Movers Mindset

The Movers Mindset project includes a podcast and has its own website.

John Beede: Mountaineering, values, and growth →

Published January 20, 2021  ·  All posts on Jan 20  ·  

John Beede: Mountaineering, values, and growth

What lessons and insights can be drawn from mountaineering, personal growth, and facing challenges?

Climbing Mt Everest and the 7 Summits is a huge accomplishment, for John Beede, it’s only the beginning of the story. He discusses his book The Warrior Challenge: 8 Quests for Boys to Grow Up with Kindness, Courage and Grit, and his reasons for writing it. John shares his experiences from mountaineering and climbing Everest, and why climbing is important to him. He reflects on his journey overcoming PTSD, what he’s learned from climbing, and advice for others starting out.

Well, how do you get young men, especially, interested in learning grit, in learning self-awareness, in learning stepping up as a human being or choosing their values? Those are pretty intense subjects even for adults.

~ John Beede (7:36)

John Beede is an adventurer, author, speaker, and one of few people to climb the tallest peak on every continent, including Mt Everest. He has traveled to 67 countries, survived avalanches and PTSD, and more recently has “settled down” to enjoy competitive kite surfing. John is also the author of 3 books, sharing what he’s learned through his adventuring and mountaineering. His newest book is called, The Warrior Challenge: 8 Quests for Boys to Grow Up with Kindness, Courage, and Grit.

The discussion centers on the transformative experiences of mountaineering, particularly climbing Mount Everest and other peaks, and how these adventures mirror challenges in personal growth. Topics include the psychological and emotional impacts of extreme conditions, such as post-traumatic stress, and the healing process that leads to growth. John emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, cultivating self-awareness, and fostering grit, especially among young people.

The conversation also explores practical tools, such as the 5-2-7 breathing technique, and its role in managing stress and achieving focus. Insights into vulnerability, teamwork, and the value of being present highlight how personal experiences can inspire others. John relates these lessons to writing and speaking, creating accessible narratives to connect with a broader audience.

Takeaways

The significance of boundaries — Setting boundaries is essential for personal and relational health, enabling clarity and mutual respect.

The power of storytelling — Sharing personal experiences can inspire others and create meaningful connections.

Lessons from mountaineering — Facing physical and emotional extremes provides deep insights into resilience and teamwork.

Practical stress management — Techniques like 5-2-7 breathing offer immediate tools for calming and focus.

The value of vulnerability — Embracing and sharing vulnerability leads to personal growth and stronger relationships.

Encouraging young people — Teaching values like grit and courage can help young individuals navigate life’s challenges.

The universality of growth — Everyone, regardless of their journey, has opportunities for learning and self-improvement.

Resources

John Beede

The Warrior Challenge — John Beede’s new book exploring quests for boys to grow with kindness, courage, and grit.

Essentialism — Greg McKeown’s book about focusing on what truly matters by eliminating unnecessary distractions.

Breath — James Nestor’s book discussing the science and techniques of breathing for health and mindfulness.

Wim Hof Method — Techniques for breathing and cold exposure to enhance health and resilience.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Alex Pavlotski: Ethnography, leadership, and trajectory →

Published January 13, 2021  ·  All posts on Jan 13  ·  

Alex Pavlotski: Ethnography, leadership, and trajectory

What are the intersections of movement practices, leadership, and cultural anthropology?

‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is a statement that Alex Pavlotski lives by as a cartooning ethnographer. He explains ethnography and anthropology, and shares his thoughts on parkour and where it’s headed. Alex discusses leadership and his project Word Magick, as well as his goals for an illustrated thesis. He unpacks his observations on parkour practice, community, and defining our own future.

I think the first thing about movement practice is that it’s deeply humbling. The first time you crawl around on all fours for hours, you understand that you have so much more to learn. And then I guess, I don’t know, at some point, it felt real; weird and real.

~ Alex Pavlotski (4:48)

Alex Pavalotski is an anthropologist, comic artist, blogger, and parkour practitioner based in Melbourne Australia. He is the creator of Parkour Panels, a satirical comic where he discussed relevant issues in the parkour community. Alex earned his PhD in 2016, and traveled extensively while working on his thesis, training with and studying global parkour communities.

The conversation examines how movement practices like parkour intersect with cultural anthropology and leadership. The discussion highlights how parkour’s growth has mirrored historical patterns of other movement practices, blending physicality with philosophy as practitioners age. Leadership is portrayed as a cultural force, shaping movement communities and the way they evolve over time. The influence of space, language, and shared values in defining these communities is explored.

