When you started training in parkour in 2002 did you have any idea the journey it would take you on?
Not at all! I began training solely for the love of the art – this was before YouTube or parkour had become well-known. The community was tiny, populated only by very dedicated practitioners who sought to better themselves through the challenge parkour presented. It was a fantastic time to find the discipline. Over time it expanded and we received a lot of attention, and it became our profession – but that happened quite organically, due mainly to the absolute dedication, passion and professionalism of the people involved.
What would you be doing now if you hadn’t come across the sport?
Who can say how any decision might change one’s life? I’ve thought about it but it’s impossible to know. I’ve also been a university lecturer, a teacher, a martial arts instructor, worked for a strategy consultancy firm, and a few other things before Parkour Generations. I suspect by now I’d be a full-time author, or would have tried to be!
What is your biggest achievement in parkour to date?
I don’t really think in terms of ‘achievements’. Life is a constant process of self-improvement and doing one’s best in any given situation, and that’s the only ‘achievement’ that matters I think – and that’s hard enough! But if I had to pin one down I’d say I’m proud of the fact that Parkour Generations worldwide has never compromised its principles or the ethics of the art, despite huge amounts of money being thrown at us by alcohol, fast food, energy drinks, tobacco, casino brands etc to endorse their products. Our team would never allow that, and it’s never been a tough decision to turn them down.
If you could accomplish one thing in parkour or outside the sport in the next five years what would that be?
We have very big projects in development now, to enhance the reach of the art and bring its benefits to more and more people. I simply hope that parkour can make a positive impact in more people’s lives, reminding them of their limitless potential and their birthright of movement, health and adventure!
What’s your favourite movie?
Since the age of 7, Conan the Barbarian
And actor?
Christina Chong
And musician/band?
Tough one: I love music and have very eclectic tastes. I’ll throw a few favourites out there: AC/DC, U2, Ani Difranco, All About Eve, Hans Zimmer’s compositions, Metallica, Beth Orton, Coldplay, The Cult, De La Soul…
What’s your biggest regret?
No regrets.
If you could have the opportunity to give another sport a go on a global level what would that sport be?
Boxing. Or Wingsuiting.
Where’s your favourite place to relax?
England. Home.
What makes you angriest?
Very little. Anger serves no real purpose for me.
What are you most passionate about?
Life! And people. Krishnamurti said it is important to have ‘passion without motive’, and I think that’s right.
What’s your best characteristic?
Humility 😉
(That’s a joke, for those who didn’t get it..)
And your most unappealing habit?
Asking people to do lots of muscle-ups in training.
If you could order any three-course meal what would that meal be?
Depends on the time of day! If hungry enough, a full Sunday roast with all the trimmings and an apple crumble dessert.
If you had to get stuck in an elevator with someone who would that person be?
Someone who could fix the elevator, probably! Or one of my good friends with whom I can talk for hours.
What are you most afraid of?
Failing to give my best.
What’s your most over-used phrase?
‘That’s interesting’
What drives you to keep pushing for success?
As above, I don’t really think in terms of ‘success and failure’ too much. I believe in process-oriented thinking over goal-oriented thinking. Make your daily processes as excellent as possible and let ‘success’ take care of itself.
Which sports person do you most look up to?
Muhammad Ali, for obvious reasons. Jonny Wilkinson has been through a huge amount and appears to have learned a great deal from it. Mainly, though, my friends and partners-in-crime at Parkour Generations, who are the strongest, most dedicated and highly principled people one could hope to work alongside.
