The acquisition of riches has been for many men, not an end, but a change, of troubles.
~ Epicurus
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Author: Craig Constantine
Perspectives with Andy Day
How does photography intersect with movement and identity, and what responsibilities and privileges come with its practice?
Parkour and photography share a symbiotic relationship in challenging barriers and fostering connection.
Photographing parkour in these spaces was giving these monuments kind of new narratives and demonstrating that beyond the history, there is the potential to make something new that brings people together.
~ Andy Day (6:45)
The conversation explores the interplay between photography, movement, and identity, particularly through the lens of parkour. Topics include how photography informs the practice of parkour and vice versa, the evolution of creative expression in urban landscapes, and the role of privilege and access in documenting and engaging with spaces. The discussion emphasizes the ability of photography to give new narratives to contentious historical monuments and to encapsulate communal experiences.
The conversation also addresses broader societal issues, such as the responsibilities that come with privilege in accessing spaces and creating narratives. Reflecting on the dynamics of representation, Andy and Craig go into how capturing and sharing images contributes to personal and collective identity. The dialogue concludes with thoughts on being both part of and separate from a community, offering insights into the role of an observer who participates critically.
Takeaways
Photography and movement — A reciprocal relationship that fosters exploration and understanding of spaces.
Historical monuments and narratives — Controversial monuments can be reimagined through photography and parkour.
Privilege in representation — Awareness of privilege is crucial in both movement and photography.
Role of photography — A tool for identity construction and validating effort within communal contexts.
Community and critical distance — Being both part of and apart from a community provides a unique perspective.
Intersection of arts and culture — Parkour and photography converge to challenge barriers and unite diverse groups.
Evolution of practice — Growth in creative endeavors often involves cycles of learning and unlearning.
Resources
Andy Day’s website — Features articles and photographs detailing various journeys and projects.
Zofia Reych’s book, Born to Climb — Explores the cultural history of climbing.
Photographs and articles on former Yugoslavia’s war monuments — Provides insights into the project’s journeys and discoveries.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Love
The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
~ G. K. Chesterton
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Via negativa
Like nature, which removes mistakes to progress, you can remove things to not only survive but thrive. (This is one of the ways we can apply via negativa, an important mental model.)
~ Shane Parrish from, Friction
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It’s a semi-interesting, but short, article. But this bit about via negativa made me down-shift. Because I’d never heard that little latin phrase. I wrote a blog post about how not to mess up endings of conversations… and then went directly to a bookmark on that Parrish article and realized that via negativa was exactly what I had just been writing about.
Via negativa is simply the idea of improving by studying what one should not do. Addition by subtracting one might even say.
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Maggie Spaloss: Coaching Journey, Transitions, and Consulting
How does the experience of transitioning between different roles—such as coach, business consultant, and relationship coach—shape perspectives on community, creativity, and personal fulfillment?
For Maggie Spaloss, transitioning from coaching parkour into coaching relationships and intimacy felt like a natural progression. She discusses her connection parkour, and how it’s evolved from mom, to coach, to business consultant. Maggie shares her thoughts on coaching, and her transition into relationship and intimacy coaching. She describes her work on Kiskeya Athletics, and how she stays passionate about parkour and giving back to the community.
I do want to also say, as a mom, that I think I can appreciate from a different perspective these kids whose lives were really very deeply impacted by parkour. Where they were able to develop, some self confidence, and some sort of identity with kind of a tribe they could relate to.
~ Maggie Spaloss (30:00)
Maggie Spaloss is a coach, project manager and mover. She has over 10 years of coaching experience including certifications as a personal trainer, parkour instructor, behavioral change specialist and relationship coach. Maggie is also project manager for Kiskeya Athletics, a multi-sport facility currently under construction in South Texas. Maggie splits her time between managing the development of Kiskeya Athletics and helping people build stronger relationships and deeper intimacy.
The conversation explores the journey from parkour coaching to relationship and intimacy consulting, reflecting on the influence of embodiment and community. Maggie discusses how her experience in parkour, from her origin story to coaching and gym management, shaped her ability to foster connections and build supportive environments. A recurring theme is the importance of adapting to physical and mental challenges, particularly as they evolve with age.