Another focal point is the anthropological study of leadership, where the capacity to shape culture and practice is critical. The conversation also critiques the commodification and institutionalization of movement practices, suggesting that they risk losing their authentic and transformative potential. The potential of comics as a medium to communicate complex ideas, such as movement or leadership, is also emphasized.

Takeaways

Parkour as cultural evolution — The practice reflects historical patterns and adapts to contemporary environments.

Leadership’s influence — Leaders shape not just practices but also cultural interpretations of movement.

Manipulation in communities — Awareness of harmful leadership and group dynamics is crucial for healthy community growth.

Formalization and risk — Institutionalizing movement practices can lead to both opportunities and challenges.

Comics as communication — Visual storytelling offers a compelling way to explore and share ideas.

Trauma and learning — Physical and emotional struggles in movement lead to meaningful growth.

Anthropology’s role — Ethnographic studies provide valuable insights into how movement connects people.

Global dynamics — Different cultural approaches to parkour highlight varying values and goals.

Resources

Alex Pavlotski

Parkour Panels — A satirical comic by Alex addressing issues in the parkour community.

Word Magic — Alex’s project exploring leadership and community dynamics.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Angie Flynn-McIver: Intention, communication, and storytelling →

Published December 23, 2020  ·  All posts on Dec 23  ·  

Angie Flynn-McIver: Intention, communication, and storytelling

What role does intentionality play in effective communication and personal growth?

Although she is officially an ‘expert’ in communication, Angie Flynn-McIver simply considers herself constantly fascinated by it. Angie Flynn-McIver discusses intention; What it is, coaching it, and practicing it. She shares her own stories of intention, coaching, and travel, and gives advice on finding your guiding stars. Angie unpacks her thoughts on the power of storytelling and how to use your intention to chart your course.

The answer to all of that is intention. The answer to all of that is actually you have to do some really deep personal work to figure out where you’re coming from and what motivates you.

~ Angie Flynn-McIver (12:54)

Angie Flynn-McIver is a communication expert, theater director, and business woman based in North Carolina. As the founder of Ignite CSP, she uses her theater experience to coach others in effective and intentional communication. Angie and her husband are also the founders of the North Carolina Stage Company, an award winning theater in it’s 19th season.

The conversation explores how intentionality shapes communication and personal growth, particularly in coaching and storytelling. It begins by examining the concept of deliberate versus default intentions, explaining how our unexamined patterns often drive behavior and how adopting deliberate intentions fosters meaningful interactions. Insights are shared about how actors use intention to create authenticity, with parallels drawn to everyday communication challenges.

Another focal point is the role of storytelling as both a coaching tool and a human experience. Stories connect intention to outcomes, providing a narrative framework for understanding and navigating life. Practical advice is offered, such as practicing intention in mundane settings like grocery stores to build self-awareness. The conversation highlights the importance of narrative, not just as an enhancer of coaching but as a foundational tool for aligning actions with goals.

Takeaways

Storytelling as a tool — It connects deeply with human cognition and emotions, making it an effective coaching method.

Default versus deliberate intention — Identifying and shifting from default patterns can transform communication and actions.

Practical application of intention — Small everyday tasks, like grocery shopping, serve as effective practice grounds for cultivating deliberate intention.

Intention in coaching — Coaches use intention to help clients align actions with larger goals while addressing immediate needs.

Empathy through communication — Building understanding and connection requires intention to be present and aware in every interaction.

Resources

Ignite CSP — Angie’s coaching company focusing on intentional communication and leadership.

North Carolina Stage Company — A theater co-founded by Angie, showcasing innovative performances.

David Cain’s Raptitude — Blog offering reflective essays, including “How to Walk Across a Parking Lot,” on intentional living.

The Storytelling Animal — Jonathan Gottschall’s book exploring the science and power of storytelling in human life.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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David Banks: Endurance challenges, performance art, and recovery →

Published December 16, 2020  ·  All posts on Dec 16  ·  

David Banks: Endurance challenges, performance art, and recovery

What inspires the integration of movement disciplines, performance art, and endurance challenges to create a meaningful cultural and personal impact?

Is parkour about athleticism, or performance art? To David Banks, it is both at once. He shares his movement journey and inspirations, from martial arts to parkour to drama. David unpacks some of his projects, including the Movement Card and his various charity endurance challenges. He discusses performance art and how it relates to his parkour practice, and reflects on injury and recovery.

