Adam McClellan | Know Your Numbers

Published June 24, 2020 · All posts on Jun 24

On Castbox.fm — Adam McClellan | Know Your Numbers

Adam McClellan | Know Your Numbers

How can Parkour business owners use financial data to better understand and grow their businesses?

Many business owners are unaware of their financial health until they see the gaps in their numbers.

Businesses want to be successful, but you don’t know what success is, if you didn’t set some kind of goal in the first place.
~ Adam McClellan (7:31)

The conversation focuses on the importance of understanding and tracking financial data for running and growing a Parkour business. It emphasizes that many business owners overlook key financial indicators, which leads to uncertainty and poor decision-making. A major theme is that budgeting, like the rules of a game, provides structure and clarity, enabling better goal-setting and resource allocation.

The discussion explores practical steps such as tracking income and expenses, creating performance indicators, and comparing data year-over-year to identify trends. The value of making assumptions, trusting them, and consistently testing them against actual data is highlighted as essential for success. The conversation also underscores the psychological benefit of financial clarity, helping owners make confident decisions about hiring, marketing, and expanding.

Takeaways

Budgeting as structure — A budget is necessary to define goals and measure progress in business.

Tracking key indicators — Key performance indicators help measure and improve critical business processes.

Assumptions in decision-making — Assumptions, when tracked and adjusted regularly, are essential for planning.

Growth as a challenge — Businesses should set achievable but slightly challenging growth goals to stay competitive.

Confidence through clarity — Knowing financial numbers provides confidence when making hiring and expansion decisions.

Empty space for growth — Unstructured time at events can lead to organic, valuable connections and ideas.

Resources

Lehigh Valley Parkour — Adam McClellan’s Parkour business website.

Parkour Generations Americas — Organization involved in Parkour education and leadership.

Art of Retreat — Event for Parkour professionals focused on leadership and education.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Bias to action

Published June 24, 2020 · All posts on Jun 24

The full definition of leadership that Badaracco gradually unfolds through literature in the course is: “Leadership is a struggle by flawed human beings to make some important human values real and effective in the world as it is.”
~ Martha Lagace from, Machiavelli, Morals, and You | Working Knowledge

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I’ve mentioned bias to action previously, but I don’t recall having every connected it to one of Machiavelli’s best-known quotes, that fortune favors the bold. (Click through for more context.) Here I’m struck by Badaracco’s choice of, “effective,” as a critical feature of leadership. Certainly without action, there can be no efficacy. (And, yes, using my words totally counts as action, thank you.) Leaders are by definition out in front. That means acting first, and that presumes being capable of acting. If my bias is towards inaction, (gather more data, think about it more, however you want to mince those words,) I cannot be a good leader.

Thea Rae: Programming, Stunts, and Cross training

Published June 24, 2020 · All posts on Jun 24

Thea Rae: Programming, Stunts, and Cross training

How can diverse physical practices and creative disciplines inform and enhance each other to foster personal growth and adaptability?

Any mind hell-bent on problem solving inevitably seeks challenge. Thea Rae discusses many things, including her movement background, coding, and stunt work. She unpacks the connections between her art, movement, aerial circus, and programming. Thea explains her varied interests: stunts, circus, cycling, climbing, and ice skating, and why cross training is so important to her practice.

Movement is also a language to me. Just as much as we can communicate with words, we can also communicate with our bodies and we can say so much.
~ Thea Rae

Thea Rae discusses her multifaceted journey through movement arts, creative technology, and life, emphasizing the significance of cross-training in her personal and professional development. She reflects on how disciplines like gymnastics, aerial arts, and ice skating have shaped her understanding of physicality and creativity. Her experience with rock climbing has also been pivotal in teaching her how to remain calm and adapt to challenging situations.

In addition to physical movement, Thea digs into her artistic pursuits, including kinetic sculpture and interactive installations. She explains the parallels between her programming and movement practices, highlighting the problem-solving mindset that underpins both. Throughout, she underscores the value of viewing movement as a language and a means of communication, shaping her approach to teaching, performing, and everyday life.

Takeaways

Movement as a language — Physical movement can communicate as much as words, offering nuanced expressions of thought and emotion.

Cross-training benefits — Engaging in varied physical practices enriches skills across disciplines and fosters adaptability.

