Results

Authentic with Viktor Andersson →

Published May 10, 2022  ·  All posts on May 10  ·  

Authentic with Viktor Andersson

How does photography, particularly portraiture and movement photography, influence people’s self-perception and their ability to express authenticity?

Movement photography captures authenticity in ways still photography often cannot.

The idea of a portrait is to crack this mask and get into the persona, so I actually have a genuine persona, rather than their predefined version of how they think they should look.

~ Viktor Andersson (12:07)

The conversation focuses on the intersections of photography, movement, and self-expression. Viktor describes how portraiture aims to break through individuals’ preconceived notions of how they appear, to uncover a more authentic representation of their persona. He explores the idea of “masks” people create based on societal and personal expectations, contrasting this with the rawness of movement photography, where authenticity often shines through physical action.

A key theme is the importance of making subjects comfortable, whether in photography or coaching. Techniques such as relatability and creating a safe environment are highlighted as ways to help individuals overcome the discomfort of being photographed or performing challenging movements. Viktor also shares a personal philosophy tying their movement practice to their photography, emphasizing the values of strength and usefulness in their work.

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How you play →

Published May 9, 2022  ·  All posts on May 9  ·  

If life is a game, how do you play it? The answer will have a huge impact on your choices, your satisfaction, and how you achieve success.

~ Shane Parrish from, Finite and Infinite Games: Two Ways to Play the Game of Life

There are of course some games simply not worth playing. (For example, Global Thermonucler War, which is, “[a] strange game. The only winning move is not to play.“) For most of my life I’ve thought of games as something I first decided to do—”let’s play a game!”—and then sorted out what sort of game—board games, tag, charades, etc.. Even sports games worked this way; “I feel like playing baseball…” and then round up my friends, or “I feel like getting good at baseball and playing a lot…” and then join a league. In all the cases, the game itself was the point.

Then, back around 40 when I was busy rediscovering movement, I realized that one could start by having a goal, or an idea one wanted to explore, and then one could deploy games as the vehicle for accomplishing that. On the one hand, it’s still fun to simply play for play’s sake, but it’s empowering to have fun playing while intentionally accomplishing something of your own choosing.

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Preparation with Danny Attias →

Published April 22, 2022  ·  All posts on Apr 22

How can preparation and spontaneity be balanced in podcasting to foster engaging conversations?

A technology leader reflects on lessons from public speaking and podcasting.

The podcast forced me to listen. Don’t get distracted. Really engage and ask questions. You know, my deal with myself was: Don’t allow your voice to be heard more than 15% of the show, because they’re tuning in for the guest.

~ Danny Attias (11:06)

The discussion centers on balancing preparation and spontaneity in podcasting and public speaking. Danny describes his approach to speaking engagements, highlighting the challenges of monologuing versus participating in interactive formats. The conversation touches on the advantages of minimal preparation for fostering authentic dialogue and the difficulties of structuring scripted presentations, such as a TED Talk-inspired podcast episode.

Another focus is the theme of empathy, privilege, and imposter syndrome as critical lessons derived from podcast conversations. These themes inform the guest’s personal growth and leadership style. The conversation also touches on the technical aspects of podcast production, with Danny recounting experiences recording in person and navigating unexpected technical challenges. Reflections on sustaining creative energy and the decision to organize episodes by seasons further enrich the dialogue.

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Social with Damien Puddle →

Published April 6, 2022  ·  All posts on Apr 6  ·  

Social with Damien Puddle

What insights can be gained about the culture, practice, and academic study of Parkour?

The conversation explores how Parkour evolved into a subject of academic research and its broader cultural implications.

I just got so interested in Parkour that I tried to spin every single project of any kind that I did, towards Parkour. Because I realized there was no— there’s hardly any research written about it at all.

~ Damien Puddle (3:50)

The conversation covers the cultural and academic dimensions of Parkour, including its growth as a global practice. Parkour’s physical techniques are explored, particularly how they contribute to biomechanical understanding and injury prevention. This ties into broader academic efforts to document and analyze Parkour, positioning it as a boundary object uniting diverse interpretations.

Attention is given to the social and philosophical aspects of Parkour. These include its global adoption, differences in regional practices, and how practitioners perceive and engage with the discipline. The conversation concludes with reflections on the broader significance of Parkour as both a personal journey and a collective cultural phenomenon.

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Comfortable with AnnSofie Svensson →

Published March 31, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 31  ·  

Comfortable – with AnnSofie Svensson

How do personal experiences and challenges shape an individual’s approach to movement practices and training?