What is difficult is that our current urban conditions reject the possibility for a creativity in urban spaces. This is often—in Scotland because of social contracts, as opposed to written law. It’s ‘Get down off that wall.’ ‘You’re not allowed to do this, I’m phoning the police.’ For people that maybe don’t practice parkour that are listening to this, you might think, ‘You just tell him it’s fine, you just wait for the police to come.’ But the amount of times I’ve taken an hour or two out of my training over the years to deal with that, is just very frustrating.

~ David Banks (12:45)

David Banks is an artist and mover from Glasgow, Scotland. As a co-founder of the company Ukemi, he merges his background in art and parkour by creating projects that encourage play, improve health, and make movement accessible in urban areas. David has been a part of various projects through Ukemi, collaborating on Youth Urban Games festival and creating the Ukemi card game.

This conversation explores the multifaceted intersections of movement, performance art, and personal development. The discussion begins with the inspiration behind integrating artistic and athletic disciplines, as exemplified by an enduring fascination with characters like Spider-Man. David explains how this passion evolved into a commitment to parkour, boxing, and mixed martial arts, as well as how these practices contributed to storytelling and artistic expression.

The conversation goes into various projects, including the creation of the Movement Card, which aims to clarify legal rights for movement practitioners in different countries. The conversation also highlights endurance events such as crawling eight miles to raise funds for charity and the ambition to complete a rail marathon. These endeavors underline the speaker’s commitment to using movement as a medium for personal and social change, while emphasizing themes like injury, recovery, and the pursuit of authenticity in artistic expression.

Takeaways

Creative endurance events — Highlighting the significance of pushing personal and physical boundaries to achieve societal and artistic goals.

Parkour’s cultural and personal dimensions — Discussing how parkour combines physicality with storytelling and cultural commentary.

Legal and societal barriers — Examining how societal norms and legal frameworks shape the accessibility and acceptance of movement in urban spaces.

Artistic purity — Reflecting on reducing complex ideas to their rawest, most meaningful expressions through performance art.

Personal growth through movement — Emphasizing movement disciplines as tools for overcoming trauma and building mental resilience.

Resources

Movement Card website

Parkour Outreach — An organization collaborating on movement and accessibility projects.

Parkour Earth — A global organization aiming to promote and protect the practice of parkour.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Adam Echa: Training, travel, and mindfulness →

Published December 9, 2020  ·  All posts on Dec 9  ·  

Adam Echa: Training, travel, and mindfulness

How do personal practices in movement, mindfulness, and creativity interconnect and influence an individual’s approach to life and challenges?

At first glance, Adam Echa is a jack of all trades, but all of his practices and interests are connected. He shares the role of music in his life, his interest in photography, and his experiences riding bicycle deliveries in New York City. Adam discusses his parkour training, flips, cross training, and filming. He unpacks his personal mindfulness practices, and reflects on where and why he wants to travel.

I love the filming aspect of Parkour, like by yourself, just filming the line. […] I think I have more fun figuring out how I fit in the frame doing movement than like going from point A to point B.

~ Adam Echa (19:00)

Adam Echa is an athlete, musician, videographer, and overall creative human. As an athlete and a coach, he works to balance his training and develop in both areas. In addition to parkour, Adam plays guitar, writes music, and occasionally performs.

The conversation examines how the interplay of physical movement, creativity, and mindfulness shapes personal growth and perspective. Key topics include the nuances of Parkour and its mental and physical demands, the relationship between personal art forms like music or photography, and the grounding influence of mindfulness practices. These pursuits reveal how discipline in one area can inform and complement another.

Adam reflects on experiences of minimalism, personal transitions, and the importance of authenticity in creative and physical practices. Discussions touch on concepts like control—whether in movement, artistic expression, or life decisions—and how moments of vulnerability can lead to breakthroughs in both performance and personal understanding. The emphasis is on finding one’s path and defining success in ways that align with internal values rather than external pressures.

Takeaways

Parkour as mindfulness practice — Movement creates an opportunity to be fully present and self-aware.

Yoga as personal discovery — Practicing yoga goes beyond imitation, requiring one to explore what works individually.

Photography as self-expression — Personal photography can serve as an evolving reflection of one’s identity.

Control in movement — Fixies and Parkour alike teach the importance of direct, unmediated control.

Creativity’s iterative process — Repeating small steps helps solidify both artistic and athletic skills.

Resources

Adam Echo @amaku_guy

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Jessi Stensland: Feet, reflection, and nature →

Published December 2, 2020  ·  All posts on Dec 2  ·  

Jessi Stensland: Feet, reflection, and nature

How can we incorporate nature and movement into our lives to foster health, reflection, and personal growth?

