, while a focus on adaptability fosters resilience.

The influence of books — Literature and philosophical insights inform both training and teaching methodologies.

Resources

The Rock Warrior’s Way —  Arno Ilgner’s book that discusses awareness, attention, and intention in training.

Parkour Visions — An organization where the speaker coaches and develops programs.

Momo — Michael Ende’s’ magical realism book mentioned as inspiring.

A Thousand Plateaus — by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, a philosophical work exploring complex ideas.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Brandee Laird | On Self-Altruism, Parkour, and Being Useful

March 11, 2020

On Castbox.fm — Brandee Laird | On Self-Altruism, Parkour, and Being Useful

How can the Parkour community cultivate and apply altruism in meaningful and practical ways beyond the physical discipline?

Altruism in Parkour is re-examined as a willingness to make someone else’s problem your own.

The first place, and the most important place, it comes out in my daily life is a willingness. It’s a willingness to make someone else’s problem, my problem. And that to me is what altruism is. It’s making other people’s problems, my problem.

~ Brandee Laird (3:06)

The conversation explores the evolving understanding of altruism within the Parkour community. Emphasis is placed on the idea that altruism involves making someone else’s problem your own, extending the principle of “be strong to be useful” into daily life. This involves recognizing and acting on opportunities to help others, even in seemingly mundane scenarios.

Topics covered include empathy, the role of fear in preventing action, and how values like honesty and awareness can drive altruistic behavior. The Parkour community’s approach to litter and environmental responsibility serves as an example of how physical practice can intersect with social contribution. There is also discussion about expanding leadership and instilling a broader sense of responsibility in younger practitioners.

Takeaways

Altruism in Parkour — Making others’ problems your own is central to practicing altruism in daily life.

Empathy and Action — Empathy alone is not enough; the will to act must follow recognition of need.

Leadership Development — The Parkour community is focusing more on creating leaders and fostering values-driven growth.

Leave No Trace — Environmental responsibility is integrated into Parkour events and training.

Expanding Usefulness — Parkour skills can translate into broader life contributions through awareness and presence.

Resources

Brandee Laird @monkeemoves

Art of Retreat — The leadership and education retreat where the conversation took place.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Check yourself

January 17, 2020

But in order to be self-aware, first one needs a self to be aware of. And that takes a while. Often an entire lifetime.

~ Hugh MacLeod

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I see what you did there, Hugh. But aside from the clever word play, there’s an obvious level to “having a self.” Everyone certainly has a self, so this just seems banal.

But I see this as a reminder that self-awareness of a static self is not good enough. I need to be aware of my self, and constantly working to improve my self.

How do I do that?

Chop wood; carry water. Write. Read. Seek out challenges great and small.

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Naomi Honey: Dance, coaching, and self talk

September 4, 2019

Naomi Honey: Dance, coaching, and self talk

How does engaging in movement practices like Forró and parkour contribute to personal growth, emotional development, and professional coaching?

Naomi Honey shares her experiences learning the Brazilian dance of Forró, and how it relates to her other movement practices. She unpacks her work as a life coach; what that means, how it works, and why she loves it so much. Naomi wraps up by discussing her thoughts on her current interests, the idea of success, and self talk.

[It’s] amazing. I’m the cheerleader while they’re doing it, and while it’s difficult. And I’m the cheerleader when there’s success. And then—one of my absolute favorite moments—coaching is designed to end at some point.

~ Naomi Honey (11:45)

Naomi Honey discusses how her experiences with Brazilian dance and parkour have shaped her personal and professional life. She highlights the contrast between the individual nature of parkour and the partner-based dynamics of Forró, a Brazilian dance she has been practicing for over a year. Naomi shares how these practices have enhanced her ability to listen to her body and respond intuitively, revealing unexpected emotional blocks and new ways of engaging with others.

Her work as a life coach focuses on helping people recognize and overcome personal obstacles, drawing from her movement experiences. Naomi explains how self-talk plays a critical role in both movement and life coaching, recounting workshops where participants verbalize negative inner dialogues to foster awareness and shift perspectives. She also emphasizes the importance of celebrating effort over results, demonstrating how encouragement and playful experimentation foster growth and confidence in movement and beyond.

Takeaways

Engaging in movement practices — reveals emotional and mental blocks that impact personal growth.

Life coaching integrates physical practices — combining parkour and dance helps address personal fears and limitations.

Self-talk awareness — recognizing and addressing negative internal dialogue improves movement and emotional resilience.

Parkour’s impact on personal growth — confronting physical obstacles mirrors the process of overcoming psychological challenges.

The value of celebration and encouragement — celebrating effort rather than success fosters persistence and emotional well-being.