Another focus is the creative and collaborative aspects of parkour, both in training and in broader projects like gym design and event planning. The discussion highlights the shared obstacles within parkour as a metaphor for building camaraderie and fostering vulnerability. Maggie also touches on the transition from personal training to a more holistic, life-oriented coaching approach, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal passion with professional responsibilities.
Takeaways
Embodiment in practice — The guest emphasizes the value of being in tune with the body to guide decisions and uncover limiting beliefs.
The transformative power of community — Parkour’s tight-knit culture fosters vulnerability and mutual support.
Creativity in movement — Training parkour is described as an inherently creative act, akin to art.
Adapting with age — Challenges with physical limitations prompt a recalibration of expectations and approaches to training.
Balancing roles — Navigating multiple professional identities offers insights into personal fulfillment.
Integrating passions — A unified approach can merge interests in movement and relationship coaching.
Parkour’s broader potential — Expanding the sport’s reach through innovative projects like the Kiskeya facility.
Resources
Maggie Spaloss’s web site and @cultivate_movement on Instagram
Kiskeya Athletics — A planned parkour and athletic facility in South Texas, incorporating innovative design and community programs.
Lorena Abreu @lorenaparkour — Parkour athlete and collaborator on the Kiskeya project.
Unf*ck your brain — Podcast mentioned
Brandon Douglass — Designer of the parkour gym layout for the Kiskeya facility.
Art of Retreat — A gathering for parkour professionals and enthusiasts, instrumental in knowledge-sharing.
NASM Certification — The certification pursued by the guest for personal training expertise.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Breakfast
All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.
~ John Gunther
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Obstacles
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.
~ Henry Ford
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That’s a moirĂ©
“You don’t need [machine learning,]” Bryan said. “What you need is inverse Fast Fourier Transform.”
~ “Shift Happens” from, «https://www.getrevue.co/profile/shift-happens/issues/moire-no-more-688319»
I stumbled over a blog post, containing a pull-quote where someone mentioned inverse Fast Fourier Transform. (A mathematician named Fourier invented a fast way to do a certain sort of transformation that comes up a lot in science; It’s called a Fast Fourier Transform. There’s also a way to undo that transformation, called “the inverse”. Thus, Fast Fourier Transformations (FFT) and inverse FFT. Well, FFT/IFFT is the first thing I can recall that I could not understand. It was shocking. Every other thing I’d ever encountered was easy. But there I was, 20-some-years-old, in graduate school, and I encountered something that was beyond me. I think I had it sorted about 6 times and every time, the next morning, upon waking, it had fallen out of my head. Holy inappropriately long parentheticals, Batman!)
Anyway. Blog post. IFFTs. Time machine to the early 90s. Emotional vertigo.
…and then I clicked thru to the magnificent post which is brilliant. And then I realized the by-line was, “Shift Happens.” o_O This entire thing. I’m in nerd heaven.
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PS: Sorry, what? Oh, you read my title, heard the Italian word, “amore,” and wanted a, That’s Amore! pun? Okay, here: When an eel climbs a ramp to eat squid from a clamp… Yes. Really.
Far more control
We have far more control in our lives than many embrace. We create or co-create our experiences in life, and each day is a new opportunity to be fully engaged in the present moment. It’s the present moment where glimpses of our potential are revealed and expressed. A living masterpiece is not drawn on a canvas or etched in stone or inked by pen. It’s the pursuit and expresssion of applied insight and wisdom.
~ Michael Gervais
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Control
We have far more control in our lives than many embrace. We create or co-create our experiences in life, and each day is a new opportunity to be fully engaged in the present moment. It’s the present moment where glimpses of our potential are revealed and expressed. A living masterpiece is not drawn on a canvas or etched in stone or inked by pen. It’s the pursuit and expresssion of applied insight and wisdom.
~ Michael Gervais
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I disagree with, “[w]e have far more control…” because clearly we actually have no—absolutely no—control. If that strikes you, I suggest you pause. Imagine something you have control of. Now imagine the scenario where your control is taken away. I’m not trying to scare you; there’s nothing here you don’t already know. All of the “control” is fleeting; that’s not actually control. That an illusion of control.
