Our lives are not what we think →

Published February 13, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 13  ·  ,

Everything there is, everything we know, hinges on this one bizarre, transient condition — existence — which just happens to be your current reality. We regard the miracle of existence as a goldfish regards water, which means we don’t regard it at all. But if you think about it, it’s an exceedingly peculiar fact — that we exist.

~ David Cain from, Our Lives Are Not What We Think

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My energy and drive to write waxes and wanes. But my desire for perspective is constant. Here’s a big ol’ chunk of a different perspective from David Cain.

My favorite sort of perspective—this has happened to me several times—is when I am completely exhausted. Not sleepy, but physically exhausted. Sometimes this has been when I have a slight fever, when a bout with the flu is beginning. But sometimes it’s just after a long day of physical labor. I lay down, and every muscle in my body is completely relaxed. There’s no urge to fidget, and no urge to move. When I’m completely relaxed like this, exhaling is such a delightfully emptying feeling.

…and sometimes my brain gets quiet enough to think, “oh! This is quite nice.”

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A conversation with Mandy Lam →

Published February 10, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 10  ·  ,

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series The interviews from my perspective

Mandy Lam / Epsidode 27

The conversation with Mandy was the first time I tried simply recording a long conversation, which we published with almost zero editing. I had been talking to people on our team about trying this form of recording, but at some point, you just sort of have to jump in the pool.

I don’t remember where or when I first met Mandy. I don’t remember if someone said, “you should interview Mandy.” “Who?” “Mandy, over there— here, I’ll introduce you.” …or maybe we first met training. I really don’t recall. But I do recall that after a conversation we were like, yeah, let’s do an interview. At some point. Somewhere. Some when.

Then a few more conversations. Then a few stories at Gerlev, and then we were at the 3rd Évry Move event and we kept saying, “we should make time for an interview.” So after dinner one evening, we kicked our feet up in a hotel room overlooking the fountain in front of the Évry Cathedral.

…and talked for more than two hours trying to decide what to talk about in her interview. Two terrific hours of great conversation. We kept looking out from the 4th floor, with the big window swung open wide to the warm night, and thinking, “This is Évry. We’re just casually chatting about communities and life and everything… in the middle of Évry.”

…and the huge water fountain in the plaza sounding like a waterfall.

…and we really should press record soon.

“…ok, so, we’ve now been talking for 2-and-a-half hours. We should probably press record soon.”

Finally, I was like, “fuck it. ready?” and I hit record. Then we talked for another two hours. We recorded this sleep-drunk rambling conversation, and the whole time I’m thinking, “this is going to be so bad. No one will ever want to listen to this.”

Weeks later, I finally listened to it.

There’s a team of people behind the podcast and they  always want to know how each interview went. I bet you’ve heard the phrase, “like pulling a rabbit out of your hat,” used when—with a touch of panache—you manage something akin to snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

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This greater good you’ve found →

Published February 9, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 9  ·  

Indeed, if you find anything in human life better than justice, truth, self-control, courage – in shrot, anything better than the sufficiency of your own mind, which keeps you acting according to the demands of true reason and accepting what fate gives you outside of your own power of choice – I tell you, if you can see anything better than this, turn to it heart and soul and take full advantage of this greater good you’ve found.

~ Marcus Aurelius

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The interviews from my perspective →

Published February 8, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 8  ·  ,

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series The interviews from my perspective

This ongoing series of posts will contain my memories and thoughts from the interviews which I have been doing for the Movers Mindset podcast.

You can—obviously—listen to each interview. But in this series I want to share things about the interviews. I realized that I have begun to tell stories about the interviews, and people are fascinated by those stories as much as by the interviews themselves.

And so I want to share snapshots—imagery and ideas conveyed through storytelling—from the interviews. The podcast is about, among other things, sharing stories and for every interview I have at least one great story I want to tell.

Stories from before the interviews, or after. Or the people in the room you didn’t hear, or beautiful spaces I get to visit, or the time of day, the light, the vibe, the orgin-story of how I first met the guest, how they affected my life or my journey, …

I’m already 27 stories behind and even the most cursory romp down memory lane has brought countless stories to mind.

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One word →

Published February 7, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 7  ·  

I find myself using the word “wish” when I’ve decided I don’t like something the way it is, yet I’m not actually doing anything about it. There’s no real reason to declare my wishes. Whenever I start a sentence with “I just wish…” feel free to ignore me, I’m only wasting your time. My whiny face has probably made you tune out anyway.

~ David Cain from, Four Words That Make Me Suspicious of Myself When I Say Them

Then I have to ask, what does it mean when we say, “I wish you well?”

It means exactly nothing.

If someone is sick, don’t send prayers or well wishes. Instead, tell them you will miss them when they are gone—oviously only in cases where Death is the elephant-in-the-room. In more mundane situations, why not tell someone how much you enjoyed this opportunity to spend time with them. …or how much you appreciate their simply calling to say hello. Don’t “wish” them well. Don’t “try” to keep in touch. (Those are just a few examples that spring immediately to mind.)