The interplay of art and movement — Artistic and physical pursuits inform and enhance each other, creating a holistic creative process.

Resilience through rock climbing — Climbing teaches problem-solving, calmness, and persistence in the face of physical challenges.

Ice skating’s impact — Ice skating has improved Thea’s balance, core stability, and understanding of subtle movements.

Rehab and pre-hab importance — Maintaining physical health requires intentional rehabilitation and preventative exercises to stay active.

Creative problem-solving — Both programming and movement rely on structured thinking and the ability to adapt to complex situations.

Resources

New England Center for Circus Arts — A school where Thea studied aerial silks and acrobatics.

Brooklyn Zoo — A parkour gym where Thea began exploring movement in New York City.

Motiv NY — A physical therapy center that has assisted Thea with movement optimization and injury recovery.

Wonderfruit Festival — A music festival in Thailand where Thea built interactive installations.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Crystalizing experiences

Published June 23, 2020 · All posts on Jun 23

It’s important to be aware of our own crystallizing experiences and how they affected us. I’m curious about what crystalizing experiences you’ve had, and I’m thinking beyond just moments, to books, people, videos, discussions, whatever left an impact. What stuck with you and changed the way you thought about things? This could be in any area of your life: work, learning, movement, writing, any hobby. What was the experience, and how did it change your practice?
~ Melissa Way

The Movers Mindset team has an internal project management system. (Basecamp.com in case you’re still mysteriously using something dysfunctional, like Slack, to run your team.) Each week, in a sort of loose rotation, we take turns kicking off some discussion by posting something—anything, whatever interests us when it’s our turn.

I’ve been coming back to this post from Melissa for nearly two weeks, trying to figure out where to start on a reply. Each time I start thinking, my mind wanders down a seemingly endless sequence of formative experiences; I can’t even begin to list them as they’d sound like an intolerable bragging-list. There are some unbelievable experiences ranging from, “been there,” to “done that,” and careening between, “literally cheated death,” and “hfsyesagainplease.”

Instead of trying to pick just one, tell the story, and pull out how the experience changed me, I’m going to ask, and attempt to answer, a meta question: Is life a journey of becoming, or simply a journey?

If it’s the former, then I should be paying attention for—perhaps even actively seeking—crystallizing experiences my entire life. I should be continuously repeating the process of asking myself what I should change or improve next, and then seeking out the experiences or knowledge to achieve that change. But having bashed myself on that cold anvil, incessantly seeking change and improvement, I’m now convinced that it’s the later.

Life is simply a journey.

The clock of the Long Now

Published June 22, 2020 · All posts on Jun 22

There is a Clock ringing deep inside a mountain. It is a huge Clock, hundreds of feet tall, designed to tick for 10,000 years. Every once in a while the bells of this buried Clock play a melody. Each time the chimes ring, it’s a melody the Clock has never played before. The Clock’s chimes have been programmed to not repeat themselves for 10,000 years.
~ Kevin Kelly from, The Clock of the Long Now – Long Now

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The Long Now Foundation was started in 01996. They always include the leading zero in years as just another subtle way to get one to think long-term. I can’t say for sure that I’ve been following them since they started, but it’s got to be darn close. I will be going to Texas, (and to Nevada if I live long enough to see the second clock built,) to visit.

The 10,000-year clock is just one project. Grab your favorite beverage, put your phone on do-not-disturb and go spend an hour or so reading what the Long Now Foundation is up to.

The web is like water

Published June 21, 2020 · All posts on Jun 21

There is no question that apps are here to stay, and are a superior interaction model for some uses. But the web is like water: it fills in all the gaps between things like gaming and social with exactly what any one particular user wants. And while we all might have a use for Facebook – simply because everyone is there – we all have different things that interest us when it comes to reading.
~ Ben Thompson from, Why the Web Still Matters – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

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That’s from 2014, and holds up pretty well I think. That the web, “fills in all the gaps,” is insightful. Sure, the technology that defines “the Web” drives an enormous amount of stuff other than written content. But even just the smaller portion that is the written word is a huge swath of time and attention. That speaks well for us in the aggregate.

I still believe that the problem, currently, is simply that people rarely bother to figure out how things actually work. People don’t tinker and change things. Once someone gets the bug of curiosity, it’s a slippery slope from poking and prodding, to tinkering and experimenting, to building and creating; It’s a slippery slope lined entirely with reading.

