Movers Mindset

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

Moving with Sarah Mohr →

Published January 27, 2022  ·  All posts on Jan 27  ·  

Moving with Sarah Mohr

What roles do movement, play, and internal-external balance play in human connection and self-expression?

The balance between internal and external experiences shapes how individuals perceive and express themselves.

Let us have the capacity to lose the safety, and the illusion of the safety, that we are given in our century, to figure out that pain is our beautiful companion.

~ Sarah Mohr (16:32)

The conversation explores the intrinsic human connection to movement and play, emphasizing how these activities serve as fundamental forms of communication. The discussion highlights the cultural differences in how movement and play are expressed, with some societies engaging more openly and visibly, while others internalize their play through structured or intellectual means. The relationship between internal and external experiences of play is dissected, particularly through the lens of dance, where the external beauty perceived by audiences contrasts with the internal mental and physical challenges faced by the dancer.

Another key focus is the integration of pain and love as essential forces for learning and personal growth. Pain is presented as a necessary companion that helps individuals rediscover their authentic selves and reconnect with forgotten aspects of their identities. This rediscovery is tied to the idea of balance, both within oneself and in relation to external perceptions, underscoring the role of self-awareness and trust in navigating life’s complexities.

(more…)

Freedom with Brandon Sandén →

Published January 21, 2022  ·  All posts on Jan 21  ·  

Freedom with Brandon Sandén

How does movement, particularly parkour, serve as a reflection of one’s mental and physical state while fostering personal growth and community connection?

Movement reveals the intricate connection between physical challenges and mental states.

One thing I really love about parkour, and what it’s been for me, is that it’s kind of a perfect mirror—I think, Dan Edwardes spoken about this a lot—but it’s a perfect mirror of who you are right now at this very moment.

~ Brandon Sandén (1:28)

The conversation explores how movement, particularly parkour, reflects one’s current mental and physical state. Movement is described as a mirror, revealing the moment’s truths, independent of past achievements. Parkour’s emphasis on adaptability and creativity helps individuals step beyond their mental barriers and embrace challenges.

The discussion also highlights the role of community in fostering a love for movement. Through initiatives like Sunday Jump Days, participants build inclusive spaces, transcending organizational boundaries. Teaching parkour is revealed to require a blend of structure and flexibility, reflecting the dynamic nature of the discipline. Lastly, the value of flow states, both in movement and teaching, underscores the deep connection between physical practice and mental clarity.

(more…)

Contact with Nika Jankovic →

Published January 14, 2022  ·  All posts on Jan 14  ·  

Contact with Nika Jankovic

What is the relationship between physical movement practices like floor work, yoga, and breath, and how do these practices influence personal growth and teaching methods?

Discover how confronting the hardness of the floor can transform both physical practice and personal resilience.

You want to be friends with the floor. You wanna caress the floor, you wanna melt into the floor. There’s always you in relation to this thing.

~ Nika Jankovic (2:42)

The conversation discusses the interplay between movement practices such as floor work, yoga, and dance. Floor work, described as forming a “relationship” with the ground, is explored as a practice that transforms how one interacts with space and movement. The connection between breath and movement in yoga is also highlighted, emphasizing how breath awareness influences other practices like dance.

Teaching and learning are recurring themes, as challenges in balancing simplicity with complexity for beginners are examined. The discussion touches on the teacher-student dynamic, emphasizing the necessity of full-circle growth to effectively communicate foundational skills. Personal reflections on the evolution of movement practices during times of isolation, reveal the adaptability required in both practice and teaching.

(more…)

Questions with Joe Boyle →

Published January 12, 2022  ·  All posts on Jan 12  ·  

Questions with Joe Boyle

How do individuals decide what to share with others, and what strategies are effective for meaningful communication?

The conversation explores the interplay between offering help and withholding it to foster personal growth.

Anything that, sort of, gets you out of the rigidity of pattern is what lights you up.

~ Joe Boyle (17:50)

The conversation explores the complexity of communication, focusing on the tension between offering and withholding help. It examines whether sharing insights is always beneficial or if the onus lies on others to ask for guidance. This perspective ties into the idea that readiness and willingness to seek knowledge often dictate the effectiveness of learning.

