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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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.
Takeaways
The essence of travel — Experiences are shaped more by the people encountered than the destinations themselves.
Curiosity as a driver — Following personal curiosity leads to deeper connections and richer experiences.
The power of communities — Communities often transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, fostering inclusivity and shared purpose.
Storytelling and connection — Sharing stories serves as a bridge between individuals and cultures.
Importance of shared practices — Activities like Parkour create unique opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.
Flexibility in journeys — Approaching travel without rigid plans opens space for unexpected, meaningful interactions.
Emotional resonance in events — Events focused on community foster deep emotional connections among participants.
Resources
Évry Move event — Annual gathering in Évry, France, focusing on community and physical training.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Marcello Palozzo: Strength and conditioning, teaching, and learning →
What are the principles and practices that lead to personal growth, meaningful teaching, and effective learning in physical disciplines?
Marcello Palozzo discusses his studies in the area of strength and conditioning, his relationship with Ido Portal, and how to capture information to optimize your learning. He shares his insights on teaching and learning, discussing the responsibilities of a teacher. Marcello explains how he found his current path, as well as his goals and plans for the future.
True learning should be emotional. Unless there is that element as well in it, something is missing.
~ Marcello Palozzo (5:10)
Marcello discusses his approach to integrating diverse fields of knowledge, including parkour, strength training, and the methodologies learned from his master’s degree studies and training with Ido Portal. He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones and creating routines that challenge both physical and emotional boundaries. His philosophy underscores the need for learning to have an emotional component to ensure genuine and impactful growth.
The conversation also explores Marcello’s teaching methods, advocating for learners to actively engage with material by organizing and revisiting it, rather than passively consuming information. Marcello shares his experiences of redefining his career path, abandoning pharmacy studies, and committing fully to movement disciplines. Marcello reflects on the significance of mentorship, community, and continuous exploration in personal and professional development.
Takeaways
Stepping out of comfort zones — Regularly challenging oneself emotionally and physically is key to growth.
Emotional learning — True learning involves an emotional connection for lasting impact.
Active information processing — Categorizing, mapping, and revisiting material enhances learning sustainability.
Role of mentorship — Following dedicated experts provides depth and structure to learning.
The value of community — Collective problem-solving and shared experiences accelerate development.
Sustainable practices — Balancing different training modalities ensures long-term engagement.
Personal transformation — Bold decisions can reshape one’s career and life direction.
Weakness as a strength — Addressing personal weaknesses is essential for holistic improvement.
Fluid planning — Flexibility in goals allows adaptation to unexpected life changes.
Resources
Ido Portal — A key mentor in Marcello’s journey, offering clarity and progression in movement practices.
ParkourWave Association — Co-founded by Marcello, this organization promotes parkour and its principles in Italy.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Martin Kallesøe: Coaching, coffee, and Street Movement →
What lessons can we learn from integrating Parkour into structured educational settings and promoting personal growth through physical movement?
In this episode of Movers Mindset, Craig talks with Martin Kallesøe of Street Movement. They discuss Martin’s unique introduction to parkour, his thoughts on coaching, and Danish Parkour’s coffee culture. He also touches on his first experiences with the Yamakasi, as well as the history and culture of Street Movement and the International Gathering at Gerlev.
Don’t lose joy. If you lose joy in Parkour, don’t quit. Tone it down, keep doing it, but do something else a lot for a while.
~ Martin Kallesøe (37:10)
The conversation explores the transformative journey of integrating Parkour into both personal practice and educational frameworks. It begins with the guest’s early exposure to Parkour during his university years in Denmark and traces his path to co-founding Street Movement. The discussion includes the philosophical underpinnings of Parkour, emphasizing self-discovery, collaboration, and adaptability. These principles are highlighted as crucial for teaching others while maintaining the joy of practice.
Further topics include the challenges and rewards of incorporating Parkour into academic settings, such as fostering peer learning and designing flexible curricula. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of creating inclusive learning environments, the role of international connections in evolving the discipline, and the need for mindfulness in both teaching and training.
Takeaways
Teaching through collaboration — The importance of peer-to-peer learning in Parkour education.
