Back in the day...
(Listen to this track while reading for the full-on experience: Ahmad--"Back in the Day")
So here we are, on the cusp of Parkour and Freerunning becoming even more of a worldwide media sensation than it has already. Professional deals, shoe sponsorships, websites with tens of thousands of unique visitors each month...it's all a little dizzying while at the same time exciting and full of potential. On the upside we all have the opportunity to share these activities that we love with new and excited people, to spread the good word about proper training and respecting your environment to a whole new generation of traceurs, but on the downside we have an increase in the negativity that's associated with the competitive aspect of procuring a living from a sport. Egos become involved, and when they're mixed with the volitility of the internet....well...you all know where I'm heading with this.
I myself have left most of that behind. My job is essentially to make people fitter. Each day I wake up and go spend my hours at work basically doing exactly what I love to do, teach movement to motivated people that love our programming and the community that it's created. I have little need to go flex my e-muscles on forums for ego's sake, and I'm eternally grateful for the oppportunity to be able to say that. But as more people become involved in striving for the upper echelon of this community, what exactly has been left behind?
I can't speak for everybody, but there was a time (what I will call the peak of my Parkour training) when myself and a handful of friends became fed up with the ever-increasing negativity of the Parkour forums. We realized that beyond all of the pomp and circumstance, the real reason we became involved in all of this is because it's an enjoyable way to spend your extremely limited days on this earth. Redefining your environment while intereacting with your friends and becoming more physically adept...it doesn't get much better than that. Yes this all has the potential for allowing hard-working, talented people to make a living, to be real professionals, but the foundation of it all is that it's just damn fun.
So, a bit of a classic video from the heyday of "The Band of Merry Men." Our overriding slogan "STFU and Run" pretty much sums it up (and if I could find that video I would post it too ;)...the internet really is NOT serious business, so take a minute to chill and remember why we're all here.
VA-Parkour "Band of Merry Men"-- "Timeless"
Edit: Found STFU...good old non-approved music...the silent version might still be worthwile:
"STFU & Run!"
So here we are, on the cusp of Parkour and Freerunning becoming even more of a worldwide media sensation than it has already. Professional deals, shoe sponsorships, websites with tens of thousands of unique visitors each month...it's all a little dizzying while at the same time exciting and full of potential. On the upside we all have the opportunity to share these activities that we love with new and excited people, to spread the good word about proper training and respecting your environment to a whole new generation of traceurs, but on the downside we have an increase in the negativity that's associated with the competitive aspect of procuring a living from a sport. Egos become involved, and when they're mixed with the volitility of the internet....well...you all know where I'm heading with this.
I myself have left most of that behind. My job is essentially to make people fitter. Each day I wake up and go spend my hours at work basically doing exactly what I love to do, teach movement to motivated people that love our programming and the community that it's created. I have little need to go flex my e-muscles on forums for ego's sake, and I'm eternally grateful for the oppportunity to be able to say that. But as more people become involved in striving for the upper echelon of this community, what exactly has been left behind?
I can't speak for everybody, but there was a time (what I will call the peak of my Parkour training) when myself and a handful of friends became fed up with the ever-increasing negativity of the Parkour forums. We realized that beyond all of the pomp and circumstance, the real reason we became involved in all of this is because it's an enjoyable way to spend your extremely limited days on this earth. Redefining your environment while intereacting with your friends and becoming more physically adept...it doesn't get much better than that. Yes this all has the potential for allowing hard-working, talented people to make a living, to be real professionals, but the foundation of it all is that it's just damn fun.
So, a bit of a classic video from the heyday of "The Band of Merry Men." Our overriding slogan "STFU and Run" pretty much sums it up (and if I could find that video I would post it too ;)...the internet really is NOT serious business, so take a minute to chill and remember why we're all here.
VA-Parkour "Band of Merry Men"-- "Timeless"
Edit: Found STFU...good old non-approved music...the silent version might still be worthwile:
"STFU & Run!"
posted by gear at
3:18 PM
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