How does a professional tri-athlete become a barefoot nomad? The path has never been clearer to Jessi Stensland. She discusses the role of movement in her life, before diving into her passion: feet. Jessi unpacks her own journey of foot discovery, and shares foot recommendations for others. She describes her personal reflective practices, and her focus of prioritizing nature in her life.

In other words, if people come up to me on the trail and they say, ‘Do you run barefoot?’ And I said, ‘I don’t run barefoot. I run. You run in shoes. And why?’ Because we have a shoe company called Vivo Barefoot, ‘live barefoot.’ The first time someone asked me, ‘What does barefoot mean to you, Jessi?’, I was like whoa! If someone has to ask me—very, very wholeheartedly ask me—what I think the word barefoot means… Something’s wrong with that word in our day and age now, unfortunately.

~ Jessi Stensland (14:05)

Jessi Stensland is a Nature-based, movement-inspired, wild and free human currently in living in Oaxaca, Mexico. She has a background in human performance, was a college swimmer, professional triathlete and mountain sport athlete who more recently began exploring parkour and dance. Jessi is working on a concept designed to inspire a rerooting of our collective core values within Nature. She is passionate about living with Nature, moving in Nature, and about permaculture, foraging, growing food, floor sleeping and, as always: free feet.

The conversation explores how reconnecting with nature and understanding our bodies can inspire profound personal growth and reflection. Jessi shares how her journey into barefoot living transformed her approach to movement and life. She discusses the physical and sensory benefits of engaging with natural environments, emphasizing the importance of texture, variability, and sensory stimulation for healthy feet and overall well-being. Her self-discovery highlights how societal norms, like reliance on shoes, can obscure our connection to natural movement.

Another central theme is the mental and emotional clarity derived from living in harmony with nature. Jessi explains how daily exposure to natural elements and reflective practices, such as mindful interaction with the environment, allow her to process her thoughts and recharge. The discussion also touches on broader topics, including the importance of childhood freedom, permaculture, and foraging, as ways to deepen our relationship with nature and enrich our lives.

Takeaways

Nature as a priority — Incorporating nature into daily life enhances physical and mental well-being.

Barefoot living — Exploring the benefits of minimal footwear and natural ground textures.

Self-discovery — Movement and reflection serve as tools for understanding the body and mind.

Childlike curiosity — Adopting a playful, exploratory approach to movement and life.

Permaculture and foraging — Engaging with local environments through sustainable practices.

Sensory connection — Using natural sensations to reconnect with the body and the earth.

Resources

Feet Freex — For humans on the move.

Erwan Le Corre and Natural Movement — A reference to natural movement principles, as discussed in the conversation.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Enabling possibility →

Published December 1, 2020  ·  All posts on Dec 1  ·  ,

I feel my title’s use of “enabling” rather than the more common [that I’ve seen] “creating” is important. (Of course, I don’t craft the titles with reckless abandon; There’d be far more, “Wordy werds” and “Completely different” type titles.) But in the past couple weeks I’ve been focused on the distinction between “to create” and “to enable.”

I’ve been sprinkling a Lonely Hearts-inspired call in a few different places as I think it’s time to bring a writer onto the Movers Mindset team. Each time I post it somewhere, it kicks off one or two conversations with someone. Each of those little conversations gives me a chance to refine how I convey my vision for this new role. (As a certain reader would say, how I convey my intention—hi Angie!)

The first thing I realized is that what I am bringing to this potential new relationship is the resources—the raw material that the team has amassed. I don’t in fact know exactly what the new person would be creating. My intention is to enable someone to create something (some things?) from that raw material. I’m not creating the possibility—it’s there already. My hope is to enable that possibility to come to fruition.

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Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark: Street Dance, culture, and community →

Published November 18, 2020  ·  All posts on Nov 18  ·  

Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark: Street Dance, culture, and community

What roles do culture, community, and personal experience play in shaping the art and teaching of street dance?

Some things go beyond a passion to become a way of life… For Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark that way of life is street dance. They share their story; how they started dancing, their backgrounds, and their work as choreographers and professors. Just Sole and Queen Di describe their experiences with dance, from clubbing to teaching, and explain the culture  and community of street dance. They discuss family, home and travel, and how dance weaves through everything in their lives.

It’s actually a surrendering to music. That’s what dance says, it’s a surrendering, it’s a commitment, it’s a letting go of your preconceived notion to accept it, to express your conceived notion with it.

~ Kyle ‘Just Sole’ Clark (45:40)

Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark are dancers, choreographers, educators, and parents. Currently college professors, they have competed, taught, traveled, and performed together around the world for the last decade. Just Sole and Queen Di founded the “Just Sole! Street Dance Theater” company, and educational program “Funky Sole Fundamentals” to preserve the culture and styles of hip hop, funk, and house dance.