Physical closeness in dance — offers unique opportunities to explore connection and interpersonal dynamics, filling gaps not addressed by parkour.

Coaching designed to end — successful coaching encourages clients to become independent while maintaining ongoing connections for support.

Resources

Flytality — Naomi Honey’s life coaching business where she helps people achieve personal and professional goals.

Parcon by Andrew Suseno — A fusion of parkour and contact improvisation that explores movement through physical interaction with others.

Gerlev Idrætshøjskole — A movement-focused school in Denmark specializing in parkour and physical education.

Women’s International Parkour Weekend — An event organized by Parkour Generations to advance parkour training and self-talk awareness for women.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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I am aware

July 27, 2019

This makes an argument for two particular life skills:
1) Learning to notice the feeling of wanting something, without buying the mind’s story that it is necessary for happiness, and
2) Learning to pay attention to the present moment without habitually evaluating it — analyzing how it could be better, more secure, cleaner or fairer or otherwise more gratifying.

~ David Cain, from The missing ingredient to happiness

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I’ve spent so much time—all of my life so far in fact—trying to figuring it out, that it’s probably impossible to believe myself when I think I have something figured out.

The present moment is perfect, and I am blissfully aware of the present moment. I could write a full page right here and now detailing the last moment. And in the past, I’ve done exactly that in my journal as a pop quiz to verify that I “get this.”

Meanwhile my problems remain, and they are quite real. I’ll not share details because this blog is about me and my journey, not the others in my life. Suffice it to say that I am simply serving out my remaining days. They’re very nice days, to be sure, full of very nice moments which I enjoy. But those enjoyed days and moments aren’t related to making progress on the problems because they are orthogonal ideas.

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Amos Rendao: Journaling, nutrition, and self talk

July 10, 2019

Amos Rendao: Journaling, nutrition, and self talk

What does it take to balance creative passion, personal growth, and professional responsibility while navigating life’s unpredictable journey?

Amos Rendao reflects on what music means to him, flowing vs planning, and the benefits and importance of journalling. The conversation turns to the idea of success and what that means, before moving to Aikido, and information activism. Amos shares his insights on diet and nutrition, his journey with injuries and recovery, and how he manages self talk.

Journaling is such an important way to develop a relationship with yourself.

~ Amos Rendao (49:50)

The conversation covers the relationship between creativity, self-reflection, and structured productivity. Amos reflects on his deep connection with music, sharing how his early experiences in bands shifted to a hiatus as parkour and business took priority. He revisits his passion through home recording, finding renewed joy in music’s restorative power. This leads to broader discussions on the interplay between freeform exploration and the necessity of structure, reflecting on how Amos balances spontaneity with highly organized systems to maximize productivity.

Amos and Craig explore the transformative impact of journaling as a tool for self-awareness and growth. They discuss the challenges of maintaining consistency in habits, diet, and personal health while navigating entrepreneurial and athletic commitments. The dialogue also touches on the influence of aikido in shaping their movement practice, drawing parallels between martial arts and parkour. The broader theme highlights how embracing both structured goals and open-ended exploration can lead to deeper personal insight and development.

Takeaways

Journaling – A powerful tool for developing self-awareness, tracking personal growth, and identifying patterns over time.

Creativity and Flow – Revisiting creative passions can restore mental health and balance, even after long hiatuses.

Structured Productivity – Building organized systems around sleep, diet, and time management can significantly enhance efficiency.

Freeform Exploration – Spontaneous, unstructured days can lead to valuable experiences and insights, balancing out rigid schedules.

Movement and Recovery – Insights into how parkour, aikido, and other movement practices contribute to long-term physical resilience and injury recovery.

Diet and Performance – Experimenting with diet, fasting, and biohacking to improve mental clarity and athletic performance.

Community and Connection – The importance of community involvement, both in local parkour initiatives and broader projects like USPK.

Resources

APEX School of Movement — A movement school co-founded by Amos Rendao focused on parkour education.

Parkour EDU — An educational platform designed to teach parkour principles and coaching techniques.

USPK (United States Parkour Association) — A national organization dedicated to promoting and supporting parkour communities in the US.

Oura Ring — A health tracking device used by Amos to monitor sleep and activity data.

Your Personal Paleo Code by Chris Kresser — A book and program recommended by Amos for dietary experimentation and self-optimization.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Some ironic distance

September 9, 2022

Finally, when it comes to your own self-opinion, try to have some ironic distance from it. Make yourself aware of its existence and how it operates within you. Come to terms with the fact that you are not as free and autonomous as you like to believe. You do conform to the opinions of the groups you belong to; You do buy products because of subliminal influence; You can be manipulated. Realize as well that you are not as good as the idealized image of your self-opinion.

