Yup, that’s me at 7 years old, over my little brother, climbing the family vacation homes’ hallway… We had no idea back then what parkour was, or how it would change my life.
At the age of 13 I discovered parkour from MTV’s show Ultimate Parkour Challenge. I also discovered the local parkour classes which I’d beg my parents to take me to every week.
This week’s newsletter is homage to them. As they nurtured my budding passion for movement.
I did a brief interview with my mom on her now 13 year journey as a parkour parent. I hope the conversation sheds some light on your own journey as a parkour mom or dad.
Seth: What was your initial thought when you heard about parkour and my interest in doing it?
Mom: I’d never heard of it before initially, so I looked it up and when I saw teenagers doing it, I got nervous. To me, it seemed dangerous. I was not sure if it would be the right fit for you.
Seth: When did you realize this would be my “thing”?
Mom: As an adolescent, you asked me to take you to the park where you could practice some parkour moves and I didn’t really know exactly what that meant at the time. Strangely, there was another guy there who spotted you and asked you if you were doing Parkour and then he taught you some moves and within a few weeks I saw how this sport and your connection with other athletes who loved it really blossomed. It took you out of your shell and it brought you excitement I have never seen before.
Seth: Were you ever worried about my safety, and how did you deal with that fear?
Mom: I’ve always been worried about your safety, but anyone who’s in any sport is at risk for getting hurt in different ways and to be honest I pray a lot.
When I watch you on Instagram reels, they look scary to me but I also know you are a cautious person and you don’t do anything recklessly. I have faith in you and your common sense.
Seth: What changes as a person did you notice in me because of parkour?
Mom: You were shy as an adolescent and Parkour changed how you felt about yourself. You now found your niche in life and people you identified with. You all cheered each other on for personal achievements, it built self-esteem and helped you to stand up tall. It created an interest in fitness and health and ignited your soul.
Seth: Have you changed at all because of my doing parkour?
Mom: Your interest in an unconventional sport made me more open minded because I saw how it helped you in so many ways. So because of that I became very accepting of what brought you, my child, something you could be passionate about.
Seth: Was it worth all the drives to 5 Star? (the gym on Long Island where I learned parkour)
Mom: It was definitely a pain in the neck to be your personal chauffeur until you got your driver's license, but I saw the coaches in there working with you guys and you had a great time and the joy upon your face is the best gift mom could have…. but NO - I didn’t really like driving there.
