How can personal passion projects and unconventional pursuits outside the classroom enhance teaching effectiveness and foster authentic connections with students?
Andy Fisher discusses being a teacher, why he loves it, and how his pursuit of his passions relates to the classroom. He shares his unique and unexpected movement journey before explaining how all of that relates to the passion projects he regularly pursues, such as the Thronin and Hero Forge projects. Andy discusses his thoughts on efficacy, his current struggles and how he manages and works towards overcoming them.
At the age of 11, I was sent to a boarding school in the UK […] Every morning at seven o’clock, an alarm bell was rung, and all of the kids got up, and we had to do a two and a half-mile run. I was the last to come through wheezing and coughing, and by the time I showed up, all the breakfast had gone. There was just a certain point where I just thought, ‘Enough, I’m not going to have this define my life.’ I made the decision that I wasn’t going to be defined by my condition, and that I could grow.
~ Andy Fisher (12:53)
The conversation explores how unconventional pursuits such as knife-throwing, wilderness survival, and circus performance inform and enhance teaching practice. By bringing these passion projects into the classroom, the importance of authentic connection and engaging with students beyond the curriculum emerges. Themes of resilience, personal growth, and fostering curiosity run throughout the dialogue.
Andy Fisher discusses his journey from asthmatic child to martial artist, teacher, and survival instructor, illustrating how personal challenge translates into valuable lessons for students. The balance between discipline and compassion plays a critical role in shaping both his personal life and professional teaching philosophy.
Takeaways
Bridging passion and teaching — Personal pursuits outside of work can deepen engagement with students.
Resilience through experience — Overcoming personal limitations can shape a stronger, more empathetic teaching style.
Authenticity in education — Teachers benefit from sharing personal struggles and successes with students.
Physical challenges and growth — Embracing physically demanding hobbies like survival training builds discipline.
Continuous learning — Remaining a learner outside the classroom informs and inspires teaching.
Resources
Hero Forge Project — Andy Fisher’s podcast and book exploring personal development and heroism.
Hero Roundtable — Conferences discussing heroism and leadership.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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