Avoiding “wishing” is not easy. I’ve been actively and intentionally working on it for many years. So far, I’ve managed only to become aware of it each time I “wish” or “try.”

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Niko Pal | Holistics Biomechanics →

Published February 6, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 6

On Castbox.fm — Niko Pal | Holistics Biomechanics

What is the interplay between the body’s systems and stress responses in shaping movement and awareness?

The integration of the nervous system, fascia, and circulatory systems redefines movement and stress management.

Holistic biomechanics is sort of the study of how the body works as a whole, how the mind and body are connected, as opposed to two separate entities.

~ Niko Pal (0:43)

The conversation explores the concept of holistic biomechanics, focusing on the interconnectedness of the nervous, circulatory, and fascial systems. These systems are discussed in terms of their roles in stress response, movement, and awareness. Nico explains how the body’s response to stress can be categorized into active and conservation stages, emphasizing the effects of prolonged stress on physical and mental health. He also introduces a reclassification of stress responses into adaptive and reflexive modes, offering a fresh perspective on how we perceive and manage stress.

Nico shares his personal experience presenting these ideas for the first time, highlighting the challenges of discussing complex topics in front of a large audience. He also discusses practical applications of mindfulness, such as developing sensory awareness of the body’s position in space. These techniques are presented as tools for enhancing movement efficiency and managing stress by fostering a deeper connection between mind and body.

Takeaways

Holistic systems — The nervous, circulatory, and fascial systems work together to support movement and stress management.

Stress response stages — Stress is experienced in active stages like fight or flight and conservation stages like collapse.

Adaptive versus reflexive — Stress responses can be viewed as adaptive (resting) or reflexive (survival-driven).

Fascial system’s role — Fascia connects the body structurally and influences how nerves communicate.

Sensory awareness — Developing body awareness improves both physical structure and stress response management.

Mindfulness in biomechanics — Practical techniques focus on integrating environmental awareness with bodily sensations.

Resources

Forge Parkour, Portland, Oregon — A parkour training center where Nico is the head coach.

Art of Retreat — A leadership and education conference for parkour and movement disciplines.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Mandy Lam: Community, travel, and self reflection →

Published February 6, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 6  ·  

Mandy Lam: Community, travel, and self reflection

What motivates individuals to embark on journeys that are deeply personal, yet intricately tied to the people and communities they encounter along the way?

Mandy Lam dives right into discussion about her travels, the characters she’s met and communities she has visited. She and Craig discuss the ethos and spirit of Évry Move, where they sat down to talk, as well as their experiences with the Yamakasi. Mandy also shares her thoughts on what makes a good community, the importance of solo training and self reflection, and finally gets around to discussing her major concussion.

It’s always the people. Even from the beginning, before my trip, it was always about the people.

~ Mandy Lam (7:34)

This conversation is a free-flowing discussion that centers on the intersections of travel, community, and personal growth. The dialogue reveals how connections with people—rather than places—become the driving force behind journeys. It highlights the serendipity of meeting individuals who profoundly shape one’s experiences and offers reflections on how cultural practices and storytelling enrich these encounters.

The discussion also examines broader themes such as how physical practices like Parkour serve as a medium for forming relationships and navigating personal narratives. It touches upon the challenges and rewards of creating and participating in events that foster community, drawing from specific examples like the North American Women’s Jam and training gatherings in Europe.

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Taking an “anti-” stance is not a solution →

Published February 6, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 6  ·  

Even from a seemingly unempowered starting point — a budget apartment in some forgettable corner of a society that has been designed to make you sick and impotent — these traits will do more for you than any “Anti” stance you can think of. Hating the system is a favorite American pastime. It feels good, is difficult to stop once you start, and gets you precisely nowhere, not unlike eating Doritos. This is not us against them, it’s us for us.

~ David Cain from, How to Make Trillions of Dollars

I don’t know about you. But it is definitely “me against me.” Not in the sense, “I need to conquer myself,” but in the sense, “I need to stop defeating myself.” What’s that old adage? …be kind for everyone you encounter is fighting a great battle? I need to learn that lesson, and I need to remember that the person I most often encounter is me.

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Only when you breath your last →

Published February 4, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 4  ·  

Lectures and learned seminars and sayings culled from the teachings of philosophers and educated conversation do not reveal the mind’s real strength. For speech is bold even where the speaker is timorous. What you have achieved will be revealed only when you breathe your last.

~ Seneca

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Get above the snow-line →

Published February 3, 2019  ·  All posts on Feb 3  ·  

Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.You may never reach the summit; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don’t make at least one serious attempt to get above the snow-line, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness.

~ Hugh MacLeod

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I am way above the snow line. I believe my toes have succumbed to frost-bite. It has not escaped me that people die on Mount Everest. It has not escaped me that no one cares about your ascent unless you come back with a great story.

Unfortunately for my well-being, the sun is out, the sky is blue, and there’s no one left to tell me to stop climbing.

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