~ Robert Greene

slip:4a1004.

§15 – A great recipe to be stressed out

July 26, 2018

(Part 27 of 37 in series, Study inspired by Pakour & Art du Déplacement by V. Thibault)

Have you noticed: Once you know something, you see it everywhere?

Reading this section, I’m reminded of Joe Erhmann’s ideas from the book “InsideOUT Coaching,” and of Steven Covey’s, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Both of which also counsel beginning with what’s inside; Beginning by taking a step back and noticing — perhaps _learning_ to notice is the first step — the broader context.

Over a decade ago, the previous-me was entirely focused inward, on myself, on the small picture. That previous-me molted as I managed to become self aware and began learning empathy. With empathy came the ability to listen and, most recently, the ability to communicate, “How can I help?”

And yet I still regularly find myself stressed out.

My impatience regarding…
fat loss
movement progression
the podcast
memento mori

…grows, and the things I appreciate– the things I have now which I have worked so vary hard for to this point– …well, I’ve grown accustomed to them and while I still internally appreciate them I’ve stopped showing that appreciation externally.

I need to shift my goals.

I need to move the goal posts.

I need to set milestones at smaller intervals.

When you make some new connection, one then suddenly sees it everywhere.

On a recent Saturday — a day I usually jam full of goals — I accidentally set so few goals for the day, that by 4pm I was completely done. Normally, I set my goals at “do all the things” [meme image omitted :], and at some point each day I surrender with a fatalistic, “that’s enough for today!” It took me a long time to get comfortable knowing I’m organized and motivated enough that I will make progress towards my long-term goals. But every day is either a day “off” with rest and relaxation with minimal work towards goals, or a day “on” where everything is ordered– flexible, adjustable, prioritized sure, but ordered none the less.

On this particular Saturday, at 4pm…

It was surreal. It was just a nice feeling, like, “Okay, what do I want to do?” I wandered around in this daze of, “Gee, the weather is nice,” “Wow, the feel of the concrete under my bare feet is nice,” “I’d forgotten to notice how comfortable this chair is,” and “Wow, this food is particularly yummy.”

What was different? Nothing.

I still had — still have! — an enormously-complex, personal productivity system which holds all the things I’m working on. That’s not bad; That’s good. It helps me greatly by remembering everything for me, so I can use my brain for having ideas and doing things. I still have a house with a sort of strange spot on one of the ceilings that I think means the roof might be leaking. I still have a leak in the shower that I haven’t figured out. There’s still some firewood to be split.

…but for one evening — a Saturday from about 4pm until I went to sleep around 9:30 — for one evening, I clearly forgot to put in one (or both!) of the ingredients that make up the recipe for being stressed out.

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Curiosity with David Wilson

May 19

Curiosity with David Wilson

How can older adults reclaim movement as a joyful, empowering part of life despite pervasive cultural narratives about aging?

Letting go of perfectionism opens the door to playfulness and self-compassion.

If I can be more compassionate toward myself, I can let go of this addiction to competence and just let myself try, and suck. So yeah, I have come to embrace the idea that if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly and playfully.

~ David Wilson (48:45)

This conversation with David Wilson explores how movement intersects with aging, self-perception, and cultural narratives. David begins by addressing how deeply internalized ageist beliefs affect people’s willingness to move, take up space, and try new things. The discussion challenges the idea that aging necessitates physical decline, emphasizing instead that variety in movement and awareness of personal stories can lead to growth and transformation at any age. David also critiques societal pressures that promote fear-based motivation, and he encourages a shift toward framing movement as a present-moment gift.

The conversation moves through practical barriers and misconceptions that keep people inactive, such as rigid goals, perfectionism, and the belief that certain types of exercise are required. It emphasizes meeting oneself where one is, using personal values rather than fixed goals as guides. The importance of self-compassion, playfulness, and the willingness to “do things badly” is highlighted as a more sustainable path toward movement. There’s also a critique of mainstream fitness messaging, which often excludes older populations by failing to address their actual lived experiences.

Takeaways

Internalized ageism — Movement hesitancy is often rooted in lifelong exposure to ageist narratives absorbed from a very young age.

Misconceptions about aging — Many decline-related assumptions are not due to age itself but to reduced movement and lifestyle limitations.

Curiosity over goals — Letting go of rigid, timeline-based goals makes space for exploration and deeper engagement with movement.

Compassionate self-awareness — Bringing compassion into one’s personal practice enables growth without harsh self-judgment.

Playfulness as practice — Play offers a route to joy and learning, especially valuable when countering addiction to competence.