Quiet

Published June 19, 2020 · All posts on Jun 19

I maintained this illusion until, inspired by a stupidly expensive device that only does one thing, I taped my old phone to a bluetooth keyboard and began to write in offline mode. It was immediately a magical experience. It was so *quiet*. I could go on my porch and write and it was quiet. My thoughts got much larger because I wasn’t subconsciously afraid I’d interrupt them. I began to feel angry at my laptop. Why did it insist on hurting me so much? Why couldn’t it be pure like the offline phone/keyboard experience? Why couldn’t I just create things?
~ “Elizabeth” from, Turns Out Interruptions Are Bad, Who Knew? — LessWrong

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Don’t worry, I’m not getting on my soapbox about distraction and being used by your phone and the Internet and social networks. Nope, definitely not getting on my soapbox.

Today, I’ve gotten my ladder and I’m climbing on my roof to preach right over your head—you nice people in my front lawn, who are smart enough to be reading, reading stuff that has paragraphs, from a site on the open web, even if you only subscribe to the email because you haven’t mastered RSS—nope not preaching at you, dearest choir of mine, not today.

But you people in the back… Can you not see the Oxo® easy-grip handles that extendeth from thine brains?! Can you not see the unwashed masses of people who labor for Facelessco et al to write software that grabs you by those handles?

What say you? WHAT? …sorry you have to yell, I can’t hear you so well from up here on my roof… Oh, you cannot in fact see the handles? …well, have you tried looking in the mirror? …uh, hello?! Where are you going? Oh yes, definitely check that message, and scroll through Instagram and I’ll just wait here on my roof.

Cordelia Storm | Creating Community & Workability with Your Staff

Published June 17, 2020 · All posts on Jun 17

On Castbox.fm — Cordelia Storm | Creating Community & Workability with Your Staff

How can leaders foster better communication and cultivate a healthy, effective team culture?

Effective leadership often starts with recognizing and challenging the automatic stories you tell yourself about others.

People’s concerns will tell you their commitments… People’s concerns are usually the pathway to understanding what they care deeply about.
~ Cordelia Storm (15:56)

The conversation explores the importance of reframing assumptions and biases that arise when working with teams or communities. One central theme is the way automatic labeling can create subtle divisions, which negatively impact collaboration. Addressing these issues through open communication and radical honesty can restore relationships and foster a healthier team dynamic.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on creating a culture that encourages curiosity and trust. The conversation also touches on leadership development, using Parkour as an analogy for overcoming obstacles in communication and management. Additionally, there is a focus on larger cultural issues, such as using movement practices to address senior fall prevention.

Takeaways

Listening deeply — How reframing stories and assumptions about others can shape relationships and team dynamics.

Curiosity in relationships — Labeling people reduces curiosity and prevents deeper collaboration.

Commitments through concerns — People’s concerns often point to their deeper commitments and values.

Leadership development — Leadership programs can foster greater self-awareness and trust in teams.

Movement culture — Parkour principles can extend into everyday life, influencing communication and public health.

Resources

Cordelia Storm @coryjumps — Cordelia’s Instagram account.

Parkour Visions — A Parkour coaching organization where Cordelia Storm works as Program Director.

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

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

What’s next?

Published June 17, 2020 · All posts on Jun 17

It is fascinating that whenever two or more are responsible for something, usually nobody is.
~ David Allen from, Why things don’t get done

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The “doing” is always the easy part. How do you build an awesome wall? You place the first brick, then the next. Placing a brick is easy. The hard part is sitting down and imagining all the things that have to happen first—and realizing that the first step is to search online to find out where I can go look at bricks; Because I need to pick bricks first. I often get pushback when I ask people, “what’s the next action?” or “What’s the first step?” I get pushback because most people aren’t used to thinking about how to do things before they start. I mean really thinking about things, about what’s required to get things done, and what exactly does done look like?

We’ve been trained that if we’re the last one holding the hot potato, we get in trouble at the end. Once I create an environment where responsibility always comes with empowerment, resources, support, and, (if needed,) commiseration, then people can relax and think.

Also, put a date on that next action. No date? No commitment.

I try to forget my ideas

Published June 16, 2020 · All posts on Jun 16

Keeping track of project ideas, in my experience, is usually a waste of time. I used to fear that if I didn’t capture and review my sparks of brilliance I’d forget them and an opportunity for impact would be lost.

