What drives personal growth and resilience in the face of immense physical, emotional, and cultural challenges?
Ševo Saša is best-known as an amazing and creative mover, and the founder of the Skochypstiks clothing line. In this interview he shares the story of his Parkour beginnings after the collapse of Yugoslavia, and his motivation for overcoming a devastating injury in his youth. Sasa’s love of people and profound discipline have enabled him to thrive amidst the cycles of life, and have lead him to tremendous personal growth.
It doesn’t happen with everyone. Everybody can motivate us in different ways, this is true, but this special moment is something that I will remember forever. Because I did something that I really didn’t want to do, I kind of refused it with all my body, with everything, and when we ended I think I hugged him so hard, I was so happy doing this.
~ Ševo Saša (14:00)
The conversation explores the transformative journey from a war-torn Balkan region, navigating through cultural and personal challenges to find purpose and resilience in parkour. The discussion begins with the historical context of Yugoslavia’s dissolution and the challenges of displacement, providing a backdrop to his initial experiences with movement and the foundational influence of his father. Overcoming severe physical injuries, Saša develops discipline through self-directed training and a deep love for movement.
The narrative progresses into his parkour evolution, shaped by diverse environments and communities. From training in Serbia to pioneering connections between neighboring Balkan countries through parkour, the conversation emphasizes the significance of shared experiences. Saša reflects on the broader cultural impact of these connections, uniting people across former divisions, and concludes by highlighting the importance of love, discipline, and people in his practice.
Takeaways
Love for movement — A central theme that inspired dedication and growth in parkour.
Impact of displacement — How personal and cultural history shaped his outlook and resilience.
Discipline as a foundation — Rigorous self-training and perseverance despite physical and mental barriers.
Role of community — The importance of shared experiences in parkour to build connections and unity.
Parkour as a bridge — Its role in uniting people across post-war Balkan countries.
Adapting to environments — Embracing change and new challenges to drive personal growth.
Transformative experiences — How struggles, such as the 101 training, pushed personal limits and created lasting memories.
The power of connection — Focusing on people and relationships over obstacles or achievements.
Resources
Laurent Piemontesi — Insight into the “101” quadrupedal training exercises.
Colin McRae Rally Video Game — A part of Sasa’s recovery story and early life context.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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