Pragmatism is not so much realism as flexibility. There are a lot of ways to get from point A to point B. It doesn’t have to be a straight line. It’s just got to get you where you need to go. But so many of us spend so much time looking for the perfect solution that we pass up what’s right in front of us.
~ Ryan Holiday
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During rare, spontaneous moments, experiences of very special quality and great import emerge from the depths of the human brain. To each person, these awakenings seem awesomely new. What they convey is not. It is the simplest, oldest wisdom in the world. The message is that ultimate meaning is to be found in this present moment, infusing our everyday lives, here and now. But one can’t predict such major peaks of enlightenment. Their insight-wisdom is next to impossible to describe. Even so, these fragile events inspired our major religions in ways that still shape our cultural development.
~ James Austin from, Zen and the Brain
Because in reality, none of us actually understands how our minds work. We only know that sometimes, our minds do some pretty amazing things. It would be great (we, I hope, all think) if I could tweak my mind to do that a little more often.
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How does personal growth through creativity, movement, and coaching shape individual identity and inspire community connections?
I want to see the world and get a well-rounded view of what’s happening… You can read the news, watch the news all day, but you’re going to get a biased opinion.
~ Evan Beyer, 12’23”
Discover Evan’s desire to break free from the confines of his hometown and venture into different cultures, with Italy as his potential next destination, as he seeks to expand his perspective and embrace new challenges.
The way that I feed my creativity is actually out of curiosity… It’s like how does a doorknob work? Well, take it apart!
~ Evan Beyer, 1’54”
Evan Beyer shares his transformative journey from a rebellious teenager to a passionate movement coach. He discusses how his insatiable curiosity drives his creative pursuits, from woodworking to metalworking, and how he challenges societal stereotypes with his unconventional appearance. Evan reflects on his bold decision to leave his hometown and pursue coaching in Boston, where he found fulfillment and a deep love for teaching movement. He also expresses his aspiration to explore different cultures, particularly Italy, as he continues to seek personal and professional growth.
Living your whole life in one town is like looking at the cover of a book. You don’t know what’s in the pages until you travel.
~ Evan Beyer, a bit of wisdom heard in his childhood, 12’23”
Takeaways
Curiosity and Creativity — Evan emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity and allowing it to drive creative pursuits. By exploring new things and constantly seeking to understand how they work, individuals can unlock their creative potential and find inspiration in unexpected places.
The Power of Perception — Evan discusses how people often misjudge him based on his appearance, emphasizing the need to look beyond stereotypes and preconceived notions. It serves as a reminder to not judge others solely based on their outward appearance, as it may not reflect their true nature or intentions.
The Fulfillment of Coaching — Evan shares his personal journey in coaching and highlights the deep satisfaction that comes from imparting knowledge and helping others. Coaching is more than just physical training; it requires a unique set of skills and the ability to convey information effectively.
Embracing New Cultures — Evan expresses a desire to explore different cultures and gain a broader perspective of the world. His aspiration to live and work in different countries reflects the value of immersing oneself in diverse environments, embracing new experiences, and challenging personal boundaries.
The Importance of Community — Throughout the conversation, Evan acknowledges the influence and inspiration he derives from the parkour community and the support of his mentors and friends. He emphasizes the significance of fostering connections with like-minded individuals who share similar passions and can contribute to personal growth and development.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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…is both the title of a book, and a thing I’d very much like to do. What’s stopping me?
It’s not genetics, because that only sets the boundary parameters. Sure, I’ll never literally be a leopard. But the set of genes I’ve been dealt seem pretty choice. Bonus, I can even change my genetic expression. So genetics is not what’s holding me back.
There are two things holding me back: My mindset and knowledge.
Mindset — I like to think of it like this: See this body? This is the body which results from all my choices and my mindset up to this moment. I don’t want a different body so that I can do this or that. (Well, I do but that’s exactly the problem.) Instead, I need to make better decisions. Here are a few ways that I use to steer my life…
Knowledge — There are many things which are a priority for me. Learning everything about each of the fields of human biology, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, etc. is not a priority. I’ve made great strides in figuring out solutions to many of my problems, but it’s too enormous of a knowledge space for me to learn everything in every field.
Years ago (h/t Jesse!) I first saw a copy of Kelly Starrett’s book Becoming a Supple Leopard. It was an impressive book, and was well recommended. But I was still at a place in my journey where I wanted to carve my own path, and went on my way trying to figure everything out on my own. But no more!
Recently (h/t Andrew!) I was gifted a big, beautiful 2nd edition of the book. Which dovetails nicely with my no longer wanting to figure everything out on my own. So I’ve been diving into Starrett’s Becoming a Supple Leopard.