The reality, however, is that most people (myself included) have waymore ideas for things to work on than they have time to work. Forgetting ideas is not your problem. Having too many ideas competing for your attention to execute any one well is a more pressing concern.
~ Cal Newport from, Deep Habits: Forget Your Project Ideas (Until You Can’t Forget Them) – Cal Newport

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In the beginning I didn’t try to do anything with my ideas. Even though—my mom may disagree—I had mastered bathing and dressing, I was still under the false-impression that my mind was for holding ideas. It’s not good at that. Actually it’s terrible at that.

It took me a few decades to figure out— …honestly, I never did figure it out. Rather, I started reading a bunch of stuff about how to get my arse organized, and started to write things down. College helped. 43 Folders helped, a lot. Reading Getting Things Done made the final pieces click into place.

Whereupon I entered the Second Epoch of Craig. At this time I dutifully studied, and earned my title, Wizard of Process and Organization, with a specialization in Internet Dark Arts. Do not meddle in the ways of Process and Organization Wizards; we are quick to anger and you are tasty with ketchup. As you can tell, I completely lost my marbles in the process. Near the end of this Second Epoch I reach the epitome of my list-building, (and project management setups, and universe-domination plans.) I was completely drowning in over-planned, over-committed, over-stressed, over-organization.

Cue, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and the dawning of the Third Epoch of Craig. Wherein I straight-up deleted most of my lists of ideas and plans. The really important stuff continues to live in my level-37 wizard process-management systems. I know they’re working when I forget they’re working and yet things magically appear when I need them to.

Ideas are worthless. It’s execution, (plus luck, and timing,) that makes them valuable. I’ve a few ideas that I cannot get out of my head. Those are the ones I’m working on in an attempt to make them go away. But it’s a good day any time I can manage to just forget about some idea having blissfully done nothing with it.

How to die sooner and get Alzheimer’s

Published June 15, 2020 · All posts on Jun 15

Sleep is primarily seen as a neurological phenomenon, and yet when deprived creatures die, they have a puzzlingly diverse set of failures in the body outside the nervous system. Insufficient sleep in humans and lab animals, if chronic, sets up health problems that surface over time, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. But those conditions are not what slays creatures that are 100% sleep deprived within days or weeks.
~ Corey Brickley from, Why Sleep Deprivation Kills | Quanta Magazine

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I’ve said it many times here, and I will keep saying it: Sleep is the single most important thing. In your life. Literally. If you are not sleeping well, and long—like, 8 hours per night, long—you have a serious health issue; not sleeping well, and sufficiently is a serious health issue.

Listen to this podcast, Matthew Walker, Ph.D., on sleep – Part I of III: Dangers of poor sleep, Alzheimer’s risk, mental health, memory consolidation, and more.

Yes, insufficient sleep—not, “I don’t feel sleepy,” but not getting sufficient sleep—if you don’t feel sleepy… if you are not sleeping 8 hours… you have other problems which are affecting your sleep. Insufficient sleep has direct causal relation to Alzheimer’s. Scared enough to fix your sleep yet?

Listen to the podcast, then buy the book, Sleep Smarter. It’s an easy introduction to how to fix your sleep. Or, don’t sleep well, die sooner and get Alzheimer’s; it’s your choice.

Self-esteem box

Published June 13, 2020 · All posts on Jun 13

Today, two thoughts popped into my head in rapid suggestion: “Self-esteem box,” and “I’ve never pull-quoted Movers Mindset.”

Craig: So for me it’s I know if I go for a walk that’s almost, not always, almost always enough to make it so I can go back into the cave of ugliness and get back to work kind of thing. So what are some things that will help you turn that corner, brighten you up or energize you?

Brandee: Yeah, that’s a great question, because I do get very dark moods pretty often actually, because with compassion comes the pain of caring so much about all these people and all this situation, it feels very futile a lot of times, like what can I do to change this. Yeah, I get there and I have a few tactics, I basically build protocols for myself for when I get in those moods. So one of the first things I go to is my self-esteem box.

Craig: This sounds like a good idea.

Brandee: And my self-esteem box is digital, it’s a digital self-esteem box and what I have done, is I have taken screenshots and copy/pasted and just dumped in all kinds of nice things that people have said, either to me or about me over the years.