Exploring the intersection of circus arts, Parkour, and fear-facing techniques reveals unique approaches to movement.

I feel [my rail work] is like somewhere— I think, a middle ground because it connects both what I used to do in the air, and what I do on the floor.

~ AnnSofie Svensson (1:44)

The conversation explores the interplay between different movement disciplines, highlighting how unique environments and personal experiences influence training approaches. Topics include adapting Parkour to locations with limited infrastructure, integrating circus arts with traditional movement practices, and balancing personal challenges like fear and overcommitment.

A strong focus is placed on the social versus individual aspects of training. While some movement is shared socially, other practices stem from isolation, driven by a lack of community or environmental factors. The discussion also touches on broader themes, such as facing fears, redefining consistency, and finding humor in challenges. AnnSofie shares insights into building movement opportunities in remote areas and reflects on the intersection of personal growth and physical exploration.

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Exploration with Panda Ilén →

Published March 28, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 28  ·  

Exploration with Panda Ilén

What connections and influences exist between Parkour, bouldering, and theater?

Combining theater and physical disciplines creates new dimensions for expression and skill development.

Happiness, honesty and exploration.

~ Panda Ilén (19:33)

The conversation explores the intersections of Parkour, bouldering, and theater in shaping movement practices and self-expression. Topics include the influence of environment, seasonal changes, and the impact of community versus solitude on training. Panda reflects on how bouldering introduces new ways of thinking and moving, which also informs their approach to Parkour.

Theater emerges as a complementary discipline, with a unique ability to channel movement skills into creative performances. Seasonal challenges, particularly in Nordic winters, and transitions between locations further frame the discussion, shedding light on the importance of adaptability in both practice and life.

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Priorities with Trevor de Groot →

Published March 24, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 24  ·  

Priorities with Trevor de Groot

How does movement, in its various forms, influence personal growth, perspective, and community connection?

Parkour fosters a perspective shift that forever changes how individuals experience their surroundings.

I think it’s just about perspective. Everything in life is, and if you can take a fresh perspective that is beneficial to your overall long-term growth, then that’s perfect.

~ Trevor de Groot (10:03)

The conversation examines the multifaceted role of movement in personal and professional life. Topics include the transformative perspective Parkour offers, such as changing how practitioners view and interact with their environment. Trevor discusses the importance of maintaining diverse movement practices, including Parkour, climbing, and martial arts, to foster creativity and growth. He also reflects on the sense of community and collaboration that these activities provide.

The discussion explores balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities, especially in the context of managing a gym and navigating challenges like lockdowns. Trevor shares his insights on re-prioritizing activities to allocate time for personal fulfillment and development. Social media’s influence on sports communities and individual training approaches is also addressed, emphasizing the importance of finding intrinsic motivation.

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Self-Care with Brian A. Prince →

Published March 15, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 15  ·  

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.

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Process with James Fricker →

Published March 15, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 15

What strategies can podcasters use to manage the complexities of content creation and sustain their passion over time?

The conversation explores how podcasters balance creative ambitions with practical constraints.

I think what would be a nice way to wrap it— would be, to create some kind of an ebook, or something like that, to condense a lot of the learnings into something.

~ James Fricker (12:24)

The conversation discusses the challenges podcasters face in managing their creative ambitions alongside time and resource constraints. Strategies for prioritizing tasks, such as focusing on specific platforms and using tools to repurpose content efficiently, are explored. The discussion also touches on how podcasters can manage information overload and set boundaries to maintain sustainability.

Career growth and the role of podcasting as a learning tool are significant themes. The potential for podcasting to foster connections within organizations is considered, with an example of private podcasts enhancing workplace culture. Inspirations like Tim Ferriss demonstrate the importance of preparation and structure in creating impactful episodes. The idea of consolidating podcast learnings into formats like ebooks is presented as a way to conclude a series thoughtfully.

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Toe-tal recall →

Published March 14, 2022  ·  All posts on Mar 14

When viewed through an evolutionary or naturalistic lens, to walk, run and move barefoot is, of course, the default human condition. Any alteration of this is an alteration of not just millions of years of bipedal hominid function, but hundreds of millions of years of natural selection’s honing and refining of foot structure.

~ Matt Wallden from, Toe-tal recall – What on Earth are our toes actually for?

This is a stupendous deep-dive into our feet. I love the clarity of, “[a]ny alteration of this”. Am I barefoot? (At this instant, yes. With my feet on very rough, old, worn concrete, on my patio, in 50°F weather.) If I am not barefoot, I want that to always have been a conscious choice—some specific reason for why I’ve chosen to alter the function of my feet.

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