The beautiful thing about hip hop and street dance culture is, you are allowed to be yourself within the culture.

~ Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark (36:00)

The conversation centers on the deep cultural, spiritual, and personal significance of street dance. Kyle and Dinita discuss how street dance is more than movement; it’s a form of expression and a way of life, intricately tied to music, history, and community. They highlight the role of personal upbringing and exposure to music and movement in shaping their artistic journeys, describing dance as a universal language that everyone can connect with, but only those who actively participate truly understand.

Queen Di and Just Sole also emphasize the responsibility of teaching street dance, including preserving its cultural roots and passing on its history. They address misconceptions about the art form, such as the lack of perceived technique, and stress the importance of engaging directly with the culture through clubs, ciphers, and shared experiences. The discussion also touches on themes of appropriation, education, and the universal appeal of dance as a means of connection and spiritual release.

Takeaways

Participation in culture — True understanding and belonging in street dance require active participation, not just learning moves or theory.

Teaching with responsibility — Educators have a duty to preserve and respect the cultural roots of street dance while guiding students in their personal expression.

Dance as spiritual expression — Beyond movement, street dance connects deeply to music, offering a spiritual and emotional release.

Universal accessibility — While everyone can dance in theory, achieving a profound connection requires dedication and openness.

Cultural preservation — Maintaining the history and essence of street dance ensures its authenticity and relevance for future generations.

Resources

Queen Dinita @queen_dinita

Just Sole @justsole

Just Sole Movement

Funky Sole Fundamentals @funkysolefundamentals

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Microphones and the human voice →

Published September 30, 2020  ·  All posts on Sep 30  ·  ,

This is a well written article about the human voice, and how microphones really work in terms of capturing it. Even if you read this and plan to forget everything—you’ll come out *way* ahead when recording your and your guests’ voices.

Facts about speech intelligibility

slip:4udami1.

It’s full of insightful information, about the human voice:

…the voice changes spectrum in almost any other position than when we approach the speaking person with our ear – or microphone. Each position on the head or the chest has its’ own sound color – or timbre. For instance, the spectrum of speech recorded on the chest of a person normally lacks frequencies in the important range of 2-4 kHz. This results in reduced speech intelligibility. If the microphone does not compensate for this you should make corrections with an equalizer.

Important frequencies:

The important frequencies in non-tonal (Western) languages are illustrated by the diagram below. Here, the frequency band around 2 kHz is the most important frequency range regarding perceived intelligibility. Most consonants are found in this frequency band.

…and about what affects intelligibility in a reproduction of the voice:

A lot of research has been carried out in this area. In general, the results demonstrate that:

1. Optimum speech level is constant when background noise level is lower than 40 dB(A)
2. Optimum speech level appears to be the level that maintains around 15 dB(A) of S/N ratio when the background noise level is more than 40 dB(A)
3. Listening difficulty increases as speech level increases under the condition where S/N ratio is good enough to keep intelligibility near perfect

Furthermore, the 1-4 kHz frequency range should be “kept clear”. When, for instance, adding music as background for narration, a parametric equalizer cutting the music 5-10 dB in this frequency range will improve intelligibility.

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Nothing Fails Like Success →

Published September 26, 2020  ·  All posts on Sep 26  ·  ,

There are internet companies (like Basecamp, or like Automattic, makers of WordPress.com, where I work) that charge money for their products and services, and use that money to grow their business. I wish more internet companies could follow that model, but it’s hard to retrofit a legitimate business model to a product that started its life as free.

~ Jeffrey Zeldman from, Nothing Fails Like Success – A List Apart

slip:4uaiai7.

ahahahahahahahahhahaahahhaaa! Sometimes I like to share stuff just because it makes me happy. (The stuff; not the sharing of said stuff, I mean.) I regularly talk about how this web site is a vehicle for my reflection—I’m quite often literally thinking through things. Writing, (tappity-tap-tapping on the keyboard here,) and writing, (scratchity-scritch-skratching with a pen on paper,) are two of the ways I figure out if the dross I regularly find in my head actually corresponds to reality.

When I read sentences like the ones I quoted above, I leap (sometimes literally) to my feet knocking over my chair in the process. It does my weary—deeply deeply weary it be—heart good just to read sentences like this. And I hope—not in the sense that I little value your ability to think and “hope” you’ll finally get what I’m saying; no. I only hope that sometimes, some of the things I share make you happier.

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