So I have this file that is just full of gratitude and compliments and just stuff that I have had to read over and over and over in order to actually believe it. So that’s actually more like last resort is the self-esteem box. If nothing else works, open the self-esteem box, look through here.

Craig: In case of emergency, break glass, right?

Brandee: Totally. Totally. So that’s something I think everyone could and should do that. I guess I’ve never really told anyone about that. But it’s a nice thing.

Craig: I think that’s a really good tactic. People talk about doing gratitude journaling, but the gratitude journaling. I mean, I know that you know what it is, but gratitude journaling is a process which you have to execute on the spot when you feel like you’re having a bad mood. But the idea of having a self-esteem box is a clever one.

Brandee: Why, thank you.
~ Brandee Laird from 46’30”, https://moversmindset.com/72

I think these two thoughts popped into my head as the photo-frame on my wall changed. One of the smartest things I’ve ever done is set up a digital photo-frame. I email it photos of things—you know, all those digital photos you never do anything with. :)

Anyway. I love love LOVE my photo-frame. It’s chock full of hundreds of great photos. It’s not quite a self-esteem box. But it generally has the same effect. Every single time I glance at it it makes me smile.

Meanwhile, ever since I had that conversation with Brandee, (in September 2019,) I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a self-esteem box. I’m not quite sure where to put it [digitally] though; Also, I really do not need to make up yet another system for myself for organizing and storing things.

But the idea keeps calling to me.

Fine tuned indeed

Published June 12, 2020 · All posts on Jun 12

It seems almost paranormal, but I think it’s just more of nature’s evolutionary fine-tuning. Being such social mammals, it would make sense for us to have an uncanny sensitivity for detecting, another person’s sentiments toward us, even when they’re not advertising them.
~ David Cain from, How to Get Rich in the Kindness Economy

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In recent years I’ve elevated my perception of the subtleties of interpersonal communication—everything beyond the spoken word—from one of those, “I don’t know how I do that,” skills to be something I explicitly practice and notice in others. This is one of the things which makes great actors and actresses: Their ability to produce all the subtleties makes them feel very real to the majority of people who do not detect subtleties consciously. (They of course feel very real to me too. I’m saying I now better understand why and what cues are causing me to feel that way.) This is a super-power. Once you are reasonably competent at detecting what is affecting you, you can then use that information intentionally.

There’s been an enormous amount of discussion recently about facial expression, masks, posture, and intention. In effect, a huge number of people are getting a crash master-course in using and detecting all this subtlety.

I think that bodes well for all of us.

Stretched out before me

Published June 11, 2020 · All posts on Jun 11

I was aching for what came next. I felt my whole life stretched out before me like an invisible buffet. I turned toward my future, mouth watering.
~ Amy Poehler from, Take Your Licks | The New Yorker

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Partly I simply wanted an excuse to quote some well-crafted prose.

But mostly I like the image she conveyed. The visceral potential of it all. The feeling that at any moment—but I’m not quite hurrying—I will intentionally turn a corner and I’ll be able to see down the next street. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this street of course.

But do you recall what it was like to long to look around that corner?

Andrew Suseno: Ancestors, Parcon Resilience, and Racism

Published June 10, 2020 · All posts on Jun 10

Andrew Suseno: Ancestors, Parcon Resilience, and Racism

How can movement practices like Parcon Resilience foster connection, empathy, and anti-racism in diverse communities?

Andrew Suseno’s Parcon goes beyond the physical to create community and fight racism. Andrew discusses his family, ancestors, and their role in his identity. We explore what Parcon is, why he created Parcon Resilience, and his vision for the anti-racist work it does. Andrew unpacks various pieces of racism in modern America, how Parcon Resilience addresses it, and shares why the work he does inspires him.

When somebody is Parcon’ing with somebody who might be in a chair— who might have the ability to maybe do a couple steps if they had somebody in kind of a dynamic balance with them or helping take off some of their weight— Then all of a sudden it becomes possible! There’s this invitation across ability to be able to create new possibilities for being in public, for being in the world, and it’s not just a singular thing.
~ Andrew Suseno (17:48)

The discussion explores Parcon Resilience as an innovative practice combining movement, community, and anti-racist principles. Andrew goes into the origins of Parcon Resilience, blending influences from contact improvisation and parkour to create relational and environmental somatic experiences. The practice emphasizes inclusivity, enabling people of all abilities to connect and express themselves, often in public spaces, to challenge societal norms about movement and relationships.