Bringing Parkour into schools — Challenges and successes of introducing Parkour into structured educational settings.
Resilience and creativity — Using movement challenges to foster adaptability and innovative thinking.
Cultural shifts in coaching — Moving away from performance-driven goals toward intrinsic growth and curiosity.
Integrating physical disciplines — Drawing insights from other activities to keep Parkour practice fresh and joyful.
Philosophy of movement — Viewing Parkour as more than just physical practice, emphasizing life lessons and mindfulness.
Iterative development in education — Adapting teaching methods based on participant feedback and small, meaningful changes.
Resources
Movers Mindset Podcast Episode 24 — The podcast episode featuring this conversation.
Street Movement — The organization co-founded by the guest to promote Parkour and creative movement.
Yamakasi — A founding group of Parkour practitioners referenced in the discussion.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Stany Boulifard Mallet: Art du Déplacement, the Yamakasi, and motivation →
What is the deeper philosophy behind Art du Déplacement, and how does it shape both movement practice and personal growth?
Stany Boulifard Mallet sits down with Craig to discuss his Art du Déplacement (ADD) journey, his practice, and his relationship with the founders. He shares how he met the Yamakasi, and the impact that they have had on his training over the years. Stany also unpacks his thoughts on the motivation behind ADD and his own reasons for training.
You can choose to be ready; you can choose to train.
~ Stany Boulifard Mallet (18:20)
The conversation explores the philosophy and practices of Art du Déplacement, focusing on its origins with the Yamakasi and their transformative approach to movement. Stany shares his personal journey, from discovering the discipline as a teenager inspired by the Yamakasi movie, to training under the founders. He reflects on the mental, emotional, and physical dimensions of the practice, emphasizing how it cultivates self-awareness and connection.
A significant portion of the discussion digs into specific training methods, such as the “be ready in an instant” exercise, and the importance of aligning spirit, body, and heart in movement. Stany also highlights the ethos of humility and humanity demonstrated by the founders, and how their teaching extends beyond physicality to deeper questions about purpose and emotional connection in life.
Takeaways
The transformative impact of Art du Déplacement — The discipline offers a path to personal growth through intentional movement.
The origins of the Yamakasi — A group of friends developed a philosophy centered on mind-body connection and emotional resilience.
The philosophy of choosing — Training focuses on active choice rather than passivity, reinforcing intention and self-determination.
Training with emotional awareness — Participants are encouraged to connect their movements to their emotions and purpose.
The role of humility — Despite their fame, the Yamakasi founders embody humility and prioritize meaningful connections.
The mental aspect of practice — Training involves psychological exercises to cultivate presence and focus.
The importance of novelty — Constantly seeking new challenges fosters growth and keeps the practice fresh.
The quest for understanding — Both personal and scientific approaches inform the guest’s movement practice.
Resources
Yamakasi Movie — A blockbuster film that introduced Art du Déplacement to a global audience.
The thing is, we still live in a world that’s filled with opportunity. In fact, we have more than an opportunity — we have an obligation. An obligation to spend our time doing great things. To find ideas that matter and to share them. To push ourselves and the people around us to demonstrate gratitude, insight, and inspiration. To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing.
Someone recently asked me about Movers Mindset. “Why is craig doing this?” and my first thought was, “Isnt this obviously a great thing?” But perhaps he wasn’t asking about the thing but rather about me. I had focused on the, “…doing this” when I perhaps I should have focused on, “…Craig doing.”
It’s simple: Movers Mindset is the community I wish I could join. To find inspiration. To find like-minded persons. To find a high-fidelity space where my ideas can be exposed to the Marketplace of Ideas.
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John ‘Hedge’ Hall: Scottish viewpoint, cultures, and society →
What lessons can parkour teach about culture, education, and personal development?
Craig travels to Edinburgh, Scotland to interview John “Hedge” Hall about the culture of parkour, his ideas on how Scotland views parkour, and his own personal movement journey. Hedge unpacks how different cultures and societies adapt parkour to fit them and the impact of cultural norms on their practice. Touching a bit on coaching, Hedge discusses the impact of educational environments on his students.