The discussion transitions into topics of self-reflection and change, emphasizing how beliefs are often challenged in specific contexts rather than in abstract terms. It also touches on the importance of balance—between consuming information and creating opportunities for others to learn through subtle cues or “Easter eggs.” Personal practices, such as quieting the mind to enhance focus and creativity, are highlighted as valuable tools for personal growth.

(more…)

Jim Bathurst: Coaching, Self-Awareness, and Getting Started →

Published January 4, 2022  ·  All posts on Jan 4  ·  

Jim Bathurst: Coaching, self-awareness, and getting started

What strategies can be used to help individuals overcome personal and environmental barriers to achieve their physical and mental wellness goals?

When Jim Bathurst first began his fitness blog in college, he never imagined it would lead to a successful career as a personal trainer and coach. He shares his journey from athlete to coach, and how he approaches helping people. Jim discusses setting and achieving goals, recharging his energy, and music. He reflects on changes with Beast Skills and Nerd Fitness, and recent challenges he’s faced.

No one ever just comes up with a finished product… Just start wherever you’re at and then take that next step forward.

~ Jim Bathurst (46:25)

Jim Bathurst is an acrobat, weightlifter, personal trainer, head of Fitness at Nerd Fitness, and the creator of Beast Skills. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA and has been coaching people for 15 years now. During that time, he received the award of Best Personal Trainer in Washington DC, as well as the award for Best CrossFit Gym while he was Director of CrossFit Foggy Bottom. Jim brings his experience in gymnastics and calisthenics to his work outs and tutorials, breaking down difficult bodyweight exercises into manageable progressions.

The conversation centers on how to foster physical and mental well-being through incremental progress and prioritization. It emphasizes the importance of identifying personal priorities to make space for health-related activities. The discussion also explores how environmental factors, such as social support and physical surroundings, can influence one’s ability to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Coaches play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate these challenges by tailoring strategies to their unique circumstances.

Another major theme is the need to celebrate small victories and recognize progress beyond conventional milestones. This mindset helps sustain motivation and builds self-awareness over time. The dialogue also touches on broader personal growth themes, like overcoming self-consciousness, embracing new challenges, and the parallels between physical training and other aspects of life, such as creativity and content creation.

(more…)

Gateway to possibility →

Published December 10, 2021  ·  All posts on Dec 10  ·  

Why is play so powerful? Johnson explains that “humans — and other organisms — evolved neural mechanisms that promote learning when they have experiences that confound their expectations. When the world surprises us with something, our brains are wired to pay attention.”

And the whole point of play is to be surprised. The unknown factor is part of what entertains us. Play is a gateway to possibility.

~ Shane Parrish from, The Value of Play As a Driver of Innovation

slip:4ufova2.

Have you seen the movie, Inception? There are a pile of mind-bending perspective shifts in there… something like a dolly-zoom, a long music descent, a rotating set that obliterates our sense of reality as the actors fall to the ceiling, that look on their face, M C Escher learns to use modern CGI for a city street scene . . . you get the idea.

surprise
unknown factor
gateway to possibility…

My understanding of what play is, and why we’re drawn to it, has fundamentally shifted.

ɕ

Motivation with Oliver Thorpe →

Published December 6, 2021  ·  All posts on Dec 6  ·  

Motivation with Oliver Thorpe

What motivates and shapes the personal experiences and practices of someone who navigates both the parkour and climbing communities?

Exploring mindfulness in movement reveals deeper insights into personal and communal growth.

It’s interesting how it somehow reveals our own thought process. So the exact sequence of my feet in some stride up to something— or the exact way that I place my hands, reveals how I think about movement.

~ Oliver Thorpe (15:07)

The conversation touches on the intersection of culture, movement, and personal growth. Reflections on moving between Denmark and Australia explore themes of adaptation and community, with emphasis on how cultural differences shape human connections. Denmark, with its initially reserved people, becomes a home through its parkour community, providing both camaraderie and a sense of belonging.

