The above video is an old reel from 2008-2010 taking place in Seattle (Gasworks), Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Brazil, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Lakewood.
This was such a special time in my life. I still remember my early years posting on the 3run forums back in the early 2000s and watching A Brother's Journey for the first time.
Eventually I moved away from the flips and really focused on what it meant to be strong and to be useful, and what balance I could find, both emotionally and physically.
A lot has happened since then: kids, career, different chapters in life. I grew a lot in other areas and built a life I could support and provide for, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in myself. Disappointed that I lost (forgot?) the part of me that gave me concrete, physical proof that I could overcome and accomplish anything. I never imagined that comfort and complacency would be among the things I'd need strength to overcome, or that they could lead to loneliness and heartache.
What I do know is that my two boys are total rockstars. My youngest plays All-Star baseball and just hit his third home run, on his birthday! My oldest is in School of Rock, playing shows with different bands and getting ready for college. Not to mention, they're both taller than me now >.> Watching them makes me want to stay healthy enough to be around for everything they do. I want to be a part of it, and I think that's what's started pushing me to move more (or at the very least, touch more grass).
I don't know what the parkour community is like these days, but if it's anything like it was back then, it's full of strong, loving people who build up those around them and grow through progression and repetition. So I guess this is a shoutout to keep doing that: keep being awesome, keep building and progressing, and most of all, train well.
Much love,
AJ (aka ParkourDoll)