Parkour can help you rediscover your sense of play and adventure #TEDTalks

A question I get a lot is, "Why did you start doing parkour? " And I say, "Why did you stop? " We were all natural athletes when we were kids. Remember the days where you jumped puddles, climbed trees, balanced on curbs, and played floors lava? Those are the fundamental movements and mindsets that lead to parkour. Somewhere along our way, we lost our sense of adventure and play. But the good news is it's never too late to rediscover. Parkour helped me with my anxiety in cities. Coming from an island lifestyle, urban environments felt confining and stressful. Cities are designed to funnel you into certain pathways, often blocking the most direct routes with walls and handrails. By always taking the sidewalks and stairs, you end up moving in autopilot without even noticing. Parkour changes this. You get to reinvent your environment and move with more meaning. What once appeared as obstacles now appear as opportunities for movement and play. This paradigm shift allows you to approach life in a more positive and proactive way. In our busy, structured adult lives, we often forget the joy of the spontaneous movement and exploration that we experience as kids. With parkour, everyday objects start to seem like a playground again. While parkour has evolved into an extreme and competitive sport for some, at its roots, parkour is for everyone. And it can enhance our physical fitness, mental resilience, and overall well-being. So the next time you walk around your city or town, think of how you can move, play, and rediscover the joy of overcoming obstacles.