The conversation also addresses broader themes of racism, intersectionality, and ancestral connections. Andrew explains how Parcon Resilience helps people embody anti-racism by fostering empathy and honoring diverse experiences. Discussions include the socio-political implications of movement and the transformative potential of connecting with one’s environment, others, and ancestral history.

Takeaways

Inclusivity in movement practices — Parcon Resilience allows individuals of all abilities to engage in meaningful interactions.

Contact improvisation — The foundational principles emphasize shared weight and nonverbal communication between participants.

Anti-racism through movement — Parcon Resilience focuses on fostering race consciousness and addressing societal inequalities.

Connection to environment — Participants explore nontraditional spaces and movements to form deeper relationships with their surroundings.

Empathy and relational practices — The focus on shared experiences builds mutual understanding and challenges societal divisions.

Intersectionality in practice — The framework centers on people of color across various intersecting identities.

Cultural and ancestral connections — Honoring one’s past and culture through movement deepens personal and collective identity.

Challenging ableist norms — Activities break barriers between able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.

Transforming public spaces — Movement activities in public invite diverse interactions and challenge conventional use of urban environments.

Resources

Moving Rasa @moving.rasa

People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond — Organization providing anti-racism workshops and initiatives.

Andrea Smith’s article on Heteropatriarchy — A piece discussing the three pillars of white supremacy.

High Line Park — The location for one of Parcon Resilience’s public flash mobs in New York City.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Interrupt driven

Published June 10, 2020 · All posts on Jun 10

Think about this question for a moment. The Apollo program was massive in size and complexity. It was executed at an incredible pace (only eight years spanned Kennedy’s pledge to Armstrong’s steps) and it yielded innovations at a staggering rate.

And it was all done without e-mail.
~ Cal Newport from, How We Sent a Man to the Moon Without E-mail and Why it Matters Today – Cal Newport

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Not just without email, but without computers or networks or cell phones or even hand calculators. They did it with paper, drafting tools and slide rules. Meetings, planning, and most importantly:

Communication.

All these tools that I have are only useful if I understand how they work. When you first start working in some field, you get the most basic tools—two manual, screwdrivers; one straight-blade and one Philips head. When you can tell me why the Philips head was invented, you can have a hand driver with interchangeable driver heads (“bits.”) When you can use them all… When you see a screw-head and pick the right bit… When you’ve exhausted your forearm from driving screws, then you can have a power driver. When you use the friction clutch correctly, you can have a larger power driver. And so on. (You can tell the quality of the craftsman by the way they maintain their tools. Yes, skilled persons can do great work with shitty tools. But at mastery level, the art is expressed in the tools themselves. Yes, all arts.)

So yes, you really do need to understand the different between wifi, cellular and Ethernet; between Apple’s IM, carrier SMS, and WhatsApp; between email, Google Docs, and Word.

As Carl Sagan wrote, “We live in a society…“

Nikkie Zanevsky | Partner Games & Mobility

Published June 10, 2020 · All posts on Jun 10

On Castbox.fm — Nikkie Zanevsky | Partner Games & Mobility

How can engaging in partner-based movement games and external variables enhance physical adaptability and uncover gaps in personal movement practices?

Exploring how others shape our environment can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in movement and training.

[T]he point for me is, it’s someone else changing the environment. So you—as the person coming in and interacting with that environment—you can’t default to your patterns, because you have to react to something someone else is doing.
~ Nikkie Zanevsky (6:57)

The conversation explores the use of partner games and external tools, such as PVC pipes, to enhance movement and adaptability in physical training. The session focuses on creating scenarios where participants cannot rely solely on habitual patterns but must respond dynamically to changing environments. This approach draws from disciplines like Parkour, fighting monkey, and natural movement practices, aiming to challenge participants’ movement in new and unpredictable ways.

A significant emphasis is placed on the value of collaborative practice, as working with others exposes blind spots and encourages creative adaptation. The discussion highlights specific drills involving throwing, catching, and navigating around PVC pipes, with variations that challenge agility, coordination, and responsiveness. The role of environmental context, whether in natural outdoor settings or urban spaces, also plays a crucial part in shaping how participants engage with the exercises.