The third and most notable problem with our current thinking is that it continues to be based on a model that prioritizes task completion above everything else. It’s a sort of one-or-zero, task-done-or-not, weight-lifted-or-not, distance-swum-or-not mentality. This is like saying, “I deadlifted 500 pounds, but I herniated a disc,” or, “I finished a marathon, but I wore a hole in my knee.” Imagine this sort of ethic spilling over into the other aspects of your life: “Hey, I made you some toast! But I burned down the house.”
~ Kelly Starrett from, Becoming a Supple Leopard
I’m still reading the entire book-worth of information in the first part of the book. Plus, the middle parts are an encyclopedic compendium of gargantuan proportions with hundreds of mobility exercises. I skimmed through all of it, and resigned myself to never being able to try, let alone learn, all of them in a systematic fashion. Instead, in the back of the book there is a 14-day system for cherry-picking things to do, and that is the thing I’m digging into. In fact, I expect I’ll simply repeat the 14-day thing (changing what specific activities I’m picking) until I become bored or a supple leopard.
To make that a little easier, I made this PDF so I could print and write directly on it:
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While you can still avoid shame by hiding, you won’t find happiness or even stability that way. The thing is, shame is a choice. It’s worth repeating: Shame can’t be forced on you; it must be accepted. The artist, then, combines courage with a fierce willingness to refuse to accept shame. Blame, sure. Shame, never. Where is the shame in using our best intent to make art for those we care about?
~ Seth Godin
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Never throw mud. You may miss your mark: But you must have dirty hands.
~ Joseph Parker
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It’s the relative appeal of the two paths that determines which one you take. You can equalize these by improving the intended path (making public transit better), obstructing the desire path (making driving worse), or a combination.
~ “Dynomight” from, Things you’re doing but don’t want to be doing
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This article starts with a simple concept and then iteratively goes far into the weeds to see where else it can be applied. I love minds which explore that way. I have so many habits, idiosyncrasies, and ancient brain quirks that it’s a miracle I ever get anything done. Everything figuratively within my reach is wearing down and coming undone, (entropy wins in the end.) I’ll take any opportunity—as this article suggests—to tip things towards my desired path.
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In the most general sense, productivity is about navigating from a large constellation of possible things you could be doing to the actual execution of a much smaller number of things each day.
~ Cal Newport from, The Productivity Funnel – Cal Newport
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A decade ago, I was swamped by the sheer number things I could possibly do each day. In one sense, that’s a good problem to have. But good or bad problem, “swamped” and “drowning” are adjacent. I’d committed myself to far too many things. Large swaths of those “possible things” every day came with emotional baggage, and often with the self-imposed weight of “should.” And so I worked on that and eliminated all the negative things.
Unfortunately, selecting what to tackle each day remains just as challenging. I’ve a habit of creating a “page for today” that I scribble on early in the morning. As the day progresses, I cross things off, jot down notes, scribble things which I need to add to my other systems, etc.. Over the years, I’ve used various bits of random paper; for a time, I was using the back-side of all the printer paper from the recycle bin. I’ve used spiral notebooks, tablets, and even a custom spreadsheet, (which I printed on 8.5×11 paper and cut in half to make my own table of half-sheet daily schedule/grid.)
Recently, I realized that the size of the paper I was using was getting progressively smaller. I’m currently using a 3×5-size of Rhodia notebook. (These, if you’re interested. Durable, great paper, and, critically, every page is micro-perforated so I can tear out each day to start fresh the next day.) The sublime recipe of page size, line space, handwriting style and hours in the day goes a long way to keep my selection of what to do tending towards the possible. Whether the sheet for today feels cramped or airy is a good indication of what I’m setting myself up for.
And to be clear, I don’t plan every day into this little book early each morning. On the days when I’ve something big planned—a day trip to the beach, a long weekend away—I throw all structure to the wind. But most days I do.
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If memory serves, this was shot from the new-ish highway bridge that carries the interstate above the canyon. I love the complexity of how everything is all jammed down into the canyon.
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Sometimes I stumble upon things like this—in this case, from Maria Papova—and I’m not quite sure what to do with them. There’s something to this which scratches at the back of my mind.
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What does it take to balance creative passion, personal growth, and professional responsibility while navigating life’s unpredictable journey?
Amos Rendao reflects on what music means to him, flowing vs planning, and the benefits and importance of journalling. The conversation turns to the idea of success and what that means, before moving to Aikido, and information activism. Amos shares his insights on diet and nutrition, his journey with injuries and recovery, and how he manages self talk.
Journaling is such an important way to develop a relationship with yourself.