Parkour is shaped like the hole that people feel is missing in their society.
~ John ‘Hedge’ Hall (12:00)
The conversation explores the cultural nuances of parkour, showing how it adapts to the societal needs of different regions. It examines the contrasting competitive nature of parkour in the United States versus its integration into daily life and education in Scotland. Insights from anthropological studies are discussed, highlighting how parkour serves as a response to societal gaps, shaped by local culture.
The discussion shifts to pedagogy, with an emphasis on using parkour as a tool for inclusive education. It explains the value of teaching novices through inflexible concepts while gradually introducing flexible ones as they gain experience. Practical examples include introducing parkour into schools to foster natural play and physical development. The speaker also shares personal reflections on self-improvement and the importance of honesty in building habits, tying it to broader life lessons.
Takeaways
Parkour and culture — Parkour adapts to the unique cultural norms of each society, reflecting local values and needs.
What lessons can we learn about personal growth, community building, and training innovation through parkour?
Craig sits down to interview Ville Leppanen, a lifelong learner and member of the Finnish Parkour community. Ville discusses how he uses different tools in his coaching, how to work smarter instead of harder, and how he uses interval training to help him in parkour. Finally, Ville touches on how his coaching has evolved over the years and how his teaching has helped him learn things about himself.
For me, the process is, ‘okay, I have this idea and… I have no idea…’ Is it any good? Will it work? Will it be interesting? But what the hell, let’s give it a go!
~ Ville Leppanen (4:00)
The conversation highlights Ville Leppanen’s innovative approach to coaching, focusing on using tools, questions, and unconventional methods to inspire curiosity and adaptability in training. Ville shares his perspective on integrating scientific principles into parkour, aiming to combine rigorous research with the sport’s creative essence. Discussions also touch on interval training strategies for maximizing physical performance while balancing intensity and recovery.
The dialogue explores the Finnish parkour community’s cohesiveness, influenced by cultural tendencies toward collaboration and organization. Ville reflects on how confrontation and cultural differences affect community dynamics. He emphasizes the value of stepping outside the parkour bubble by exploring other disciplines, fostering a holistic movement practice, and gaining new insights to improve coaching and community-building efforts.
Takeaways
Ville’s philosophy on tools — Using simple objects in creative ways enhances learning and training processes.
Interval training — Tailoring work-rest cycles to optimize endurance and intensity in parkour practice.
Finnish parkour community — Unified by collaboration and early organization, reflecting Finnish cultural traits.
Confrontation avoidance — Addressing how cultural norms shape community interactions and growth.
Questions as tools — Facilitating personal and student growth by fostering curiosity rather than providing answers.
Exploring diverse disciplines — Engaging with other activities enriches perspectives and enhances movement skills.
Long-term physical goals — Prioritizing sustainable, playful training to ensure lifelong movement capability.
Family classes in parkour — A Finnish innovation promoting intergenerational bonding through shared movement experiences.
Resources
American Rendezvous — A well-organized parkour event Ville attended, noted for its professionalism.
Supreme Parkour Armageddon — An annual Finnish parkour event known for its evolving, humorous naming tradition.
Parkour Generations — Features coaching and events that Ville mentioned as impactful early in his training.
Sisu — A Finnish concept of perseverance and resilience, central to Ville’s outlook.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Sebastien Foucan (Part 3 of 3): Movement journey, path to truth, and coaching styles →
What are the deeper implications of autonomy, curiosity, and the evolving dynamics of coaching within the context of parkour and personal exploration?
In the final part of our 3-part interview with Sebastien Foucan, Craig and Seb continue to discuss his movement journey. Sebastien brings to light what he sees as his “Path To Truth.” They discuss his relationship with learning, different coaching styles, and wrap up with Sebastien’s three words.
I’m an explorer, nothing stays static. I’m still evolving.
~ Sebastien Foucan (12:30)
Sebastien Foucan reflects on his personal evolution from a disengaged student to a driven explorer, emphasizing the power of curiosity and self-directed learning. He discusses his initial struggle with traditional education and how experiences in nature reawakened his desire to learn. This rekindled curiosity led him to philosophical and scientific explorations, citing inspirations like Richard Feynman and the holistic connections between physical activity and mindfulness.