If I could change that quote I’d just quibble with that first, “control,” and suggest it be changed to “choice.” Because the rest of that quote is frickin’ powerful. Literally every person has choices. For me, my “worst case” choices are quite rosy. (“First World Problems” is the meme.) There are certainly people who are literally only able to choose among various evils.
The illusion of control is toxic. But the reality of choice is empowering.
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Daring
To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.
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Ancestry with Denys Allen
What makes genealogical research unique compared to traditional historical studies, and how do these approaches differ in Pennsylvania?
Genealogists uncover micro-histories that reveal intimate details of everyday life in Pennsylvania’s past.
Historians often look at the records of people that are wealthy and famous and own things, while genealogists pursue the stories of just everyday folks.
~ Denys Allen (3:23)
The conversation highlights the differences between genealogical research and traditional historical studies, focusing on Pennsylvania’s unique historical and geographical context. Genealogy often emphasizes microhistories—detailed accounts of everyday life—while traditional history frequently revolves around prominent figures and broader narratives. The discussion explores how Pennsylvania’s rich diversity of religions influenced its records, as well as the challenges posed by fragmented historical documents.
The geographic and political history of Pennsylvania also comes under scrutiny. The state’s rugged terrain and varied cultural heritage led to intricate county boundaries and decentralized records. Efforts by local groups, including Facebook communities, help genealogists connect and share insights. The conversation further reflects on William Penn’s founding principles and their long-term effects on the state’s culture and inclusivity.
Takeaways
Genealogical research—emphasizes stories of ordinary people and their communities.
Microhistory as a tool—connects genealogical research to broader historical themes.
Religious diversity in Pennsylvania—shaped records and marriage practices, requiring specific knowledge for research.
Pennsylvania’s county boundaries—were influenced by political and geographic factors.
Local historical societies—serve as crucial hubs for genealogists in Pennsylvania.
Virtual spaces—such as Facebook groups, foster collaboration and exchange among genealogists.
William Penn’s influence—allowed for early religious freedom in Pennsylvania, creating a unique cultural legacy.
Challenges in genealogical research—arise from the scattered and incomplete nature of historical records.
Resources
Your Pennsylvania Ancestors Podcast — Interviews on Pennsylvania history and genealogical records.
Historical courthouses in Pennsylvania — Repositories of genealogical records and architectural history.
William Penn’s personal writings — Primary source material on his beliefs and founding principles.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Preparation
To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.
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Designing your life
So the longer-term challenge is simply designing your life so that you have more of this stuff and less of the fluff. Look at every activity as you go through your day and think, “Is this contributing to getting me a better day—today—and if not, is there anybody in the world who has managed to design this activity out of their lives and still succeed beyond my level?
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Parkinson’s Law
Ferriss popularized the personal version of Parkinson’s Law, which correctly notes that our work expands to fill the time we give it. The original Economist essay on the topic also embeds an organizational version of the law, which I read to say that if you leave a group, or a team, or a company to operate without sufficient structure, they may converge toward unexpected and unproductive behaviors.
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Pithy sayings are punchy. (For example: Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the allotted time.) But they’re also woefully inadequate; there’s no room for depth or surety. In this case though, it turns out that Parkinson’s Law is based on actual research… into the bureaucracy of the British Navy. Who knew that this pithy little phrase is actually a real model based on actual research. (…uhm, Parkinson, that’s who.)
There are plenty of ways to turn Parkinson’s law into actionable direction: Ship it. Iterate and course-correct. Show me your discard pile. (That is to say, do sub-par work until your work is up to par.) Minimum viable noun. (Which urges one to chop off everything not absolutely necessary in order to get that noun into the world sooner.) All of which, I’m semi-surprised to note, are about constraining the time allotted to do the work. It’s all about moving the goal posts closer.
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Shocking
Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.
~ Mae West
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Connection with Saurabh Mithal
How can podcasting and creative practices enhance personal growth, connection, and professional development?
The practice of mindful creative work transforms personal and professional growth.
Podcasting, for me, seemed […] is a much more enabling platform than asking someone for a cup of coffee. It allows you to go deep into conversations because it’s a more exploratory kind of a medium.
~ Saurabh Mithal (2:28)
The conversation discusses the transformative potential of podcasting as a medium for personal and professional growth. Saurabh highlights how podcasting fosters connections by facilitating meaningful conversations and enabling creative exploration. He explains how this medium provides a platform for community building and encourages a growth mindset in various aspects of life.