~ Amos Rendao (49:50)
The conversation covers the relationship between creativity, self-reflection, and structured productivity. Amos reflects on his deep connection with music, sharing how his early experiences in bands shifted to a hiatus as parkour and business took priority. He revisits his passion through home recording, finding renewed joy in music’s restorative power. This leads to broader discussions on the interplay between freeform exploration and the necessity of structure, reflecting on how Amos balances spontaneity with highly organized systems to maximize productivity.
Amos and Craig explore the transformative impact of journaling as a tool for self-awareness and growth. They discuss the challenges of maintaining consistency in habits, diet, and personal health while navigating entrepreneurial and athletic commitments. The dialogue also touches on the influence of aikido in shaping their movement practice, drawing parallels between martial arts and parkour. The broader theme highlights how embracing both structured goals and open-ended exploration can lead to deeper personal insight and development.
Takeaways
Journaling – A powerful tool for developing self-awareness, tracking personal growth, and identifying patterns over time.
Creativity and Flow – Revisiting creative passions can restore mental health and balance, even after long hiatuses.
Structured Productivity – Building organized systems around sleep, diet, and time management can significantly enhance efficiency.
Freeform Exploration – Spontaneous, unstructured days can lead to valuable experiences and insights, balancing out rigid schedules.
Movement and Recovery – Insights into how parkour, aikido, and other movement practices contribute to long-term physical resilience and injury recovery.
Diet and Performance – Experimenting with diet, fasting, and biohacking to improve mental clarity and athletic performance.
Community and Connection – The importance of community involvement, both in local parkour initiatives and broader projects like USPK.
Resources
APEX School of Movement — A movement school co-founded by Amos Rendao focused on parkour education.
Parkour EDU — An educational platform designed to teach parkour principles and coaching techniques.
USPK (United States Parkour Association) — A national organization dedicated to promoting and supporting parkour communities in the US.
Oura Ring — A health tracking device used by Amos to monitor sleep and activity data.
Your Personal Paleo Code by Chris Kresser — A book and program recommended by Amos for dietary experimentation and self-optimization.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What motivates and sustains a practice that evolves personal fulfillment and builds community?
Dylan Johanson is the owner and founder of Innate Movement Parkour in Kingston, New York. A practitioner for many years, Dylan talks about his origin story and the challenges surrounding building and then re-building his gym. Then he shares some thoughts on what advice he would give his younger self.
Sometimes, I still need to remind myself to not accidentally slip onto the treadmill of traditional success.
~ Dylan Johanson (18:00)
The conversation explores Dylan Johansson’s journey into parkour, from discovering the practice to founding Innate Movement in Kingston, New York. Early topics include Dylan’s initial experiences with parkour, how it resonated with his love for movement, and his shift from solitary training to engaging with a larger community. He describes the transformative effect parkour had on his health, outlook, and life choices, emphasizing the physical and mental benefits it provided.
Later discussions focus on the process of building a parkour community, including the challenges of starting and sustaining a gym. Dylan recounts how he transitioned from hobbyist to professional coach, discussing incremental growth strategies, the importance of partnerships, and lessons learned from different gym setups. The conversation also reflects on broader themes, such as defining success on one’s terms and embracing the evolving nature of personal practice.
Takeaways
Parkour as a transformative discipline — A personal journey from unhealthy habits to a more fulfilled and balanced life.
Starting small and evolving gradually — The value of incremental steps in building a community and opening a gym.
Challenges of traditional success — Balancing personal joy and professional growth while resisting societal pressures.
The importance of a supportive network — How a partner and community can provide stability during transitions.
Parkour as a philosophy — Viewing parkour as a lens to guide life decisions and promote self-improvement.
Lessons from failure — How personal struggles and setbacks can serve as stepping stones for growth and learning.
Joy in movement — Emphasizing the playful and creative aspects of training for sustained passion and engagement.
Organizing principles for life — Using parkour to create a framework for healthier, more intentional choices.
Resources
Innate Movement — The parkour organization founded by Dylan Johansson.
PK Gen — A global organization promoting parkour education and certifications.
ADAPT Certification — A leading qualification program for parkour coaches.
Rich Roll Podcast — A podcast featuring topics on health, fitness, and personal transformation, mentioned as an inspiration in the discussion.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What is a man?
~ Paul Anka
What has he got?
If not himself,
then he has naught.
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Is there any way to make genuine debates — sustained back-and-forth exchanges, meeting high intellectual standards but still widely accessible — part of our political culture? (I leave to historians the question of whether there are historical precedents— like the Webster-Hayne or Lincoln-Douglas debates.) Can we put our politicians in a situation where they cannot ignore challenges, where they must genuinely engage with one another in responsible discussion and not just repeat talking points?
~ Gary Gutting from, A Great Debate – The New York Times
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