The conversation also gets into coaching philosophies, contrasting traditional methods with parkour’s unique emphasis on autonomy and individual growth. Sebastien critiques rigid coaching practices and advocates for collaborative, open exchanges of ideas to foster creativity and innovation in teaching. He explores broader themes such as artistic expression, personal resilience, and the importance of cultivating environments that encourage growth and connection.
Takeaways
Autonomy in coaching — The importance of teaching students to become independent rather than dependent on their coaches.
Curiosity as a driver — Curiosity transforms disengagement into a relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.
Integration of nature — The role of nature in inspiring movement, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Holistic teaching — Effective coaching incorporates not just technique but also personal and emotional development.
Influence of inspiration — Icons like Feynman and Michael Jordan illustrate how external influences shape individual perspectives and growth.
Balance of tradition and innovation — The need for blending established methods with creative, adaptive approaches.
Philosophy in practice — Parkour becomes a metaphor for navigating life’s challenges through adaptability and persistence.
Artistic expression in movement — Movement as a visual and emotional narrative connecting physicality with creativity.
The role of community — Collaboration and shared experiences enrich both individual and collective journeys.
Resources
Richard Feynman — An influential physicist known for his ability to explain complex concepts with clarity and accessibility.
Phil Jackson’s “Sacred Hoops” — A book exploring selflessness and team dynamics, drawing from Jackson’s experiences coaching basketball.
Art of Retreat — An event dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration among parkour and movement community leaders.
First4Sport Certification — A UK-based certification program for parkour coaching, emphasizing safety and professional standards.
What can we learn about the intersection of philosophy, personal growth, and structured systems within the practice of parkour?
Sandro Widmer discusses ParkourONE’s TRUST concept, his current research and movement journey. Along the way he describes his time in America, and the struggles of studying parkour coaches. Sandro also reminds us to walk through this world with an open mind, as we can never fully understand each other’s experiences.
I think what’s most important is to walk through the world with an open mindset. Be tolerant, be open-minded, and have a smile on your face.
~ Sandro Widmer (27:00)
The conversation explores the philosophy of ParkourONE, focusing on the TRuST concept that emphasizes values such as respect, modesty, and trust. This philosophy is visualized through the fingers of a hand, representing key principles like “no competition” and “courage.” ParkourONE’s unique approach to training and community building in Switzerland and Germany is discussed, highlighting the organization’s layered membership process and the responsibilities of its members.
The discussion transitions to Sandro’s master’s thesis on how personal philosophy influences coaching methods. He shares his methodology for collecting data from Swiss parkour coaches and explores topics such as open versus closed exercises and how parkour principles can be translated into broader life lessons. The conversation concludes with reflections on cultural exchanges during international training events and the importance of maintaining an open and tolerant mindset.
Takeaways
No competition — ParkourONE emphasizes non-competitive practice to foster inclusivity and personal growth.
Be cautious — Practitioners are encouraged to respect their physical limits to ensure sustainable training.
Respect — Respect is shown to the environment, fellow practitioners, and the discipline of parkour itself.
Trust — Trust in oneself and others is a cornerstone of both practice and teaching in ParkourONE.
Modesty — Humility is key to recognizing the continuous challenges within parkour.
Membership as responsibility — ParkourONE’s membership process is selective, emphasizing community contributions and adherence to shared values.
Cultural exchange — Parkour fosters a universal culture of openness and tolerance, as seen in events like American Rendezvous.
Influence of philosophy on coaching — Sandro’s research explores how a coach’s philosophy shapes their teaching methods and practice.
Open versus closed exercises — ParkourONE values giving students space to explore and develop their own solutions.
Sustainability in movement — Long-term physical and mental health is prioritized to ensure lifelong mobility.
Resources
ParkourONE — Philosophy and values behind ParkourONE’s training approach.
American Rendezvous — An event fostering cultural and training exchanges among parkour practitioners.
ADAPT Qualifications — Certification system mentioned in comparison with ParkourONE’s coach training.