Another key topic is the impact of shifting creative practices from private (e.g., morning pages) to public (e.g., dailies), which increases mindfulness, empathy, and the quality of the output. The dialogue also touches on the importance of intentionality in interactions, the concept of anti-fragility in careers, and the role of curiosity as a self-sustaining force for continuous learning and growth.
Takeaways
The importance of fostering genuine connections — Podcasting offers a unique way to form deeper connections with others.
The concept of anti-fragile careers — Designing a career that thrives in uncertainty requires consistent creativity, learning, and connection.
The shift from private to public creative practices — Moving creative work into the public sphere enhances its quality and mindfulness.
The role of curiosity — Being passionately curious drives both personal and professional growth.
The impact of recorded conversations — Knowing that a conversation will be recorded and shared raises its quality and depth.
The value of calling out rationalizations — Encouraging people to face their real priorities helps them achieve their goals.
Generosity in creative work — Mindful creation generates value for all participants and audiences.
The interplay of mindfulness and creativity — Awareness of the purpose and context of creative work enhances its effectiveness.
Resources
Passionately Curious — Saurabh’s platform for helping individuals build careers centered around their individuality.
The Akimbo Community — A network of creatives and learners connected through Seth Godin’s workshops.
Seth Godin’s Creative Workshop — A course focused on daily creative practices, such as dailies.
Morning Pages — From The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron), a tool for unfiltered, private creative writing.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Acceptance with Sam Ardery
How can individuals approach conversations more effectively to foster understanding, manage conflict, and overcome fear?
The illusion of control deeply influences how we approach conversations and conflict.
People really like the idea of control, and I think a lot of things we do in our lives are to live under the illusion of control.
~ Sam Ardery (1:16)
This conversation explores the nature of control, fear, and personal accountability in conversations and conflict resolution. A central theme is the illusion of control and how it shapes our responses to unexpected situations. Techniques such as the “P-A-R-C” framework—pause, assess, reflect, and choose—offer practical tools for navigating conversations more thoughtfully.
Other significant topics include the role of compassion and self-compassion, particularly in the context of conflict and personal growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own role in disputes, highlighted by the idea of “accepting your 5%.” Additionally, the fear of rejection and failure is dissected, with insights into how embracing these fears can lead to greater resilience and better outcomes in personal and professional interactions.
Takeaways
The illusion of control — People often act under the false belief that they can control outcomes, which influences how they handle conflict and conversations.
The “P-A-R-C” framework — A method to pause, assess, reflect, and choose, providing a structured approach to challenging interactions.
Self-compassion as a foundation — Recognizing and practicing self-compassion is essential for genuinely empathizing with others.
Radical listening — Listening without agenda and being open to the possibility of being wrong is critical for meaningful dialogue.
Accepting responsibility — Taking accountability for one’s share of the conflict, even if small, can shift the dynamics of disputes.
Fear of rejection — Overcoming the fear of rejection is crucial for effective outreach and building connections.
Discomfort in growth — Embracing discomfort as a natural part of personal and relational development leads to lasting growth.
The dichotomy of control — Separating what one can control from external circumstances helps manage expectations and reduces anxiety.
Resources
Sam Ardery’s website — Features writings and resources on mediation, negotiation, and personal growth.
Positively Conflicted — Sam’s book exploring conflict resolution and personal development through practical stories and frameworks.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Greatness
I wake up each day with the firm conviction that I am nowhere near my full potential. ‘Greatness’ is a verb. I have miles to go before I sleep, and so I will spend my remaining years desperately looking to improve who I am from year to year. Greatness is not a final destination, but a series of small acts done daily in order to constantly rejuvenate and refresh our skills in a daily effort to become a better version of ourselves.
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High-quality information
I get paid to read and comment on the news for a living, and I still wake up every morning completely overwhelmed by all that’s going on. I can feel my blood pressure go up as I try to figure out what to focus on first. The way I manage it is to remember that the world will go on if I don’t read everything. Newspapers will publish again the next day. I will always be better off consumg a smaller amount of high-quality information that trying to consume it all.
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