Movement generalism — A broad, varied movement practice supports better adaptability and long-term capability.

Fear-based fitness culture — Much mainstream messaging about aging and exercise motivates through fear instead of empowerment.

Efficiency of the body — The body conserves resources by shedding unused capabilities, so maintaining movement variety is crucial.

Accessible movement — Movement does not require equipment, special clothing, or gym memberships—it can be integrated into daily life.

Time as a barrier — A perceived lack of time is the most common excuse for not moving, yet even minutes of activity show measurable benefits.

Specificity of training — Effective physical preparation must match the demands of real environments rather than generic or repetitive exercise.

Gratitude for the body — Pausing to appreciate the body’s enduring support helps reframe limitations and fosters a more engaged relationship with movement.

Imagination of aging — How one envisions growing older strongly influences present decisions about health and movement.

Practice as identity — How we treat ourselves in movement mirrors how we show up in the world and in relationships.

Resources

OldsCoolMoves on Instagram

OldsCoolMoves website — David Wilson’s web site offering online courses and information.

Five Minute Movement — A series of short guided sequences emphasizing movement variety.

Ageism Unmasked — Tracy Gendron’s book exploring the deep roots and effects of ageism.

This Chair Rocks — Ashton Applewhite’s book offering another perspective on ageism and cultural narratives about aging.

Road Scholar — A nonprofit focused on travel and education for older adults.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Momentum with Robin Waite

May 5

How can podcasters build meaningful relationships that expand their reach, create new opportunities, and grow their shows—without relying on promotion or algorithms?

A five-step method helps you land dream collaborations by being helpful, not pushy.

[One little shift?] That’s it. If I hadn’t have gone to that event, if I hadn’t have just dumped my coat and helped direct people, if I hadn’t offered to help for free, if I hadn’t got to know the team, if I hadn’t, if I’d asked for the wrong thing or too much or too, I don’t know if I’d got the ask wrong, any one of those things could have ended up being like a Sliding Doors [the 1998 film -ed] moment where I then I go from 3000 leads to just going about my life as a coach.

~ Robin Waite (15:00)

Robin Waite shares how he reinvented his business growth strategy by focusing on building partnerships rather than following conventional marketing playbooks. Feeling burnt out by social media and traditional outreach, he adopted an “outside-in” approach—intentionally targeting people he admired, getting in the same room with them, and offering help without expectation. His approach centers on showing up, adding value, and making intentional asks that are aligned with what others actually need.

He illustrates this with a detailed story of how he ended up as a guest on Ali Abdaal’s Deep Dive podcast, which generated over 3,000 leads and $300,000 in business. Key elements included making himself useful at events, building relationships with team members, and being ready with a modest but well-timed ask. Waite expands on this philosophy by identifying five steps: be intentional, get in the room, be helpful, find the inside person, and offer something on a silver platter. The conversation underscores the power of authentic connection, strategic generosity, and long-term thinking in business development.

Takeaways

Intentional targeting of collaborators — Write down a list of specific individuals or brands that feel like a natural fit for connection and mutual value.

Be physically present and engaged — Attend events in person, sit in the front row, and look for ways to directly interact with people you admire.

Generosity without expectation — Offer help freely without asking for anything in return, and allow opportunities to arise organically.

Use social cues to create asks — Make requests that are context-aware, modest, and well-timed based on what you’ve learned about the other person’s situation.

Relationship-building is long-term — Partnerships can take months or even years to develop, and consistent presence matters more than speed.

Imposter syndrome is common — Many successful people share similar doubts and insecurities, making them more approachable than they appear.

Ask through value — Frame your request as a contribution or offer rather than a favor, focusing on what the other person would gain.

The power of introductions — Introducing others who might benefit from knowing each other is a high-leverage, generous act that strengthens your own relationships.

Reciprocity as rocket fuel — Gifts, paid gestures, or generous actions can accelerate connection when done thoughtfully and in alignment with mutual respect.

Avoid transactional thinking — Relationships thrive on genuine interest and value-sharing, not on immediate or one-sided exchanges.

Resources

Take Your Shot – Free Book Offer — Robin Waite’s book, offered for free (worldwide shipping) to podcast listeners.

Fearless Business Podcast — Robin Waite’s own podcast, combining solo and guest episodes on business topics.

Robin Waite’s YouTube Channel — Features practical, high-level content on entrepreneurship and coaching.

Ali Abdaal’s Deep Dive Podcast — The podcast where Robin Waite was featured, which led to 3,000 inquiries and $300k in business.

Simon Alexander Ong — Coach and speaker cited as a role model for being intentional and abundant.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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