The discussion also delves into the relationship between mindfulness, training, and motivation. Experiences in parkour and climbing illustrate how challenges provide motivation and how iterative attempts help in overcoming fear. There is also a reflection on how personal habits, like coffee preparation, tie into broader practices of mindfulness and intentionality.

(more…)

Lindsey Kleinberg: Experiencing Nature, Creating Connection, and Healing →

Published November 15, 2021  ·  All posts on Nov 15  ·  

Lindsey Kleinberg: Experiencing nature, creating connection, and healing

How can individuals integrate nature, education, art, and personal healing into creating positive change for themselves and their communities?

Lindsey Kleinberg advocates for nature play in the most important way; practicing what she preaches. She shares her experiences raising her family through alternative and nature education, and why it’s important to her. Lindsey describes the benefits home gardening, self-care, and how she approaches creating change. She discusses books, blogging, art, and what she hopes to achieve in her community.

When you’re really working on a personal journey, if you are making those steps for positive impact and change, people around you, whether or not they will admit, they start to feel those things.

~ Lindsey Kleinberg (44:22)

Lindsey Kleinberg is an educator, artist, avid gardener, and nature play advocate. She is the founder of the Finding Place LV, a Reggio-inspired micro school whose mission is to reconnect kids with nature. In addition to her Masters degree, Lindsey is certified  in many areas, including Nature-based outdoor education and School Garden Coordinator.

The conversation explores how integrating nature, art, and alternative education can foster healing and inspire positive change. Discussing the importance of organic gardening, Lindsey emphasizes the transformative effects of hands-on, sustainable practices in raising children. These practices encourage empathy, environmental stewardship, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Topics also touch on the role of art in healing, with examples of how creative activities—ranging from murals to gardening—can reconnect individuals to themselves and their communities. Lindsey advocates for simple actions, such as planting seeds or creating small garden spaces, to initiate broader personal and societal shifts. A recurring theme is the necessity of self-care to sustain these efforts, ensuring individuals remain grounded and effective in their pursuits.

(more…)

Growth with Brandon Douglass →

Published November 12, 2021  ·  All posts on Nov 12  ·  

https://moversmindset.com/growth-with-brandon-douglass/

What can be learned from reflecting on personal growth and authenticity through the lenses of podcasting and movement?

Exploring the intersection of self-expression and discipline through creative mediums.

Experimentation was key for me. And I think it’s just like, where are you finding the growth?

~ Brandon Douglass (13:04)

This conversation explores the themes of personal growth, authenticity, and creative expression, using podcasting and movement as central mediums. Topics include navigating the gap between public persona and authentic self, the therapeutic and self-reflective aspects of podcasting, and the challenges of overcoming fears both in movement and public speaking. Insights are shared on how the process of self-expression can foster understanding and self-awareness.

The discussion also covers practical aspects of podcasting, such as experimenting with formats, balancing consistency with creativity, and reflecting on past work to identify growth. A significant focus is placed on the importance of intentionality in creative practices and the value of embracing novel approaches to stand out in saturated fields. Movement is presented as both a physical and metaphorical language that enables exploration of different dimensions of self-expression.

(more…)

Questions with Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez →

Published October 28, 2021  ·  All posts on Oct 28  ·  

Questions with Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez

How does exploring one’s center and asking questions influence personal growth and understanding?

Asking the right questions transforms challenges into opportunities for growth.

I think that a way to find creativity and inspiration is, try to read something, try to see something that is not what you usually see, that is not what you usually do. Make yourself feel uncomfortable, and make yourself feel comfortable in the uncomfortable.

~ Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez (2:30)

The discussion explores the concept of finding one’s center and how this aligns with personal growth. Sebastián emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones to spark creativity and curiosity. He shares insights on seeking inspiration through diverse experiences, such as books, podcasts, and challenging unfamiliar activities.

The conversation also touches on the importance of asking meaningful questions, both of oneself and others, to uncover purpose and direction. Philosophical principles, movement practices, and mindfulness techniques are interwoven to illustrate how individuals can align their actions with deeper values. Practical lessons, like maintaining good technique in physical training, underscore the need for balance and awareness.

(more…)