Takeaways

Engaging with partners — Training with others exposes blind spots and reveals movement weaknesses.

Environmental adaptability — Changing environments forces practitioners to break habitual patterns.

Simple tools — Objects like PVC pipes serve as effective catalysts for complex movement challenges.

Play and competition — Incorporating game elements enhances learning and makes repetitive drills engaging.

Collaborative learning — Observing and imitating peers enriches personal practice and encourages creativity.

Unpredictable variables — Introducing randomness through partners or tools helps improve reaction time and adaptability.

Softness and flow — Learning to soften and receive energy during partner exercises enhances movement fluidity.

Resources

getwildlyfit.com — Official website for Wildly Fit, offering movement-based coaching and resources.

Get Wildly Fit @getwildlyfit — Nikki Zanevsky’s movement coaching practice, showcasing partner drills and movement games.

Art of Retreat — Organization hosting leadership and education retreats focused on Parkour and movement disciplines.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

No and yes

Published June 9, 2020 · All posts on Jun 9

Because we can’t say no—because we might miss out on something if we did. We think “yes” will let us accomplish more, will give us more of what we want, when in reality it prevents exactly what we seek. All of us waste precious life doing things we don’t like, to prove ourselves to people we don’t respect, and to get things we don’t want.
~ Ryan Holiday from, How To Say “No”: Advice From The World’s Most Powerful Man

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Accepting and rejecting are two sides of the same coin. A lot—I contemplated writing “all”—of my problems came from being unable to intentionally say, “yes,” or being unable to intentionally say, “no.” When completely lacking the skill from either side of this coin, I’m a puppet for others. I’m one of those doormats that says, “WELCOME,” come on in and use me.

But simply developing both of the skills is not enough. I needed to learn to balance the skills; To balance the requirements of life with the pursuits of pleasure, leisure, and creativity. That requires a finer control of these, “yes,” and, “no,” skills.

I occasionally encounter people who speak of, “always saying, ‘yes and…’.” That’s utter nonsense. One can only say once to the pan-handler on the street asking for money, “yes, and take my house.” Or to the myriad of people clamoring for one’s attention online, “yes, and…” scrolling scrolling scrolling and… the whole hour is lost.

The mastery level of, “no,” and, “yes,” is to go beyond reacting to life—figuring out which tool to deploy in this situation—to intentionally using, “no,” and, “yes,” to navigate life.

Distraction, Busyness, Hurrying: No.

Discovery, Reflection, Efficacy: Yes, and…

Equipment matters

Published June 7, 2020 · All posts on Jun 7

I have a confession to make: even though I love sound, I don’t really like sound equipment. […] Unfortunately, my bad attitude clashes with an important truth about audio storytelling: your equipment matters.
~ Andrew Wardlaw from, Recording Kit Tune Up

slip:4utare1.

Today, more of a bookmarking post than deep thinking. If you do anything with recording interviews—or even if you just own ONE cable to charge your phone—this article is chock-full of neat ideas.

…of course, if you’re into recording, I recommend handing your cash/cards over to someone you trust before reading it. I confess I was off on a few sites hovering over the buy button on a few new toys. ;)

Knowing when to stop

Published June 6, 2020 · All posts on Jun 6

This editing continues until the painting is finished. The criterion for what constitutes a “finished” work is reaching the stage at which you are no longer sure whether applying additional changes makes it better or worse. So there is a real possibility of making things worse than they were by not stopping at the right moment. Incidentally, this is the main argument for taking frequent breaks from your work, even at the risk of interrupting a flow state. Doing so allows you to take a more detached, if not completely objective, look at the current state of your work and thus avoid making costly mistakes.
~ Peter Oshkai from, Ways to fail

slip:4upewa1.

This is a brilliant way to tell when to stop.

I also believe that stopping while in the flow state is a good way to set oneself up for the next working session. I call it “parking on the hill”—which is a reference to strategically parking one’s car, nose downhill, on a hill so that it can be jump-started using the manual transmission. When stopping a work session, it’s obvious how to pre-position all the physical materials, the space, etc.. But stopping mid-flow also means, in my opinion, your mind is “parked on a hill” as well.

Craig Constantine

Presence, not pursuit.

Scree